USAF officials on Thursday redesignated the Air Force Frequency Management Agency as the Air Force Spectrum Management Office during a ceremony at the organization’s headquarters in Alexandria, Va. The name change reflects last year’s decision to realign the organization under Air Force Space Command as a primary subordinate unit. Previously it had been a field operating agency organized under the Air Force Secretariat’s Office of Information Dominance and Chief Information Officer. Col. Brian Jordan, AFSMO commander, said incorporating “spectrum” into his organization’s title more accurately portrays its mission, which is to be the focal point for planning, preserving, and providing access to electromagnetic spectrum bands for the Air Force and selected Defense Department customers. This role is more important than ever, given the tremendous commercial demand for broadband wireless services and calls for acquiring additional spectrum bands. (Peterson release)
The Air Force conducted its first successful test of the Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon, or ARRW, on May 14, snapping a streak of three consecutive failed tests and giving the beleaguered hypersonics program a much needed boost. Off the coast of Southern California, the AGM-183A ARRW separated from the wing…