Reps. Michael Bilirakis (R-Fla.), Sam Johnson (R-Tex.), Steve Pearce (R-N.M.), Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.), and David Wu (D-Ore.) all got a good look at the Force Protection Aerial Surveillance System during a recent visit to Balad AB, Iraq. Members of the 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron demonstrated how the force protection tool provides security by combining UAV technology with traditional force protection activities. “Desert Hawk,” as the program is known, was developed by Air Force Materiel Command in 2004 for deployment to Southwest Asia, as part of urgently needed force protection capabilities.
The Space Force is preparing for significant growth to its procurement budget in fiscal 2027, and the head of the service’s largest acquisition organization said April 14 he is asking companies to invest now in facilities and production capacity so they’re ready to execute when called upon.