The 460th Space Wing, headquartered at Buckley AFB, Colo., last week activated the 11th Space Warning Squadron at Schriever AFB, Colo. The new unit, which replaces Det. 1 of the 460th Space Operations Group, will operate the new Space-Based Infrared System satellite payload. Under a former life, the 11th SWS operated the Attack and Launch Early Report to Theater (ALERT) system that drew data from the Defense Support Program satellites, which SBIRS is designed to replace. (Report by SSgt Sanjay Allen)
Bell Textron has won DARPA's contest for a no-runway, high-speed drone that will prove out technologies useful for special operations forces and possibly the Air Force's Agile Combat Employment concept. Bell's design converts a tiltrotor to a jet-powered aircraft able to fly at up to 450 knots.