X-51A flight ends prematurely

The B-52 Stratofortress carrying the X-51A Waverider takes off from Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., in preparation for the Aug. 14, 2012, test flight. The test ended prematurely when a fault with a control fin caused the vehicle to lose control. (Courtesy photo)

JASSM-ER nears operational employment

The Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile - Extended Range is an autonomous, air-to-ground, precision-guided standoff missile designed to meet the needs of U.S. warfighters. It shares the same powerful capabilities and stealthy characteristics of the baseline JASSM, but with more than two-and-a-half times the range. (Courtesy photo)

B1-B Lancer upgrade will triple payload

An assortment of 500-pound and 2,000-pound joint direct attack munitions are connected to a multiple ejector rack on a B-1B Lancer March 31, 2011, at a weapons load barn at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. If fielded, a 16-carry modified rotary launcher will increase the number of 500-pound JDAMs and laser-guided JDAMs carried by a B-1B from 15 to 48, a 320 percent increase in capability. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Shannon Hall)

Preparing B-1B for mission

Airmen from the 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., prepare a B-1B Lancer March 27, 2011, for a mission in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Marc I. Lane)

B-2 crews prepare for mission

Maintainers and crew chiefs from the 509th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., prepare B-2 Spirits March 19, 2011, for Operation Odyssey Dawn. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Kenny Holston)

B-2 crews prepare for mission

Maintainers and crew chiefs from the 509th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., prepare B-2 Spirits March 19, 2011, for Operation Odyssey Dawn. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Kenny Holston)