A United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket lifted off from Vandenberg AFB, Calif., on Wednesday carrying a classified National Reconnaissance Office payload into space, according to Air Force and industry officials. The launch occurred at 11:03 a.m. local time from Space Launch Complex-6, according to the 30th Space Wing’s Facebook page. The Aug. 28 mission, designated NROL-65, was in support of national defense. This was the second-ever Delta IV Heavy launch from Vandenberg, said the officials The first took place in January 2011. (See also ULA release.)
General Atomics, the maker of one of the Air Force’s first Collaborative Combat Aircraft, has ambitious plans for its family of semi-autonomous drones beyond the FQ-42, including a flying-wing aircraft capable of carrying out both reconnaissance and strike missions. Meanwhile, the Air Force Research Laboratory announced a new program to…