The Federal Trade Commission has approved the formation of the United Launch Alliance, the merger of launch services provided by Boeing and Lockheed Martin. Approval did not come quickly, and there may still be some disgruntled entities, but last week at AFA’s Air & Space Conference in Washington, Gen. Kevin Chilton, head of Air Force Space Command, maintained that the venture would save money and improve assured access to space. (Here are the Boeing and Lockheed Martin statements on the FTC clearance.)
The last remaining T-1 Jayhawk at JBSA-Randolph, Texas, took its final flight to the "Boneyard" at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., on July 15. The 99th Flying Training Squadron will train pilots using T-6 and simulator until it gets T-7 Red Hawk in fiscal 2026.