Raytheon has delivered to the Air Force Research Lab the “first rapid-development space optical payload,” states a company release. Brian Arnold, VP of strategic Systems, calls delivery of the $14 million Advanced Responsive Tactically Effective Military Imaging Spectrometer, which the company built in a “matter of months” a “milestone toward demonstrating the feasibility of the United States’ operational responsive space concept.” What will it do? ARTEMIS is designed to spot terrestrial targets. Arnold notes that it was built on cost and schedule, too. ARTEMIS is one of the payloads designed to fly on TacSat-3 on tap for launch in summer 2007.
Earlier this spring, the 388th Fighter Wing proved just 12 Airmen can operate an F-35 contingency location, refueling and rearming the fighters at spots across Georgia and South Carolina. The demonstration, part of exercise Agile Flag 23-1, marks yet another proof of concept for the Air Force’s plan to send…