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U.S. Air Force (Page 2)

Latest in U.S. Air Force

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) says low availability of unnamed "legacy" aircraft has created hurdles for flight testing of the new AGM-181A Long-Range Standoff (LRSO) nuclear-armed cruise missile. The B-52 is the only platform known to be involved in this effort.
U.S. Air Force

Poor B-52 Readiness Creating Testing Challenges For New AGM-181A Nuclear Cruise Missile

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 7, 2026

NASA-affiliated aircraft, including F-5 Tiger IIs jets, will kick off roughly seven hours of flyovers above Washington, D.C., to mark the Fourth of July.
U.S. Air Force

This Is The Massive Aerial Armada That Is About To Fly Over The Capital

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 3, 2026

MQ-28 and Strike Eagle II
U.S. Air Force

F-15EX And Ghost Bat Team Up Over Pacific During Valiant Shield

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 2, 2026

B-52s departed RAF Fairford after deployment for Iran war.
U.S. Air Force

B-52 Stratofortress Bombers Leave England After Iran War Deployment

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jul 2, 2026

A B-21 Raider rejoins with a KC-135 Stratotanker. The B-21 program exemplifies the Department of the Air Force's warfighting-focused acquisition mindset, leveraging digital engineering and modern production to deliver a mature, highly capable system at speed. The B-21's efficiency and flexibility will provide a survivable, unpredictable deterrent force, forming the backbone of America’s future bomber force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Todd Schannuth, image altered for security)
U.S. Air Force

B-21 Raider Not Appearing In Any America 250 Flyovers, Air Force Confirms

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jul 1, 2026

C-17 Globemaster III cargo jets are starting to fly to the Caribbean with personnel and supplies for the Venezuelan earthquake relief efforts.
U.S. Air Force

C-17 Cargo Jets Flowing To Caribbean For Venezuela Earthquake Relief Effort

By Howard Altman, Ian Ellis-Jones

Posted on Jun 26, 2026

The Pentagon and the U.S. Air Force have fully abandoned plans to cancel the E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft program. However, there is now a debate about how to fund the effort, at least for the coming year.
U.S. Air Force

In An Ironic Turn Of Events, White House Wants To Raid Navy E-2 Account To Pay For USAF E-7s

By Joseph Trevithick, Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 25, 2026

USAF Wants Air-To-Air Missile With A Whopping 1,000-Mile Range
U.S. Air Force

USAF Wants Air-To-Air Missile With A Whopping 1,000-Mile Range

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 25, 2026

The U.S. military has released new details about the massive Fightertown Recapitalization (FTR) program at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), in Anchorage, southeastern Alaska.
U.S. Air Force

Air Force’s Fightertown Alaska Plan Takes Shape

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 23, 2026

F15E pilot saw drone swarm over Iran before being shot down.
U.S. Air Force

What Was The “Jellyfish-Like” Drone Swarm The Downed F-15E Pilot Reportedly Saw Over Iran?

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jun 23, 2026

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, MARYLAND - JUNE 22: A Boeing 747-8 jetliner practices touch and go landings on June 22, 2026 in Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. The plane, which was a gift from the government of Qatar, is designated as the new Air Force One and will replace the military-grade 747-2. The Air Force has been working to upgrade the jet so it is ready for presidential transport. (Photo by Andrew Leyden/Getty Images)
U.S. Air Force

Inside The Making Of The New Air Force One

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jun 22, 2026

A U.S. Air Force Airman from the 355th Wing hoists into an HH-60W Jolly Green II during combat search and rescue training for Mosaic Lightning 26-2 in New Mexico, May 15, 2026. The exercise tested personnel recovery capabilities and strengthened interoperability between rescue forces operating in high-stress scenarios.
U.S. Air Force

Congress Questions Air Force’s Combat Rescue Readiness As HH-60W Helicopters Get Turned Into VIP Transports

