U.S. Air Force(Page 5)

Latest in U.S. Air Force

AC-130J attacked a target in iraq after attacks on US bases there.

AC-130 Ghostrider Gunship Strikes Iranian-Backed Militia In Iraq

By Howard Altman
Posted on Nov 21, 2023
Lockheed manned tailless fighter design

Skunk Works Teases Tailless NGAD Fighter Design In New Ad

By Tyler Rogoway
Posted on Nov 20, 2023
The U.S. Air Force is exploring the possibility of augmenting, rather than replacing its C-32A Air Force Two jets.

New Plan To Augment C-32A ‘Air Force Two’ Fleet, Not Replace It

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Nov 20, 2023
Aurora Flight Sciences is developing a fan-in-wing blended wing body aircraft concept as part of a U.S. military program exploring ideas for a fast-flying vertical takeoff and landing cargo aircraft.

VTOL Lift Fan Tactical Transport Design Emerges Under DARPA Program

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Nov 16, 2023
A commercial KDC‐10 tanker aircraft refuels a U.S. Air Force F‐16 Fighting Falcon from the 51st Fighter Wing, enroute Commando Sling 23 at Paya Lebar Air Base, Singapore, November 6, 2023.

Private Aerial Refueling Tankers Are Now Gassing Up USAF Fighters

By Oliver Parken
Posted on Nov 15, 2023
Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall has offered new details about his service's plans for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.

CCA Loyal Wingmen Drones To Cost Quarter To Third Of An F-35

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Nov 14, 2023
B-21 first flight

B-21 Raider’s First Flight: What We Learned

By Tyler Rogoway
Posted on Nov 10, 2023
The schedule for long-planned flight testing of an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship with a laser directed energy weapon has slipped again to 2024.

AC-130 Laser Weapon Test Slip Raises Questions About Its Future

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Nov 10, 2023
B-21 has flown for the first time

B-21 Raider Has Flown For The First Time (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick, Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway
Updated on Nov 10, 2023
New pictures show A-10s that recently deployed to the Middle East with interesting ordnance loads.

A-10s Brandish Intriguing Mix Of Weapons In Middle East

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Nov 9, 2023
The US Air Force is deciding whether or not to begin removing the famed 105mm howitzers from its AC-130J gunships, possibly starting in 2026.

AC-130J Ghostriders Could Lose Their Big 105mm Guns

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Nov 7, 2023
U-2 retirement moves forward with secretary of defense waiver sent to congress.

U-2 Retirement Moves Forward With Defense Secretary Decision

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Nov 7, 2023
A new report claims that Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works has delivered a new secret intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft to the US Air Force.

Secret Skunk Works Spy Drone Delivered To Air Force: Report

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Nov 3, 2023
Kratos has offered the first look at a rendering of its stealthy Thanatos drone design.

Thanatos Advanced Stealth Drone Design Breaks Cover

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Nov 3, 2023
A routine test of launch of a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile was "terminated" after it experienced an "anomaly."

Minuteman III Ballistic Missile Ordered To Destroy Itself During Test Launch

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Nov 2, 2023
A heavily redacted copy of the final report on a controversial flyoff between the A-10 Warthog and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter has finally been released.

A-10 Vs F-35 Close Air Support Flyoff Report Finally Emerges

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Nov 1, 2023
B-1B Bone

B-1B Bombers Just Made Historic Visit To Turkey

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Oct 31, 2023
A U.S. Air Force KC-135 tail number 58-0109 with the nickname “Phantom 109” assigned to the Iowa Air National Guard is in front of the main hangar in Sioux City, Iowa on October 16, 2021. Crew Chiefs recently added nose art to the aircraft depicting a phantom riding along on the aircraft boom.

“The Phantom” Is The Air Force’s Haunted KC-135 Tanker… Almost

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Oct 31, 2023
The Pentagon has announced its new intention to pursue a higher-yield version of the B61-12 nuclear bomb.

Plans For More Destructive B61 Nuclear Bomb Unveiled

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Oct 27, 2023
The US has struck Iran-linked sites in Syria in retaliation for a spate of attacks aimed at U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria in recent weeks.

