U.S. Air Force (Page 3)

Posted on Dec 2, 2024

Mystery drones have flown over USAF bases in the UK for an eighth day.

Air

Drone Incursions Over USAF Bases In UK Enter Second Week Drone Incursions Over USAF Bases In UK Enter Second Week

Updated on Nov 27, 2024

Still unidentified drones continue to be spotted around air bases in the United Kingdom that host American forces.

Air

British Troops Reinforce USAF Airbases Amid Mysterious Drone Incursions: Reports (Updated) British Troops Reinforce USAF Airbases Amid Mysterious Drone Incursions: Reports (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Nov 26, 2024

Mystery drones have appeared once again near US bases in the UK.

News & Features

Mysterious Drones Have Descended Again On U.S. Air Bases In The United Kingdom (Updated) Mysterious Drones Have Descended Again On U.S. Air Bases In The United Kingdom (Updated)

By Tyler Rogoway, Howard Altman

Updated on Nov 25, 2024

An unspecified number of drones were spotted over RAF Lakenheath in England

Air

Multiple Drone Incursions Just Occurred Over USAF Fighter Base In England Multiple Drone Incursions Just Occurred Over USAF Fighter Base In England

Updated on Nov 22, 2024

A unit charged with exploring how the U.S. Air Force will utilize its future Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) is now set to get actual examples of the first tranche of those drones to experiment with.

Air

Extra Collaborative Combat Aircraft Purchases To Give USAF Test Unit A Boost Extra Collaborative Combat Aircraft Purchases To Give USAF Test Unit A Boost

Posted on Nov 19, 2024

Flight testing of the U.S. Air Force's Stand-In Attack Weapon (SiAW) missile is now set to begin following the delivery of an initial test article.

Air

First Stand-In Attack Missile Delivered To USAF First Stand-In Attack Missile Delivered To USAF

Posted on Nov 18, 2024

Air

F-15E Pilot Recounts Having To Switch To Guns After Missiles Ran Dry During Iranian Drone Barrage F-15E Pilot Recounts Having To Switch To Guns After Missiles Ran Dry During Iranian Drone Barrage

Posted on Nov 15, 2024

The search for clues after a U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper fighter brought down a still-unidentified object over Lake Huron In February 2023 did result in the recovery of debris it has been disclosed. However, it remains unclear whether or not the wreckage was from that shootdown.

Air

Details About Search For Mystery Object Shot Down Over Lake Huron Disclosed Details About Search For Mystery Object Shot Down Over Lake Huron Disclosed

Posted on Nov 15, 2024

The U.S. Air Force is accelerating work on low-cost air vehicles that could evolve into relatively cheap cruise missiles, and plans to scale up production of selected designs, with the help of the Pentagon's Replicator initiative.

Air

‘Cheap’ Cruise Missile Program To Speed Up With Replicator Initiative Help ‘Cheap’ Cruise Missile Program To Speed Up With Replicator Initiative Help

Posted on Nov 15, 2024

Air

KC-135 Tanker With Artificial Intelligence Copilot Set To Fly Next Year KC-135 Tanker With Artificial Intelligence Copilot Set To Fly Next Year

Posted on Nov 12, 2024

Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works advanced projects division has put forward a new vision for a stealthy pilot-optional aerial refueling tanker.

Air

Skunk Works’ Latest Stealthy Tanker Concept Revealed Skunk Works’ Latest Stealthy Tanker Concept Revealed

Posted on Nov 7, 2024

The future outlook for the U.S. Air Force's top modernization efforts is even more uncertain after the service's civilian boss openly questioned the affordability of buying any combination of new stealth 'fighters,' advanced aerial refueling tankers, and highly autonomous drones.

Air

Crisis Brewing Over Air Force’s Future Air Dominance Plans Which It Cannot Afford Crisis Brewing Over Air Force’s Future Air Dominance Plans Which It Cannot Afford

Posted on Nov 6, 2024

The commander of NORAD and NORTHCOM talked about the Langley Air Force Base drone incursion and what the military could do about it.

