Event Was First Celebrated In 1978 For The 75th Anniversary

Col. Patrick Miller, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander, along with the great-grandniece and great-grandnephew of the Wright brothers, joined together Dec. 17 to lay a wreath commemorating the 117th anniversary of practical powered flight. The event, which has become a Miami Valley annual tradition since it was first celebrated in 1978 for the 75th anniversary, took place at the Wright Brothers Memorial atop Wright Brothers Memorial Hill overlooking Huffman Prairie.

New Contract Brings Number Of Orders To 79

The US Air Force has finalized a $1.7 billion contract for 12 more KC-46A tanker aircraft. With this sixth production lot, Boeing is now on contract for 79 KC-46A tankers. The company delivered the first KC-46A to the Air Force in January 2019. Since then, Boeing has delivered 42 tankers to four different bases. The next-generation KC-46 brings new capabilities and operational flexibility to the U.S. Air Force and international customers.

If WX Prevents Regularly Scheduled Flights, The Exercise Will Commence Jan. 27

Hold on to your ears... The North American Aerospace Defense Command will conduct Falcon Virgo, a routine air defense exercise, on Monday, January 25, through Tuesday, January 26, between midnight and 5:30 a.m. EST each day in the National Capital Region. Aircraft participating in the flight exercise include Air Force F-16 aircraft, an Army UC-35A aircraft, a Navy King Air 300 aircraft, a Coast Guard MH-65D Dolphin helicopter, and Civil Air Patrol Cessna 182T general aviation aircraft. Some portions of the exercise could involve flights at approximately 2,500 feet and may be visible from the ground. If weather prevents regularly scheduled flights, the exercise will commence Jan. 27.

Arcturus UAV Has Approximately 270 Employees

AeroVironment and Arcturus UAV have entered into a definitive agreement under which AeroVironment will acquire Arcturus UAV for a total purchase price of $405 million, including $355 million in cash and $50 million in AeroVironment stock. The transaction, which was unanimously approved by the AeroVironment and Arcturus UAV Boards of Directors, is expected to accelerate AeroVironment’s strategy to drive profitable growth and value by expanding into attractive adjacent segments and by broadening its capabilities and customer footprint.