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Advanced / Transformational Technology

Air Force to Test Freedom Radio, Freedom Pod on U-2, Ghost Reaper

Frank Wolfe

Tuesday, March 30th, 2021

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Air Force to Test Freedom Radio, Freedom Pod on U-2, Ghost Reaper

The General Atomics MQ-9A Reaper will test Northrop Grumman's Freedom Pod under the Air National Guard's Ghost Reaper concept (General Atomics Photo)

Northrop Grumman [NOC] is watching planned U.S. Air Force tests this year of the company's Freedom 550 gateway radio on Lockheed Martin [LMT] U-2 high altitude reconnaissance aircraft and the related Freedom Pod under the Air National Guard's (ANG) Ghost Reaper concept. Air Force testing of its future Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) last year saw the use of the Freedom 550 to link Lockheed Martin F-35 and F-22 fighters, and the company envisions the use of the Freedom Radio…

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