USAF awarded Raytheon a $54 million contract Sept. 5 to construct and test a demonstration satellite with “a full-earth sharing sensor assembly” to provide a threshold missile warning capability and objectives of the Space-Based Infrared System satellite program. The company also is to provide “performance data” leading toward an Alternate Infrared Satellite System. Due date for the work is September 2008, with a final report three months later. The Air Force embarked on the AIRSS program to supplement or replace SBIRS, believing that technology has advanced so much since the start of SBIRS that the service could produce a “simpler design” with less technology risk.
The Air Force is placing Air Combat Command in charge of teaching combat tactics to fighter and remotely-piloted aircraft units, according to a May 12 announcement. Beginning this summer, the service will reassign the formal training units for the F-35, F-16, and MQ-9 from Air Education and Training Command to…