The plan to merge the two launch services of Lockheed Martin and Boeing may have hit a snag. Although the Air Force initially signaled its approval, expecting to reap savings in launching national security payloads, service officials have joined with the Federal Trade Commission in seeking specifics on anticipated savings. When the companies paired up to present the United Launch Alliance venture in May, they predicted savings of up to $150 million a year. Now regulators conducting an atitrust investigation want to see how they arrived at the number.
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.
