An entry in the April 10 Daily Report included unclear statements related to Air Force space acquisitions. In relation to the rapid acquisition authorities of the Operationally Responsive Space office, Gen. Jay Raymond has directed Lt. Gen. Samuel Greaves, commander of the Space and Missile Systems Center, to “use those authorities more broadly than we have in the past.” Also, the Air Force’s Rapid Capabilities Office has been used for space acquisition programs previously. Finally, Raymond’s comment about buying capabilities from the National Reconnaissance Office referred to a specific NRO space situational awareness program that was better than Air Force Space Command’s capability in that area at that time. The entry has been updated.
B-21 Raider First Flight Now Postponed to 2023
May 20, 2022
The Air Force says the B-21 Raider won't make its first flight until 2023; about a six-month delay from the last official estimates. No reason was given for the delay. While other programs have recently chalked up schedule slips to supply chain and labor shortages, the Air Force has said…