U.S. Air Force (Page 4)

Posted on Jun 18, 2024

Air

B-52s With New Rolls Royce Engines Won’t Fly Operational Missions Until 2033 B-52s With New Rolls Royce Engines Won’t Fly Operational Missions Until 2033

Updated on Jun 18, 2024

Air

B-52 Future Stratofortress: The Upgrades That Will Transform The B-52H Into The B-52J B-52 Future Stratofortress: The Upgrades That Will Transform The B-52H Into The B-52J

Updated on Jun 14, 2024

F-15EX arrives at the 142nd Wing in Portland.

Air

Inside The First F-15EX Wing Commander’s Plans To Speed The Newest Eagle Into Service Inside The First F-15EX Wing Commander’s Plans To Speed The Newest Eagle Into Service

Updated on Jun 14, 2024

Air

Top Air Force Officer Doubles Down On Aerial Combat Drones With Short Life Spans Top Air Force Officer Doubles Down On Aerial Combat Drones With Short Life Spans

Updated on Jun 14, 2024

Congress is moving to block the Air Force from retiring or preparing to retire any U-2 spy planes in the next fiscal year.

Air

U-2 Retirement Reprieve Emerges In Proposed Defense Spending Bill U-2 Retirement Reprieve Emerges In Proposed Defense Spending Bill

Posted on Jun 4, 2024

A USAF Boeing F-15EX flies at low level in Nevada.

How 50 Years Of Eagle Experience Has Shaped The Advanced F-15 How 50 Years Of Eagle Experience Has Shaped The Advanced F-15

By Jamie Hunter

Posted on Jun 4, 2024

The Defense Innovation Unit and the US Air Force have picked four different companies design, build, and flight test new low-cost cruise missile concepts.

Air

‘Cheap’ Long-Range Cruise Missile Designs To Be Tested By Air Force ‘Cheap’ Long-Range Cruise Missile Designs To Be Tested By Air Force

Posted on Jun 3, 2024

The US Air Force has awarded its first contract for the purchase of production Joint Strike Missiles which are set to give its F-35A Joint Strike Fighters a new and capable stand-off strike option against targets on land and at sea.

Air

USAF F-35s Are Officially Getting Joint Strike Cruise Missiles That Fit In Their Bays USAF F-35s Are Officially Getting Joint Strike Cruise Missiles That Fit In Their Bays

Posted on Jun 1, 2024

Testing at the Upside-Down Air Force, RADC

The Fascinating Story Of The USAF’s “Upside-Down Air Force” The Fascinating Story Of The USAF’s “Upside-Down Air Force”

Posted on May 31, 2024

A U.S. B-2A Spirit bomber assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing and a Royal Netherlands air force F-35A conduct aerial operations in support of Bomber Task Force Europe 20-2 over the North Sea March 18, 2020. Bomber missions provide opportunities to train and work with NATO allies and theater partners in combined and joint operations and exercises.

Air

Dutch F-35s Take On A Full Nuclear Role Dutch F-35s Take On A Full Nuclear Role

Posted on May 31, 2024

Officials at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina are looking into the possibility of erecting physical barriers to protect F-15E Strike Eagles there from drones.

Land

Enclosures To Defend F-15Es From Drone Attacks Eyed At Seymour Johnson AFB Enclosures To Defend F-15Es From Drone Attacks Eyed At Seymour Johnson AFB

Posted on May 30, 2024

Experimental Alpha Draco hypersonic boost-glide vehicle preparing for launch, 1959.

Air

Alpha Draco Paved The Way In The Late 1950s For Future Hypersonic Boost-Glide Vehicles Alpha Draco Paved The Way In The Late 1950s For Future Hypersonic Boost-Glide Vehicles

Posted on May 29, 2024

An F-35 Joint Strike Fighter crashed in Albuquerque New Mexico.

Air

F-35 Crashes In New Mexico (Updated) F-35 Crashes In New Mexico (Updated)

By Howard Altman

Posted on May 28, 2024

Air

How The A-10’s Avenger Cannon Went From Terrible To Terrifying How The A-10’s Avenger Cannon Went From Terrible To Terrifying

Updated on May 28, 2024

Black Flag 24-1, out of Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, run by the Air Force’s 53rd Wing.

