Standoff Jammer Axed, Again

Standoff Jammer Axed, Again: The Air Force has opted once again to cancel its plans to field a powerful standoff jammer capability by fitting large jamming pods on the wingtips of the B-52H. So claims Flight International in a March 3 report, citing an Air Combat Command electronic warfare requirements officer. According to the magazine, the Air Force has removed funding for the core component jammer project from its multi-year spending plan that will be part of its forthcoming Fiscal 2010 budget proposal. This is the second time that USAF has dropped the ax on the idea. In 2005, then Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Moseley terminated the original B-52 Standoff Jammer program after its costs ballooned. The Air Force, saying that a standoff element remained a critical piece of the US military’s future airborne electronic attack architecture, later resurrected the concept, but this time in the form of the more streamlined and disciplined CCJ effort. Now it appears that the Air Force will continue to mature standoff jamming technology, but not be tied to a formal acquisition program at least for now.

3/6/2009

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Appreciative Host
"I know you're here during a difficult time. You're here through Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. I promise you, we will find turkeys."
—Republic of Lithuania Chief of Defence Maj. Gen. Arvydas Pocius, expressing his thanks to airmen of the 493rd Fighter Squadron from RAF Lakenheath, Britain, who on Sept. 1, 2010, began a four-month stint with their F-15s in Lithuania to protect the airspace of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania under NATO's Baltic air policing mission.

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Family Momentum
"In many ways, this was what the Year of the Air Force Family was all about—connecting airmen and their families with the resources they need. I have confidence the Air Force will capitalize on this strong momentum in the years ahead by continuing to improve our family support programs and ensuring people know what resources are available."
—Suzie Schwartz, wife of USAF Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, commenting on the accomplishments of the Year of the Air Force Family initiative that concluded in July, in a statement provided to the Daily Report, Aug. 22, 2010.