:

Space

Head of RAF Points to ‘Kessler Effect’ Danger of Russian ASAT Tests

Frank Wolfe

Tuesday, November 17th, 2020

SHARE:

Head of RAF Points to ‘Kessler Effect’ Danger of Russian ASAT Tests

Air Chief Marshal Mike Wigston, head of the U.K. Royal Air Force (RAF Photo)

The head of the U.K. Royal Air Force (RAF) said that Russian anti-satellite (ASAT) tests this year by the "nesting doll" Cosmos 2542 and 2543 satellites could pose a significant danger to low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites. On Jan. 30, Michael Thompson, a respected space tracker, noted that the space surveillance/inspection bird, Cosmos 2542, launched on Nov. 25, had synchronized its orbit with USA 245--launched in 2013 and one of four multi-billion dollar, classified Lockheed Martin [LMT] KH-11 electro-optical spy satellites…

Army

Army Plans To Initiate ISV-Heavy Competition Later This Year, Official Says

The Army is planning to initiate its competition to build the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV)-Heavy in the fourth quarter of this year, a senior acquisition official has said. Jesse Tolleson, […]

Senate Authorization Bill Restricts Building Navy Warships Overseas With Limited Exception For Auxiliaries

The Senate Armed Services Committee’s (SASC) version of the FY 2027 defense policy bill looks to cut the ability for the Trump administration to buy foreign-made warships, but still allow […]

Army

Army ‘Looking At Options’ For Supporting Munitions Boost Plans If Reconciliation Fails, Official Says

The Army is “looking at options” for how it would support planned boosts to munitions production if Congress doesn’t pass a reconciliation bill with the requested funding, a senior acquisition […]

Build Of At Least 45 MQ-9s By Start Of FY 2029 Required By SASC Bill

Down to an inventory of 135 MQ-9A Reapers due to the loss of two dozen aircraft in strikes on Iran, the Air Force would have to field at least 45 […]