The Senate on Dec. 14 passed the 2008 defense authorization bill by a 90 to 3 vote. The House had approved the policy bill two days earlier, 370 to 49. We reported earlier on some of its provisions: eight additional C-17s; a 30/30 plan investigation plus a requirements-based, all-inclusive mobility study; no C-5 retirements, but a push to finish C-5 modernization testing; plus ups in some space programs and reductions in others; money for to continue the alternate engine for the Joint Strike Fighter; no Tricare fee hikes; and elevation of the National Guard Bureau chief to four-star rank. The measure now goes to the President for signature. There’s also a requirement for a new, and continuing roles and missions scrub.
BAE Systems unveiled a new high-thrust, refuelable satellite designed to support dynamic space operations–a demand company officials say is coming not only from the Space Force, but from commercial and civil customers as well.