The Air Force needs to learn how to manage risk when it comes to technological advances, rather than avoiding risks altogether, said Joanne Maguire, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company executive vice president. Maguire, speaking as part of an industry panel at AFA’s Global Warfare Symposium in Los Angeles, said both the Air Force and its industry partners also need to get “a lot better” at “scope creep.” Both need to become much more disciplined during the post-development period and “resist the temptation to say, ‘It would be really good to do a little bit more testing or ratchet up the scopes on these parts,'” she said during Thursday’s panel discussion. The Air Force has invested tens of billions of dollars in new space technology over the last decade and some new systems, such as new Global Positioning System satellites, are getting ready for fielding. Lockheed, she said, is now feeling the weight of making sure those investments are “successfully and appropriately” brought online.
Lloyd Austin, President-elect Joe Biden’s pick to lead the Pentagon, spent his Senate confirmation hearing on Jan. 19 pressing his civilian bona fides to lawmakers, with some pledging opposition to the waiver Austin would need to become the nation’s first Black Defense Secretary. Austin spent 40 years in the military…