Close-Up

April 1, 2015

This article is only available in PDF format. Read the article.

Related Content

Hybrid Approach to Imaging Advances Space-based ISR

July 1, 2022
The recent Russian invasion of Ukraine is highlighting new use-cases for ISR as well as the advantages of integrating a hybrid approach—multiple types of ISR imaging satellites—to capture a fuller picture of developing threats.

NATO Summit Closes With More Warnings on China, Air Defenses to Ukraine

June 30, 2022
President Joe Biden previewed $800 million in new defense assistance to Ukraine, including “a new advanced Western air defense system,” in closing a NATO summit in Madrid that saw formal invitations offered to Finland and Sweden to join the alliance. Also during the historic summit, mention of China was added…

AC-130J Crews Awarded 2021 Mackay Trophy for Safeguarding Afghanistan Evacuation

June 30, 2022
A pair of AC-130J Ghostrider crews have been tapped to receive the 2021 Mackay Trophy, awarded by the Air Force and the National Aeronautic Association for the year’s most meritorious flight. The award is in recognition of their actions during the withdrawal from Afghanistan that aided in the rescue of…

A-10s, AFSOC Aircraft Land on Michigan Highway to Practice ACE

June 30, 2022
A Michigan highway traded pickup trucks and minivans for A-10s and U-28s as members of the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, and Air Force Special Operations Command trained for agile combat employment. All told, five different kinds of fixed-wing aircraft landed on and took off from a 9,000-foot section…

Space Flag Becomes USSF’s First Joint Accredited Exercise

June 30, 2022
The Space Force’s Space Flag exercise has been accredited by the Joint National Training Capability initiative, joining a small group of exercises across the Department of Defense that have received such a designation. The accreditation, affirmed by the Joint Staff, will give the Space Flag exercise access to joint funding…

Air Force Initiates New Next-Gen Tanker ‘Family’ With Request for Information

June 29, 2022
The Air Force has pounded another nail into the coffin of a potential bridge tanker competition with the launch of the Advanced Aerial Refueling Family of Systems (AAR FoS) program. In a request for information by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, the service informed the aviation industry that…

In NATO Speech, Biden Cites US Air Power Additions in Europe

June 29, 2022
President Joe Biden highlighted the already planned positioning of two F-35 squadrons in the United Kingdom, along with new air defenses in Italy and Germany, when naming the U.S.'s European force posture moves to deter Russian aggression.