The Space Development Agency has awarded contracts for the 126 satellites that will make up its Tranche 1 Transport Layer, splitting the deal between Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and York Space Systems, it announced Feb. 28. All told, the three contracts for 42 satellites each have a combined value of approximately $1.8 billion—$700 million to Lockheed Martin, $692 million to Northrop Grumman Strategic Space Systems, and $382 million to York. The satellites are currently slated for launch in September 2024.
The Defense Department outlined Feb. 28 a perceived Russian strategy in Ukraine to encircle Kyiv and cut off the eastern half the country, but execution or planning failures have slowed progress as the U.S. and partners coordinate to deliver hundreds of millions of dollars in new defense assistance to Ukraine. Ukraine’s air space remains contested, with the government of Ukraine retaining aircraft and missile defenses, a senior defense official told journalists, noting heavy fighting in the second city of Kharkiv, and a continued Russian advance from the south. The southern advance opens a possible third vector to Kyiv that could soon encircle the city. Meanwhile, U.S. ground and airborne defense assistance has arrived to Ukrainian fighters “in just the last day or so” and European allies have promised to give Ukraine combat jets.
The Department of the Air Force’s annual Spark Tank competition takes place March 4, when six teams will take to the stage at the AFA Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Fla. Each team will pitch the most senior leaders in the Air and Space Forces on how their innovations can save money, improve the lives of Airmen and Guardians, and transform the department. Air Force Magazine is highlighting one team each day from now through March 3. Today, we look at “Project FoX (Fighter Optimization Experiment),” led by Maj. Allen Black of the 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
David T. "Buck" Buckwalter, an AFA member and volunteer for 50 years, who served as Executive Vice President of the organization and launched its CyberPatriot STEM program, died Feb. 27 at age 72. Buckwalter served 27 years on active duty, as an RF-4C Weapon System Officer, and later as a professor at the Naval War College.