Air

Here’s What NORAD’s Commander Just Told Us About The Langley AFB Drone Incursions Here’s What NORAD’s Commander Just Told Us About The Langley AFB Drone Incursions

Posted on Oct 30, 2024

Air

B-21 Taking On Some Of NGAD Fighter’s Missions On The Table Air Force Says B-21 Taking On Some Of NGAD Fighter’s Missions On The Table Air Force Says

Posted on Oct 26, 2024

The expected size of the U.S. Air Force's B-21 Raider fleet could change as part of an ongoing force structure review, according to the bomber's manufacturer Northrop Grumman.

Air

B-21 Raider Fleet Size Under Review B-21 Raider Fleet Size Under Review

Posted on Oct 24, 2024

A B-2 Spirit from the 509th Bomb Wing, 13th Bomb Squadron Whiteman Air Force Base, Miss., prepares to be refueled by a KC-135R Stratotanker from the 434th Air Refueling Wing at Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind. during a nighttime aerial refueling mission.

Air

Questions Linger Over Australia’s Role In B-2 Spirit Strikes On Yemen Questions Linger Over Australia’s Role In B-2 Spirit Strikes On Yemen

Posted on Oct 18, 2024

The secretive Phoenix Ghost kamikaze drone developed by the U.S. Air Force to support Ukraine in its ongoing fight against Russia, has finally emerged from the shadows.

Air

Secretive Phoenix Ghost Kamikaze Drones Rushed To Ukraine Finally Come Out Of The Shadows Secretive Phoenix Ghost Kamikaze Drones Rushed To Ukraine Finally Come Out Of The Shadows

By Thomas Newdick, Rachel S. Cohen, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 17, 2024

Air

B-2 Spirits Just Sent A Very Ominous Message To Iran B-2 Spirits Just Sent A Very Ominous Message To Iran

Updated on Oct 17, 2024

The US Air Force's Chief Scientist reportedly described the AGM-183A missile as the service's "most mature" hypersonic weapon, prompting new questions about whether that program's future.

Air

ARRW Hypersonic Missile Program Gets New Funding Despite Signs Of Cancellation ARRW Hypersonic Missile Program Gets New Funding Despite Signs Of Cancellation

Posted on Oct 10, 2024

Air

Orphaned A-29 Super Tucano Attack Planes Join USAF Test Pilot School Fleet Orphaned A-29 Super Tucano Attack Planes Join USAF Test Pilot School Fleet

By Thomas Newdick, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 9, 2024

U.S. Air Force officials at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia are looking at installing anti-drone nets to help protect F-22 Raptor stealth fighters on the flightline.

Air

Protective Nets To Shield F-22s Eyed For Airbase Swarmed By Mystery Drones Protective Nets To Shield F-22s Eyed For Airbase Swarmed By Mystery Drones

Updated on Oct 9, 2024

Aerial photo taken of MacDill Air Force Base on January 29, 2021. MacDill AFB includes 28 associate units from all brances of service to include U.S. Central Command, U.S. Special Operations Command and the 927th Air Refueling Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tiffany Emery)

Air

Hurricane Milton Could Be Sum Of All Weather Fears For MacDill Air Force Base Hurricane Milton Could Be Sum Of All Weather Fears For MacDill Air Force Base

Posted on Oct 9, 2024

An Air Force B-52H Stratofortress was recently spotted rocking day-glo orange highlights.

Air

B-52 Emerges In Striking Retro Orange Paint Scheme B-52 Emerges In Striking Retro Orange Paint Scheme

Updated on Oct 1, 2024

KC-10 Extender tail #86-0036 performs its final mission as it heads of to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., following a July 13 ceremony at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., that marked the first retirement of 59 Extenders intended for eventual replacement by the KC-46A Pegasus. A total of three KC-10s from the Air Force’s Backup-Aircraft Inventory were congressionally approved for retirement during Fiscal Year 2020. As KC-10s are retired, the 309th AMARG will continue to support the remaining Extenders with spare parts as they are flown for several years while the KC-46A Pegasus is integrated into Air Mobility Command’s Total Force tanker enterprise. For nearly four decades, the KC-10 has helped secure global reach for America, providing in- flight refueling to U.S. and coalition aircraft, from Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm to Operation Inherent Resolve. The KC- 10 is flown from JBMDL by both the 305th AMW and its associate Air Force Reserve unit, the 514th AMW.

