Gen. John Thompson

Space Force Struggles To Shape New Acquisition Command

"There is history; there is legacy; there is politics; there is money -- obstacles that we're going to have to overcome to do this," says SMC head Gen. 'JT' Thompson.

Air Warfare

Elon Musk: ‘Radical Innovation’ Needed To Beat China Militarily

"The fighter jet era has passed," says Musk. The future, he averred, is "autonomous drone warfare."

Air Warfare

SMC Seeks Multi-Domain Role Amidst Space Force Confusion

Now transferred from the Air Force to the nascent Space Force -- whose acquisition responsibilities remain unclear -- SMC says it can play a central role in future all-service Multi-Domain Operations.

army

Peraton Wins Sole Award For Army ISR-Sat Terminal Prototype

Development of the ISR satellite terminal prototype is a foundational element of the Army's multi-domain operation plans.

Air Warfare

SMC Offers To Help Speed Deals For SDA

The Space & Missile Systems Center’s Space Enterprise Consortium has been so successful at providing competitive prototypes, fast, that SMC wants to expand its scope dramatically.

By and

budget

DARPA Blackjack: Who’ll Get Prized Satellite Tech, Air Force Or SDA?

Large networks of small, cheap satellites derived from commercial technology would be harder for China or Russia to kill than a handful of expensive, exquisite military-unique birds. But who gets to build it?

Air Warfare

Space Acquisition Fixes Will ‘Blow Your Socks Off;’ More On KC-46: SecAF Wilson

There will be organizational alterations, changes to "the way we are doing business" and, perhaps most importantly, Wilson said there will be "cultural change." They will also try to prioritize what "our go-fast projects are."

Air Warfare

AFSPC Deputy & SMC Chief Call For Requirements Changes

COLORADO SPRINGS: The head of Space and Missile Systems Center hinted at what he calls a re-architecting of what many believe to be one of the military’s most stovepiped organizations, calling for faster acquisition and major changes to how the Pentagon decides what weapons it’s going to buy. “Some of you may have heard the US has […]

Networks & Digital Warfare

SMC Issues Final RFP For Five EELV Launches; SBIRS & 4 Classified Payloads

CLARIFIED: Adds SMC Comment On Launch Providers WASHINGTON: Last night the Air Force released the final Request For Proposals for five launch contracts for NRO and Air Force Space Command. The most intriguing payload is a code-word program, shared by the NRO and Air Force Space Command, known as SILENTBARKER, which has been described as […]

Air Warfare

Hill Staffer Gives Boeing ‘Benefit Of Doubt’ As DoD Tester Warns Of Year Delay To KC-46 Tests

UPDATED: With Official Air Force Comment PENTAGON: It’s one of those sentences that gets a defense reporter’s heart beating a little faster. “DOT&E analysis of initial Boeing schedules with regard to aerial refueling certifications, aircraft and support equipment technical orders, and operator/maintainer training indicates that operational testing will likely slip at least 6 to 12 […]

Air Warfare