Artificial intelligence graphic courtesy of Northrop Grumman. Questions that loom large for the wider application of artificial intelligence (AI) in Defense Department operations often center on trust. How does the operator know if the AI is wrong, that it made a mistake, that it didn’t behave as intended? Answers to questions like that come from … Read more
WASHINGTON: The space industrial base is “tactically strong” with high levels of capital investment and innovation, but “strategically shallow” in that a lack of funding from US government agencies, including the Defense Department, puts sustainment of the current boom in question, according to a new study sponsored by the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit. “While the … Read more
ULA’s Atlas V 511 prior to launching the Space Test Program-3 mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. (ULA) WASHINGTON: Space Force today launched two experimental satellites carrying payloads designed to detect nuclear explosions, keep tabs on space objects, monitor the weather and experiment with laser communications, in addition to some other classified capabilities. … Read more
Rendering of a satellite in orbit. (Space X via Pexels) As shown in a recent Breaking Defense exclusive, nation-states are having tense run-ins in space with regularity. But what happens if a rival takes things a step further to knock an American satellite out of orbit? In the op-ed below, Charles Beames, executive chairman of … Read more
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the company’s Crew Dragon spacecraft launches on the Demo-2 mission to the International Space Station at Launch Complex 39A May 30, 2020, at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida. (SpaceX via Getty Images) For years, the Pentagon has been required to have two military space launch providers available at all … Read more
An artist’s illustration of a nuclear-powered rocket. (DARPA) As humanity gets closer and closer to leaving footprints on Mars, questions remain about the best way to get there — and how to travel much farther into the unknown. In this op-ed, Dr. Mark Lewis argues that an idea from early in the Cold War is … Read more
Blackjack concept, DARPA Tactical Technology Office image WASHINGTON: Northrop Grumman has nabbed its first contract under DARPA’s high-profile Blackjack program demonstrating military uses for small, cheap, low-orbiting satellites — with an award to develop alternate capabilities when GPS signals are jammed or degraded. Blackjack is widely seen by the satellite industry as a boot-strap into … Read more
The GSSAP system. (US Air Force) WASHINGTON: With Defense Department leaders pushing to declassify and demonstrate an existing US anti-satellite weapon — news first reported by Breaking Defense — the question becomes what kind of system might be revealed. Considering that whatever the system is, it has long been covered by the deepest, darkest cloak … Read more
BlackSky mapping image showing the past 30 days of the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul. WASHINGTON: When commercial imaging startup BlackSky launches six satellites, now scheduled for as early as next week, the company will be able to offer hourly pictures of most major population areas, says Peter Wegner, the firm’s chief technology officer. The launch … Read more
The B-21 will sport more durable low observable treatments and coatings—allowing the Air Force to test out Environment Protection Shelter Prototypes like the one pictured above at Ellsworth Air Force Base to house the bomber on the flight line. Stealth aircraft have always had challenges related to maintainability due to the need for specialized personnel, … Read more