Air

Massive China-Focused Black Flag Test Exercise Flies Deep Into The Virtual Realm Massive China-Focused Black Flag Test Exercise Flies Deep Into The Virtual Realm

Posted on May 28, 2024

Air

B-21, B-2 Comparison Image Shows Just How Weird The Raider’s Windows Really Are B-21, B-2 Comparison Image Shows Just How Weird The Raider’s Windows Really Are

Posted on May 23, 2024

Air

Everything We Learned About The Next Doomsday Planes For The Air Force Everything We Learned About The Next Doomsday Planes For The Air Force

Posted on May 23, 2024

Air

First Aerial View Of B-21 Raider Offers New Insights First Aerial View Of B-21 Raider Offers New Insights

Posted on May 22, 2024

The quiet closing out of the Air Force's SHiELD program and issues the Army has been having with is laser-armed DE M-SHORAD variants of the 8x8 Stryker reflect broader hurdles facing directed energy weapons of this type.

U.S. Military Laser Weapon Programs Are Facing A Reality Check U.S. Military Laser Weapon Programs Are Facing A Reality Check

Posted on May 21, 2024

The Viper Demo team has painted their jet in the YF-16's scheme to commemorate the type's 50th anniversary.

Air

Viper Demo Team Secretly Painted Jet In YF-16 Scheme To Celebrate Type’s 50th Anniversary Viper Demo Team Secretly Painted Jet In YF-16 Scheme To Celebrate Type’s 50th Anniversary

Posted on May 15, 2024

Members of Congress are pushing to block the US Air Force from retiring more than half of its F-15E Strike Eagles.

Air

Move To Block F-15E Strike Eagle Cuts Being Made In Congress Move To Block F-15E Strike Eagle Cuts Being Made In Congress

Posted on May 14, 2024

T-6 Pilot Dies In Ejection Seat Accident T-6 Pilot Dies In Ejection Seat Accident

Posted on May 14, 2024

Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works has released a new rendering of a stealth tanker concept amid uncertainty about the U.S. Air Force's future tanker plans.

Air

New Skunk Works Stealthy Tanker Concept Unveiled New Skunk Works Stealthy Tanker Concept Unveiled

Posted on May 13, 2024

A B-2 Spirit taxis at Whiteman Air Force Base

Air

Damaged B-2 Won’t Be Repaired, Fleet To Shrink To 19 Jets (Updated) Damaged B-2 Won’t Be Repaired, Fleet To Shrink To 19 Jets (Updated)

Posted on May 10, 2024

Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), which won the contract to build the U.S. Air Force’s highly specialized Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) aircraft last month, has acquired five Boeing 747-8s from Korean Air. The likelihood is that these will be converted as the successors to the Air Force’s aging 747-200-based E-4B Nightwatch ‘doomsday planes,’ although at this stage we still don’t know how many of the new SAOC aircraft will be fielded.

Air

Former Korean Air 747s Slated To Become USAF Doomsday Planes (Updated) Former Korean Air 747s Slated To Become USAF Doomsday Planes (Updated)

Posted on May 9, 2024

STRAIT OF SAN JUAN DE FUCA, Wash. (May 6, 2024) The Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Nebraska (SSBN 739) transits the Strait of San Juan de Fuca escorted by U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft and U.S. Coast Guard screening escort vessels. Joint operations, such as this one which involved the Air Force, Coast Guard, and Navy, ensure the U.S. military is ready to meet its security commitments at home and abroad including commitments to our allies and partners. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Gwendelyn Ohrazda/Released)

A-10 Warthogs Escorting A Ballistic Missile Submarine Is Certainly Different A-10 Warthogs Escorting A Ballistic Missile Submarine Is Certainly Different

Posted on May 9, 2024

Unmanned Long-Endurance Tactical Reconnaissance Aircraft crew chiefs, assigned within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, prep an ULTRA aircraft for taxi across the flightline before an early morning takeoff at an undisclosed location, May 7, 2024. ULTRA is an unmanned aerial system capable of flight times up to 80 hours, providing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities to combatant commanders, with a smaller operational footprint than other UAS in its class.

