The first advanced extremely high frequency satellite is set to launch on Saturday from Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla., according to officials with the 45th Space Wing there. A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket will carry AEHF-1, a military communications satellite, into orbit. Lockheed Martin, the satellite’s maker, announced Tuesday that AEHF-1 has been encapsulated in the rocket’s nose cone fairing for the upcoming launch. AEHF spacecraft will supplant the current Milstar constellation to provide survivable, global, and jam resistant communications to US and allied military personnel. Earlier this month, Lockheed announced that the AEHF ground control segment is now operational. (Cape Canaveral release)
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.