Advancing the Alternative SBIRS?

Dec. 8, 2006

Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org

The Air Force has given contracts to two companies to further a decision on whether the service should pursue the Alternative Infrared Satellite System, which could serve as a replacement or alter ego for the increasingly expensive and technically challenged Space Based Infrared System satellite. General Dynamics has received $23.4 million and Northrop Grumman $24.8 million to perform system definition and develop technical requirements documents for various subsystems. Each is to complete its work by May 2008, when USAF must decide whether to pursue SBIRS or go with AIRSS.

Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org

Trending Stories

3 Americans Killed in Operation Against Iran as US Strikes with B-2 Bombers

Sentinel ICBM Restructure to Bring ‘More Capability Faster,’ Top Commanders Say

Weapons of ‘Epic Fury’: Fighters, Missiles, and ‘Special Capabilities’

AMC Boss: New Airlifter, Connectivity Are Top Problems to Solve

Related

Iran War Boosts Defense Stocks, at Least for Now

March 2, 2026
Defense specialists’ stock prices jumped March 2, the first day of trading since the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran, led by the makers of munitions, high-tech defense specialists, and major prime contractors.

Three US F-15Es Shot Down by Kuwaiti Friendly Fire; Crews Safe

March 2, 2026
Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.orgThree U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles went down over Kuwait on...

AMC Boss: New Airlifter, Connectivity Are Top Problems to Solve

March 1, 2026
Air Mobility Command’s interim boss said the Air Force is behind on modernizing its airlift fleet, to include selecting a Next-Generation Airlifter to replace the service’s fleet of C-5 and C-17 workhorses—a project that faces stiff competition for resources in the service’s modernization portfolio.

3 Americans Killed in Operation Against Iran as US Strikes with B-2 Bombers

March 1, 2026
Three service members have been killed so far during Operation Epic Fury, the U.S. campaign against Iran, U.S. Central Command announced March 1. The U.S. and Israel, meanwhile, continued the air campaign, with U.S. Air Force B-2 bombers conducting airstrikes with 2,000-pound guided bombs on Iranian ballistic missile sites.

Space Force’s Top Guardians Share Their Stories

Feb. 27, 2026
Winners of the Space Force’s fourth annual, service-wide Polaris Awards had the chance to discuss the actions that led to their awards from the main stage here at AFA’s Warfare Symposium on Feb. 24, in a panel discussion moderated by Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force John Bentivegna.