The Air Force has awarded $25 million to Science Applications International Corp. to develop a “qualification model payload” for the risk reduction phase of the fledgling Alternate Infrared Satellite System, the proposed cousin to the Space-Based Infrared System, according to an SAIC news release. Last month, USAF inked a $54 million contract with Raytheon to continue work on SBIRS and develop performance data for AIRSS. The Air Force believes technology advances will enable the SBIRS follow-on (or replacement) to advance much more quickly and with less technology risk and reduced cost.
Hundreds, or possibly thousands, of transgender service members have returned to work after two judges ordered preliminary injunctions blocking Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s ban of transgender service members and recruits. But their long-term future remains uncertain.