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SpaceX sues California agency over rocket launch denial, alleges political bias

October 16, 2024
SpaceX has filed a lawsuit against the California Coastal Commission, alleging political bias in the agency’s decision to block an increase in rocket launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base. The company claims the rejection stems from Elon Musk’s political statements, including his support for Donald Trump, rather than environmental concerns.

The commission voted to deny SpaceX’s request to increase rocket launches from six to 50 per year, citing both environmental impacts and Musk’s controversial involvement in the U.S. presidential race.

Commissioners expressed concerns over Musk’s social media posts, calling them overly political.

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The commission also emphasized the need to protect local wildlife and maintain coastal access. SpaceX alleges that political motivations, not environmental factors, are the primary reason for the rejection, prompting the company to take legal action.

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The lawsuit highlights broader tensions between SpaceX’s growing operations, regulatory oversight, and Musk’s increasingly public political stance. For now, the fate of SpaceX’s rocket launches in California remains uncertain as the legal battle unfolds.
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The V-22 Osprey’s return to service: Weapons and Warfare

October 16, 2024
This week, Weapons and Warfare has an update on one of the Department of Defense’s most controversial aircraft: the V-22 Osprey. Host Ryan Robertson connected with the new boss of Air Force Special Operations Command, Lt. Gen. Michael Conley, for a progress report on how soon the tiltrotor transport might return to full operational status.

Also featured in this episode:
- Russia takes down its own drone in the skies over Ukraine.
- The U.S. Army is set to start Robotic Combat Vehicle competition.
- A long-forgotten WWII bomb is triggered at a Japanese airport.
- Weapon of the Week: Lockheed Martin unveils its new extreme-range missile.
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Lockheed Martin unveils extreme-range missile: Weapon of the week

October 16, 2024
Lockheed Martin recently took a gamble on a project with no confirmed buyers, borrowing a page from the Andurils of the defense contract world. This gamble led to the creation of the AGM-158-XR, the latest evolution in the AGM line of extreme-range missiles.

Jon Hill, vice president and general manager for Air Dominance and Strike Weapons at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, described the AGM-158-XR as “a story of innovation and anticipating warfighter needs.”

“We are investing in something that we want to provide as an option for the Air Force to consider,” Hill said. “It leverages off the existing JASSM and LRASM lines. It essentially is a stretch version of those missiles. And think of fuel, more fuel, much longer range.”

The AGM-158-XR represents the next step in Lockheed Martin’s AGM-158B Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile and AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile, known as the JASSM and LRASM. Both were recently purchased by the Air Force in large quantities, with the contract costing over $3.5 billion, according to the Pentagon.

Introduced at this year’s Air, Space and Cyber Conference, the XR can carry more fuel and a larger payload and can be fired from greater distances, increasing the safety factor for pilots.

“It allows us to go in and digitize the areas where it makes sense,” Hill said. “The benefit to JASSM and the LRASM and future weapons is that we will have digitized, which is part of the whole model-based system engineering approach for future weapons.”

Despite its size, the XR can be flown on almost every platform in the Department of Defense’s hangar, except for the F-16. Its jet-black paint job is not just for aesthetics; it makes it harder for adversaries to discern its shape, size and weight.

“If you just think very simply of what a white outer mold line might look like, versus something that’s painted dark, it’s much harder for adversaries, or anybody else that may be looking on a flight line or in the air to really understand shape and size and weight,” Hill said.

While full details of the XR are not yet publicly known, a Lockheed Martin representative said it could be test-flown in 2026. However, it is still several years away from production.

Access the full Weapons and Warfare episode here.

Access all Weapons and Warfare podcast episodes here.
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Drone swarms over key military sites spark fears of foreign surveillance

October 14, 2024

For over 17 days, unidentified drones reportedly breached restricted airspace over Langley Air Force Base in Virginia, raising alarms among military and national security officials. Some of the drones, estimated to be as large as 20 feet and flying at speeds of more than 100 mph, were spotted near sensitive installations. They include Naval Station Norfolk, home to SEAL Team Six and the world’s largest naval port.

