Shelley K. Mesch

Shelley K. Mesch joined Inside Defense as an Air Force reporter in 2022. She had previously reported on business, technology and innovation at The Salt Lake Tribune and the Wisconsin State Journal.

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Archived Articles
Daily News | January 24, 2023

Lockheed Martin executives touted a strong fourth quarter during a year-end earnings call Tuesday, claiming each of the company's business areas met or exceeded expectations set for 2022.

The Insider | January 19, 2023

The Air Force is seeking information from the defense industry for ways to keep its cyberspace operations system relevant, opening the possibility for a recompete on a sustainment contract currently held by Northrop Grumman.

Daily News | January 17, 2023

The Air Force won't be making its first communication node for the Advanced Battle Management System effort compatible with the F-22 aircraft, as previously expected, according to a Government Accountability Office report released Friday that pointed to deficiencies in the service's effort.

The Insider | January 6, 2023

The Air Force is seeking information about existing commercial capabilities to build out the communications network for its Advanced Battle Management System, according to a Friday post from the service.

Daily News | December 27, 2022

The Space Force is advancing efforts to create its own version of the metaverse, which it is calling SpaceVerse, as part of its core focus to build itself into a digital service, according to Chief Technology and Innovation Officer Lisa Costa.

Daily News | December 19, 2022

Leidos will work with the Air Force Research Laboratory under a contract of up to $334 million to develop an air-breathing hypersonic system for the Mayhem program, the Defense Department announced Friday.

The Insider | December 15, 2022

The Space Force and its industry contractors should be able to launch new satellites in no more than three years after signing a contract, the service’s acquisition chief said Thursday.

Daily News | December 14, 2022

The Air Force's integrating program executive officer for command, control, communications and battle management said he will need a few more months to assess before he can share the priorities for the recently formed office.

Daily News | December 12, 2022

The Air Force Research Laboratory and its private partners tested a synthetic jet fuel made from carbon in the air that can be used in existing jet engines, a propellant one of the project leads said could address logistics challenges while providing a carbon-neutral combustible alternative.

The Insider | December 12, 2022

The first operational prototype of the Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon hypersonic missile completed a successful test from a B-52H Stratofortress, the Air Force announced Monday.

Daily News | December 8, 2022

The Air Force will have to track the acquisitions of materials, technologies and components associated with the service's two top nuclear modernization programs, should the defense policy bill released Tuesday pass.

Daily News | December 3, 2022

PALMDALE, CA -- In a dramatic ceremony to showcase what officials called the "future backbone" of the Air Force's bomber fleet, Northrop Grumman revealed the B-21 Raider to the public for the first time Friday.

The Insider | November 22, 2022

The Air Force will hold one-on-one meetings with businesses in January to gauge interest in and availability of new radar capabilities that can detect small drones or birds, which the service says when struck cause millions of dollars in damage each year, according to an online posting.

The Insider | November 21, 2022

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is seeking information from businesses to develop tactical autonomy for its Artificial Intelligence Reinforcements program, according to a broad agency announcement.

Daily News | November 18, 2022

The Air Force will be requesting a "significant investment" for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft effort in the coming budget request, officials leading the program said Thursday.

The Insider | November 15, 2022

The Air Force wants to reorganize its Special Access Programs to ensure better joint operations after the National Defense Strategy said departments are not organized in a way that supports rapid development and integration of new technologies.

Daily News | November 15, 2022

Air Force Global Strike Command is working with artificial intelligence business Virtualitics to develop a "center of excellence" for predictive maintenance aimed at increasing mission readiness for bombers and missile weapon systems, the company announced Tuesday.

Daily News | November 10, 2022

The Air Force's Vanguard program for developing autonomous aircraft capabilities is transitioning to the service's future Program Executive Office for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, according to Kristen Baldwin, deputy assistant secretary for science, technology and engineering.

Daily News | November 3, 2022

The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center is seeking input from industry to form a consortium to execute prototyping projects for its Propulsion Directorate, according to an online posting Thursday.

Daily News | November 2, 2022

The Air Force recently released a battle management digital model, giving industry the opportunity to provide input on potential requirements as the service refines its nebulous Advanced Battle Management System concept.

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