Why the Air Force wants 1,000 new combat drones

The Air Force is asking Congress for 1,000 new combat drones to accompany planes into battle. The announcement, from Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, came March 7, as part of a broader push for Air Force modernization. It fits into a broader plan to combine crewed fighters, like F-35s and new designs, with drone escorts, thus expanding the scope of what the Air Force can do without similarly... Read more about Why the Air Force wants 1,000 new combat drones

Commander’s Accelerated Initiatives team maintains ‘pulse’ on change across AFMC

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFNS) -- CDX logo PHOTO DETAILS / DOWNLOAD HI-RESWith a mission to help improve, innovate and integrate, the Air Force Materiel Command Commander’s Accelerated Initiatives Office, or CDX, continues to make a positive impact as it keeps a ‘pulse’ on change across the enterprise and connects Airmen to strategy. Born out of the 2019 AFMC We Need initiative, CDX... Read more about Commander’s Accelerated Initiatives team maintains ‘pulse’ on change across AFMC

Space Force’s $30 billion budget request focuses on development

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force’s $30 billion budget request for fiscal 2024 is 13% higher than what Congress enacted last year and calls for continued growth in its missile tracking, launch and satellite communications missions, according to budget documents. “The funding is a critical step to combat emerging space threats and to meet our pacing challenge,” the service said in the overview... Read more about Space Force’s $30 billion budget request focuses on development

DoD releases updated guidance on ‘responsible behaviors in space’

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Defense Department on March 3 released updated guidelines for safe and responsible space operations. These guidelines were issued Feb. 9 by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in a memo that lays out five “tenets of responsible behavior in space.” Austin first released the tenets in July 2021. The update reflects recommendations from U.S. Space Command and includes specific... Read more about DoD releases updated guidance on ‘responsible behaviors in space’

Raytheon to make seven missile-tracking satellites for US space agency

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Development Agency has awarded Raytheon Technologies a $250 million contract to build seven missile-tracking satellites. The satellites, which will feature a wide-field-of-view sensor that can detect and track hypersonic weapons from space, were paid for by a funding increase in the fiscal 2023 Appropriations Act and will launch as part of the agency’s Tranche 1... Read more about Raytheon to make seven missile-tracking satellites for US space agency

America Makes announces AM Cross Platform Consistency project call

America Makes, Youngstown, Ohio, USA, has announced a new directed project call focusing on Methods for Additive Manufacturing Cross-Platform Consistency (AM-CPC), with a $250,000 funding opportunity provided by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). One winner is anticipated. The AM-CPC project call is focused on advancing measurement science research for the reproducibility... Read more about America Makes announces AM Cross Platform Consistency project call

Space Force launch plan mirrors shift to smaller satellites

ORLANDO — The U.S. Space Force’s acquisition plan for its next phase of National Security Space Launch contracts reflects a shift toward launching more small satellites in a more diverse range of orbits. The service announced its approach for what it calls NSSL Phase 3 on Feb. 16, issuing a draft solicitation to allow launch companies to provide feedback before a formal call for proposals this... Read more about Space Force launch plan mirrors shift to smaller satellites

NATO begins assessment of E-3A replacement; Wedgetail, GlobalEye in the running

Updated 2/24/23 at 1:55 pm ET to include additional comments from Saab. BELFAST — The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) has started assessment of industry bids for the alliance’s Allied Future Surveillance and Control (AFSC) capability program, launched to source a replacement for 14 Boeing E-3A Airborne Warning & Control System (AWACS) aircraft set to retire in 2035. Based on an “initial... Read more about NATO begins assessment of E-3A replacement; Wedgetail, GlobalEye in the running

DARPA Showcases Airspace Battlefield Risk Reduction Software

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), US military, and industry partners have tested automated aerial battlefield planning software at the US Army’s Mission Command Battle Lab in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. The platform is designed to “deconflict” or reduce airspace risk in contested environments. The demonstration involved integrating Raytheon Technologies’ Air Space Total... Read more about DARPA Showcases Airspace Battlefield Risk Reduction Software

Air Force Research Lab unveils major realignment of partnerships with launch of new directorate

In a move to adjust to the dynamic needs of its modern operational environment, the Air Force Research Laboratory recently formed a new “one-stop shop” to coalesce all of the partnership activities previously spread across varying areas in its vast organization. The new Strategic Partnering Directorate — or AFRL/SP — combines some elements of the lab’s current Small Business Directorate and all... Read more about Air Force Research Lab unveils major realignment of partnerships with launch of new directorate