Air Force Gen. Mark Kelly and other senior officials personally observed the drones as they flew near these critical facilities. Military officials remain uncertain about the drones’ origin, though speculation suggests they may be part of a foreign operation, potentially linked to Russia or China, aimed at testing U.S. defenses.

Despite deploying fighter jets and advanced surveillance systems, the drones disappeared each night without leaving a trace. Federal law prevents the military from shooting down drones unless they pose an immediate threat, further complicating the response.

The drone incursions were serious enough to reach President Biden, prompting two weeks of high-level White House meetings that involved the Department of Defense, FBI, and other national security agencies. The incidents were not isolated — two months earlier, drones were spotted flying over a nuclear weapons testing site in Nevada, though officials remain unsure who was responsible for that breach as well.

In a separate incident, a Chinese national was arrested in January for flying a drone near a naval shipyard in Newport News, Virginia, where nuclear submarines are built. While no link has been made to the Langley drone swarms, this arrest underscores growing concerns about drones being used near sensitive U.S. sites.

National security experts warn that these incidents highlight a growing threat as drone technology becomes more advanced. Investigations into the Langley drone swarm are ongoing, but the identity and intent of those operating the drones remains unknown.
Russian fighter jet flies within feet of US F-16 in Alaska: Video

October 1, 2024

The U.S. military has released new video showing a Russian fighter jet flying dangerously close to a U.S. Air Force F-16 during an intercept mission near Alaska. The footage, captured on Sept. 23, shows a Russian Su-35 fighter jet swooping just feet from the U.S. aircraft, an encounter military officials have described as “unsafe and unprofessional.”

The incident occurred in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone, a region just beyond U.S. sovereign airspace where approaching aircraft are monitored.

Gen. Gregory Guillot, commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and U.S. Northern Command, condemned the Russian pilot’s actions, stating the maneuver endangered everyone involved.

Guillot added that the U.S. F-16 pilots followed safe and disciplined procedures during the interception.

The reckless and unprofessional maneuvers of Russian fighter aircraft—within just a few feet of our Alaska-based fighters—in Alaska’s ADIZ on September 23 put the lives of our brave Airmen at risk and underscore the escalating aggression we’re witnessing from dictators like… pic.twitter.com/uutqZYBaYn
— Sen. Dan Sullivan (@SenDanSullivan) September 30, 2024

While Russian officials have not responded to the incident, this is the latest in a series of military encounters between U.S. and Russian forces near Alaska.

These encounters have drawn increasing attention as Russia steps up its military activities in the region. Just weeks before, Russian planes and naval vessels, including submarines, were spotted near Alaska during joint exercises with China.

Although none of the Russian aircraft entered U.S. airspace, the frequency of these incursions has raised concerns among U.S. officials.

In response, about 130 U.S. soldiers and mobile rocket launchers were temporarily deployed to Shemya Island in the Aleutian chain earlier this year.

Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan, R, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, criticized the Russian jet’s maneuver, calling it reckless and unprofessional.

He urged for an increased U.S. military presence in Alaska and the arctic as a deterrent to growing Russian aggression in the region.
Air Force leaders give update on service-wide changes addressing new threats

September 25, 2024
Six months ago, on a stage in Aurora, Colorado, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin announced a series of service-wide changes to address evolving threats and the changing nature of warfare. Recently, the two returned to deliver a progress report to the troops.

Kendall opened the 2024 Air, Space, and Cyber Conference with a moment of levity, but quickly turned serious.

“The threat from China is increasing,” Kendall said. “China is not a future threat. China is a threat today.”

This threat, along with Russia’s continued aggression against Ukraine and prolonged unrest in the Middle East, spurred the changes announced in early 2024. Kendall reported that progress on the 24 decisions is well underway, with only a few slightly behind schedule.