Air

Final KC-10 Extender Tanker Flies Into Retirement Final KC-10 Extender Tanker Flies Into Retirement

Posted on Sep 26, 2024

Canadian authorities have released an image of an unidentified object that was shot down over the country's Yukon Territory by a U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor stealth fighter in February 2023.

Air

First Look At Mystery Object Shot Down Over Canada By F-22 Raptor Last Year First Look At Mystery Object Shot Down Over Canada By F-22 Raptor Last Year

Posted on Sep 25, 2024

Air

What Would A Far Cheaper Next Generation Air Dominance Fighter Actually Look Like? What Would A Far Cheaper Next Generation Air Dominance Fighter Actually Look Like?

Posted on Sep 24, 2024

The U.S. Air Force is interested in adding an active electronically-scanned array (AESA) radar to its X-62A test jet. The radar is part of larger plans to acquire a new modular sensor suite for the uniquely modified F-16 specifically to help expand its ability to support advanced autonomy developments.

Air

New Radar Sought To Help X-62A Test Jet Take Next Leap In Autonomy Testing New Radar Sought To Help X-62A Test Jet Take Next Leap In Autonomy Testing

Posted on Sep 24, 2024

Plans to slash F-16 aggressors at Nellis Air Force Base highlight broader questions about the future of the Air Force Viper fleets.

Air

Aggressor F-16 Fleet Set To Be Slashed By Air Force Aggressor F-16 Fleet Set To Be Slashed By Air Force

Posted on Sep 23, 2024

Air

How EA-18G Growler’s Next Generation Jammer Actually Works And The Future Of Offensive Electronic Warfare How EA-18G Growler’s Next Generation Jammer Actually Works And The Future Of Offensive Electronic Warfare

Updated on Sep 20, 2024

The U.S. Air Force says the once-secretive Off-Board Sensing Station (OBSS) drone program has been fully folded into the service's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) effort. General Atomics has already disclosed that its current CCA design is derived from the XQ-67 drone it developed for OBSS.

Air

Collaborative Combat Aircraft Program ‘Ingesting’ Modular Chassis Concept Pioneered By XQ-67 Drone Collaborative Combat Aircraft Program ‘Ingesting’ Modular Chassis Concept Pioneered By XQ-67 Drone

Updated on Sep 20, 2024

The U.S. Air Force's top special operations officer says AC-130J Ghostriders will continue being armed with 105mm howitzers for the foreseeable future despite the gunships evolving to as focus shifts to preparing for high-end fights.

Air

AC-130J Ghostrider Gunships Will Keep Their 105mm Howitzers, For Now AC-130J Ghostrider Gunships Will Keep Their 105mm Howitzers, For Now

Posted on Sep 19, 2024

The U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman have expanded testing of the B-21 thanks to two ground test articles, which are being used to evaluate the bomber's core construction and the time it takes before certain parts break. The tempo of flight testing of the initial pre-production Raider is also growing, with the jet now sometimes taking to the skies twice a week.

Air

B-21 Ground Test Airframes Join Flying Pre-Production Raider B-21 Ground Test Airframes Join Flying Pre-Production Raider

Posted on Sep 19, 2024

The U.S. Air Force has released new video footage of its first pre-production B-21 Raider stealth bomber undergoing flight testing.

