The Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles AFB, Calif., has asked for information by Nov. 17 to support concept development of the Air Force’s rapid attack identification, detection, and reporting system—just call it RAIDRS. The RAIDRS block 20 version, formally Spiral 2, will gather data from intelligence and space assets to provide defensive counterspace—from situational awareness through options to respond to threats. SMC expects the preliminary design phase for RB-20 to begin in Fiscal 2009, but, first, there will be concept development awards in mid-2007. (Read more about counterspace in our June 2006 article.)
As the Air Force readied for its June 21-22 strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, the service was also putting its Agile Combat Employment strategy into action, dispersing combat aircraft and Airmen from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar in preparation for a possible Iranian retaliatory attack. Some defense experts say…
