The Airborne Laser employed its target illuminator for the first time during an in-flight test last week, according to a March 21 release from Edwards AFB, Calif. During the five-hour flight, Edward’s NC-135E test aircraft verified that the ABL’s illuminator had indeed successfully tracked an airborne target and measured airborne turbulence. “It’s the first time we’ve actually had photons leaving the airplane in flight,” stated Lt. Col. Michel Zumwalt, 417th Flight Test Squadron ABL Combined Test Force operations officer. He called the test a “big step” toward meeting knowledge points for the program.
B-21 Raider First Flight Now Postponed to 2023
May 20, 2022
The Air Force says the B-21 Raider won't make its first flight until 2023; about a six-month delay from the last official estimates. No reason was given for the delay. While other programs have recently chalked up schedule slips to supply chain and labor shortages, the Air Force has said…