U.S. Air Force (Page 3)

Posted on Feb 4, 2025

A relatively low-cost cruise missile that the U.S. Air Force is now developing could transform into an air-launched counter-drone weapon.

Air

Cheap Cruise Missile Program Set To Evolve Into Air-To-Air Drone Interceptor Cheap Cruise Missile Program Set To Evolve Into Air-To-Air Drone Interceptor

Updated on Jan 31, 2025

U.S. Air Force F-16 Vipers have been using 70mm laser-guided rockets to down Houthi drones during operations in and around the Red Sea in the past year.

Air

F-16s Have Been Using Laser-Guided Rockets To Shoot Down Houthi Drones F-16s Have Been Using Laser-Guided Rockets To Shoot Down Houthi Drones

By Joseph Trevithick, By Howard Altman, By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jan 29, 2025

Air

F-35 Caught On Video Tumbling Vertically Into The Runway At Alaskan Air Base F-35 Caught On Video Tumbling Vertically Into The Runway At Alaskan Air Base

Posted on Jan 29, 2025

The first supersonic flight of the Boom Supersonic XB-1.

Air

Boom! The XB-1 Demonstrator Jet Has Gone Supersonic Boom! The XB-1 Demonstrator Jet Has Gone Supersonic

Posted on Jan 28, 2025

The U.S. Air Force has dramatically plussed-up contracts with General Electric and Pratt & Whitney, both of which now have a ceiling of $3.5 billion, to continue work on prototype next-generation jet engines.

Air

Billions For Next Generation Fighter Jet Engines Greenlit By Air Force Billions For Next Generation Fighter Jet Engines Greenlit By Air Force

Posted on Jan 28, 2025

An Air Force C-32A VIP transport jet, on a special mission for President Donald Trump, had to delay its landing at Joint Base Andrews because F-16C Vipers were scrambled to intercept a drone.

Air

C-32 Forced To Delay Landing After F-16s Scrambled To Intercept Drone Near Capital C-32 Forced To Delay Landing After F-16s Scrambled To Intercept Drone Near Capital

Posted on Jan 27, 2025

The U.S. Air Force's XQ-67A drone is set to receive modifications and upgrades to demonstrate its ability to perform certain missions as part of a program called Demon Ape.

Air

XQ-67 Getting Overhauled With New Capabilities As Part Of Demon Ape Program XQ-67 Getting Overhauled With New Capabilities As Part Of Demon Ape Program

Posted on Jan 24, 2025

Air

F-35 AI-Enabled Drone Controller Capability Successfully Demonstrated F-35 AI-Enabled Drone Controller Capability Successfully Demonstrated

Posted on Jan 23, 2025

Air

F-22 Raptor To Get Distributed Infrared Search And Track System F-22 Raptor To Get Distributed Infrared Search And Track System

Posted on Jan 22, 2025

Air

Cheap Cruise Missile Paired With Affordable Seeker From Ship-Killing Smart Bomb Eyed By USAF Cheap Cruise Missile Paired With Affordable Seeker From Ship-Killing Smart Bomb Eyed By USAF

Posted on Jan 22, 2025

The kit used by Air Force EOD techs was on displace in a recent photo staged during a controlled detonation.

Air

This Shot Of USAF Explosive Ordnance Disposal Techs In The Middle East Goes Hard This Shot Of USAF Explosive Ordnance Disposal Techs In The Middle East Goes Hard

Posted on Jan 22, 2025

An F-15E on a flight line in San Antonio, Texas. The aircraft was recently upgraded with Eagle Passive/Active Warning and Survivability System, advanced electronic warfare system.

