The Air 
Force and its industry partners launched a classified National Reconnaissance Office intelligence satellite into space aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket from Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla. “This mission helps to ensure that vital NRO resources will continue to bolster our national defense,” said Brig. Gen. Ed Wilson, commander of the 45th Space Wing at Patrick AFB, Fla. CBS News reported that the satellite is believed to be an electronic eavesdropping spacecraft with a huge collecting antenna. In fact, it cited NRO Director Bruce Carlson saying back in September the Delta 4 Heavy would carry “the largest satellite in the world” into orbit. The Nov. 21 mission was the fourth launch of the Delta IV Heavy configuration. (Cape Canaveral report by Eric Brian)
As near-peer adversaries have increased their reach and lethality, the U.S. Air Force is accelerating the tanker fleet recapitalization and aggressively pulling forward the Next Generation Aerial Refueling System (NGAS) to meet the threat. Globally operating the KC-46A has advanced mission...