The Air Force and Boeing are on the verge of inking a launch services deal, while the Federal Trade Commission could signal approval of the proposed Boeing-Lockheed Martin launch services merger within a couple of weeks, reports Reuters news service. The deal with Boeing had been on-hold as the company navigated its way out of recent troubles, settling with the Justice Department for $615 million and the Air Force for millions more. The Air Force already has a contract with Lockheed for launch support, but if the FTC approves the merger of the two companies, the new United Launch Alliance would handle services for both Boeing and Lockheed Martin rockets.
Trainees in Basic Military Training and technical school no longer have the option to try alternate PT drills if they fail an initial assessment, according to a policy change the Air Force made in April. The move is part of a larger shift out of the classroom and into hands-on,…