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 18, 2026

There are growing signs that President Donald Trump's next trip on an Air Force One jet will be aboard the so-called VC-25B “Bridge” aircraft converted from an ex-Qatari VVIP Boeing 747-8i, not a VC-25A.
U.S. Air Force

No, A VC-25A Air Force One Jet Isn’t Being Retired Just Yet

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 18, 2026

The U.S. Air Force has awarded contracts for the production of General Atomics YFQ-42A Dark Merlin and Anduril YFQ-44A Fury drones., setting it up for a split fleet of operational CCAs.
U.S. Air Force

USAF Orders Both General Atomics’ FQ-42 And Anduril’s FQ-44 Into Production

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 17, 2026

The Senate Armed Services Committee is "concerned" about the U.S. Air Force's current plan to retire its E–11A Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) aircraft in Fiscal Year 2028.
U.S. Air Force

Senators Want Answers On USAF Plans To Cut E-11 BACN Combat Communications Jets

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 17, 2026

B-52 Involved In Tragic Crash Was Heading Out On Radar Test Sortie
U.S. Air Force

B-52 Involved In Tragic Crash Was Heading Out On Radar Test Sortie

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 16, 2026

A-10C Thunderbolt II close-support jets with kill marking were seen at RAF Lakenheath.
U.S. Air Force

A-10 Warthogs Arrive In England Festooned With Nose Art And Mission Markings From Epic Fury

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 13, 2026

Members of Congress are again moving to block the U.S. Air Force from retiring all of its U-2S Dragon Lady spy planes. This time, legislators also want to compel the service to "fully restore" a quartet of the iconic aircraft through depot maintenance.
U.S. Air Force

Four U-2S Spy Planes Would Be Restored In Bill That Would Save The Dragon Lady Fleet

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 12, 2026

Boeing “Encouraged” By C-17 Production Restart Discussions
U.S. Air Force

Boeing “Encouraged” By C-17 Production Restart Discussions

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 11, 2026

There's an unusual twist here with the specific plane that NASA is now eyeing: it currently belongs to the U.S. Air Force and is part of a "classified military program." There is a strong possibility that the aircraft in question is a mysterious 737 that the service acquired in 2020, and that has been the subject of much speculation as to its purpose ever since.
U.S. Air Force

Is This Secretive Air Force 737 About To Become NASA’s Next ‘Vomit Comet’? (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 10, 2026

The U.S. Air Force has confirmed that the so-called VC-25B Bridge aircraft is now wearing its new red, white, and blue livery and undergoing final preparations for its official delivery.
U.S. Air Force

VC-25B Air Force One “Bridge” Aircraft Now Wears Trump’s Preferred Red, White, and Blue Paint Job

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 9, 2026

A U.S. Air Force KC-135 tanker appeared in the United Kingdom this weekend with a new large antenna on top of the rear of the fuselage.
U.S. Air Force

KC-135 Tanker Spotted With New Satellite Communications Antenna

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 8, 2026

A-10 weapons school pilot gives walk around tour of jet and the cockpit.
U.S. Air Force

A-10 Cockpit And Walk-Around Tour With A Warthog Weapons Instructor

By Jamie Hunter

Posted on Jun 7, 2026

An A-10C Thunderbolt II assigned to the 74th Fighter Squadron flies with its new refueling probe at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, May 19, 2026. The A-10 successfully refueled from an HC-130J Combat King II assigned to the 71st Rescue Squadron, demonstrating the new system’s effectiveness.
U.S. Air Force

Congress Throws A-10 Warthog Another Lifeline

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 5, 2026

Modularity is a key area of interest as the U.S. Air Force formulates its latest set of requirements for a successor to the MQ-9 Reaper, according to Gen. John Lamontagne, the service's Vice Chief of Staff.
U.S. Air Force

USAF Wants “MQ-9 Next” Reaper Replacement To Be Modular, Cheap

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 4, 2026

The U.S. Air Force is already moving to lay the groundwork for the fielding of the replacement for its GBU-57/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bunker buster bomb.
U.S. Air Force

