The airmen of Air Force Reserve Command’s 6th Space Operations Squadron at Schriever AFB, Colo., must deliver their weather satellite data to customers within 10 minutes of download—and the 6th SOPS currently is the only unit providing critical sandstorm data to coalition forces in Southwest Asia. “The quicker we can get this data to them, the faster they can batten down the hatches and do whatever they need to do,” says Lt. Col. Byron Hays.
The Pentagon has concluded a new agreement to buy laser-guidance kits that turn rockets into drone-killing weapons. BAE Systems and the Defense Department announced a framework deal of up to seven years for 25,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System guidance kits annually for the U.S. military.