Air

New Look At B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber Flight Testing Released New Look At B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber Flight Testing Released

Posted on Sep 18, 2024

The U.S. Air Force is pushing ahead with experimentation that could lead to the transformation of KC-135 tankers into optionally crewed aircraft, as well as the development of other autonomous aerial refueling capabilities. U.S. military interest in autonomous airlifters, an area where China has been notably surging forward in the past few years, is also growing.

Air

Work Toward KC-135 Tankers That Fly Themselves, Uncrewed Cargo Aircraft Pressing Ahead Work Toward KC-135 Tankers That Fly Themselves, Uncrewed Cargo Aircraft Pressing Ahead

Posted on Sep 18, 2024

The U.S. Air Force has no plans to acquire stealthy uncrewed combat air vehicles (UCAV) capable of operating with very high degrees of autonomy independently of crewed aircraft, at least in the near term publicly, despite surging Chinese developments in this domain.

Air

No Flying Wing UCAVs Being Developed By U.S. Air Force While China Surges Ahead No Flying Wing UCAVs Being Developed By U.S. Air Force While China Surges Ahead

Posted on Sep 17, 2024

The U.S. Air Force's still evolving requirements for a next-generation aerial refueling 'system of systems' will directly impact the service's reassessment of plans for a new sixth-generation stealth 'fighter.' The Next-Generation Air-Refueling System (NGAS) effort will also inform work on a second tranche of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones.

Air

Future Stealth Tanker Plans Tied To NGAD 6th Generation Fighter’s Fate Future Stealth Tanker Plans Tied To NGAD 6th Generation Fighter’s Fate

Posted on Sep 16, 2024

MQ-9 showcases capabilities to Joint Force during first-time Valiant Shield participation.

Air

MQ-9 Reapers Gathered In Florida, Simulated Fighting Over South China Sea MQ-9 Reapers Gathered In Florida, Simulated Fighting Over South China Sea

Posted on Sep 13, 2024

The Piasecki Aircraft Corporation's Aerial Reconfigurable Embedded System Demonstration Vehicle (ARES-DV), a vertical takeoff and landing capable tilt-rotor drone designed to carry interchangeable payload modules, has left the ground for the first time.

Air

Tilt-Ducted Fan ARES Drone Designed To Carry Modular Payloads Has Finally Lifted Off Tilt-Ducted Fan ARES Drone Designed To Carry Modular Payloads Has Finally Lifted Off

Posted on Sep 10, 2024

The U.S. Air Force is re-examining the very core of its requirements for a new sixth-generation stealth combat jet as part of its ongoing review of that element of the larger Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) initiative.

Air

Air Force “Starting At The Beginning” With NGAD 6th Gen Fighter Requirements Review Air Force “Starting At The Beginning” With NGAD 6th Gen Fighter Requirements Review

Posted on Sep 4, 2024

The U.S. Air Force recently awarded contracts to two companies for work on SHARK 'buddy store' podded aerial refueling systems able to work with aircraft that use the boom method to get gas in flight.

Air

Aerial Refueling Boom Pods That Could Go On F-15s In The Works Aerial Refueling Boom Pods That Could Go On F-15s In The Works

Posted on Sep 3, 2024

Air

The Future Of The AC-130 Gunship: Evolve Or Die The Future Of The AC-130 Gunship: Evolve Or Die

Updated on Aug 31, 2024

Before the Ukrainian Air Force received its first batch of F-16 Viper fighters, the U.S. Air Force helped optimize electronic warfare (EW) systems on those jets against Russian threats.

Air

Electronic Warfare Systems On Ukraine’s F-16s Getting Specially Tuned To Russian Threats By USAF Electronic Warfare Systems On Ukraine’s F-16s Getting Specially Tuned To Russian Threats By USAF

Posted on Aug 27, 2024

412th Test Wing photographers Christian Turner, Todd Schannuth, and Richard Gonzales on the ramp with their F-16D chase jet.