Next Generation Penetrator Bomb Slated To Replace MOP Has Been Designated GBU-76

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 2, 2026

It will take years to replace several advanced weapons systems used in the Iran war, according to a new report.
U.S. Air Force

Severity Of America’s Depleted Advanced Weapons Stockpiles Detailed In New Report

By Howard Altman

Posted on May 28, 2026

Another battle-damaged KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling jet arrived at RAF Mildenhall.
U.S. Air Force

Another Battle Damaged KC-135 Tanker Seen Passing Through RAF Mildenhall

By Howard Altman

Posted on May 26, 2026

The U.S. Air Force plans to send a new version of the glider-like Unmanned Long-endurance Tactical Reconnaissance Aircraft (ULTRA) drone with a turbocharged engine to the Middle East for an operational evaluation.
U.S. Air Force

USAF’s New Turbocharged ULTRA Surveillance Drones Are Heading To The Middle East

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 25, 2026

The U.S. military has finally released video footage said to show an Air National Guard F-16 shooting down an unidentified object over Lake Huron back in 2023.
U.S. Air Force

We Finally See The Mysterious Object Shot Down By F-16s Over Lake Huron

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 22, 2026

A U.S. Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft approaches an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft for aerial refueling in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 9, 2026.
U.S. Air Force

A-10 Warthog’s New Aerial Refueling Probe Is Now Operational In The Middle East

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 22, 2026

An OA-1K Skyraider II comes in for a landing on a dirt path July 10 on the Eglin Air Force Base, Florida range. The new Air Force Special Operations Command aircraft continues developmental testing with the 96th Test Wing and the U.S. Special Operations Command at Eglin.
U.S. Air Force

Plan To Test OA-1K Skyraider II’s Rapid Deployability Outlined By Air Force Special Ops Command

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 19, 2026

An MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft piloted by Airmen from the 556 Test and Evaluation Squadron flies over the Nevada Test and Training Range and performs live-fire exercises with Air-to-Ground Missile-114 Hellfire missiles and Guided Bomb Unit-12 Paveway IIs, Aug. 30, 2023. The 556 TES performs all software and physical testing to improve the combat capabilities of the MQ-9 Reaper.
U.S. Air Force

MQ-9 Reaper Replacement Requirements Stress A Drone Cheap Enough To Risk Losing

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on May 13, 2026

The Pentagon says it is working to amend its proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget to request new funding for the E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft.
U.S. Air Force

Pentagon’s Mindset On E-7 Radar Aircraft It Tried To Axe Has Completely Changed: Hegseth

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 12, 2026

The ARRW program has not only reemerged from purgatory, with missiles being ordered for operational use, but a new variant is on the horizon.
U.S. Air Force

New Version Of Bomber-Launched ARRW Hypersonic Missile Is A Ship Killer

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 12, 2026

The U.S. Air Force says it does not expect the last of its huge C-5M Galaxy cargo planes to be replaced by a Next-Generation Airlift (NGAL) platform until Fiscal Year 2050.
U.S. Air Force

C-5 Galaxies Now Slated To Keep Flying Until 2050 As Readiness Plummets To 37 Percent

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 11, 2026

The Air Force is now looking to conduct a formal review of its requirements to see whether the development of a successor to the B-52 might be warranted, and potentially sooner rather than later.
U.S. Air Force

USAF Is Going To Explore What Will Finally Replace The B-52

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 7, 2026

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle, specially painted to mark 40 years since Operation Eldorado Canyon, the raid on Libya, has taken to the air.
U.S. Air Force

Camouflaged F-15E Painted To Mark F-111’s Libya Raid Blasts Through Mach Loop On First Flight

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 7, 2026

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer performs a functional check flight in a stripped, bare-metal configuration over Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, Feb. 26, 2026. The aircraft was undergoing depot maintenance after being removed from long-term storage and is part of an effort to return the bomber to service.
U.S. Air Force

