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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On March 17, 2026, BAE Systems won a contract from Robins Air Force Base in Georgia to support and sustain the AN/ALQ-221 Advanced Defensive System for the U.S. Air Force’s U-2 Dragon Lady fleet.
Jeremy Scheerer managed a more than $1 billion U.S. Air Force program.
The U.S. Air Force has signaled plans to begin divesting the U-2 fleet in Fiscal Year 2026.
Col. Daniel Dant previously served with the US Air Force as a space weapons officer, acquirer, and operator.
Zhang Lu served in the People’s Liberation Army Air Force before becoming a taikonaut.
Zhang Lu reached the rank of Senior Colonel in the People’s Liberation Army Air Force.
RTX is the sole supplier of the Army’s Secure Mobile Anti-Jam Reliable Tactical-Terminal, the Air Force’s Family of Advanced Beyond Line-of-Sight Terminal, and the Global Advanced Satellite Terminal for the fielded Advanced Extremely High Frequency terminal variants.
The Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center Strategic Communications Division in Bedford, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity for RTX Corporation’s Advanced Extremely High Frequency terminal contract.
The U.S. Air Force’s six-satellite Advanced Extremely High Frequency constellation provides jam-resistant, nuclear-survivable communications for strategic and tactical military users across the U.S. armed forces and allied nations.
RTX Corporation secured a $2.01 billion ceiling increase on its Advanced Extremely High Frequency terminal contract with the U.S. Air Force, raising the total contract value to $2.97 billion.
Jeremy Scheerer served as a program manager for foreign military sales at the U.S. Air Force.
The Air Force permanently transferred one WB-57F on loan to NASA in 1972 and also transferred two additional WB-57Fs that became NASA 926 and NASA 928.
The Air Force contracted Martin to remanufacture B-57Bs into RB-57F aircraft in 1963.
In 1972 the Air Force decommissioned its weather reconnaissance squadron and sent most WB-57Fs to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.
WB-57F 63-13295 was removed from AMARG storage, trucked to Colorado, refurbished by Sierra Nevada Corporation, and flown to Ellington Air Force Base on August 9, 2013 where it was turned over to NASA as NASA 927.
The USAF pursued military space projects such as the MTSS and the Boeing X-20 Dyna-Soar despite restrictions on competing with NASA.
The US Air Force’s 9th Weather Reconnaissance Wing, Air Weather Service, Military Air Transport Service (MATS) headquartered at McClellan Air Force Base operated RB-57F aircraft with four squadrons deployed to California, Japan, Australia, and New Mexico.
The United States Air Force studied a space station named the Military Test Space Station (MTSS) between 1959 and 1962.
Zhang Lu served in the People’s Liberation Army Air Force and held the rank of Senior Colonel before becoming a taikonaut.
The Air Force loaned a WB-57F to NASA in 1968 that was given the NASA tail number 925 and known as the Earth Survey Aircraft.