Northrop Grumman has successfully completed the first of two key fiscal 2006 tests for the Kinetic Energy Interceptor battle management capability, dubbed the KEI Fire Control and Communications system. The test was completed five weeks ahead of schedule on March 1 when the Continental KEI system at Schriever AFB, Colo. demonstrated a capability to direct sensor data from satellite constellations to a deployed battery to increase boost phase engagement accuracy. The interceptor itself is on track for a booster flight test in 2008.
Air Force Gen. Jacqueline D. Van Ovost—a trailblazer and one of the first 10 women to reach a four-star rank across the U.S. military—retired and passed control of U.S. Transportation Command to Air Force Gen. Randall Reed on Oct. 4, finishing an eventful tenure at TRANSCOM.