Arnold Engineering and Development Center in Tennessee is asking contractors to ponder how to create a Space Threat Assessment Testbed, a logical step as Air Force Space Command endeavors to aggressively protect US space assets. According to a request for information issued Thursday, the STAT facility would emulate “a complex natural and man-made space environment at various orbital conditions” and provide “three operationally realistic man-made threat sources” plus the ability to connect the satellite with a ground operations center. And, the RFI states up front that only contractors “with demonstrated experience” in satellite test capabilities need apply. The deadline is March 31.
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.
