Defense Systems
SpaceX lands a rocket upright after orbital flight
The lower stage of a Falcon 9 lands vertically after delivering a payload of satellites into space.
Defense Systems
Air Force to allow enlisted airmen to fly Global Hawks
In another effort to ameliorate the stress on remotely piloted aircraft crews, the service announced that enlisted personnel will be permitted to fly the surveillance-only aircraft.
Defense Systems
AFRL puts its new supercomputer to work
The Air Force Research Lab recently marked its new supercomputer, Thunder, which has been in use since October.
Defense Systems
DOD steps up the search for electronic warfare tools
The military services are looking for innovative ways to improve EW capabilities and blend them with cyber operations.
Defense Systems
General Dynamics to provide communications support for AFCENT
DISA has awarded the company a contract worth up to $450 million to support the Air Force's Central Command.
Defense Systems
Air Force looks to double its number of drone squadrons
The five-year plan would also add up to 3,500 airmen, expanding the unmanned aircraft program to meet rising demand.
Science & Tech
US Air Force to Ask for More Drones
Plan would add 3,500 Reaper pilots and up to five more ops centers around the country.
Defense Systems
Air Force calls Raytheon's GPS control station 'a disaster'
The Space Command's head says GPS III’s operational control system is "embarrassing" to defend, as the service considers reopening parts of the program to competition.
Defense Systems
Air Force activates five new cyber squadrons
The Air Force's cyber wing announced the activation of five new cyber operations squadrons that will defend Air Force networks
Defense Systems
General Dynamics wins $80M Air Force communications contract
The contract, worth up to $80 million, will support air defense missions for North American Aerospace Defense Command and Pacific Air Forces’ communication systems.
Defense Systems
Air Force releases more details on cyber operations contract
The deal, worth up to $49.5 million, would cover offensive and defensive cyber activities.
Defense Systems
How the Air Force is taking on the cyber domain
Officials discuss the ways in which the force is addressing dominance in the information age and across all spectrums of operation.
Defense Systems
For the Air Force, big data analytics in ISR is a team sport
The service’s Jon Kimminau lays out the challenges of increasing collection and improving analysis in a time of tight budgets.
Defense Systems
Air Force wants 'kill chain' integration in network systems
In a recently released solicitation, the service said it wants to improve security and its ISR capabilities though full-spectrum awareness of emerging threats.
Defense Systems
Air Force adds 10 companies to $10B cybersecurity program
The 10 large companies will join six small businesses in competing for work under the five-year deal.
Defense Systems
The future of autonomy has a strong human component
Human-machine teaming is at the heart of the military service's plans, leaders told lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
Defense Systems
Raytheon tests help get GPS III closer to reality
The company announced the successful tests of the Launch and Checkout System and the GPS Next-Generation Operational Control System, both of which will support the launch of GPS III satellites.
Business
Army, Air Force Acquisition Chiefs to Step Down
The departures of William LaPlante and Heidi Shyu will likely leave the Air Force and Army without permanent procurement leaders until 2017.
Defense Systems
Air Force to ID targets by their vibrations
The VIBE program will use laser-Doppler technology to identify factors such as engine type and engine speed, even the number of cylinders a vehicle has.
Business