The US Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force have signed an agreement to partner on the Wideband Global SATCOM system. SSgt. J.G. Buzanowski reports that the arrangement means USAF can expand the WGS constellation to six satellites, instead of the five that had been planned. Air Force Space Command launched the first WGS last month and expects to reach initial operational capability in January. Launch of a sixth satellite would come in 2013.
Lockheed Martin plans to enter the Advanced Tactical Trainer fray to supply the Air Force with a new jet to bridge between undergraduate flight instruction and fighter training units, but declined to say whether it will offer a T-50A derivative, a different non-developmental airplane, or a clean-sheet design. It's comments…