Saturday, December 7, 2024
Key Issues MQ-25 Stingray USSF pLEO spending cap JLTV funding
Courtney Albon was senior editor for aviation and space at Inside Defense until December 2021. She covered the Air Force since 2012, reporting largely on space programs and fighter aircraft acquisition, development and budget from inside Capitol Hill, the Pentagon, and from military installations around the United States. Courtney previously worked as a general assignment reporter at The Ashland Times-Gazette in Ashland, OH, covering education and local government. She graduated from American University in 2008, where she studied journalism and sociology.
Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James indicated this week that the service is very close to awarding a third public-private partnership agreement to build a new rocket engine prototype, even as it looks to broaden the scope of its investment in fiscal year 2017 to focus on a more holistic approach to eliminating reliance on Russian rocket engines.
The Air Force is currently measuring the impact a two-year schedule slip to the next-generation Global Positioning System ground segment may have on the launch and early operations of the first GPS III satellites.
Some must-reads from this week's issue of Inside the Air Force.
The Air Force is examining the legal implications of terminating a controversial launch service contract it currently holds with United Launch Alliance after the company opted not to bid for a competitive Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle mission last November.
The KC-46 Pegasus completed its first in-flight aerial refueling demonstration this weekend, kicking off a testing regimen that will lead to a low-rate initial production decision this spring.
A key upgrade to an Air Force missile warning satellite ground system is ready to move into the operational test and evaluation phase after completing a significant development milestone.
The Pentagon's chief weapons tester told Congress last month that the schedule for the Joint Strike Fighter's Block 3F software delivery is "not realistic," citing hasty, schedule-driven decision-making.
The Defense Department and the Federal Aviation Administration are having discussions about their respective roles in managing an increasingly congested space arena, according to the Air Force's deputy chief of staff for operations.
The Air Force last month reported to Congress that while some commercial spaceports may be capable of supplementing National Security Space Launch missions, government-owned facilities are best-equipped to meet military launch needs.
The Air Force plans to complete a second analysis of the protected satellite communications services mission area this spring -- in time to inform its fiscal year 2018 budget request.
Some must-reads from this week's issue of Inside the Air Force.
The Air Force expects to finalize its plan to allow enlisted airmen to fly remotely piloted aircraft by this summer, according to the service's deputy chief of staff for operations.
The Defense Department has reached an informal agreement with Pratt & Whitney for F135 engine low-rate initial production lots 9 and 10, the F-35 joint program office announced Friday.
Palmdale, CA -- The Air Force and Northrop Grumman confirmed this week they are reaching the end of negotiations for a key B-2 defensive management system upgrade and will likely reach a handshake agreement next week.
Some must-reads from this week's Inside the Air Force.
The Air Force will delay the launch of a wide-field-of-view testbed by two years due to "technical challenges," according to the commander of the Space and Missile Systems Center.
Rep. Jim Bridenstine (R-OK) is leading an effort to craft a comprehensive space policy bill, and told reporters Tuesday he hopes the bill will bring a global space perspective to the legislative process.
The Air Force has issued a request for proposals for the first of a two-phased effort to explore competition for future Global Positioning System satellite production.
Air Combat Command will host an industry day next month designed to brief companies on acquisition, program and contract management.
Some must-reads from the first 2016 issue of Inside the Air Force.