The Air Force, National Reconnaissance Office, and their industry partners have successfully launched a United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket carrying a classified NRO satellite from Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla., into space. “I am extremely proud of the entire government and contractor team who supported this launch,” said Col. Alan Davis, director of NRO’s Office of Space Launch. Col James Ross, 45th Space Wing vice commander, added: “This mission helps ensure that crucial NRO resources will continue to strengthen our national defense.” This mission on March 11, NROL-27, was the fifth of six planned during NRO’s 50th anniversary year in 2010-2011. “I am looking forward to the launch of NROL-34 in April, which will conclude our most aggressive launch schedule in over two decades,” said Davis. The previous NRO launch took place Feb. 5 at Vandenberg AFB, Calif. (Cape Canaveral release)
The Air Force and Boeing agreed to a nearly $2.4 billion contract for a new lot of KC-46 aerial tankers on Nov. 21. The deal, announced by the Pentagon, is for 15 new aircraft in Lot 11 at a cost of $2.389 billion—some $159 million per tail.