Air Force’s ULTRA Long-Endurance Glider-Like Drone Is Now Operating In The Middle East Air Force’s ULTRA Long-Endurance Glider-Like Drone Is Now Operating In The Middle East

By Joseph Trevithick, Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 8, 2024

The Air Force new 5,000-pound-class GBU-72/B bunker buster bomb could be a future addition to the B-2 bomber's arsenal.

Air

B-2 Spirits Could Get New 5,000-Pound Bunker Busters B-2 Spirits Could Get New 5,000-Pound Bunker Busters

Posted on May 7, 2024

A US Air Force F-22 stealth fighter has suffered a mishap at an airport in Georgia today, May 6, 2024.

Air

F-22 Raptor Ends Up On Its Side During Air Guard Exercise (Updated) F-22 Raptor Ends Up On Its Side During Air Guard Exercise (Updated)

Posted on May 6, 2024

Air

JDAM-ER Winged Bombs With Seekers That Home In On GPS Jammers Headed To Ukraine JDAM-ER Winged Bombs With Seekers That Home In On GPS Jammers Headed To Ukraine

Posted on May 4, 2024

A 49th Wing F-16 Viper takes off Jan. 19, 2022, at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. Holloman is the Air Force’s premiere training base for F-16 Viper and MQ-9 Reaper aircrew. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Adrian Salazar)

F-16 Crashes Near Holloman Air Force Base In New Mexico (Updated) F-16 Crashes Near Holloman Air Force Base In New Mexico (Updated)

Posted on Apr 30, 2024

SAOC will replace the E-4B, now we have a better idea of what it will look like.

Air

E-4B Doomsday Plane Replacement Concept Art Has Some Interesting Features E-4B Doomsday Plane Replacement Concept Art Has Some Interesting Features

Posted on Apr 29, 2024

SNC has won the competition to deliver new Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) 'doomsday planes' to succeed the Air Force's E-4B Nightwatch jets.

Air

Job Of Building The Air Force’s Next Doomsday Planes Falls To Sierra Nevada Corp. (Updated) Job Of Building The Air Force’s Next Doomsday Planes Falls To Sierra Nevada Corp. (Updated)

Updated on Apr 28, 2024

General Atomics has now confirmed that its Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone design for the US Air Force is based on its XQ-67A.

Air

XQ-67 Confirmed To Be A Prototype For General Atomics’ Collaborative Combat Aircraft Design XQ-67 Confirmed To Be A Prototype For General Atomics’ Collaborative Combat Aircraft Design

Updated on Apr 26, 2024

Air

Eglin AFB Pilot Likely Saw A Lighting Balloon, Not A UFO Pentagon Concludes Eglin AFB Pilot Likely Saw A Lighting Balloon, Not A UFO Pentagon Concludes

By Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 25, 2024

The US Air Force has chosen Anduril and General Atomics to move ahead in Increment 1 of its Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone program.

Air

General Atomics, Anduril Move Ahead In Collaborative Combat Aircraft Drone Program (Updated) General Atomics, Anduril Move Ahead In Collaborative Combat Aircraft Drone Program (Updated)

Updated on Apr 24, 2024

Additional details about a breakthrough autonomous dogfight in September 2023 underscore significant challenges still to be addressed.

Air

Next Big Challenge For AI Dogfighting Is Keeping Track Of Enemies Up Close Next Big Challenge For AI Dogfighting Is Keeping Track Of Enemies Up Close

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Apr 24, 2024

B-2 Spirit stealth bombers assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing taxi on the runway at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, April 15, 2024. Team Whiteman executed a mass fly-off of 12 B-2s to cap off the annual Spirit Vigilance exercise. Routine training ensures that Airmen are always ready to execute global strike operations… anytime, anywhere. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Hailey Farrell)

Air

Majority Of The B-2 Spirit Fleet Took To The Skies In A Mass Launch Majority Of The B-2 Spirit Fleet Took To The Skies In A Mass Launch

Posted on Apr 18, 2024

B-21 raider production still capped at 100 units as USAF looks at what could come next.

