Lt. Gen. David Thompson, vice commander of the Space Force, said “someday” the Space Force mission will “extend to the Moon, to Mars, and beyond” — likely “within the 30-year plan.”
By Theresa HitchensHow to unlock innovation and savings for DoD: “commercial,” not COTS
Overmatch is fleeting and while traditional acquisitions can’t always keep up with new threats, a different and approved practice can.
The jump in R&D funding reflects SDA’s ambitious plans to launch “dozens” of satellites by 2022 to create a skeleton architecture in Low Earth Orbit to provide communications between satellites and ships, aircraft and ground-based weapon systems; track advanced missile threats including low-flying hypersonic cruise missiles; and to support targeting of adversary mobile ground systems.
By Theresa Hitchens
PENTAGON: Frustrated with the slow pace of decision-making on the issue, National Guard leaders in states with space units are openly advocating in Congress for the creation of a Space Force National Guard. “As the adjutants general, we are individually approaching our congressional delegations,” Maj. Gen. David Baldwin, adjutant general of California, told reporters at…
By Theresa Hitchens
Space Force is looking to establish an independent identity, based on the legacy of the Air Force space community, but focused on “22nd century warfare,” says Maj. Gen. John Shaw.
By Theresa Hitchens
Until they are officially transferred — which may not be for some time — the 16,000 airmen re-assigned today to the Space Force could be transferred again back to the Air Force at any time.
By Theresa Hitchens
And there are rumbles about a bureaucratic food fight between planning cells at Air Force headquarters here and at AFSPC in Colorado Springs.
By Theresa Hitchens
Military innovation and savings: Go commercial
DoD uses FAR Part 12 acquisitions to save hundreds of millions of dollars in “of a type” systems like civil landing systems with applicability to military aircraft.
“The hay’s not in the barn, but it’s real close to the barn door,” says Rep. Mike Rogers of the 2020 NDAA, set to go to a vote next week.
By Theresa Hitchens
Contracts are expected by the end of the year for the A-29 and in early 2020 for the AT-6. The Air Force plans to buy “two or three of both,” an Air Force spokeswoman said.
By Theresa Hitchens
Sen. Richard Blumenthal says he was “disappointed” by Barbara Barrett in “her responses to questions during her office visit and public testimony” during her confirmation hearing, “factors that have also contributed to my uncertainty about her ability to lead the Air Force.”
By Theresa Hitchens The official decision about the headquarters of SPACECOM isn’t likely until mid- or late October.
By Theresa Hitchens
“There is no other option at this point,” explains Todd Harrison, the director of the Aerospace Security Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). “The Air Force needs new tankers, and Boeing is the only one making them.”
By Theresa Hitchens
Trump nominee for Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett “is a force to be reckoned with and has the leadership, experience, and knowledge to lead our Air Force into the future during a time of increased global threats,” says Sen. Martha McSally.
By Colin Clark
Creation of the Space Development Agency was “disconnected from the threat and the needs of the warfighter,” say Wilson, thus “highly unlikely to survive serious scrutiny.”
By Heather Wilson