U.S. Strikes Back At Iranian-Linked Bases In Syria (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Oct 27, 2023
An Su-27UB Flanker-C sits in the hangar of the Cold War Gallery, National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

Su-27 Absolutely Dwarfs All Jets Around It At Its New Home

By Oliver Parken
Posted on Oct 26, 2023
A People’s Republic of China J-11 pilot executed an unsafe intercept of a U.S. Air Force B-52 aircraft, which was lawfully conducting routine operations over the South China Sea in international airspace.

Chinese Flanker’s “Unsafe” Intercept Seen From B-52’s Sniper Pod

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Oct 26, 2023
Capt. Bob Peel, left, and Lt. Col. Tony Adamo, right, F-16 instructor pilots from the 162nd Fighter Wing, fly over the Grand Canyon while supporting Operation Noble Eagle’s air sovereignty alert mission.

Ukraine Situation Report: Ukrainian Pilots Have Begun F-16 Training In U.S.

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Oct 25, 2023
The US Air Force has confirmed that its first pre-production B-21 Raider stealth bomber is undergoing taxi testing ahead of its first flight.

B-21 Raider Has Begun Taxi Tests

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Oct 25, 2023
A US Air Force B-52 bomber was seen flying in East Asia recently sporting white-colored wing tips and we now know the reason why.

Here’s Why Some B-52s Have White Wing Tips

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Oct 24, 2023
Lockheed Martin says it no longer plans to compete for a contract to replace a portion of the Air Force's KC-135 tanker fleet.

Lockheed Bails On KC-135 Tanker Replacement Competition

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Oct 23, 2023
A B-52 is set to land in South Korea sometime this week.

B-52 To Make Very Rare Landing In South Korea This Week

By Howard Altman
Posted on Oct 17, 2023
Countermeasures released by an F-22 Raptor

This May Be The Best F-22 Raptor Demo Shot Ever

By Tyler Rogoway, Oliver Parken
Posted on Oct 10, 2023
MQ-20 Drone recovery

MQ-20 Avenger Tests Recovery Line For Grabbing Smaller Drones Mid-Flight

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Oct 10, 2023
“Multiple” New Versions Of The XQ-58 Valkyrie In The Works

“Multiple” New Versions Of The XQ-58 Valkyrie In The Works

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Oct 6, 2023
KC-10 departs PSAB

KC-10 Extender Has Flown Its Last Combat Mission

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Oct 5, 2023
F-16 Syria Turkey

U.S. F-16 Shoots Down Turkish Drone Over Syria (Updated)

By Howard Altman
Posted on Oct 5, 2023
Flight testing of the Air Force's future nuclear-tipped AGM-181A Long Range Stand Off cruise missile is well under way.

Flight Testing Of Air Force’s New Nuclear-Armed Cruise Missile Well Underway

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Oct 3, 2023
F35 flare release

Moment Flare Released From F-35 Captured In Remarkable Photo

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Oct 3, 2023
Future Air Combat Drone Performance Focus Areas Emerge

Future Air Combat Drone Performance Focus Areas Emerge

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Oct 2, 2023
The U.S. Air Force has provided the first real look at a future hypersonic air-breathing cruise missile, a type weapon it hopes to start fielding in 2027.

Our First Glimpse Of The Air Force’s Hypersonic Cruise Missile

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Sep 30, 2023
A group of airmen at Aviano Air Base in Italy are pitching an idea for a folding boarding ladder that F-16 pilots can stow in the map case in the jet's cockpit.

Airmen Design F-16 Boarding Ladder That Fits Inside Cockpit

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Sep 27, 2023
The National Museum of the U.S. AIr Force's latest acquisition, an Su-27UB Flanker-C, has a curious history.

Su-27 That Mysteriously Vanished After Private Sale Resurfaces

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Sep 27, 2023
JSTARS E-8 retirement

E-8 JSTARS Has Flown Its Last Operational Mission

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Sep 26, 2023
William Tell

William Tell Air Combat Competition Crowns Its Winners

By Jamie Hunter, James Deboer
Posted on Sep 19, 2023
NORAD EADS

North American Airspace Defense Getting Cloud-Based Backbone Next Month

By Hope Hodge Seck
Posted on Sep 15, 2023
Chinese J-20 aircraft on the runway

China’s J-20 Isn’t A “Dominating Aircraft,” USAF General Says

By Oliver Parken
Posted on Sep 13, 2023
CCA F-22

Collaborative Air Combat Drones Will Head To Pacific En Masse

By Hope Hodge Seck
Posted on Sep 13, 2023
For the very beginning, the B-21 Raider stealth bomber program has been about much more than only the bomber itself.

