USAF to counter Russia and China threats, beefs up missile and space warfare capabilities

The United States Air Force (USAF) is about to receive new weapons systems, courtesy of two huge defense contractors. The new missile warning satellite and communication technology are expected to enhance USAF's ability to address increasing threats from adversaries like China and Russia.

As mentioned earlier by Aviation Today, the USAF will receive a new prototype antenna subsystem from SSL as part of the service's ongoing modernization program.

The USAF has been beefing up its arsenal as a response to the growing Russian and Chinese threats.

SSL, a division of the Maxar Technologies company and maker of satellite systems, has been tasked to develop, test and analyze the new antenna subsystems prototypes for the US Air Force. This new technology will help define next-generation protected communications for the USAF Space and Missile Systems Center, according to their website.

USAF and Lockheed Martin teamed up on a new missile warning satellite

In addition to the SSL partnership, the USAF teamed up with the US-based defense contractor Lockheed Martin for the development of the more resilient next-generation missile warning satellite system.

As part of its newly announced partnership with Lockheed Martin, the USAF awarded the American company a nearly $3 billion defense contract for the development of their next-generation missile warning satellite systems.

As reported by the Military.com, the newly signed deal, which will not exceed $2.9 billion, will allow Lockheed Martin to conduct necessary analysis, design and development, procurement and even conduct some risk reduction analysis. This will lead to a critical design review, an important part of the weapon development program.

The new satellite systems, which will be called the Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared Satellites (Next-Gen OPIR), are intended to replace the existing Space Based Infrared System.

The new satellite contract marks the second USAF contract for Lockheed Martin this month. Earlier this month, the USAF awarded the defense firm a contract to come up with a new hypersonic weapon.

USAF speeds up works on its own hypersonic weapon program

In other USAF-related stories, the USAF Ha finally revealed to the world new details of its hypersonic weapon program. The Airforce unveiled the AGM-183A Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) as the latest step in its much-hyped hypersonic weapon program.

The news comes as the Airforce continues to accelerate works on fast-track hypersonic weapon development in response to the growing threats from China and Russia, who are making huge advancements in their own hypersonic weapon programs.

The US Airforce described its new ARRW hypersonic weapon system as is an air-launched, rocket-boosted unpowered hypersonic glider, according to AviationWeek.

Lockheed Martin is no longer stranger when it comes to developing hypersonic weapon systems. The company has also received a USAF contract for the development of the Hypersonic Conventional Strike Weapon (HCSW), a solid-rocket, GPS-guided missile system.

The other big companies who have received contracts with the United States Airforce are Raytheon and Northrop Grumman. The two have been in partnership to develop a new type of hypersonic weapon for the US Navy.