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U.S. Air Force

Latest U.S. Air Force Stories

Eglin UFO Case

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

By Howard Altman / Updated Apr 24, 2024

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

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

By Joseph Trevithick / Updated Apr 24, 2024

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

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

By Joseph Trevithick / Updated 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)

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

By Oliver Parken / Updated Apr 18, 2024

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

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

By Joseph Trevithick / Updated Apr 18, 2024

F-15EX

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

By Tyler Rogoway / Updated 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.

AI Is Now Dogfighting With Fighter Pilots In The Air

By Joseph Trevithick / Updated 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.

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

By Joseph Trevithick / Updated 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.

The Lowdown On Lockheed’s Newly Revealed Mako Hypersonic Missile

By Thomas Newdick / Updated 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.

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

By Thomas Newdick / Updated Apr 8, 2024

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

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

By Tyler Rogoway / Updated Apr 3, 2024

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

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

By Joseph Trevithick / Updated 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

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

By Oliver Parken / Updated Mar 25, 2024

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

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

By Oliver Parken / Updated Mar 23, 2024

F-22 with stealthy wing tanks and pods.

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

By Joseph Trevithick / Updated 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.

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

By Joseph Trevithick / Updated Mar 22, 2024