Defense Systems
Air Force begins construction of Space Fence tracking system
The system, being built by Lockheed Martin, will greatly increase the amount of orbital debris the service can keep tabs on.
Defense Systems
Air Force putting data analytics into a smart targeting platform
A data analytics specialist is working to develop a targeting system to automate what is now a manual process.
Defense Systems
Air Force plans major program to defend against avionics hacks
The service’s $49.7 million AVAMP program looks to protect aircraft and avionics systems from physical, remote and supply chain attacks.
Defense Systems
17 companies win spots on $5.8B NetCents 2 contract
The vendors will compete for work in support of network operations and infrastructure for the Air Force and other military services.
Defense Systems
Air Force launches new task force to focus on cyber threats
The Task Force Cyber Secure is seen as essential to establishing a culture change with regard to cyber defense.
Defense Systems
Air Force awards $84M deal for electronic warfare simulations
The VIEWS II program will focus on testing the sensors and architectures that fuse data from multiple sources, including the F-22 and F-35.
Defense Systems
Air Force adds another 10 companies to NetCents 2
The awards, which follow four successful protests last year, double the number of companies on the applications services contract.
Ideas
Air Force: We Must Invent the Future
To keep its technological edge, the vice chief says, the service must invest in femtosecond data transfer, Mach-8 aircraft, and more.
Defense Systems
Northrop splits ISR division to expand space business
The company also is building a $20 million Maryland Space Assembly and Test facility to focus on expanded payload production.
Business
John McCain to Air Force: Fire More Civilians
The Arizona senator says that the Air Force's claims it met staffing cuts are in fact a ruse that resulted in none of the cost savings that were intended.
Defense Systems
Air Force orders $91.6M worth of EW jammers from Raytheon
Contract modification calls for 250 more MALD-J missiles, which can fool enemy radars by impersonating friendly aircraft.
Defense Systems
Air Force launces ninth GPS IIF satellite as delays continue for GPS III
As funding cuts push back plans for the next generation of satellites, the service says the current constellation can handle the load.
Business
Pentagon Has Done a Bad Job of Defending Nuclear Triad, Air Force General Says
With hundreds of billions of dollars in new nuclear weapons being eyed over the next two decades, Pentagon leaders are pushing the value of the mission.
Science & Tech
War by Doxxing
Combat pilots are just the most recent victims of a common practice. It doesn’t mean that the military has been hacked.
Science & Tech
The Air Force Might Have To Protect Money Laundering in Space
Burgeoning US space monitoring capabilities may one day be used to protect off-planet money launderers from Chinese rockets.
Defense Systems
SpaceX, ULA spar over military sat launch competition
The Air Force launch rivals talk cost and capabilities during a House Armed Services Committee hearing on assured access to space.
Defense Systems
Handheld imaging tool makes light work of aircraft inspections
AFRL's HIT improves the quality of images while taking equipment weight from 1,200 pounds to 18 pounds.
Defense Systems
AFRL's sweat-sensor app breaks new ground in bio-monitoring
The lab, working with the University of Cincinnati, develops a patch that can deliver key medical information in near-real time to a smartphone.
Defense Systems
Air Force continues to track debris from exploded satellite
Weeks after confirming the explosion, the Air Force monitors the resulting space junk in polar orbit.
Defense Systems