B-21 ‘Family Of Systems’ Details Emerge, Engine Test Runs Start

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Sep 12, 2023
B-21 Raider Side View

B-21 Raider Seen Like Never Before In New Images

By Tyler Rogoway
Posted on Sep 12, 2023
The US Air Force's Air Mobility Command is still pushing ahead with an idea to turn its KC-135 aerial refueling tankers into drone motherships.

KC-135 Tankers Being Eyed For Drone Launcher Role

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Sep 11, 2023
Anduril's acquisition of Blue Force Technologies and its Fury drone is a latest development is an important story that could have broad ramifications for the US defense industry.

The Rise Of Fury

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway
Posted on Sep 11, 2023
William Tell Air Force

William Tell Has Fighter Pilots Competing For Trophies Once Again

By Jamie Hunter
Posted on Sep 11, 2023
LongShot Air-To-Air Combat Drone Bid Won By General Atomics

LongShot Air-To-Air Combat Drone Bid Won By General Atomics

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Sep 8, 2023
The Air Force says it is still considering employing its future Collaborative Combat Aircraft drones alongside B-21 bombers, and that the uncrewed aircraft might also serve as tankers and airlifters.

B-21 Raider Could Use Collaborative Drones Meant For Fighters

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Sep 6, 2023
U-2 Spy plane

The U-2 Dragon Lady As You Have Never Seen It Before

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway
Posted on Sep 6, 2023
F-35 low departure

F-35 Nearly Trims The Trees In Incredible Boeing Field Departure

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Sep 1, 2023
ERCS ICBM

This ICBM-Launched Satellite Could Transmit Nuclear Codes When Nothing Else Was Left To

By Oliver Parken, Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Aug 29, 2023
A U.S. Air Force F-16 shot down a Turkish drone over Syria, a U.S. official tells The War Zone.

Ukrainians To Train On F-16s In The United States

By Howard Altman
Posted on Aug 25, 2023
The Air Force has conducted another live-fire test of the AGM-183 hypersonic missile, but has offered few details about it.

Air Force Tight-Lipped On Canceled Hypersonic Missile’s Latest Test

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Aug 22, 2023
Air War Ukraine

Top Ukraine War Lessons From USAF’s Commander In Europe

By Howard Altman
Posted on Aug 18, 2023
CSAR USAF Serbia

U.S. Combat Rescue Helicopters Train With Old Foe Serbia For First Time

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Aug 18, 2023
F-16 Pilot Training Ukraine

Ukrainian F-16 Combat Proficiency At Scale Not Likely Before 2027, Air Force General Says

By Howard Altman
Posted on Aug 18, 2023
Maj. Sandy Marquardt, Capt. Joe Hodges sit in the escape module of their F-111A

F-111 Aardvark’s Crew Escape Module Ejected The Whole Cockpit

By Oliver Parken
Posted on Aug 17, 2023
The US Air Force has selected JetZero to design and build a demonstrator aircraft with a blended wing body, or BWB, configuration that could serve as the basis for future aerial refueling tankers and cargo planes.

Blended Wing Body Demonstrator Jet Contract Awarded By Air Force (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Aug 16, 2023
New details about the US military's plans to expand air and missile defenses on Guam show the island is set to see major changes on the ground and in the air.

Guam’s Airspace Set To Be Most Defended On Earth In New Plans

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Aug 11, 2023
NGAD Multi-purpose array

How NGAD Will Sense, Communicate, And Jam Could Be Revolutionary

By Tyler Rogoway
Posted on Aug 9, 2023
F-22 Pacific

Red Flag Expands Out Into The Pacific With An Eye On China

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Aug 8, 2023
The US Air Force recently conducted a flight test involving an XQ-58A Valkyrie drone that demonstrated advanced autonomous capabilities.

XQ-58 Valkyrie Solves Air Combat ‘Challenge Problem’ While Under AI Control

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Aug 3, 2023