The Air Force’s Space Based Infrared System Program Office “for the first time ever” gave a coalition partner—Australia—access to space-based infrared data. The data actually came from DOD’s ancient Defense Support Program satellites. It was sent from California to Australia, where the Australians used their own gear to process the data and deliver “real-time” missile warnings back to Dahlgren, Va., site of the operations center for the Coalition Warrior Interoperability Demonstration Interoperability Trial. The Aussies were highly pleased, given that they do not have space assets of their own.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
