The Missile Defense Agency’s two space tracking and surveillance system demonstration satellites detected and tracked a Minuteman III ICBM that was launched from Vandenberg AFB, Calif., during a recent test mission over the Pacific Ocean, according to Northrop Grumman. The company is the prime contractor for these satellites, having built them with an industry team including Raytheon. According to Northrop’s July 16 release, the two STSS satellites transmitted tracking data on the Minuteman during the June 16 flight to the missile defense integration and operations center at Schriever AFB, Colo., where the information is being analyzed. Gabe Watson, Northrop’s vice president of missile called the satellites’ involvement “another reliable performance” that is “an encouraging development for the nation’s missile defense system.” Earlier in June, the STSS spacecraft detected and tracked a missile defense interceptor fired from Vandenberg.
If the Air Force is in line for a big budget bump from President Donald Trump’s proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget in 2027, the head of Air Combat Command said he would make aircraft spare parts his top spending priority—but cautioned that more money to buy parts won’t equal a…
