Both Boeing and Lockheed Martin submitted their proposals to build the space segments for the Transformational Satellite communications system on July 30. The Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles AFB, Calif., issued the final request for proposals in June. SMC expects to award a contract in November.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.