Lockheed Martin has successfully tested the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (EHF) spacecraft’s critical structure, which company officials say validates the characteristics of the spacecraft and insures that launches and other sources of vibration won’t affect its mission. The Air Force expects the AEHF to provide a global and highly secured communications capability at greater capacity and data rates than the Milstar communications satellite. First launch is slated for April 2008.
U.S. Special Operations Command is shifting its aviation plans to favor more drone swarms and fewer militarized crop-dusters, according to its fiscal 2027 budget request.