B-1B “Apocalypse II” Out Of The Boneyard And Back In Service

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 6, 2026

Northrop Grumman's experimental XRQ-73 Series Hybrid Electric Propulsion AiRcraft Demonstration (SHEPARD) hybrid-electric drone has now taken to the skies.
U.S. Air Force

DARPA’s XRQ-73 Hybrid-Electric Flying Wing Drone Has Flown

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 6, 2026

The compact version of the AIM-9X is being developed with a focus on increased magazine depth when carried internally by "advanced aircraft," while also offering improved range and performance.
U.S. Air Force

Smaller AIM-9X Sidewinder For Stealthy Weapons Bays Is In Development

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 5, 2026

A donated Qatari 747-8i has been modified and flight tested to serve as an Air Force One and will be delivered to the Presidential Airlift Group by this summer, according to the Air Force.
U.S. Air Force

New VC-25B Air Force One “Bridge” Aircraft Now Fully Modified And Flight Tested

By Howard Altman

Updated on May 1, 2026

The Department of Energy is seeking millions of dollars for work in part on a new bunker-busting nuclear weapon called the Nuclear Deterrent System-Air-delivered (NDS-A) in its latest budget request.
U.S. Air Force

New Nuclear Bunker Buster Bomb Plans Revealed (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 1, 2026

A U.S. Air Force E-11A Battlefield Airborne Communications Node aircraft assigned to the 430th Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron sits parked after participating in an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) integration exercise at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, March 24, 2021. Globally integrated ISR capabilities ensure U.S. and partner forces carry out mission requirements with great situational awareness of the battlespace.
U.S. Air Force

Air Force Wants To Axe Its E-11A BACN Communications Jets

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 30, 2026

For the first time, as far as we know, the U.S. Air Force has publicly released imagery showing a B-1B Lancer bomber carrying an AGM-183 Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon hypersonic missile, or ARRW.
U.S. Air Force

B-1B Seen Carrying ARRW Hypersonic Missile For The First Time

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 30, 2026

Jolly Green IIs will be poised to spirit senior U.S. officials and lawmakers to safety at a moment's notice to ensure the federal government can continue to function even in the event of a nuclear attack or a similarly serious contingency.
U.S. Air Force

HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopters To Take On Doomsday Evacuation Role In The Nation’s Capital

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 24, 2026

A U.S. Air Force F-15EX Eagle II assigned to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, releases flares over the Gulf Coast, April 3, 2026. The 96th Test Wing and 53rd Wing perform developmental and operational test series on the platform including next-generation survivability, radars, sensors and networking capabilities.
U.S. Air Force

F-15EX Buy Was Just Doubled By The USAF, Which Makes Perfect Sense

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 22, 2026

The Qatari-donated 747-8i jet envisioned as a presidential airlifter, had a recent test flight.
U.S. Air Force

Qatari 747-8i Gifted To Trump For Interim Air Force One Is Undergoing Test Flights

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Apr 17, 2026

The Air Force’s Experimental Operations Unit, under Air Combat Command, concluded a critical exercise with Collaborative Combat Aircraft recently at Edwards Air Force Base, California, putting principles of the new Warfighting Acquisition System into practice. The exercise employed the YFQ-44A aircraft and represents a shift toward the new concept of earlier, operator-driven experimentation to inform tactics and procedures that will accelerate the delivery of this transformative capability to the warfighter.
U.S. Air Force

YFQ-44 Fury Fighter Drone Wraps Contested Operations Test That Could Accelerate Its Fielding

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 17, 2026

An F-35A Lightning II from Eglin Air Force Base flies with a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 121st Air Refueling Wing, June 16, 2024, before the Columbus Air Show. This year’s event featured more than 20 military and civilian planes, including a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 121st Air Refueling Wing, which served as the base of operations for military aircraft participating in the show.
U.S. Air Force

