As the Air Force starts to bring new space systems online, the focus should remain on affordability and reliability, David Thompson, CEO and co-founder of Orbital Sciences Corp., said at AFA’s Global Warfare Symposium in Los Angeles. He suggested disaggregating the technology base and investing in smaller, less complicated platforms with one or two payload systems on board. “Then our supply chains become more efficient and it will make the products more affordable,” Thompson told symposium attendees during the Nov. 18 industry panel.
The first flight of the secretive B-21 bomber has slipped to mid-2022, but the program is moving along well, Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office director Randall Walden said in an exclusive interview. The second copy of the B-21, which will be used for structural testing, is now on the production…