The Air Force undersecretary has also served as executive agent for space, but Erin Conaton, who was nominated Nov. 10 to fill the post, is being brought in for her management expertise and does not have the same space background as predecessors like former USAF undersecretaries Ron Sega and Peter Teets did when they guided Air Force space efforts. Speaking at AFA’s Global Warfare Symposium in Beverly Hills, Calif., Nov. 20, Air Force Secretary Michael Donley said, “Erin’s confirmation … will prompt a review of how to reorganize for management oversight of space acquisition, executive agency [for space], and other activities in the Air Force headquarters.” Donley previously indicated he wants USAF to regain that role. (At her confirmation hearing Nov. 19, Conaton noted ongoing reviews not only of space acquisition issues but management structure, as well.)
The Air Force is moving forward with a new, algorithm-driven system to help U.S. Northern Command better detect airborne threats. NORTHCOM and the North American Aerospace Defense Command, which are tasked with protecting the homeland from attack, depend on a slew of radars and other data systems to monitor U.S.…