The potential introduction of the F-35 to Vermont by the state’s Air National Guard has raised concern among some residents—also the noise issue—according to the Burlington Free Press (report) and WCAX (report). But Vermont Air Guardsmen are urging their neighbors not to compare Vermont to, say, Florida, where some have taken a dim view of the new F-35 joint schoolhouse going in at Eglin Air Force Base. Vermont ANG Lt. Col. Chris Caputo believes the on-going environmental impact study for the Air Guard’s Burlington Airport facility would likely show less noise at takeoff than the current F-16 fighters, unlike Eglin where the training center’s numerous takeoffs and landings would necessarily generate more noise.
The Air Force conducted its first successful test of the Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon, or ARRW, on May 14, snapping a streak of three consecutive failed tests and giving the beleaguered hypersonics program a much needed boost. Off the coast of Southern California, the AGM-183A ARRW separated from the wing…