Boeing’s multibillion dollar bet: Invest in new facilities now for defense payoff in future

Boeing’s multibillion dollar bet: Invest in new facilities now for defense payoff in future
Boeing’s multibillion dollar bet: Invest in new facilities now for defense payoff in future

“It’s hard to make large capital investments when your business is not as healthy as it could be or you want it to be,” said Boeing’s Steve Nordlund. “But that’s the time that you also have to make those hard decisions, so you come out on the other side much stronger.”

China’s mysterious hypersonic test may take a page from DARPA’s past

China’s mysterious hypersonic test may take a page from DARPA’s past
China’s mysterious hypersonic test may take a page from DARPA’s past

“Calling it ‘breaking the laws of physics’ does not lead to rational scrutiny,” Secure World’s Victoria Samson said of the recent Chinese hypersonic test.

After China’s ‘Hypersonic’ Test, US Alarm And Many Unanswered Questions

After China’s ‘Hypersonic’ Test, US Alarm And Many Unanswered Questions
After China’s ‘Hypersonic’ Test, US Alarm And Many Unanswered Questions

The reported Chinese system was hinted at by Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall in an earlier speech, a source said, but Kendall now says his words were just a coincidence.

What Satellite Attack Weapon Might The US Reveal Soon?

What Satellite Attack Weapon Might The US Reveal Soon?
What Satellite Attack Weapon Might The US Reveal Soon?

Space based jammers? Kinetic kill vehicles? Ground based lasers? The Pentagon has a space weapon it’s ready to show, but it’s not clear exactly what it will be.

Counterspace 2020: All (Pretty) Quiet On The ASAT Front

Counterspace 2020: All (Pretty) Quiet On The ASAT Front
Counterspace 2020: All (Pretty) Quiet On The ASAT Front

“From the evidence we have available, it sure looks like Russia is a bigger counterspace threat than China, which is contrary to a lot of the public discussion that focuses almost entirely on China,” said SWF’s Brian Weeden.

B-21 First Flight In 2021 Not Likely

B-21 First Flight In 2021 Not Likely
B-21 First Flight In 2021 Not Likely

Meanwhile, the X-37B robotic space plane has hit another record on its fifth mission, now having spent 777 days on orbit, says AFRCO Director Randall Walden.

China Satellite SJ-17, Friendly Wanderer?

China Satellite SJ-17, Friendly Wanderer?
China Satellite SJ-17, Friendly Wanderer?

When China published its description of SJ-17, the folks at AGI who track satellites for a living raised their eyebrows. The Chinese said it was an experimental satellite. But “the way they phrased it piqued our interest,” says Bob Hall, standing a dozen feet from AGI’s infamous ice cream stand here.

Time For Space Rapid Capabilities Office, Say Former AFSPC & AF ATL

Time For Space Rapid Capabilities Office, Say Former AFSPC & AF ATL
Time For Space Rapid Capabilities Office, Say Former AFSPC & AF ATL

WASHINGTON: Tired of complaining about space programs that are over budget and behind schedule? Build a space version of the Air Force’s Rapid Capabilities Office. Oh, and just go out there and lead. You don’t need a Space Corps to fix what ails the space enterprise, former Air Force Space Commander Bob Kehler told a…

SpaceX ‘Kicking Major Butt’ To Launch X-37B For First Time, Not ULA’s Atlas V

SpaceX ‘Kicking Major Butt’ To Launch X-37B For First Time, Not ULA’s Atlas V
SpaceX ‘Kicking Major Butt’ To Launch X-37B For First Time, Not ULA’s Atlas V

UPDATED: Adds Insights On Signficance ONRCO Mum So Far ON Switch GEOINT: In news sure to rock the launch industry, the mighty United Launch Alliance today failed to be named as the company launching the X-37B spaceplane. Instead, Elon Musk’s SpaceX will carry it for the first time, marking what is believed to be the…

Air Force Launches Robot Space Plane, X-37B — But What’s It For?

At 1:03 pm today, the US Air Force launched a robotic space plane that can stay in orbit for over a year. That’s good news for the nation’s troubled space program. The X-37B, as it’s called, is pretty cool — and highly classified. But beyond the veil of secrecy, what’s it really good for? The…