Air

Air Force Looking At Options Beyond The B-21 Raider Is Absolutely Necessary Air Force Looking At Options Beyond The B-21 Raider Is Absolutely Necessary

By Tyler Rogoway, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 18, 2024

Air

F-15E Strike Eagle’s Defense Of Israel Bolsters The Case For F-15EX F-15E Strike Eagle’s Defense Of Israel Bolsters The Case For F-15EX

Posted on Apr 17, 2024

The US Air Force's unique X-62A test jet participating in a breakthrough dogfight last year while a fully autonomous mode against a crewed F-16.

Air

AI Is Now Dogfighting With Fighter Pilots In The Air AI Is Now Dogfighting With Fighter Pilots In The Air

Posted on Apr 17, 2024

Recently released pictures of a Bahraini Block 70 F-16D Viper undergoing testing in the United States show what one of these jets might look like one an actual combat mission.

Air

Our First Look At An Armed-Up Block 70 F-16 Viper Our First Look At An Armed-Up Block 70 F-16 Viper

Posted on Apr 12, 2024

Lockheed Martin has unveiled a new hypersonic missile, the Mako, which it is pitching to the U.S. Navy and Air Force and which it says will potentially also be able to arm submarines and surface warships. The weapon, which was originally developed for the Air Force’s Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW) program reflects growing interest in more affordable hypersonic strike weapons, smaller than cruise missiles but offering standoff range and very rapid response.

Air

The Lowdown On Lockheed’s Newly Revealed Mako Hypersonic Missile The Lowdown On Lockheed’s Newly Revealed Mako Hypersonic Missile

Posted on Apr 11, 2024

B-1B Lancer aircraft nicknamed “Lancelot,” touches down at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, Feb. 8, 2024. “Lancelot” is being regenerated to the active bomber fleet after previously being retired to the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona. Photo was redacted for security purposes.

Air

B-1B ‘Lancelot’ Is Being Resurrected For Active Service B-1B ‘Lancelot’ Is Being Resurrected For Active Service

Posted on Apr 8, 2024

F-16s from Eielson AFB now 18th Fighter Interceptor Squadron.

Air

F-16 Aggressor Squadron In Alaska Becomes Unique Air Defense Unit F-16 Aggressor Squadron In Alaska Becomes Unique Air Defense Unit

Posted on Apr 4, 2024

The USAF wants $1.5B in spare parts it doesn't have in its budget.

Air

Hundreds Of Air Force Aircraft Risk Grounding Without Extra $1.5B Spare Parts Infusion Hundreds Of Air Force Aircraft Risk Grounding Without Extra $1.5B Spare Parts Infusion

Posted on Mar 28, 2024

U.S. Air Force TU-2s Dragon Lady 1078 flies to U.S. Air Force Plant 42, Palmdale, California, where it will undergo normal Program Depot-level Maintenance (PDM) and be painted black, after almost three years of maintenance at Beale Air Force Base, California, Feb. 29, 2024. Aircraft 1078 was involved in an accident in 2021 that left it unable to move to Plant 42, and after passing low flight and high flight tests, was able to fly to Palmdale where Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Detachment 4 will oversee Lockheed Martin’s PDM of aircraft 1078. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexis Pentzer

Air

TU-2S Dragon Lady Resurrected For The Twilight Of The Spy Plane’s Service TU-2S Dragon Lady Resurrected For The Twilight Of The Spy Plane’s Service

Posted on Mar 25, 2024

Supersonic testbed XB-1 on its first flight, March 22, 2024

Air

Boom’s XB-1 Supersonic Test Jet Takes To The Skies Boom’s XB-1 Supersonic Test Jet Takes To The Skies

Posted on Mar 23, 2024

Air

F-22 Spotted With New Stealth Wing Tanks, Infrared Sensor Pods F-22 Spotted With New Stealth Wing Tanks, Infrared Sensor Pods

By Tyler Rogoway, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Mar 22, 2024

The F-35 Joint Program Office says the internal gun on the A variant of the Joint Strike Fighter is now effective after years of accuracy and other problems.

