The Air Force and its industry partners on May 4 successfully launched the second Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellite into orbit from Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla., said officials with the 45th Space Wing. A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carried the sophisticated, Lockheed Martin-built communications satellite into space. “We applaud the teamwork between our wing and all our mission partners involved in making this mission a success,” said Brig. Gen. Anthony Cotton, 45th SW commander, who served as the launch decision authority. AEHF-2 joins AEHF-1 on orbit. These satellites are designed to provide secure communications to US military forces around the globe. (Cape Canaveral report by Chris Calkins)
An April 16 explosion destroyed a building at Northrop Grumman’s Innovation Systems plant in Promontory, Utah, where the company makes solid rocket motors for the U.S. government and commercial rocket companies.