The Desert Lightning Team (DLT) Combat Search and Rescue Demonstration, featuring two A-10C Thunderbolt IIs, performs a realistic CSAR demo during the 2021 Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona Air Show and Open House at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Nov. 5, 2021. U.S. Air Force / Senior Airman Alex Miller
The Air & Space Brief: Brace for higher weapons costs; Russian ASAT hurls space debris; Hypersonic aircraft prototype
Welcome to the Defense One Air and Space newsletter. Here are our top stories this week:
The biggest inflation spike in three decades has the Pentagon bracing for price increases on major weapons programs and non-discretionary spending such as payrolls and retirement accounts. “It's certainly a concern that we have right now, but...there's a bit of a speculative part to it as well,” Comptroller Mike McCord told Defense One at a media briefing Monday.
Russian anti-satellite blast endangers its own people. Moscow used a missile to blow up a Russian satellite on Monday,forcing astronauts and cosmonauts alike to seal up the International Space Station and shelter in their spacecraft as thousands of pieces of debris scattered into orbit, NASA said. The launch, which was condemned by the U.S., U.K., and other nations is seen as part of Russia’s continued work on a credible weapon to use against U.S. and others’ satellites.
Hypersonic aircraft unveiled: Air Force-backed startup Hermeus rolled out a hypersonic aircraft prototype, firing the drone’s afterburning engine during a ceremony at an Atlanta airport. The unveiling of the non-flying Quarterhorse prototype is the latest step in the Georgia company’s effort to build reusable hypersonic aircraft and eventually, jetliners.
The FAA said Monday that it intends to complete its environmental review of the impact of SpaceX’s Starship on Boca Chica, Texas and surrounding area by year’s end, clearing the path for the company to launch in 2022, Space.com reported.
Sign up to get The Air & Space Brief every Tuesday from Tara Copp, Defense One’s Senior Pentagon Reporter. On Nov. 16, 1956, now-Vandenberg Space Force Base received 26,000 acres of Army land to become the first operational ICBM base.
From Defense One
Rising Inflation Is Beginning to Worry Pentagon Leaders // Marcus Weisgerber: Higher salaries and more expensive weapons looming large as the Defense Department assembles next budget proposal.
Russian Anti-Satellite Missile Launch Into Space ‘Dangerous And Irresponsible,’ State Says // Tara Copp: Russia gave the U.S. no warning of launch, Pentagon says. Now ISS is at risk of getting riddled with debris.
Air Force-Backed Startup Reveals Hypersonic Aircraft Prototype // Marcus Weisgerber: The company fired the drone’s afterburning engine during a ceremony in Atlanta.