Air Guard Warns Of Dire Consequences If At Least 72 Fighters Aren’t Bought Annually

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 14, 2026

KC-135 ghost tanker
U.S. Air Force

Inside The Air Force’s Elite Ghost Tanker Unit

By Jamie Hunter

Posted on Apr 9, 2026

President Donald Trump and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine provided new details about the risky missions to rescue the crew of an F-15E Strike Eagle shot down over Iran.
U.S. Air Force

Everything We Now Know About The Operation To Rescue The F-15E WSO (Updated)

By Howard Altman, Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 7, 2026

FARP in Iran set up by special tactics squadron airman during WSO rescue.
U.S. Air Force

How A Dusty Strip Deep In Iran Can Be Turned Into A U.S. Special Operations Base In Hours

By Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 6, 2026

B-52 epic fury mission.
U.S. Air Force

Iran Rejects Ceasefire Deal (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 6, 2026

Iran claims it shot down a fighter over Iran showing wreckage on an F-15E.
U.S. Air Force

F-15E Down In Iran, Rescue Operation Ongoing (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway, Howard Altman

Updated on Apr 4, 2026

A front view of an SR-71 aircraft assigned to Detachment 4, 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, as it prepares for takeoff.
U.S. Air Force

SR-71 Blackbird Crews Had These Custom Smith & Wesson Pistols Built For Them

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 3, 2026

A photographer on a flight over Greenville, Texas, captured an especially good look at one of the U.S. Air Force's RC-135V/W Rivet Joint aircraft with its usual paint scheme completely stripped off.
U.S. Air Force

RC-135 Rivet Joint Surveillance Jet Caught ‘In The Nude’ In Texas

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 2, 2026

The U.S. Air Force's highly secretive NT-43A radar cross-section measurement platform is supporting the launch of NASA's Artemis II space mission, and this reflects the start of an entirely new stage in the career of the notoriously shy aircraft.
U.S. Air Force

Secretive 737 Radar Jet ‘RAT55’ Has Begun “The Next Phase Of Its Career”

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Updated on Apr 2, 2026

The U.S. Air Force Materiel Command’s highly secretive NT-43A has been spotted in Florida, apparently taking part in the preparations for the launch of NASA's long-delayed Artemis II lunar space mission.
U.S. Air Force

World’s Most Secretive 737 Is Supporting NASA’s Historic Artemis II Launch

By Thomas Newdick, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 1, 2026

U.S. Air Force EA-37B Compass Call arrives at RAF Mildenhall on March 30, 2026.
U.S. Air Force

New EA-37B Compass Call Electronic Warfare Jets Cross Atlantic, Middle East Next? (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick, Howard Howard Altman

Updated on Mar 31, 2026

Rapidly fielding more hardened shelters to better protect U.S. forces at bases in the Middle East is a top priority, according to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
U.S. Air Force

Bunkers For U.S. Bases In Middle East Now A Top Priority For Pentagon

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Mar 31, 2026

A retired Air Force tanker pilot and wing commander offers insights into what it will take to fight China
U.S. Air Force

Former KC-135 Wing Commander On What It Will Take To Fuel A Fight Against China

By Howard Altman

Updated on Mar 31, 2026

A KC-135T Stratotanker from the 171st Aerial Refueling Squadron of the 127th Wing at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan, readies to refuel an A-10C from the 107th Fighter Squadron, also from Selfridge, on an aerial refueling sortie June 27, 2023. In addition to routine aerial refueling training in all conditions, aircraft from the 127th Wing commemorated the 100-year anniversary of the first aerial refueling conducted on June 27, 1923.
U.S. Air Force

Dozens Of A-10 Warthogs Appear Poised To Join Epic Fury

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Mar 30, 2026

CENTCOM is seeking an underground hardened facility at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
U.S. Air Force

Hardened Underground Facilities Now Being Sought For Al Udeid Air Base

By Howard Altman

Posted on Mar 27, 2026