Despite the optimistic outlook, concerns remain, particularly with Congress. Kendall emphasized the need to move at the speed of leadership, not bureaucracy.

“We don’t have the time for petty parochial interests or arguments about turf,” Kendall said.

Allvin echoed Kendall’s sentiments, noting that time is as much a resource as funding and manpower. He highlighted the provisional standup of the Integrated Capabilities Command, which will oversee the largest restructuring of the Air Force since the Cold War.

“There will be challenges ahead,” Allvin said. “It is up to us to have the courage and boldness to take these actions. I believe these actions will result in what our airmen need, what the joint force demands, and what the nation demands: one Air Force to meet the challenge and ensure we can continue to fly, fight, and win.”

Kendall and Allvin’s remarks underscored the urgency and importance of adapting to current threats. The Air Force’s leadership remains committed to ensuring the service is prepared for the challenges ahead, emphasizing swift action and effective communication to navigate bureaucratic hurdles. The progress report highlighted significant strides, but also acknowledged the work still needed to fully implement the announced changes.

Access the full Weapons and Warfare episode here.

Access all Weapons and Warfare podcast episodes here.
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The Air, Space and Cyber Conference 2024: Weapons and Warfare

September 25, 2024
This week on Weapons and Warfare, the team is on location at the AFA’s Air, Space, and Cyber 2024 Conference. Hear from Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall and Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin, as they provide a progress report on the United States Air Force’s effort to restructure in the face of the Great Power Competition.

Also featured in this episode:
- The U.S. and its allies take a tougher stance on China in the South China Sea.
- The Air Force releases first video of the B-21 Raider in flight.
- The Army’s elite parachute demonstration team, the Golden Knights, take a leap with a Canadian VIP.
- Weapon of the Week: The battle for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, commonly known as the CCA, is heating up. It’s a first look at General Atomics and Anduril’s efforts to put their machines in the air.
You can subscribe to the Weapons and Warfare podcast on the platform of your choosing here.
The race for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft: Weapon of the week

September 25, 2024
More than two years ago, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall announced plans for the Air Force to build a fleet of autonomous drones to fly into combat alongside crewed platforms. Called the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), five companies were initially selected for the contract competition: Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, General Atomics and Anduril.

In April, the competition narrowed to two finalists: General Atomics and Anduril. At the Air, Space, and Cyber Conference 2024, the design teams showed off the finalists.

Collaborative Combat Aircraft represent significant changes for U.S. air power, but at their core they are still planes. The CCA would operate just like a fighter, with landing gear, takeoff, climb and cruise capabilities, but without a pilot on board.

General Atomics and Anduril were chosen in the Department of Defense’s first tranche to field working CCA prototypes. Anduril’s offering, known as Fury, operates on similar principles as General Atomics’ CCA. Both are designed to be fast, maneuverable, modular, and attritable.

Ewing likened the CCA to a durable, yet expendable, lighter. General Atomics’ CCA uses the same chassis as the XQ-67A, a test platform that has been flying for the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL). The platform allowed General Atomics to develop a more weapons-centric variant faster than starting from scratch.

The program’s intent was to develop a low-cost unmanned system for red threat scenarios, enabling more cost-effective and relevant pilot training.

Trenton White, AFRL’s program manager for the XQ-67A, highlighted the collaborative development process, sharing lab insights with the companies to save time and cost.

“You don’t need to train and retain pilots, because it’s autonomous,” White said. “So you can build as many of them as you need. You can fly them in great numbers against an advanced adversary, and you can start to do things that you couldn’t do any other way.”

General Atomics expects its CCA version to start logging flight time by mid-2025.

Access the full Weapons and Warfare episode here.

