Forward Deployed

Space Acquisition Chief: Diversifying Orbits With Smaller Satellites Is Trick to Resilience

June 28, 2022

The Department of the Air Force's new space acquisition chief said he will seek to expand the types of orbits used by the Space Force's future satellite constellations in the interest of improving their resilience. At the same time, he would aim to acquire smaller satellites that can be produced…

Space Force Poised to Get a New Plans and Programs Chief

June 28, 2022

The Pentagon has nominated Maj. Gen. Philip A. Garrant for a promotion to three-star general and to take on the job of Space Force deputy chief of space operations for strategy, plans, programs, and requirements. In the role, he would also be responsible for the USSF’s budget. Garrant would be…

NATO: Turkey Agrees to Admit Finland, Sweden; Ready Force to Expand From 40K to 300K

June 28, 2022

Turkey has agreed to allow Sweden and Finland to join NATO after early negotiations at the Madrid NATO Summit. The accession of Finland and Sweden, who formally applied to join NATO in May, had been an open question going into the summit after Turkey resisted. The progress means leaders can…

New USAFE Commander: It’s Time to Concentrate on Russia, China ‘24-7, 365’

June 28, 2022

As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine grinds on and NATO looks to deter further aggression in Europe, a number of the top U.S. military leadership positions on the continent are changing hands in quick succession—starting with a change of command for U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Force Africa. Gen. James B.…

Air Force to Start Tactical Autonomy Research Partnership With HBCUs

June 27, 2022

The Air Force will look to the nation’s historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in a closed solicitation that will create the Air Force's first university-affiliated research center (UARC), Air Force leaders said. The center will study tactical autonomy. The DAF will select the center's location from one of 11…

New Space Acquisition Chief Wants to Apply Contracting Lessons from NRO

June 27, 2022

The new head of space acquisition for the Department of the Air Force plans to import lessons he learned at the National Reconnaissance Office—especially the “relentless pursuit of program management discipline”—to the Space Force. Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisitions and Integration Frank Calvelli also said that “for…

Air Force Picks a Prototype for Its New Aircrew Helmet

June 27, 2022

The Air Force has selected a prototype to develop as its new helmet for all fixed-wing aircrew, Air Combat Command announced, picking LIFT Airborne Technologies’ design. The new helmet, which still has to undergo additional research and testing before the Air Force confirms the design and offers a production contract,…

‘Herk Nation’ Adds Air National Guard’s New C-130J Formal Training Unit

June 27, 2022

As the Air National Guard moves forward with its plans to replace aging C-130Hs with new C-130Js, it has decided where it wants to base its formal training unit for the new aircraft—Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.

Collins Aerospace and the USAF: A Parallel History in Evolving Aviation Technology

June 27, 2022

In the days before the Air Force was an independent service, when it was still part of the U.S. Army, parts made by companies like Collins, Goodrich, Hamilton, and Sundstrand filled the skies. That shared legacy still ties today’s U.S. Air Force to Collins Aerospace, a modern company built on…

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