U.S. Air Force (Page 5)

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

Posted on Mar 8, 2024

Declassified documents shine new light on an incident off the coast of Florida in January 2023 where an Air Force pilot says they saw something that looked like an "Apollo spacecraft."

Air

Air Force Pilot’s Bizarre Encounter With Capsule-Like Craft Off Florida Declassified Air Force Pilot’s Bizarre Encounter With Capsule-Like Craft Off Florida Declassified

Posted on Mar 7, 2024

F-16 Block 70 about to head on its delivery flight to Bahrain.

Air

First Block 70 F-16s Are Out For Delivery (Updated) First Block 70 F-16s Are Out For Delivery (Updated)

Posted on Mar 7, 2024

There are growing signs that an unprecedented AGM-183A hypersonic missile test staged from Guam is imminent.

Air

Unprecedented U.S. Hypersonic Weapon Test In West Pacific Appears Imminent Unprecedented U.S. Hypersonic Weapon Test In West Pacific Appears Imminent

Posted on Mar 4, 2024

The Air Force has very publicly shown pictures of a live AGM-183A hypersonic missile under the wing of a B-52H bomber on Guam despite previously announcing plans to end program.

Air

B-52 Armed With Hypersonic Missile Makes Appearance In Guam B-52 Armed With Hypersonic Missile Makes Appearance In Guam

By Joseph Trevithick, Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 1, 2024

As part of the announcement of the first flight its new XQ-67A drone, the Air Force has shared new information about its Off-Board Sensing Station program and revealed the existence of a companion Off-Board Weapon Station concept.

Air

The XQ-67A Has A Secretive, Higher-Performance, Deadly Cousin The XQ-67A Has A Secretive, Higher-Performance, Deadly Cousin

By Tyler Rogoway, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Mar 1, 2024

General Atomics' XQ-67A drone, built for the Air Force's Off-Board Sensing Station (OBSS) program, has made its first flight.

Air

XQ-67A Off-Board Sensing Station Drone Has Flown (Updated) XQ-67A Off-Board Sensing Station Drone Has Flown (Updated)

Posted on Feb 29, 2024

An air-to-air right side view of a 494th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 48th Tactical Fighter Wing F-111F aircraft releasing its load of Mark 82 high-drag bombs over the Bardenas Reales range. The 494th TFS has been deployed to Zaragoza Air Base for training.

Air

The F-111 Was Faster Than You Think The F-111 Was Faster Than You Think

Posted on Feb 29, 2024

Damage sustained by inclement weather at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base tornado damage

Air

Tornado Ravages Air Force Museum Restoration Hangar At Wright Patterson AFB Tornado Ravages Air Force Museum Restoration Hangar At Wright Patterson AFB

By Oliver Parken, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Feb 29, 2024

A B-52 bomber made an emergency landing at Minot Air Force Base on January 23, 2024, due to an engine fire. The fire was subsequently put out an the crew of the aircraft was unharmed in the mishap.

Air

B-52 Stratofortress Damaged After Engine Fire B-52 Stratofortress Damaged After Engine Fire

Posted on Feb 27, 2024

Air

Just How Fast Is The F-15EX Really? Just How Fast Is The F-15EX Really?

Posted on Feb 26, 2024

New details about the U.S. Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone program, as well as recent discussions about its progress and future, all point to its potential to reshape how the service does business and fights.

Air

Everything New We Just Learned About The Collaborative Combat Aircraft Program Everything New We Just Learned About The Collaborative Combat Aircraft Program

Posted on Feb 23, 2024

Northrop Grumman says it has successfully conducted a shroud fly-off test as part of the development of the new LGM-35 intercontinental ballistic missile for the U.S. Air Force.

