The Air Force Research Lab has contracted with Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab to begin initial design work on the Lightweight Electro-Optical Space Sensor. AFRL’s Space Vehicles Directorate at Kirtland AFB, N.M., will manage the LEOSS program, which, an APL news release, says will serve as a pathfinder for future DOD geosynchronous space situational awareness sensors. APL is to present system requirements in three months, followed by a proposed design in five months.
One of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems’ prototype Collaborative Combat Aircraft drones crashed shortly after takeoff April 6, and the company has paused its test flights while it investigates the incident.