Jeff has been involved in aerospace journalism since the mid 1990s. Prior to joining Aviation Week, Jeff served as managing editor of Launchspace magazine and the International Space Industry Report. He has been the editor and chief of Aviation Week's Aerospace Daily & Defense Report since 2007 and has been a regular contributor to Aviation Week magazine. He received his B.A. from the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va.
Orbital Sciences Corp. has completed full-scale “pathfinder” ground operations of the Minotaur IV at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., paving the way for the rocket’s first flight carrying a Space Based Space Surveillance satellite in early 2009. The exercise included the assembly of a full-scale Minotaur IV with inert rocket motors to validate interfaces with the booster, ground support equipment and facility structures, according to Orbital. Three Minotaur IV missions are planned from Vandenberg next year.
Michael Bruno (Washington), Jefferson Morris (Washington), John M. Doyle (Washington)
The Pentagon’s decision to punt the choice of provider for the U.S. Air Force’s new aerial refueling tanker to the next set of Washington leadership does little to solve the issues bedeviling the program, and pushes off the era of new tankers—exactly what airmen had feared.
The U.S. Department of Defense announced Sept. 10 that it is terminating the U.S. Air Force refueling tanker competition for the time being, and will be shifting money to continue maintaining the aging KC-135 fleet.
