• The U.S. Air Force fielded IRIS, a prototype satellite communications system from Outerlink Global Solutions, on B-52 bombers for voice, data, image and video links.
  • IRIS uses Iridium's Certus service and replaces the Global Iridium Bomber Set, funded by a $26 million contract awarded in 2023.
  • Global Strike Command says more testing is planned and a long-term beyond-line-of-sight communications solution for the bomber fleet is still undecided.