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U.S. NEWS Tuesday 19 July 2022

U.S. developing satellite system to track hypersonic weapons

By LOLITA C. BALDOR and Russia has used the far exceed that threshold
Associated Press weapons in strikes during but travel in a predictable
WASHINGTON (AP) — The the war in Ukraine. path, making it possible to
U.S. will spend $1.3 billion to “Russia and China have intercept them.
develop advanced satel- been developing and test- Historically, Tournear said,
lites that will be able to bet- ing hypersonic glide ve- the U.S. has not flown satel-
ter track hypersonic missile hicles — these advanced lites that were designed to
threats, the Pentagon said missiles that are extremely detect and go after such
Monday, announcing two maneuverable,” Tournear maneuverable hypersonic
new contracts that will put told Pentagon reporters weapons. Currently, he
the detection and tracking Monday. “These satellites said, “we have limited ca-
systems in orbit by 2025. are specifically designed to pability to do that tracking
Derek Tournear, director of go after that next genera- aspect.” He added, how-
the Space Development tion version of threats out ever, that “clearly we don’t
Agency, said the contracts there so that we can detect have zero capability to do
will provide 28 satellites, as and track these hypersonic tracking.”
the U.S. moves to greatly maneuvering vehicles and The new satellites, he said,
expand and enhance its predict their impact point.” will enable the U.S. to de-
ability to counter increas- Additional funding for the tect the launch, follow
ing threats from Russia and program was provided by the hypersonic missile as it In this image provided by the U.S. Army, Derek Tournear, director
China. Congress specifically in re- changes course, calculate of the Space Development Agency, poses for his official portrait
Both countries have been sponse to concerns in the where it is heading and at the Pentagon on May 20, 2019.
making strides in their de- Indo-Pacific region, in re- provide that data to forces Associated Press
velopment of hypersonic sponse to China’s rapidly who can launch intercep- cost of about $700 million, U.S. toward a larger, over-
missiles, which are more progressing military devel- tors. and Northrop will produce lapping system of satel-
difficult to track and shoot opment. The contracts were award- 14 at a cost of about $617 lites. Rather than relying on
down because they ma- Hypersonic weapons are ed to teams led by L3Harris million. The total cost of larger, more expensive sat-
neuver more in flight than defined as anything travel- Technologies, Inc. of Mel- the program, including ellites that stay in orbit for
conventional weapons ing beyond Mach 5, or five bourne, Fla., and Northrop the launches and ground 15 or more years, the U.S.
that travel in predictable times faster than the speed Grumman Strategic Space control and support, will be will have a greater number
paths. Last year China test- of sound. That’s about 3,800 Systems of Redondo about $2.5 billion. of cheaper satellites that
ed what U.S. officials said mph (6,100 kph). Intercon- Beach, Calif. L3Harris will Tournear said the program would be replaced about
was a hypersonic missile, tinental ballistic missiles produce 14 satellites at a represents a shift for the every five years.q

Fauci expects to retire by end of

Biden’s current term

term in January 2025. best people in the coun- end of Biden’s first term, I
Fauci, 81, was appointed try, if not the world, who will will very likely (retire),” Fau-
director of the National In- continue my vision.” ci said. He added: “it is ex-
stitute of Allergy and Infec- Asked Monday on CNN tremely unlikely — in fact,
tious Diseases in 1984, and when he planned to re- for sure — that I am not
has led research in HIV/ tire, Fauci said he does not going to be here beyond
AIDS, respiratory infections, have a specific retirement January 2025.”
Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy
and Infectious Diseases, holds his face mask in his hands as he Ebola, Zika and the corona- date in mind and hasn’t Fauci, long a prominent
attends a House Committee on Appropriations subcommittee virus. He has advised seven started the process. figure of the government’s
hearing on about the budget request for the National Institutes presidents and is Biden’s He said he expects to response to infectious dis-
of Health, May 11, 2022, on Capitol Hill in Washington. chief medical adviser. leave government before ease, was thrust even more
Associated Press In an interview with Politico, the end of Biden’s current into the spotlight at the
WASHINGTON (AP) — Dr. ease expert, said Monday Fauci said he hoped to term, which ends in Janu- height of the coronavirus
Anthony Fauci, the govern- he plans to retire by the end “leave behind an institution ary 2025. pandemic under then-
ment’s top infectious dis- of President Joe Biden’s where I have picked the “By the time we get to the President Donald Trump.q