Shelley Mesch
Air Force Reporter at Inside Defense
Air Force reporter for @InsideDefense writing about software, satellites and nukes | Formerly @sltrib and @wistatejournal
Articles
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1 week ago |
insidedefense.com | Shelley Mesch
The Air Force's intercontinental ballistic missile modernization program will not be able to reuse existing silos as it had been planning since the beginning of the effort 10 years ago, potentially threatening the cost of a program that's already known to be massively over budget. The Air Force decided to scrap the silo reuse plan for the LGM-35A Sentinel after a conversion project of one of the existing test-launch facilities, a service spokesperson said. Data from the project at Vandenberg...
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1 week ago |
insidedefense.com | Shelley Mesch
The beleaguered B-52 Radar Modernization Program breached a statutory cost-growth threshold, requiring the Air Force to report the jump in price to Congress. The Air Force notified Congress of the price jump last month, House Armed Services seapower and projection forces subcommittee Chairman Trent Kelly (R-MS) said today during a hearing on Air Force aviation programs and capabilities.
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1 week ago |
insidedefense.com | Shelley Mesch
The Air Force plans to funnel about $400 million more into the E-7A Wedgetail program in fiscal year 2025, according to a draft budget document obtained by Inside Defense , following along with Congress' previously stated intentions. Research and development funds for the E-7A -- which will serve as a command-and-control center and airborne moving target indicator -- would jump $188.9 million from what the service requested for FY-25 to $607.4 million total.
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2 weeks ago |
insidedefense.com | Shelley Mesch
President Trump’s pick for Air Force under secretary committed during his nomination hearing today to leaving politics out of his decisions if confirmed, even as he responded to persistent questions from Senate Democrats about previous inflammatory, rightwing social media posts. Senate Armed Services Committee Democrats focused on former Space Force Lt. Col.
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2 weeks ago |
insidedefense.com | Shelley Mesch
The Air Force began ground testing for its first two Collaborative Combat Aircraft, the service announced this morning, noting a major step for the program to integrate autonomous platforms into the future force. The testing includes evaluations on the Anduril Industries-made YFQ-44A’s and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems-made YFQ-42A’s propulsion systems, avionics, autonomy integration and ground control interfacts, the service said. Flight testing is expected later this year.
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RT @TonyBertuca: Friday Night Massacre -- Trump fires Brown, picks Caine for Joint Chiefs chairman; CNO, AF vice chief to be replaced Story…
Derek Tournear -- who has been on administrative leave pending an unspecified investigation -- violated the Procurement Integrity Act, according to court filings. SDA confirmed to me that Tournear was the official referenced to that effect in the records. https://t.co/hzCOxb1EXq
Have you been wondering how seriously to take the Air Force’s ABMS/DAF Battle Network effort? After years of spending and various grandiose plans, officials think they now have a solid, achievable framework. My article is free to read @insidedefense https://t.co/N2O0co8urC
