Boeing showed off the ability of the TSAT (transformational satellite) communications spacecraft to work well with other transformational systems to military program officials and representatives from the Air Force and US Strategic Command. The demo worked through simulated “blockages due to rough terrain, loss of terminals in the network, and fully loaded capacity utilization,” stated a company release. Michael Gianelli, VP of navigation and communications systems, says, “With each review session, we’re pushing the technology maturity and functional operation envelope.” One reason the Air Force said it would revamp the TSAT program into an incremental “fighter block” approach was the technology maturity issue. Some lawmakers are still not convinced TSAT has turned the corner.
Back from a Thanksgiving week recess, the push to pass the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act hit another snag Nov. 29, as the Senate voted against ending debate on its version of the bill. At the same time, Congress is staring down a Dec. 3 expiration date for its continuing…