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.
Gen. Bantz Craddock, commander of U.S. Southern Command, says he sees "great potential" for aerostats, unmanned aerial vehicles and satellites to help with the monitoring of illegal traffic to and from Central and South America. Such platforms should be coupled with "software to be able to provide, quick, real-time downlink," Craddock said during a Defense Writers Group breakfast in Washington Feb. 21. "I think we've got to pursue that."
The U.S. Air Force has awarded Boeing a $148 million contract to begin work on the fourth satellite in the Wideband Gapfiller Satellite system, the company announced. The contract covers nonrecurring engineering and advanced procurement for the spacecraft, known as WGS F4, which will be based on Boeing's 702 satellite bus. Boeing also is building the first three satellites in the WGS constellation.
The fate of NASA's troubled SOFIA observatory program will be decided following an "intensive" review due to conclude in April, according to agency officials. NASA chose to cancel the $57.1 million fiscal 2007 budget funding request for the airborne observatory following a two-year schedule slip and cost growth due to technical problems.
