The Pentagon’s new Defense Space Council, chaired by Air Force Secretary Michael Donley, last week met for the first time, according to a Defense Department release. Deputy Secretary of Defense William Lynn recently created the council to coordinate space issues and strengthen space oversight across the Defense Department. It is now the principal senior-level advisory forum for these issues. First on the council’s agenda is to streamline the many defense and national security space committees, boards, and councils, according to the release. The DSC, which convened on Dec. 20, will review more than 15 space-related organizations and recommend their cancellation, consolidation, dissolution, or realignment under the council. The council’s formation is one of several space-related changes that Lynn has approved, including the realignment of the National Security Space office. Donley is the council chair since the USAF Secretary serves as DOD executive agent for space.
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.