Air

The Flight Test Photographers Of Edwards Air Force Base The Flight Test Photographers Of Edwards Air Force Base

Posted on Aug 26, 2024

KC-46 and F-15E had an incident resulting in the loss of the tanker's boom

Air

Audio Reveals Details Of KC-46 And F-15E Refueling Incident That Broke The Tanker’s Boom Off Audio Reveals Details Of KC-46 And F-15E Refueling Incident That Broke The Tanker’s Boom Off

Posted on Aug 23, 2024

A notional light fighter concept has been presented by the U.S. Air Force’s senior uniformed officer, providing a thought-provoking insight on one direction that the service’s future combat fleet could take. The concept emerges as Air Force officials are increasingly questioning the requirements for the crewed sixth-generation stealth combat jet being developed as part of its Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) initiative.

Air

Air Force Floats Light Stealth Fighter Concept As Its Heavy Fighter Program May Be In Jeopardy Air Force Floats Light Stealth Fighter Concept As Its Heavy Fighter Program May Be In Jeopardy

Posted on Aug 20, 2024

A drone scare around the U.S. Air Force's Plant 42 in California, a major hub for advanced aerospace development work, including highly classified military programs, has led to revelations about a real wave of mysterious drone incursions in recent months.

Air

Palmdale UFO Scare Leads To Revelations About Mystery Drone Incursions Over Secretive Plant 42 Palmdale UFO Scare Leads To Revelations About Mystery Drone Incursions Over Secretive Plant 42

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Aug 20, 2024

Next summer, U.S. Air Force units will deploy from bases in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and elsewhere across the United States to forward locations in the Western Pacific as part of a massive new air combat exercise.

Air

Air Force Units Will Flood The Western Pacific In Huge New Airpower Exercise Next Summer Air Force Units Will Flood The Western Pacific In Huge New Airpower Exercise Next Summer

Posted on Aug 19, 2024

A Cessna Model 208B Grand Caravan converted into a cargo drone was among the participants in a recently concluded U.S. Air Force-led large force air combat exercise focused on preparing for a potential future conflict with China.

Air

Cessna Caravan Turned Into Cargo Drone Tested At China-Focused Airpower Exercise Cessna Caravan Turned Into Cargo Drone Tested At China-Focused Airpower Exercise

Posted on Aug 16, 2024

Air National Guard F-16 Viper fighters pretending to be enemy cruise missiles together with tiny JSX-2 microjets mimicking cruise missiles and drones replicated complex threat scenarios during a recent large-scale exercise.

Air

F-16s Team With JSX-2 Microjets To Replicate Complex Cruise Missile And Drone Attacks F-16s Team With JSX-2 Microjets To Replicate Complex Cruise Missile And Drone Attacks

Posted on Aug 14, 2024

Model 407 optionally manned drone Northrop grumman

Air

Northrop’s Stealthy Loyal Wingman Drone Breaks Cover And It Has A Cockpit Northrop’s Stealthy Loyal Wingman Drone Breaks Cover And It Has A Cockpit

Updated on Aug 9, 2024

Two U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 92nd Fighter Squadron, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, fly alongside a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 91st Air Refueling Squadron over the western United States during Exercise Bamboo Eagle 24-3, Aug. 5, 2024. Through employment of the KC-135 aircraft, the 91st ARS extends U.S. global power and global reach by planning and executing aerial refueling missions for U.S. and allied combat and support aircraft. During Bamboo Eagle, Air Mobility Command assets will support warfighters implementing all-domain combat-power generation from disaggregated basing locations throughout the western part of the U.S., along with distributed command and control, agile logistics, and tactical air-to-air refueling. Bamboo Eagle provides participating units opportunities to reoptimizing for Great Power competition and to focus on mission readiness by to deliver cross-functional and lethal combat capabilities with the speed and agility required to meet pacing challenges. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Cook)

Air

Massive China-Focused Air Combat Exercise Underway Off California Coast Massive China-Focused Air Combat Exercise Underway Off California Coast

Posted on Aug 9, 2024

Defense technology contractor Anduril has announced plans to build a novel “hyperscale” production facility that will be able to churn out significant numbers of different military products, including uncrewed combat aircraft and autonomous underwater vehicles. The project closely aligns with the Pentagon’s aim of securing the ability to manufacture at scale, to meet future demands, especially for uncrewed systems that would be critical in potential peer-state conflicts.

