Page 28 - Aerotech News Air Force Anniversary Special September 2022

So what does the future hold for the U.S. Air Force?
In the past few years, the service has seen unprecedented change — from the end of combat operations in Afghanistan after 20 years, to forward deployments to Eastern Europe in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine; from the rise in uncrewed aerial vehicles to the testing of hypersonic mis- siles; and from the introduction of the F-35 Lightning II to the impending roll out of the B-21 Raider bomber.
In a sign of looking back and reaching for- ward, the new hypersonic missiles are being tested using the B-52 Stratofortress bomber; an aircraft that made its first flight on April 15, 1952, and entered service in 1955!
So what does the future hold for the great- est Air Force in the world?
The service is currently testing Skyborg Vanguard — a system that allows uncrewed aerial vehicles to operate in tandem; the Air Force is also test flying the F-15EX Eagle II — bringing next-generation combat technol- ogy to a highly successful fighter airframe, capable of projecting power across multiple domains for the Joint Force; and the service is exploring the future of artificial intelli- gence within aircraft and weapons systems.
“I truly believe we have the greatest Air- men and best defense and tech industry in the world,” said Gen. CQ Brown Jr., chief of staff of the Air Force. “Together we must work to accomplish what seems impossible. We must rise to the challenges of today to prepare for tomorrow.”
Air Force photograph by Senior Airman Taylor Crul
An aircrew assigned to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron prepares to load qualified evacuees aboard a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Afghanistan, Aug. 21, 2021. The Department of Defense is committed to supporting the U.S. State Department in the departure of U.S. and allied civilian personnel from Afghanistan, and to evacuate Afghan allies safely.
A B-52H Stratofortress undergoes pre-
flight procedures at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., before conducting a flight test of the AGM-183A.
Air Force photograph by Giancarlo Casem
Air Force photograph by Staff Sgt. Danielle Sukhlall
U.S. Air Force’s F-22 Raptor has arrived to the 32nd Tactical Air Base, Lask, Poland, to support NATO Air Shielding.The aircraft are from the 90th Fighter Squadron, 3rd Wing, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, and will be supporting Air Shielding as the 90th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron.
Northrop Grumman image
An artist’s rendering of a B-21 Raider concept in a hangar at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. The B-21 Raider is currently being built at the Northrop Grumman facility at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, Calif., and will undergo flight test at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
James Baker Realty, Inc.
CA Lic. #00975357
“After All These Years ... I Still Love My Job!”
“Do it Now...Get it Done...and Improve Every Day!” James Baker
(661) 949 3000
30+ Years Experience – Over 2750 Closed Transactions
28
Aerotech News and Review www.aerotechnews.com ........ facebook.com/aerotechnewsandreview
September 2022