An Air Force-industry team launches the Boeing-built X-37B orbital test vehicle, the first of a new unmanned, reusable space test platform, into space at 7:52 p.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., via a United Launch Alliance Atlas V expendable booster.
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.