The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency awarded Lockheed Martin a $6.2 million contract to mature technologies that would allow for on-demand launches of small satellites. The Airborne Launch Assist Space Access phase one contract covers 18 months, according to the company’s July 3 release. “Our approach uses a tactical aircraft to provide a high-energy-state, reusable first stage, enabling launches from bases worldwide to support the US and its allies,” said Derek Bye, Lockheed Martin’s ALASA program manager. Over the 18-month period of performance, a team led by Lockheed Martin Skunk Works will define a preliminary system design and conduct a demonstration system definition review, according to the release. Boeing announced receipt of a similar ALASA phase one contract at the end of May. DARPA aims to launch satellites on the order of 100 pounds for less than $1 million, including range support costs, with ALASA.
Depot-level maintenance took longer than expected for nearly three-quarters of Air Force aircraft from fiscal 2019-2024, according to a new report, as unplanned repairs rise across the aging fleet. The report, from the Government Accountability Office, also found that the extent of the delays has been masked because officials often revise their target timelines after unplanned work occurs.