The investigation into the June 22 crash of a Predator unmanned aerial vehicle flying a training mission at Creech AFB, Nev., indicated that the UAV suffered rapid loss of engine oil because of a loose oil filter. A statement from Air Combat Command said the accident board believes a technician improperly aligned the oil filter, but it also noted that the design of the filter itself contributed to the accident.
The Space Force is planning improvements at its launch ranges to better accommodate the logistics and infrastructure demands that come with the launch industry’s shift toward reusable rockets, according to the commanders of the service’s two launch deltas.
