The Air Force-industry team behind the Advanced Extremely High Frequency Satellite Mission Control Segment (ASMCS) system recently demonstrated to visitors in Colorado Springs, Colo., just how the system will function with both AEHF and Milstar communications satellites. The AEHF sats, the first of which is slated to launch in 2008, ultimately are destined to replace Milstar. Operators say the ASMCS has significant advances over the 20-year-old legacy systems they use today. They got to experience the new software via a test training and simulations system and got to provide input to help improve the new system.
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.