The US Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force have signed an agreement to partner on the Wideband Global SATCOM system. SSgt. J.G. Buzanowski reports that the arrangement means USAF can expand the WGS constellation to six satellites, instead of the five that had been planned. Air Force Space Command launched the first WGS last month and expects to reach initial operational capability in January. Launch of a sixth satellite would come in 2013.
The Air Force wants more companies able to produce its new, multi-use, anti-radar missile that one expert says will prove vital in any future peer conflict and would be in high demand for the war in Iran if stocks were available now.