Boeing has filed a patent application for a 155mm shell filled with flame suppressant to assist crews in fighting wildfires, Defense One reported. It is estimated the shells, which would feature a trigger for releasing their payload near a fire with a high level of accuracy, would deliver suppressant up to twice as efficiently as a helicopter airdrop. In addition, “aircraft payload delivery accuracy may be diminished due to wind, rain, and/or smoke” and “aircraft can’t deliver flame-retardant payloads at night,” according to the application. The shells would provide firefighters an additional tool that would compensate for these deficiencies. Some guns could achieve accuracy within 15 feet of a target blaze from a range of 15 miles with the firefighting shells, which would be constructed of “environmentally friendly” material that would decompose after breaking apart.
Space Systems Command has awarded a massive $2.29 billion contract to SpaceX for the “backbone” of its new Space Data Network, a constellation of satellites in low-Earth orbit that will provide connectivity for the entire joint force.