Congress may get its wish for more operationally responsive space capabilities with the tactical satellite 3 (TacSat-3) spacecraft. TacSat-3 will meet responsive space needs by quickly fielding a new capability and will serve as a laboratory for responsive space and concepts of operations, said Thom Davis, TacSat-3 program manager. The $50 million, three-payload satellite is the first in a series of small satellites scheduled to go through a selection process based on combatant commander needs. The three payloads include systems to aid (1) target detection and identification and combat damage assessment; (2) communication of data from sea-based buoys; and (3) validation of a plug-and-play avionics capability, employing reprogrammable components. Air Force Research Lab’s Space Vehicles Directorate at Kirtland AFB, N.M., is slated in early 2007 to receive all three payloads to begin an integration process that officials expect to take less than 60 days, vice they typical several months. The launch vehicle is an Orbital Sciences Minotaur 1, slated to take off from Wallops Island, Va., in October 2007.
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…