Access all Weapons and Warfare podcast episodes here.
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Pentagon probe reveals US sent moldy, damaged military equipment to Taiwan

September 18, 2024

The U.S. Department of Defense is facing criticism after an inspector general’s report detailed significant mismanagement and oversight failures at Travis Air Force Base. This led to critical military equipment for Taiwan being left exposed to severe weather conditions, causing extensive damage.

Photos included in the report showed 3,000 body armor plates and around 500 tactical vests damaged by mold and moisture. This mishandling is part of a broader issue of systemic flaws within the Pentagon’s logistical operations, notably under the Presidential Drawdown Authority, which expedites military support without congressional approval.

In response to the equipment arriving damaged in December 2023, Taiwanese officials had to spend weeks drying and cataloging the compromised gear.

The Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command reported that it spent over $730,000 attempting to remedy the situation: $618,000 on cleaning and drying the body armor and an additional $113,000 on replacing irreparable items.

The damaged equipment was initially part of a significant $345 million aid package announced by the Biden administration to bolster Taiwan’s defenses amidst growing regional tensions. This incident sparked concerns about the Pentagon’s efficiency and raised questions about the U.S. commitment to Taiwan as a reliable ally.

The inspector general recommended that the Defense Security Cooperation Agency improve its guidelines and clearly define responsibilities for shipping military aid to prevent such failures in the future. This move aims to restore confidence in the U.S.’s ability to deliver effective support to international partners.
US Air Force invests $409M to revitalize Pacific airfield as China tensions rise

September 18, 2024
The U.S. Air Force awarded a $409 million contract to Fluor Corporation to restore a long-dormant World War II airfield on Tinian Island, part of the Northern Mariana Islands. The move, aimed at bolstering military operations in the Indo-Pacific, is a critical component of the U.S.’s strategy to counter growing tensions in the region, particularly with China.

The Tinian airfield played a significant role during World War II as a launch site for major air operations. However, decades of disuse left it overgrown and unusable for modern military purposes. The Air Force’s restoration project will clear through the thick jungle growth and return the airfield to full operational capacity.

The revitalization of Tinian’s airfield is part of the U.S. Air Force’s Agile Combat Employment strategy. It emphasizes dispersing forces across multiple smaller, more difficult-to-target airfields. This approach is designed to enhance the flexibility and survivability of U.S. forces in the face of potential conflict. By expanding its presence in the Pacific, the U.S. aims to strengthen its military readiness and ensure rapid response capabilities.

Getty Images

Located just north of Guam, Tinian is strategically positioned to serve as a secondary hub for U.S. air operations. Its proximity to key locations in the Pacific makes it a crucial asset in the broader effort to maintain regional stability. With tensions high over issues like control over Taiwan, U.S. military officials want to solidify their presence in the area.

Satellite images showed substantial progress in the reclamation of the airfield. This investment underscores the U.S.’s commitment to maintaining its influence in the Pacific and ensuring it remains prepared for any future conflicts. Although the project previously faced delays due to construction challenges and costs, it is now moving forward quickly.

The restoration of the Tinian airfield is both a nod to its historic significance and a modern necessity. With the U.S. military focused on deterring aggression in the Pacific, the airfield will play a pivotal role in the nation’s defense strategy. As regional tensions continue to rise, the U.S. is taking decisive steps to secure its military position and ensure it remains agile and prepared for any potential threats.
Related Stories

SpaceX sues California agency over rocket launch denial, alleges political bias

The V-22 Osprey’s return to service: Weapons and Warfare

Lockheed Martin unveils extreme-range missile: Weapon of the week

Drone swarms over key military sites spark fears of foreign surveillance

Russian fighter jet flies within feet of US F-16 in Alaska: Video

Air Force leaders give update on service-wide changes addressing new threats

The Air, Space and Cyber Conference 2024: Weapons and Warfare

The race for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft: Weapon of the week

Pentagon probe reveals US sent moldy, damaged military equipment to Taiwan

US Air Force invests $409M to revitalize Pacific airfield as China tensions rise

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