EXCLUSIVE-Space-Force, IC warily approach agreement on commercial intel imagery buys

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IndustrySpace Force
GEOINT 2023 — The Space Force and the Intelligence Community are slowly honing in on a multi-faceted agreement about their respective roles in buying intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) data from commercial satellite operators, according to officials from both sides, centering on how new contracting arrangements could foster sharing and avoid duplication. While nothing official has... Read more about EXCLUSIVE-Space-Force, IC warily approach agreement on commercial intel imagery buys
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Space Force wraps initial plan for building "hybrid" commercial/military 'outernet"

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IndustrySpace Force
WASHINGTON — The Space Force’s forward planning unit has completed a “force design” that lays out the parameters of a new hybrid military/commercial internet in space, known as the “outernet,” designed to link all of the service’s mission-specific networks together — and acquisition planners are now working on transferring that plan into a reality, a senior service official said today. The Space... Read more about Space Force wraps initial plan for building "hybrid" commercial/military 'outernet"
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Air Force ready to work with small businesses, AFRL small business director says

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Industry
The Department of Defense released a new small business strategy this year — and for businesses near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, that means new opportunities to connect with Air Force Research Lab and other Air Force missions, said Brian McJilton, AFRL small business director. One of the biggest changes this year: The stand up of new PTACs — otherwise known as “Procurement Technical... Read more about Air Force ready to work with small businesses, AFRL small business director says
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How three space agencies are collaborating on next-gen missile warning

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Industry
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — About a year ago, the Space Force established a combined program office to ensure that the three Pentagon agencies building the next generation of missile warning and tracking satellites were functioning as a cohesive unit. So far, according to officials, the arrangement has worked. Space Force Col. Brian Denaro, Space Systems Command’s program executive officer for space... Read more about How three space agencies are collaborating on next-gen missile warning
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AFRL, Purdue University kick off Regional Network Hub-Midwest partnership

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Industry
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, partnered with Purdue University to kick off the Regional Network Hub-Midwest opening ceremony April 21, 2023, at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. “We're opening a network in the Midwest, where everybody is going to come together — academia, industry and government — to work on projects in energetics, hypersonics and... Read more about AFRL, Purdue University kick off Regional Network Hub-Midwest partnership
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Spacecom to reach full operational capability by end of year, commander says

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IndustrySpace Force
The U.S. military's newest combatant command reached initial operational capability in August 2021 and has been working towards FOC. COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — U.S. Space Command is on track to reach full operational capability before the end of 2023, its commander announced Tuesday. Having been reestablished in August 2019, Spacecom is the Defense Department’s newest combatant command and is... Read more about Spacecom to reach full operational capability by end of year, commander says
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US Air Force, Navy conduct ICBM test aboard nuclear command aircraft

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IndustrySpace Force
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Air Force and Navy on Wednesday morning conducted a test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile in California using an airborne control center. The weapon, which contained a test reentry vehicle, was controlled from an Airborne Launch Control System in a Navy E-6B Mercury aircraft, the Air Force said in a statement. Airmen from the 625th... Read more about US Air Force, Navy conduct ICBM test aboard nuclear command aircraft
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AFRL re-ups affiliation with longtime liquid crystal industry partner to meet DOD needs

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Industry
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, OHIO (AFRL) – Longtime Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, industry partner AlphaMicron Inc., is utilizing a 2021 Ohio Federal Research Network, or OFRN, funding award to expand the capability of its patented guest host liquid crystal technology, called e-Tint, to electronically dimmable protective eyewear for the Department of the Air Force, or DAF, Department... Read more about AFRL re-ups affiliation with longtime liquid crystal industry partner to meet DOD needs
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SDA seeks bids for next tranche of satellites to provide global communications

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Industry
The Space Development Agency is seeking industry bids for the Beta variant of its Tranche 2 transport layer consisting of 72 satellites and related ground support systems. he Space Development Agency has released the official solicitation for the foundation of the next batch of low-Earth orbit satellites that aims to give warfighters better access to communications capabilities around the world... Read more about SDA seeks bids for next tranche of satellites to provide global communications
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Six F-16s Getting Autonomous Computer Brains For Combat Drone Trials

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Broad agency announcementIndustryLogistics
To lay the groundwork for the U.S. Air Force’s Combat Collaborative Aircraft (CCA) program, which will explore tactical human-machine teaming concepts, the service will be giving select F-16 Viper fighter jets the ability to fly themselves. Dubbed Project Viper Experimentation and Next-Gen Operations Mode (VENOM), the initiative will outfit six F-16s from Eglin Air Force Base in Florida with... Read more about Six F-16s Getting Autonomous Computer Brains For Combat Drone Trials
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