The Missile Defense Agency conducted a successful “important exercise and flight test” Friday from Vandenberg AFB, Calif., of a ground-based interceptor missile, ultimately to be used to protect the nation against long-range ballistic missiles. Air Force Lt. Gen. Trey Obering, MDA chief, told reporters earlier that the test would be “realistic” but the interceptor’s kill vehicle would not impact the target missile. That test remains on schedule for later this year.
The KC-Z4, a blended wing body tanker concept being developed by startup JetZero, could fuel larger groups of aircraft at longer range to hold more targets at risk, company officials say.