The Air Force’s $43.3 million contract to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems on Jan. 6 covers retrofit kits to bring MQ-9 Reaper Block 1 remotely piloted aircraft to the latest configuration, but not the extended-range standard as we reported in Tuesday’s Daily Report column. The kits include new heavyweight landing gear, newer bomb rack technology, and data-dissemination improvements, not enlarged wings and fuel tanks. We’ve corrected our original entry.
Back from a Thanksgiving week recess, the push to pass the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act hit another snag Nov. 29, as the Senate voted against ending debate on its version of the bill. At the same time, Congress is staring down a Dec. 3 expiration date for its continuing…