Ammo connection

The Munitions Materiel Handling Equipment Focal Point, a section under the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Armament Directorate, specializes in developing locally manufactured equipment for the Air Force ammo and weapons communities. At any time, the MMHE Airmen have as many as 25 new pieces of equipment in development for Air Force warfighters. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Ammo connection

The lightweight, mobile 30mm ammunition round linker and de-linker sit ready for delivery to Air Force Special Operations Command. The linker connects rounds to MK-15 links using a hand crank or a conventional electric drill. The de-linker (similar to a large set of plyers) disconnects the rounds safely and easily from the MK-15 links. Both products were created by the Munitions Materiel Handling Equipment Focal Point, a section under the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Armament Directorate, specializing in developing locally manufactured equipment for the Air Force ammo and weapons communities. The new linker is one-tenth the weight and cost of the current ammo linker in use and will be delivered in May. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

EOD bot

An explosive ordnance disposal remote-controlled robot is used during a training mission to demonstrate its ability to approach, inspect and handle possible improvised explosive devices. These robots were used extensively to defeat IEDs in the documentary series "Bomb Patrol Afghanistan" featuring a Navy EOD platoon in Afghanistan. (U.S. Navy photo/Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason Johnston)

BOOM!

A 40-pound explosive detonates a 60-pound metal cylinder during a recent airblast test by the High Explosives Research and Development facility at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The HERD is the only Air Force facility that develops explosives. (Courtesy photo)

Canadian WSEP

F-18 Hornets from the 409th Canadian Air Force conducted Weapon System Evaluation Program 10-03 on Dec. 4 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. The WSEP program, run by the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group, 83rd Fighter Weapons Squadron, is used to evaluate the effectiveness and suitability of combat air force weapon systems for aircrew and maintainers. The 53rd Wing headquarters is located on Eglin AFB, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King, Jr.)

Canadian WSEP

F-16s from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, taxi down the runaway during a Weapon System Evaluation Program 10-03 on Dec. 4 at Tyndall AFB, Fla. The WSEP program, run by the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group, 83rd Fighter Weapons Squadron, is used to evaluate the effectiveness and suitability of combat air force weapon systems for aircrew and maintainers. The 53rd Wing headquarters is located on Eglin AFB, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King, Jr.)