A “misdirected” US-led coalition airstrike killed 18 allied Syrian Democratic Forces personnel, US Central Command announced Thursday. The April 11 air strike, which was requested by partnered forces who identified the location as an ISIS position, actually hit a forward SDF position. “The coalition is in close contact with our SDF partners who have expressed a strong desire to remain focused on the fight against ISIS despite this tragic incident,” CENTCOM said in a statement. The incident is the latest in a series of targeting errors, both confirmed and alleged, in the fight against ISIS. It comes shortly after CENTCOM announced its investigation into a Mosul, Iraq, airstrike that reportedly killed dozens of civilians.
The Air Force is upgrading some 70 MQ-9 Reapers to a new configuration that will keep the type capable and relevant to the near-peer fight for another 15 years. It awarded General Atomics a $272.3 million contract to enhance the Reaper's weapons, electric power, connectivity, and resistance to jamming, among…