Northrop Grumman says its final Defense Support Program satellite—DSP flight 23—is well on its way toward launch with the recent mating of the satellite and its launch vehicle payload adapter. The DSP is slated to launch April 1 aboard a Boeing Delta IV heavy evolved expendable launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla.
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.