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.
A Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket lifted off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida at 12:45 a.m. Eastern after fueling was delayed by thunderstorms, 77 minutes into a four-hour launch window.
The Viasat ViaSat-3 mission is scheduled to launch in the 2020–2022 timeframe from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
The U.S. Air Force operates 77 satellites in support of the military.
Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan traveled to Los Angeles Air Force Base on 2018-08-27 to address the Space and Missile Systems Center workforce and sought to reassure workers that the reorganization would not put their jobs in jeopardy.
The Air Force’s plan calls for the selected three or four LSA suppliers to complete vehicle development by about 2021 and then narrow the field to two providers.
Lockheed Martin shipped AEHF-4 aboard a C-5 Galaxy aircraft on 2018-07-27 from Sunnyvale, California, to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
The Air Force indicated it would need to procure the launch vehicle during fiscal year 2019 to ensure the RSGS mission can meet a spring 2021 schedule.
Senate appropriators cut $209,000,000 from the Air Force launch budget for fiscal year 2019 on the grounds that the RSGS payload will not be ready to fly by spring 2021.
The Trump administration called for Congress to establish by 2020 a new military service branch co-equal with the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Wesley Hallman raised the possibility that Space Force overhead could divert resources from building a 355-ship navy and from buying 1,763 F-35 fighters that the Air Force needs.
The vice commander of the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center is responsible for reporting back to the IG on the implementation of the recommended actions.
The audit revealed that an adversary has the opportunity to infiltrate the Air Force Space Command supply chain and potentially compromise military hardware, software, and firmware.
The Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center agreed with the IG report's findings and recommendations.
The Air Force Space Command has a supply chain risk management program for the Space Based Infrared System but did not fully implement the DoD supply chain risk management policy.
The IG found that the Air Force Space Command did not conduct a thorough analysis of all critical components and suppliers for the SBIRS program.
One Millennium Space Systems satellite developed for the U.S. Air Force was expected to launch in the year following the acquisition announcement and will host an experimental missile-warning sensor as part of an Air Force effort to develop next-generation overhead persistent infrared technologies.
The Air Force Space Command will improve its supply chain risk management for the Space Based Infrared System and analyze all critical components.
The Air Force satellite control network provides command, control, and communications for space vehicles globally.
The Air Force will use rapid procurement authorities for the next-generation OPIR program and is targeting the first next-generation OPIR launch in 2023.
Lockheed Martin was awarded a $2,900,000,000 U.S. Air Force contract for three missile-warning satellites known as next-generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR).