The Air Force has awarded $25 million to Science Applications International Corp. to develop a “qualification model payload” for the risk reduction phase of the fledgling Alternate Infrared Satellite System, the proposed cousin to the Space-Based Infrared System, according to an SAIC news release. Last month, USAF inked a $54 million contract with Raytheon to continue work on SBIRS and develop performance data for AIRSS. The Air Force believes technology advances will enable the SBIRS follow-on (or replacement) to advance much more quickly and with less technology risk and reduced cost.
B-1 Bomber Task Force Deploys to Misawa, Japan
Oct. 18, 2025
A quartet of B-1Bs from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas have landed at Misawa AB, Japan, likely for a series of exercises with Japanese, U.S. and Australian forces.