Trying to do the "A Looming Threat to the safety of the Nation" mission. I hid for a while and then killed the three intruding vultures. I was told that a wingman was being sent and then to kill two raptors. I waited, and waited, and waited, etc. and nobody showed up. I finally gave up and left the sector. Did this two times to make sure it wasn't a transitory bug. Some kind of program bug here.

Let me try to pinpoint where the problem occurred. I believe the mission you're speaking of is "A Looming Threat - Hiding Out"

You waited and waited and nobody showed up.

A) Did the two raptors show up?

and if so
B) Did you actually kill the raptors? i.e. did you make the kill?

You are correct Phaserlight it is "Hiding out"...

Did anything at all spawn? Did you get a message from the wingman about him being hit?

Occasionally, the ships will warp in beyond radar range and you won't see them until you get into range. They will not attack unless you are in radar range so they just sort of sit there until you move into range of them.

I did fly around for quite a while, I'll try it again. I've done it 3 times already tho' and it's my feeling this shouldn't happen, 'cause each time I lose some hard won standing.