The Air Force announced Tuesday that Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $15 million contract modification for its work on the Space-Based Infrared System. The modification is related to work on the “cyber capabilities” of the new ground control system, which the Air Force declared operational in December 2016. A company spokesperson told Air Force Magazine by email that Lockheed is “protecting and enhancing the resilience of SBIRS” under the new contract. SBIRS has three satellites in geosynchronous orbit, the most recent of which was launched on Jan. 20. The system provides strategic missile defense, battlespace awareness, and intelligence capabilities.
The KC-46A can now pass fuel to almost 70 percent of aircraft that request aerial refueling, Air Mobility Command announced. The newest aircraft on the list include C-130 Special Operations variants, the C-5M Super Galaxy, and the E-3G Sentry AWACS.