The Air Force is reportedly finalizing the details of a large solar energy project at Luke AFB, Ariz., that would provide electricity for a majority of the base. The Arizona Republic reported Monday that the 17-megawatt solar system under consideration would be among the largest in the nation, with a power capacity equivalent to running appliances in 4,250 homes at once when the arrays are in direct sunlight. Already the service operates a massive 14-megawatt solar system at Nellis AFB, Nev. Luke already uses solar arrays atop its base exchange.
The Air Force’s nascent KC-Z program, aimed at developing a next-generation family of systems for aerial refueling, will look to launch its analysis-of-alternatives study in 2024, years earlier than originally planned. Originally, the analysis of alternatives for KC-Z was set for “maybe in the 2030s,” Paul Waugh, program executive officer…