Air

F-15E Strike Eagle With New EPAWSS Electronic Warfare Suite Heads To Frontline Unit F-15E Strike Eagle With New EPAWSS Electronic Warfare Suite Heads To Frontline Unit

Posted on Jan 17, 2025

Air

Air Force Predicts Enemy Anti-Air Missiles With 1,000-Mile Range By 2050 Air Force Predicts Enemy Anti-Air Missiles With 1,000-Mile Range By 2050

By Thomas Newdick, By Tyler Rogoway, By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 14, 2025

A greater focus on long range strike capabilities is among the alternatives the U.S. Air Force is considering to a costly new crewed sixth-generation stealth combat jet as part of its Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) family of systems. A lower-cost design focused primarily on acting as a 'quarterback' for Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones is also still on the table.

Air

$20 Billion Price Tag To Complete Development Of USAF’s Next Generation Fighter (Updated) $20 Billion Price Tag To Complete Development Of USAF’s Next Generation Fighter (Updated)

Posted on Jan 13, 2025

The second tranche of U.S. Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones could be between 20 to 30 percent more expensive per airframe than those in the first batch.

Air

Second Batch Of Air Force CCA Drones Could Be 20 To 30 Percent Pricier Than The First Second Batch Of Air Force CCA Drones Could Be 20 To 30 Percent Pricier Than The First

Posted on Jan 10, 2025

Donald Trump has refused to rule out using the U.S. military to seize Greenland, citing economic security as a driving factor, saying that America needs it — as well as the Panama Canal — for “economic security.” Amid predictable kickback from Denmark — of which Greenland is an autonomous territory — it’s worth looking in more detail at the enormous significance of one of the world's largest islands, in economic, geostrategic and, above all, military terms.

News & Features

Why Greenland Is Of Growing Strategic Significance Why Greenland Is Of Growing Strategic Significance

Posted on Jan 9, 2025

The arsenals of the U.S. Air Force's F-15E Strike Eagle and F-15EX Eagle II combat jets look set to grow with the addition of stealthy AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASM).

Air

Stealthy AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles To Arm F-15EX, F-15E Stealthy AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles To Arm F-15EX, F-15E

Updated on Jan 9, 2025

A new independent report says that U.S. airbases have been left worryingly vulnerable, especially in the Indo-Pacific region, by a lack of investment in new hardened aircraft shelters, or even unhardened ones.

Air

Lack Of Hardened Aircraft Shelters Leaves U.S. Airbases Vulnerable To China New Report Warns Lack Of Hardened Aircraft Shelters Leaves U.S. Airbases Vulnerable To China New Report Warns

Posted on Jan 8, 2025

The U.S. Air Force sent at least 39 A-10s to the boneyard at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona this year, more than double the number of Warthogs it sent into mothballs in 2023.

Air

39 A-10 Warthogs Went To The Boneyard This Year, More Than Double Over Prior Year 39 A-10 Warthogs Went To The Boneyard This Year, More Than Double Over Prior Year

Posted on Dec 31, 2024

The U.S. Army says it is planning to award a sole-source contract to BAE Systems to produce a prototype self-propelled 155mm howitzer for use as a novel air defense system.

Land

Railgun Ammo-Firing 155mm Air Defense Cannon Set To Be Awarded To BAE Systems Railgun Ammo-Firing 155mm Air Defense Cannon Set To Be Awarded To BAE Systems

Posted on Dec 24, 2024

In the face of post-Cold War drawdowns, the U.S. Air Force pushed ahead with buying the famously expensive F-22 Raptor stealth fighter in part because of a perhaps unexpected reason: concerns about Syrian air defenses.

Air

Syria’s Air Defenses Helped Make The F-22A Raptor A Reality Syria’s Air Defenses Helped Make The F-22A Raptor A Reality

Posted on Dec 20, 2024

The FAA has banned drone flights over 22 New Jersey power infrastructure sites.

Air

Drone Flights Banned Over New Jersey Energy Infrastructure Sites Drone Flights Banned Over New Jersey Energy Infrastructure Sites

Updated on Dec 19, 2024

Bill Kennedy, 436th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron transit alert, marshals a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III at Dover Air Force Base, Del., April 26, 2015. The aircraft is loaded with 69 members of the Fairfax County Urban Search and Rescue Team, their supplies and equipment, and six K-9s, to assist Nepal with rescue operations after the country was struck by a 7.8-magnitude earthquake.

