USAF Space Launches Into Production Phase

[ErnstBlofeld]

Aviation Week And Space Technology:

 

U.S. Air Force space launch activity is in the midst of an unprecedented ramp-up as it enters a new “production era,” says Lt. Gen. Tom Sheridan, Air Force program executive officer for space.

 

Sheridan, who is Commander of Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) at Los Angeles AFB, says the introduction of five new systems over a span of 12 to 18 months signals “a new era at SMC.” Following a period of “build-out” of previous-generation programs over the past three years, military space is now entering what Sheridan describes as the first production era in 20 years.

 

However, the rapidly filling launch roster has already raised issues, with a failed orbital transfer engine slowing deployment of the initial Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF-1) communications satellite, as well as software problems on the first Boeing-built GPS 11F positioning satellite.

 

Despite these hurdles, Sheridan says progress on other programs continues toward a hectic launch schedule later this year and throughout 2011.

 

 

Edited September 23, 2010 by Rheo
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