There are at least two lawmakers who believe America definitely has lost its space advantage. The Denver Post reports that Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.) doesn’t think the American public “understands the importance of space.” Calvert was in Colorado Springs, Colo., to speak at the National Space Symposium, where he proclaimed, “Our competitors are literally breathing down our necks.” He was joined in that sentiment by Rep. Mark Udall (D-Colo.), who told the symposium that the US must “find the sweet spot between collaborating and competing.”
The Air Force is spending heavily on F-22 improvements through the end of the decade, suggesting it may not retire the jet in 2030 as it previously planned. New sensors, fuel tanks, communications, and electronic warfare systems are among the upgrades that comprise the package.