Nuclear

New Sentinel ICBM’s Nose Shroud Separation Test A Flying Success New Sentinel ICBM’s Nose Shroud Separation Test A Flying Success

Posted on Feb 20, 2024

This Is How The Air Force’s New Wing Structure Will Actually Work This Is How The Air Force’s New Wing Structure Will Actually Work

By Hope Hodge Seck

Posted on Feb 18, 2024

The Air Force says a funding issue may cause a significant delay in its secretive Mayhem hypersonic strike-recon aircraft program and that the overall "operational pull" behind the effort is uncertain.

Air

Future Of Mayhem Hypersonic Strike-Recon Aircraft Program Murky Future Of Mayhem Hypersonic Strike-Recon Aircraft Program Murky

By Howard Altman, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 17, 2024

The US Air Force will test new autonomous capabilities for its KC-135s intended, at least initially, to help reduce operator workload. The service is also still planning to conduct a test of the KC-135 as an aerial launching platform for drones.

Air

Tests Planned For KC-135s That Can Fly Themselves, Act As Drone Motherships Tests Planned For KC-135s That Can Fly Themselves, Act As Drone Motherships

Posted on Feb 16, 2024

LITENING LA Targeting pod Northrop Grumman

We Talk New Features On The LITENING Large Aperture Targeting Pod We Talk New Features On The LITENING Large Aperture Targeting Pod

By Tyler Rogoway, Jamie Hunter

Posted on Feb 16, 2024

Air

Grounded V-22 Osprey “1980s Technology,” Still Critical Capability Says AFSOC Commander Grounded V-22 Osprey “1980s Technology,” Still Critical Capability Says AFSOC Commander

By Hope Hodge Seck

Posted on Feb 15, 2024

The latest on AFRL's mutant from AFA's Warfare Symposium show floor.

We Talk MUTANT, The Bending Missile, With The Air Force Research Lab We Talk MUTANT, The Bending Missile, With The Air Force Research Lab

By Jamie Hunter, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Feb 14, 2024

The US Air Force says it plans to invite foreign allies and partners to join the next increment of its Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone program and has offered details about what that cooperation might look like. The service is also looking bring US Special Operations Command into an existing tri-service agreement with the Navy and Marine Corps.

Air

Plans For Allies To Join Collaborative Combat Aircraft Program Laid Out By Air Force Plans For Allies To Join Collaborative Combat Aircraft Program Laid Out By Air Force

Posted on Feb 14, 2024

Air

“I Would Love To Have More F-15EXs,” Air Guard Boss Says “I Would Love To Have More F-15EXs,” Air Guard Boss Says

By Tyler Rogoway, Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 14, 2024

Air

USAF Set To Down-Select Collaborative Combat Aircraft Competitors USAF Set To Down-Select Collaborative Combat Aircraft Competitors

Posted on Feb 13, 2024

Air

Air Force’s Big Restructuring Includes New Commands, New Deployment Plans Air Force’s Big Restructuring Includes New Commands, New Deployment Plans

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 13, 2024

Ukraine is employing a network of thousands of acoustic sensors to help spot and track incoming Russian drones, according to the Air Force's top office in Europe.

Air

Ukraine Using Thousands Of Networked Microphones To Track Russian Drones Ukraine Using Thousands Of Networked Microphones To Track Russian Drones

Posted on Feb 13, 2024

The Missile Defense Agency has released rare video footage showing the entire launch sequence of a mock medium-range ballistic missile from a C-17 cargo plane during a recent test.

Air

C-17 Launching Mock Ballistic Missile Seen Like Never Before C-17 Launching Mock Ballistic Missile Seen Like Never Before

Posted on Feb 9, 2024

Air

Low-Cost Infrared Search And Track System For Aircraft Unveiled By Anduril Low-Cost Infrared Search And Track System For Aircraft Unveiled By Anduril

Posted on Feb 8, 2024

The US Navy and Air Force have both recently laid out requirements for new compact cruise missiles, including an anti-ship type that could be carried internally on certain F-35 variants.

Air

Mini Anti-Ship Cruise Missile That Fits Inside An F-35 Is On The Navy’s Wish List Mini Anti-Ship Cruise Missile That Fits Inside An F-35 Is On The Navy’s Wish List