Lockheed Martin will launch the first Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellite into space aboard an Atlas V rocket, reports Reuters news service. Lt. Gen. Michael Hamel, head of Space and Missile Systems Center, told Reuters Tuesday that a deal had been struck. He would not elaborate. Lockheed also is under contract to provide three AEHF satellites, the first of which is expected to launch in April 2008. Still to play out are the launch arrangements under the now-approved United Launch Alliance, an amalgam of Lockheed and Boeing to provide launch services.
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.
