The first of two planned Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS) demonstration satellites is at Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla., for launch preparation, according to a June 22 release from Northrop Grumman. The Missile Defense Agency expects to launch both STSS demo sats later this summer. Northrop’s vice president and STSS program manager, Gabe Watson, said, “This delivery is a significant milestone in the development of the nation’s ability to defend against an increasing ballistic missile threat.” Northrop also developed the ground system functions now resident at the Missile Defense Integration and Operations Center at Schriever AFB, Colo.
An important U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry AWACS command and control plane was among the aircraft damaged in a March 27 Iranian missile and drone attack on Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, people familiar with the matter told Air & Space Forces Magazine.