Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2022 - 11

Air Force 75th Anniversary
Tiltrotor Aircraft
On September 18, 2000, the Air Force accepted the first production
CV-22 Osprey, a tiltrotor aircraft that combines the vertical
takeoff, hover, and vertical landing qualities of a helicopter
with the long range, fuel efficiency, and speed characteristics of
a turboprop aircraft. The self-deployable aircraft offers increased
speed and range over other rotary-wing aircraft, enabling Air
Force aircrews to execute long-range special operations missions.
The CV-22 can perform missions that normally would
require both fixed wing and rotary-wing aircraft
A New Force in Space
The U.S. Space Force was established December 20, 2019,
when the National Defense Authorization Act was signed into
law, creating the first new branch of the armed services in
73 years. The establishment of the Space Force resulted from
widespread recognition that Space was a national security
imperative.
The Air and Space Forces unite under the Department of the
Air Force and are inextricably linked in defense of U.S. investments
and freedom of operation in space. Space missions,
billets, and monetary resources from 23 Air Force units have
been transferred to the Space Force. Operations, acquisition,
and sustainment for some space systems currently distributed
across the Army, Navy, and the Office of the Secretary of
Defense will be merged.
National Security Space Launch (NSSL) provides assured
access to space for the nation's most critical warfighting and
intelligence capabilities. The Space Force, National Reconnaissance
Office (NRO), and NASA have a coordinated strategy
to certify new entrants to launch payloads and continue to
work with different launch providers to reliably meet national
requirements.
Space capabilities are woven into the fabric of daily life.
Satellites connect people in every corner of the globe, monitor
weather patterns, carry television broadcasts, and the timing
and navigation services of the GPS constellation power global
financial networks, enable international commerce, synchronize
cell phone networks, and optimize critical infrastructure.
According to General John W. Raymond, Space Force Chief
of Space Operations, " Space has moved from a benign environment
to a recognized warfighting domain. That change
has occurred at the same time that space's importance to military
operations with global positioning, communications, and
virtually every other aspect of joint operations has emerged
as well. Our adversaries now have the advantages [in space]
we've always enjoyed. It's a different domain that required a
different approach, " Raymond said.
Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall noted the critical
role space plays in the nation's security, the essential functions
space enables in everyday life, and why access must be assured
as space becomes more congested and contested. " It is impossible
to overstate the importance of space-based systems to
national security. "
This article was written by Linda Bell, Former Editorial
Director, SAE Media Group (New York, NY).
Aerospace & Defense Technology, September 2022
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Aerospace & Defense Technology - September 2022

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