Air

“Hyperscale” Weapons Factory Vision Outlined By Anduril “Hyperscale” Weapons Factory Vision Outlined By Anduril

Posted on Aug 8, 2024

A brief video clip of a U.S. Navy E-2D Advanced Hawkeye linking up with an Air Force HC-130J tanker somewhere over in the Middle East calls attention to how this aircraft has become even more of a force multiplier with the added ability to refuel in flight.

Air

E-2D Refueling From HC-130 Over Middle East Highlights The Hawkeye’s Potential E-2D Refueling From HC-130 Over Middle East Highlights The Hawkeye’s Potential

Posted on Aug 7, 2024

A B-1B Lancer assigned to the 419th Flight Test Squadron conducts flight tests on the Load Adaptable Modular pylon in the skies over California, Feb. 15.

Air

B-1B Tests New Pylon That Could Drastically Increase Its Weapons Carriage Capabilities B-1B Tests New Pylon That Could Drastically Increase Its Weapons Carriage Capabilities

Posted on Aug 6, 2024

The US Air Force says an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship has operated from a highway for the first time as part of the service's larger push to reduce its dependence on traditional runways. This is also comes amid questions about the future of the gunships in future high-end fights.

Air

AC-130J Ghostrider Gunship Has Operated From A Highway For The First Time AC-130J Ghostrider Gunship Has Operated From A Highway For The First Time

Posted on Aug 5, 2024

Air

More U.S. Combat Aircraft Heading To Middle East Ahead Of Expected Iranian Attack On Israel (Updated) More U.S. Combat Aircraft Heading To Middle East Ahead Of Expected Iranian Attack On Israel (Updated)

Posted on Aug 2, 2024

The entire fleet of U.S. V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft has been temporarily grounded after a mishap involving an AFSOC CV-22 last month at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico.

Air

CV-22 Osprey Crash In Japan Was Caused By Gearbox Failure CV-22 Osprey Crash In Japan Was Caused By Gearbox Failure

By Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Posted on Aug 1, 2024

The US Air Force's top officer in Europe has highlighted how kamikaze drones present threats, as well as opportunities, especially for smaller friendly countries that might not be able to afford higher-end capabilities.

Air

Long-Range Kamikaze Drones Offer ‘Cheap’ Strike Opportunities For U.S., Allies: USAF General Long-Range Kamikaze Drones Offer ‘Cheap’ Strike Opportunities For U.S., Allies: USAF General

Posted on Jul 31, 2024

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall has shed some more light on the status of the new sixth-generation stealth combat jet under development as part of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program. “We’re taking a pause,” Kendall said this morning, before reiterating that while fighter at the heart of the wider NGAD initiative will have a human pilot to start with, an optionally crewed version might be developed too.

Air

Air Force Secretary ‘Absolutely Confident’ 6th Gen Crewed Fighter Will Move Forward (Updated) Air Force Secretary ‘Absolutely Confident’ 6th Gen Crewed Fighter Will Move Forward (Updated)

Posted on Jul 30, 2024

Ukrainians F-16s will immediately be able to get more out of stocks Western munitions that have already been deliverd, as well as other benefits.

Air

F-16s Will Let Ukraine Get More Out Of Western Munitions: USAF’s Top Officer In Europe F-16s Will Let Ukraine Get More Out Of Western Munitions: USAF’s Top Officer In Europe

Posted on Jul 30, 2024

The US Air Force says a program to explore low cost 'air vehicle' concepts that could be turned into cruise missiles or used for other purposes is as much about shaking up industrial base and supply chain status quos.

Air

Shaking Up U.S. Industrial Base Key To ‘Cheap’ Cruise Missile Program Shaking Up U.S. Industrial Base Key To ‘Cheap’ Cruise Missile Program