Air

New Jersey Base Confirms Multiple Past Drone Incursions… By Contraband Smugglers New Jersey Base Confirms Multiple Past Drone Incursions… By Contraband Smugglers

By Thomas Newdick, By Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 18, 2024

Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio is the latest U.S. military installation to report drone overflights.

Air

Drone Incursions Closed Wright-Patterson Air Force Base’s Airspace Friday Night Drone Incursions Closed Wright-Patterson Air Force Base’s Airspace Friday Night

Posted on Dec 15, 2024

A U.S. C-17 Globemaster military transport aircraft takes off from Ramstein Air Base. A conference on the Ukraine war was held at the U.S. air base.

Air

U.S. Air Force Confirms Drone Sightings Over Ramstein Air Base In Germany U.S. Air Force Confirms Drone Sightings Over Ramstein Air Base In Germany

Posted on Dec 13, 2024

Any plans the Air Force might have for new hardened aircraft shelters or other physical defenses at bases are prominently absent from a new infrastructure modernization strategy rolled out today.

Air

Plans For New Hardened Aircraft Shelters Notably Absent From New USAF Base Modernization Strategy Plans For New Hardened Aircraft Shelters Notably Absent From New USAF Base Modernization Strategy

Posted on Dec 12, 2024

Hysteria about drones over New Jersey obscures the fact that there is a real national security concern.

News & Features

Coast Guard Ship Stalked By Unidentified Aircraft, Iran Drone Mothership Claim Shot Down By DoD Coast Guard Ship Stalked By Unidentified Aircraft, Iran Drone Mothership Claim Shot Down By DoD

Posted on Dec 12, 2024

A U2 Dragon Lady Pilot is integrated into his spacesuit for a flight to the Edge of Space. This photoshoot was done by Blair Bunting, a commercial photographer from Phoenix, AZ.

Air

Dressing For Success At 70,000-Feet Aboard The U-2 Dragon Lady Dressing For Success At 70,000-Feet Aboard The U-2 Dragon Lady

Posted on Dec 11, 2024

he U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy could soon be tasked with exploring whether extending the range of existing AIM-120 and AIM-9 air-to-air missiles is one path to help right-size stocks of those weapons.

Air

Extended Range AIM-120s, AIM-9s Eyed To Meet Future Air-to-Air Missile Demands Extended Range AIM-120s, AIM-9s Eyed To Meet Future Air-to-Air Missile Demands

Posted on Dec 11, 2024

Air

Former Trump Acting SECDEF Talks About The Future Of Big Ticket Defense Programs Former Trump Acting SECDEF Talks About The Future Of Big Ticket Defense Programs

Posted on Dec 6, 2024

Gen. Bussiere said the number and speed of delivery of the B-21 is a “valid discussion” to have “based on the age of the B-1 and B-2” and the advancing strategic capabilities of Russia and China.

Air

B-21 Raider Numbers Could Be Boosted With Existing Production Capacity B-21 Raider Numbers Could Be Boosted With Existing Production Capacity

Posted on Dec 6, 2024

Air

Future Of NGAD Fighter Punted To Trump Administration Future Of NGAD Fighter Punted To Trump Administration

By Thomas Newdick, By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Dec 5, 2024

The Pentagon says more tests are required to verify that the 25mm automatic cannon mounted internally on the F-35A variant of the Joint Strike Fighter is indeed now an effective weapon.

Air

F-35A’s 25mm Gun Still Needs Tests To Verify It Works F-35A’s 25mm Gun Still Needs Tests To Verify It Works

Posted on Dec 4, 2024

A U.S. Air Force F-16C Viper fighter has conducted the first release of a test version of the Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW) missile.

Air

Stand-In Attack Missile Released From Fighter For First Time In USAF Test Stand-In Attack Missile Released From Fighter For First Time In USAF Test

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, By 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, By 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, By Rachel S. Cohen, By 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, By 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