The first Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF-1) military communications satellite reaches its intended operational orbit, after a 14-month delay. A thruster malfunction forced USAF and industry to devise an alternate orbit-raising plan, which employed different thrusters but did not impact the satellite’s planned 14-year service life.
Defense experts say the drone threat represents only part of a larger, looming problem: U.S. air bases in the Pacific are increasingly vulnerable to air attacks.