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 Department of the Air Force began offering the Open Topic SBIR/STTR program in 2018.
The $16,500,000 U.S. Air Force frame contract with Orbit Communication Systems Ltd. spans an additional 60 months.
Orbit Communication Systems Ltd. secured a $16,500,000 frame contract with the U.S. Air Force for the upgrade, service, and maintenance of Orbit’s Airborne Digital Audio System (ADAS) communications management systems in KC-135 aircraft.
The Department of the Air Force began offering the Open Topic SBIR/STTR program in 2018 to expand the range of innovations funded by the department.
Muon Space received additional funding as an option to its contract with the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Weather Systems Branch and the Defense Innovation Unit to collect ionospheric data on the MuSat-2 satellite mission.
The Air Force estimated the Sentinel missile would be ready for its first test launch in 2025 and reach initial operational capability by 2029, though the timeline is subject to change.
The Air Force awarded Northrop Grumman a $13,300,000,000 contract in 2020 to design and develop a next-generation intercontinental ballistic missile to replace the Minuteman III missiles.
Northrop Grumman conducted a successful static fire test on 2024-01-16 of the second-stage solid rocket motor for a new intercontinental ballistic missile it is developing for the U.S. Air Force.
The Department of the Air Force began offering the Open Topic SBIR/STTR program in 2018 to expand the range of innovations the department funds.
Under a Small Business Innovation Research Phase 1 contract from the U.S. Air Force, Muon Space will perform a feasibility study to determine the benefit of modifying its multispectral electro-optical/infrared instrument to support the Department of Defense’s cloud characterization observation capability.
In 2022, Muon Space received a $2,800,000 contract from the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Weather Systems Branch and the Defense Innovation Unit to deliver terrestrial weather products to the Air Force 557th Weather Wing.
Space Launch Complex-6 at Vandenberg Air Force Base was placed in mothballs after the cancellation of MOL.
Viasat, Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT) was awarded an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract to develop new systems and capabilities for the United States Air Force.
The IDIQ contract with the U.S. Air Force’s Life Cycle Management Center has a $900,000,000 ceiling.
Viasat, Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT) will work with the U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (USAF LCMC) to transition and integrate new technologies and capabilities under a $900,000,000 ceiling Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract.
The Manned Orbiting Laboratory was initiated by the US Air Force in late 1963.
Vandenberg Air Force Base had previously launched operational intelligence satellites frequently but had never supported a mission with astronauts.
Work began in 1967 on a construction project at Vandenberg Air Force Base to provide a launch site for the MOL.
NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Science Foundation, and the U.S. Air Force signed a memorandum of agreement at the White House on 2023-12-07 to improve cooperation on space weather research and operations.
The Office of Science and Technology Policy released a document in March 2022 establishing an R2O2R framework and calling for NASA, NOAA, NSF, and the U.S. Air Force to develop a new agreement to collaborate on transitioning research into space weather operations and providing operational requirements to researchers.