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 | August 16, 2024

The Space Development Agency today awarded a total of $424 million to two non-traditional defense contractors for the Tranche 2 Transport Layer-Gamma variant satellites for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.

The Insider | August 15, 2024

The Air Force is looking to modernize its live-fire test and evaluation systems by incorporating satellite communications, command and control, according to a request for information posted today.

The Insider | August 15, 2024

Lockheed Martin will buy satellite manufacturer Terran Orbital for $450 million as a way to expand its space business, the company announced today.

Daily News | August 9, 2024

The Air Force and Boeing finalized the E-7A Wedgetail contract, inking the deal for $2.56 billion for the rapid prototype program, the service announced today.

Daily News | August 7, 2024

The Space Force is shifting its software acquisition policies, acquisition chief Frank Calvelli said today, learning from the problems and delays of the Next Generation Operational Control System for the GPS enterprise.

Daily News | August 7, 2024

DAYTON, OH -- The Air Force will be making fundamental changes to its capability development strategy to prioritize integration so all of the service's systems can work together, a key part of the Air Force modernization plan for a potential conflict with China.

Daily News | August 1, 2024

DAYTON, OH -- The two programs designed to keep the B-52 Stratofortress bomber flying for the next few decades are facing serious headwinds, including new prices for the Radar Modernization Program nearing the Nunn-McCurdy Act cost growth thresholds, officials said this week.

Daily News | July 30, 2024

DAYTON, OH -- The Air Force may use the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program's Joint Simulation Environment for training and testing for the B-21 Raider nuclear bomber, the program executive officer said today.

Daily News | July 30, 2024

DAYTON, OH -- Determining whether the current plan for the sixth-generation fighter jet is the right fit for the Air Force's fleet will take a few more months, Secretary Frank Kendall said today, delaying the schedule for the program, which expected a contract to be signed this summer.

Daily News | July 29, 2024

The Air Force this month stood up the first in a series of offices designed to better integrate capabilities across the service's organizations as part of its restructuring plan announced earlier this year.

The Insider | July 25, 2024

This Thursday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on the Air Force's Next Generation Air Dominance effort, the Navy's nuclear-armed, sea-launched cruise missile program, the Sentinel nuclear missile program and more.

Daily News | July 25, 2024

As the Sentinel nuclear missile program faces ballooning total costs, Northrop Grumman executives stressed during their second-quarter earnings call today that those increases won’t be realized yet for several years, past the current contract.

The Insider | July 24, 2024

Lt. Gen. John Lamontagne has been nominated to become commander of Air Mobility Command, pending Senate confirmation, the Defense Department announced today.

Daily News | July 24, 2024

While still waiting to finalize the contract for the E-7A Wedgetail, the Air Force and Boeing have agreed on an "affordable price" for the warning and control contract, service officials said this week.

Daily News | July 23, 2024

While it's creating a new acquisition strategy for the Sentinel nuclear missile program, the Air Force will be reassessing how the program can meet the requirements set by U.S. nuclear policy for the ground leg of the triad, the service under secretary said today.

Daily News | July 10, 2024

Lawmakers overseeing the Defense Department are criticizing the management of the Sentinel nuclear missile program as the price tag has jumped to $140.9 billion, but many still support the Pentagon's decision to continue the acquisition effort.

The Insider | July 10, 2024

Ukraine's military will begin flying operational F-16 fighter jets later this summer, according to a joint statement from the White House, Denmark and the Netherlands.

The Insider | July 9, 2024

Assistant Air Force Secretary for Financial Management and Comptroller Kristyn Jones, who performed the duties of the service under secretary for more than a year, will retire from the government tomorrow, the service announced today.

Daily News | July 8, 2024

The Defense Department is committing to the LGM-35A Sentinel nuclear missile program despite the price tag jumping to $140.9 billion -- an 81% increase -- and facing years-long delays. (UPDATED)

Daily News | July 3, 2024

Blue Origin and Stoke Space Technologies today joined 10 other businesses in a pool able to compete for speedy space launches run through Space Systems Command.

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