The U.S. Air Force (USAF) plays a significant role in the space industry, historically serving as the Department of Defense's executive agent for space, and developing early military space programs and launch vehicles. Although the U.S. Space Force was established as an independent branch in 2019, the Air Force continues to contribute to space operations, including training personnel, research and development, and maintaining partnerships. The USAF's space-related activities encompass satellite operations, missile warning, communication support, and collaboration with allies to ensure regional stability. Key partners include the U.S. Space Force, other branches of the military, and international allies.
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The Air Force plans to issue a solicitation for phase 2 of the OTA program in 2019 and make selections in 2020.
Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan requested that Mike Griffin and Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson submit separate proposals for creating a Space Development Agency in a 2018-09-10 memo.
SpaceX has several other missions planned for the same year including Falcon 9 launches of another 10 Iridium Next satellites, Es’hailSat’s Es’hail-2, and the U.S. Air Force’s first GPS-3 satellite.
An original Other Transaction Authority agreement to support AR1 development had a total value of $804,000,000 with the U.S. Air Force contributing two-thirds of the cost.
A renegotiated Other Transaction Authority agreement for AR1 reduced the total value to $353,800,000 with the U.S. Air Force contributing five-sixths of the cost.
Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson wrote a proposal to organize a Space Force and a U.S. Space Command with a price tag of $13,000,000,000 over five years.
Lockheed Martin is working with the U.S. Air Force to speed satellite acquisition by introducing more commonality of parts and procedures into production, building predictability into schedules, and increasing use of additive manufacturing.
Lockheed Martin selected Raytheon and a Northrop Grumman/Ball Aerospace team to compete for the mission payloads of the U.S. Air Force’s next-generation Overhead Persistent Infrared Block 0 missile warning satellites.
The Falcon 9 launch carrying SeeMe will also include two other Raytheon-built small satellites made for the Air Force’s Operationally Responsive Space office, now renamed the Space Rapid Capabilities Office.
Moon Express is leasing Launch Complex 17 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station from the U.S. Air Force to serve as a spacecraft development and test center.
Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson estimated that standing up a full military department and a combatant command for space will cost $13,000,000,000 over five years.
On 2018-09-14 the Air Force announced intent to acquire 22 GPS 3F satellites from Lockheed Martin under a $7,200,000,000 fixed-price deal.
By signing the first GPS 3F contract before 2018-09-30, the Air Force can obligate $10,000,000 in research, development, test and evaluation funds from its fiscal year 2018 budget.
The U.S. Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin a $1,300,000,000 contract for GPS 3F space vehicles 11 and 12.
The renegotiated AR1 development agreement finalized in June reduced the overall value to $353,800,000 with the U.S. Air Force contributing five-sixths of the cost.
President Donald Trump in June ordered the Department of Defense to create a service for space with status equal to the Army, Navy and Air Force.
Congress passed a law requiring the Air Force to stop using the RD-180 engine by 2022.
Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson projected $13,000,000,000 to stand up a new military service for space including establishing a Department of the Space Force, a U.S. Space Command, a Space Development Agency and sustaining them over five years.
Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Air Force collectively invested more than $200,000,000 in the Omega launch vehicle between 2015 and 2017.
The Air Force intends to develop joint warfighters with a two-part focus on space operators and traditional joint fighters who understand space.