“We will begin designing future ‘Prime’ programs focused on space, autonomy, energy, gaming, supersonics and microelectronics,” Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett said.
By Theresa HitchensGA-ASI’s MQ-9B: The right UAV for persistence, power, and performance
When assessing the state of the art of unmanned aerial systems, it’s critical to be very clear about what various aircraft can and can’t do – and could never do.
“We’re learning from industry as we go,” said Eileene Vidrine, Air Force chief data officer.
By Theresa Hitchens
“I think we need something like a PEO that is wholly focused on commercial enterprise,” says Air Force acquisition czar Will Roper.
By Theresa Hitchens
The near-term focus is on rebuilding hurricane-ravaged Tyndall AFB, but the long-term goal is to build more resilient bases around the world — including in war zones.
By Theresa Hitchens “In space, particularly, we’ve got to have a model that is very different than the one we used the last century,” Roper summed up. “We’re going to need to evaluate companies that have the potential to commercialize successfully as a delineator of who we partner with.”
By Theresa Hitchens
The real challenge for small, innovative companies, says Anduril’s Chris Brose said, is “the scaling challenge, and the bridge across the valley of death.”
By Theresa Hitchens
The Air Force’s new investment strategy is designed to “catalyze the commercial market by bringing our military market to bear,” says Roper.
By Theresa Hitchens
A major overhaul is coming in software for missile warning
Space Systems Command’s FORGE program is the first, major missile-warning software modernization effort in 20 years.
The new effort focuses on space situational awareness, space data analytics, space communication, artificial intelligence (AI) and satellite servicing.
By Theresa Hitchens “It’s not enough to develop and procure systems anymore. We’ve got to get in the business of of buying ideas and generating ideas,” says Air Force acquisition czar Will Roper.
By Theresa Hitchens
BOSTON: “It’s like running through a briar patch naked,” Will Roper said of trying to bring start-up companies into the service’s contracting model to keep apace of commercial innovation. “You have to be willing to bleed a little bit,” Roper, the Air Force’s top acquisition official told me in an interview last Thursday, after watching 10 newborn…
By Theresa Hitchens