Air

F-35A’s Beleaguered 25mm Cannon Is Finally “Effective” F-35A’s Beleaguered 25mm Cannon Is Finally “Effective”

Posted on Mar 22, 2024

A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II sits on the flightline at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., March 3, 2023. The A-10 is assigned to the A-10C Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team, which is one of four single-ship demonstration teams within Air Combat Command, who travel across the United States, as well as internationally, to highlight the combat capabilities of the A-10 and the U.S. Air Force.

Air

A-10 Demo Team Announces Its Final Year As The Warthog’s End Draws Near A-10 Demo Team Announces Its Final Year As The Warthog’s End Draws Near

Posted on Mar 21, 2024

Satellite image of the air base at Mihail Kogălniceanu, pictured on December 18, 2023

Romanian Airfield’s Transformation Into A Giant NATO Base Is Underway Romanian Airfield’s Transformation Into A Giant NATO Base Is Underway

Posted on Mar 20, 2024

The Air Force has conducted an unprecedented test launch of a live AGM-183A ARRW hypersonic missile in the Western Pacific, sending signals to China and elsewhere in the region amid uncertainty about this particular program's future.

Air

Unprecedented U.S. Hypersonic Weapons Test From Guam Has Occurred Unprecedented U.S. Hypersonic Weapons Test From Guam Has Occurred

Posted on Mar 19, 2024

The US Air Force no longer plans to flight test a laser directed energy weapon on an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship.

Air

AC-130 Gunship’s Laser Weapon Cancelled, 105mm Howitzer May Be Removed AC-130 Gunship’s Laser Weapon Cancelled, 105mm Howitzer May Be Removed

Posted on Mar 19, 2024

The US Air Force has confirmed a spate of drone incursions occurred at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia in December 2023.

Air

Mysterious Drones Swarmed Langley AFB For Weeks Mysterious Drones Swarmed Langley AFB For Weeks

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Mar 15, 2024

The Air Force wants to cut its purchases of MH-139A helicopters in half, calling into question what will happen to many units equipped with the UH-1Ns they were supposed to replace.

Air

Air Force Wants To Slash MH-139 Grey Wolf Helicopter Purchases In Half Air Force Wants To Slash MH-139 Grey Wolf Helicopter Purchases In Half

Posted on Mar 14, 2024

Air

F-35 Cleared For Full-Rate Production 17 Years After Its First Flight F-35 Cleared For Full-Rate Production 17 Years After Its First Flight

Posted on Mar 13, 2024

The Air Force says it will bring its Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon program later this year, but the service has refused to rule out future work on this or another similar hypersonic weapon design.

Air

Signs ARRW Hypersonic Missile Follow-On May Be In The Works Signs ARRW Hypersonic Missile Follow-On May Be In The Works

Posted on Mar 13, 2024

The proposed Fiscal Year 2025 budgets for the US Air Force and US Navy contain significant developments for their respective sixth-generation combat jet programs.

Air

USAF Seeks NGAD Fighter Boost, Navy F/A-XX Investment Slows In New Budget USAF Seeks NGAD Fighter Boost, Navy F/A-XX Investment Slows In New Budget

Posted on Mar 12, 2024

The Air Force's proposed Fiscal Year 2025 budget includes a cut to the total planned size of the F-15EX fleet from 104 to 98 jets.

Air

F-15EX Fleet To Be Cut Down To 98 Jets In New Air Force Budget F-15EX Fleet To Be Cut Down To 98 Jets In New Air Force Budget

Posted on Mar 11, 2024

F-35 drops B61-12 during a test at Edwards AFB

Air

F-35A Is Officially Certified For Nuclear Strike F-35A Is Officially Certified For Nuclear Strike

Posted on Mar 9, 2024

The grounding of all US military V-22 Ospreys following a crash in November 2023 has been lifted.

Air

V-22 Osprey Finally Cleared To Fly After Three Month Grounding V-22 Osprey Finally Cleared To Fly After Three Month Grounding