Space Force Urges Industry to Invest in Satellite Production Capacity
The U.S. Space Force is seeking a dramatic expansion of its satellite‑production capability as it prepares a $71 billion FY 2027 budget request, a 77 percent increase over the prior year. The procurement portion swells to $19 billion, up from $3.6 billion in FY 2026, and Lt. Gen. Philip Garrant is urging contractors to invest now so they can scale output from ten to forty satellites per contract. The service plans to award contracts quickly, using existing agreements and a new portfolio‑based acquisition structure, while also hiring 100 personnel each month to fill roughly 1,000 vacant roles. These moves mirror the Pentagon’s broader push to accelerate munitions production and streamline acquisition processes.
100-Plus Aircraft Join US Military Blockade of Iran
The U.S. has launched a naval blockade of Iran, backed by more than 100 aircraft and over 10,000 service members. CENTCOM coordinates warships, fighters, drones, ISR platforms and satellites to halt all maritime trade with Iran. In the first 24 hours,...
How ’27 Budget Requests Compare: Air Force, Space Force Vs. Army, Navy, DOD
The Pentagon’s FY 2027 budget request totals roughly $1.5 trillion, with the Department of the Air Force leading at $397 billion and the Navy close behind at $325 billion. Space Force funding surges 78% to $75.9 billion, while Defense‑wide accounts more than double, climbing 121%...
What Are Chinese Media Outlets Saying About the F-47?
Chinese state media are downplaying the U.S. Air Force’s sixth‑generation fighter, the F‑47, by stressing its sky‑high price, questioning Boeing’s ability to deliver, and warning of rare‑earth supply constraints. A report from the China Aerospace Studies Institute catalogued these themes...
BAE Unveils Highly Maneuverable, Refuelable Satellite, Eyes 2027 Delivery
BAE Systems unveiled Ascent, a high‑thrust, refuelable satellite in its Elevation line, aimed at dynamic space operations for the U.S. Space Force, commercial and civil users. The platform can maneuver across medium‑Earth orbit, geosynchronous orbit and cislunar space, and a...
Air Force Seeks Increase in Operations & Maintenance, Flying Hours in 2027
The U.S. Air Force is requesting a 21% increase in its active‑duty operations and maintenance budget for fiscal 2027, raising the allocation from $65.8 billion to $79.8 billion. The proposal also includes a 22% boost to the flying‑hour program, taking spending to...
Guard Leaders Tell Congress the Air Force Needs 100 New Fighters a Year
National Guard adjutants general from 22 states sent a letter to Congress urging multiyear funding for the Air Force to acquire 72 to 100 new fighter jets per year, focusing on the F‑35A Lightning II and F‑15EX Eagle II. The...
STARCOM Aims to Fill 400 Civilian Positions in Hiring Surge
Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM) announced a hiring surge to add 400 civilian positions over the next several months. The roles span acquisition, intelligence, testing analysis, and cybersecurity at sites including Patrick, Schriever, Vandenberg, Joint Base Andrews and other...
AFCENT to Spend up to $270 Million on Ultra-Long Range ISR Drones
U.S. Air Forces Central awarded an indefinite‑delivery, indefinite‑quantity contract worth up to $270 million to Kraus Hamdani Aerospace for its solar‑powered KH1000ULE ultra‑long‑range ISR drone. The 20‑foot, 42.5‑lb aircraft can stay aloft for 75 hours, cover more than 700 nautical miles and operate...
How Vandenberg’s Range Is Scaling to Meet Launch Demand
Vandenberg Space Force Base is gearing up for a dramatic increase in launch activity, targeting 150 launches in the next five years and over 200 by 2036. The effort is backed by $1.3 billion in federal funding through FY2028 and a...
USAFA Names New Commandant of Cadets as Leadership Shakeup Continues
The U.S. Air Force Academy announced Colonel Brandon J. Tellez will assume the role of commandant of cadets in May, succeeding Brig. Gen. Gavin Marks, who retires after a 30‑year career. Tellez, a 2001 Academy graduate, fighter pilot with F‑15C...
Air Force Awards Contract to Develop Small, Disposable Engines for Missiles and Drones
The U.S. Air Force awarded engine startup Beehive Industries a $29.7 million contract to finish development of its Frenzy 8 disposable jet engine and begin low‑thrust Frenzy 6 production. The engines, weighing about 200 lb and delivering 100‑300 lb of thrust, are part of the...
Air Force May Miss Historic Budget Boom With Cautious Proposals, Expert Fears
The Pentagon’s FY2027 Air Force budget request adds roughly 22%—about $57 billion—to reach $317 billion, but many analysts say it falls short of the service’s long‑term modernization needs. Procurement plans call for only 62 new fighters, well below the 72‑jet annual target,...
New Wargame Assessed USAF Force Mixes for a China Fight
A new unclassified wargame organized by the AFA Mitchell Institute compared two future U.S. Air Force force mixes for a 2035 China‑Taiwan conflict. Team Doolittle reflects the current modernization path, while Team Mitchell models a more aggressive build‑up with additional...
Space Force Awards GPS Ground Contract Amid OCX Uncertainty
The U.S. Space Force awarded Lockheed Martin a $105 million contract to sustain and enhance its interim GPS ground system, known as the Architecture Evolution Plan (AEP). The funding adds capabilities for launch, early‑orbit and disposal operations of the upcoming GPS...
