U.S. Air Force (Page 7)

Latest in U.S. Air Force

General Atomics has now confirmed that its Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone design for the US Air Force is based on its XQ-67A.
U.S. Air Force

XQ-67 Confirmed To Be A Prototype For General Atomics’ Collaborative Combat Aircraft Design

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Apr 26, 2024

Eglin UFO Case
U.S. Air Force

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.
U.S. Air Force

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

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Apr 24, 2024

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

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)
U.S. Air Force

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

By Oliver Parken

Posted on Apr 18, 2024

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

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

By Tyler Rogoway, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 18, 2024

F-15EX
U.S. Air Force

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

By Tyler Rogoway

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.
U.S. Air Force

AI Is Now Dogfighting With Fighter Pilots In The Air

By Joseph Trevithick

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.
U.S. Air Force

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

By Joseph Trevithick

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.
U.S. Air Force

The Lowdown On Lockheed’s Newly Revealed Mako Hypersonic Missile

By Thomas Newdick

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.
U.S. Air Force

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

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 8, 2024

F-16s from Eielson AFB now 18th Fighter Interceptor Squadron.
U.S. Air Force

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

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Apr 4, 2024

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

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

By Joseph Trevithick

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
U.S. Air Force

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

By Oliver Parken

Posted on Mar 25, 2024

Supersonic testbed XB-1 on its first flight, March 22, 2024
U.S. Air Force

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

By Oliver Parken

Posted on Mar 23, 2024

F-22 with stealthy wing tanks and pods.
U.S. Air Force

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.
U.S. Air Force

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

By Joseph Trevithick

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.
U.S. Air Force

A-10 Demo Team Announces Its Final Year As The Warthog’s End Draws Near

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 21, 2024

Satellite image of the air base at Mihail Kogălniceanu, pictured on December 18, 2023
U.S. Air Force

Romanian Airfield’s Transformation Into A Giant NATO Base Is Underway

By Oliver Parken

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.
U.S. Air Force

Unprecedented U.S. Hypersonic Weapons Test From Guam Has Occurred

By Joseph Trevithick

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.
U.S. Air Force

AC-130 Gunship’s Laser Weapon Cancelled, 105mm Howitzer May Be Removed

By Joseph Trevithick

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.
U.S. Air Force

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.
U.S. Air Force

Air Force Wants To Slash MH-139 Grey Wolf Helicopter Purchases In Half

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Mar 14, 2024

F-35Bs are armed on a flight line
U.S. Air Force

F-35 Cleared For Full-Rate Production 17 Years After Its First Flight

By Thomas Newdick

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.
U.S. Air Force

Signs ARRW Hypersonic Missile Follow-On May Be In The Works

By Joseph Trevithick

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.
U.S. Air Force

USAF Seeks NGAD Fighter Boost, Navy F/A-XX Investment Slows In New Budget

By Joseph Trevithick

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.
U.S. Air Force

F-15EX Fleet To Be Cut Down To 98 Jets In New Air Force Budget

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Mar 11, 2024

F-35 drops B61-12 during a test at Edwards AFB
U.S. Air Force

F-35A Is Officially Certified For Nuclear Strike

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 9, 2024

The grounding of all US military V-22 Ospreys following a crash in November 2023 has been lifted.
U.S. Air Force

V-22 Osprey Finally Cleared To Fly After Three Month Grounding

By Joseph Trevithick

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."
U.S. Air Force

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

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Mar 7, 2024

F-16 Block 70 about to head on its delivery flight to Bahrain.
U.S. Air Force

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

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Mar 7, 2024

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

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

By Joseph Trevithick

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.
U.S. Air Force

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.
U.S. Air Force

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.
U.S. Air Force

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

By Joseph Trevithick

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.
U.S. Air Force

The F-111 Was Faster Than You Think

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 29, 2024

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

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.
U.S. Air Force

B-52 Stratofortress Damaged After Engine Fire

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 27, 2024

F-15EX Afterburner
U.S. Air Force

Just How Fast Is The F-15EX Really?

By Thomas Newdick

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.
U.S. Air Force

Everything New We Just Learned About The Collaborative Combat Aircraft Program

By Joseph Trevithick

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.
U.S. Air Force

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

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 20, 2024

New Air Wing concept USAF
U.S. Air Force

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.
U.S. Air Force

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.
U.S. Air Force

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

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 16, 2024

LITENING LA Targeting pod Northrop Grumman
U.S. Air Force

We Talk New Features On The LITENING Large Aperture Targeting Pod

By Tyler Rogoway, Jamie Hunter

Posted on Feb 16, 2024

CV-22s taxi for takeoff
U.S. Air Force

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.
U.S. Air Force

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.
U.S. Air Force

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

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 14, 2024

F-15EX flying
U.S. Air Force

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

By Tyler Rogoway, Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 14, 2024

Boeing Ghost Bat F-15
U.S. Air Force

USAF Set To Down-Select Collaborative Combat Aircraft Competitors

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 13, 2024

Elephant walk with USAF aircraft
U.S. Air Force

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.
U.S. Air Force

Ukraine Using Thousands Of Networked Microphones To Track Russian Drones

By Joseph Trevithick

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.
U.S. Air Force

C-17 Launching Mock Ballistic Missile Seen Like Never Before

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 9, 2024

Low-Cost Infrared Search And Track System For Aircraft Unveiled By Anduril
U.S. Air Force

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

By Joseph Trevithick

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.
U.S. Air Force

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

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 7, 2024

General Atomics has unveiled the XQ-67A drone, which it built as part of the US Air Force's secretive Off-Board Sensing Station (OBSS) program.
U.S. Air Force

General Atomics’ XQ-67A Off-Board Sensing Station Drone Breaks Cover

By Jamie Hunter, Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Feb 7, 2024

Concept 2 sub-scale model on display at the World Defense Show
U.S. Air Force

This Is BAE Systems’ Reworked, Stealthier Uncrewed Combat Aircraft Concept

By Oliver Parken

Posted on Feb 7, 2024

CMV-22Bs land on a carrier
U.S. Air Force

CMV-22B Osprey “Not Operationally Suitable” According To Test Report

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 6, 2024

F-117 flying low level through the California desert.
U.S. Air Force

The Most Stunning F-117 Photos We’ve Seen Since Its ‘Retirement’

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Feb 4, 2024

Starship pictured during static-fire testing
U.S. Air Force

Military May Get Its Own SpaceX Starship Rockets For Dangerous Missions

By Oliver Parken

Posted on Feb 2, 2024

World war two aircraft: B-17G Fortresses of the 381st Bomb Group in flight, Summer 1944.
U.S. Air Force

This Is What It Took To Defend A B-17 Bomber

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 31, 2024

F-22
U.S. Air Force

Massive New Air Combat Exercise Underway Along The California Coast

By Jamie Hunter

Posted on Jan 30, 2024

Masters Of The Air aerial sequences are amazing
U.S. Air Force

Masters Of The Air’s Aerial Sequences Are Terrifying, Game Changing

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jan 27, 2024

Defense contractor Anduril has formally announced that it is one of five companies working on the US Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) advanced drone program.
U.S. Air Force

Anduril Is Helping The Air Force To Develop Its Loyal Wingman Drone

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 25, 2024