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.
All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.
Raymond stated that the Air Force is partnering with allies and the intelligence community to enhance space capabilities.
The Air Force Association opposes the establishment of a separate Space branch of the U.S. military, arguing it would do more harm than good.
The Air Force Association's position against the Space Force influenced Gen. Jay Raymond's decision to keep a low profile.
Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson provided an initial $13,000,000,000 cost estimate to stand up a Space Force and sustain it for five years.
The Air Force Association supports the establishment of U.S. Space Command as a combatant command.
The Air Force Association argues that a separate space bureaucracy would divert funds from space operations to headquarters functions.
Air Force cost estimators produced the numbers underlying the $13 billion, five-year estimate.
The Air Force Association opposes separating space out of the U.S. Air Force.
If Congress provides authority and resources to establish a Space Force headquarters in fiscal year 2020, the Department of Defense could build the foundation of a new department enabling the Air Force to transfer personnel and programs in fiscal year 2021 after congressional approval.
SpaceX has spent a lot of time building its relationship with the U.S. Air Force and is competing for Air Force business, winning some contracts and losing some.
Gwynne Shotwell delivered a 20-minute presentation at the Air Force Association symposium that featured promotional videos of SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy mission in February.
The Trump administration’s proposal to stand up a Space Force independent from the Air Force is expected to be taken up in the 2019 legislative cycle.
The United Launch Alliance Delta 2 lifted off from Space Launch Complex 2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base at 9:02 a.m. Eastern.
Lockheed Martin was selected by the U.S. Air Force in 2008 to build the first 10 GPS 3 satellites.
Lockheed Martin will receive a $7,200,000,000 contract from the U.S. Air Force to manufacture 22 Global Positioning System satellites.
The U.S. Air Force operates a total of 77 satellites that provide communications, command and control, missile warning, nuclear detonation detection, weather, and GPS.
The U.S. Air Force sought competitive bids in February for the next batch of 22 GPS satellites but received only Lockheed Martin’s proposal in April.
Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Michael Griffin and Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson were directed to each develop a concept for establishing a Space Development Agency, with draft concepts due to the governing committee by 2018-09-14.
The GPS network has 16 monitoring sites that provide global coverage, six owned by the Air Force and ten owned by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.
In 2016 the Air Force contracted Lockheed Martin to develop a contingency upgrade for the GPS operational control segment and M-Code early use.