U.S. Air Force(Page 8)

Latest in U.S. Air Force

B-21 first flight
U.S. Air Force

B-21 Raider’s First Flight: What We Learned

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Nov 10, 2023

The schedule for long-planned flight testing of an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship with a laser directed energy weapon has slipped again to 2024.
U.S. Air Force

AC-130 Laser Weapon Test Slip Raises Questions About Its Future

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 10, 2023

B-21 has flown for the first time
U.S. Air Force

B-21 Raider Has Flown For The First Time (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick, Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Nov 10, 2023

New pictures show A-10s that recently deployed to the Middle East with interesting ordnance loads.
U.S. Air Force

A-10s Brandish Intriguing Mix Of Weapons In Middle East

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 9, 2023

The US Air Force is deciding whether or not to begin removing the famed 105mm howitzers from its AC-130J gunships, possibly starting in 2026.
U.S. Air Force

AC-130J Ghostriders Could Lose Their Big 105mm Guns

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 7, 2023

U-2 retirement moves forward with secretary of defense waiver sent to congress.
U.S. Air Force

U-2 Retirement Moves Forward With Defense Secretary Decision

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 7, 2023

A new report claims that Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works has delivered a new secret intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft to the US Air Force.
U.S. Air Force

Secret Skunk Works Spy Drone Delivered To Air Force: Report

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 3, 2023

Kratos has offered the first look at a rendering of its stealthy Thanatos drone design.
U.S. Air Force

Thanatos Advanced Stealth Drone Design Breaks Cover

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 3, 2023

A routine test of launch of a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile was "terminated" after it experienced an "anomaly."
U.S. Air Force

Minuteman III Ballistic Missile Ordered To Destroy Itself During Test Launch

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 2, 2023

A heavily redacted copy of the final report on a controversial flyoff between the A-10 Warthog and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter has finally been released.
U.S. Air Force

A-10 Vs F-35 Close Air Support Flyoff Report Finally Emerges

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 1, 2023

B-1B Bone
U.S. Air Force

B-1B Bombers Just Made Historic Visit To Turkey

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 31, 2023

A U.S. Air Force KC-135 tail number 58-0109 with the nickname “Phantom 109” assigned to the Iowa Air National Guard is in front of the main hangar in Sioux City, Iowa on October 16, 2021. Crew Chiefs recently added nose art to the aircraft depicting a phantom riding along on the aircraft boom.
U.S. Air Force

“The Phantom” Is The Air Force’s Haunted KC-135 Tanker… Almost

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 31, 2023

The Pentagon has announced its new intention to pursue a higher-yield version of the B61-12 nuclear bomb.
U.S. Air Force

Plans For More Destructive B61 Nuclear Bomb Unveiled

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 27, 2023

The US has struck Iran-linked sites in Syria in retaliation for a spate of attacks aimed at U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria in recent weeks.
U.S. Air Force

U.S. Strikes Back At Iranian-Linked Bases In Syria (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 27, 2023

An Su-27UB Flanker-C sits in the hangar of the Cold War Gallery, National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
U.S. Air Force

Su-27 Absolutely Dwarfs All Jets Around It At Its New Home

By Oliver Parken

Posted on Oct 26, 2023

A People’s Republic of China J-11 pilot executed an unsafe intercept of a U.S. Air Force B-52 aircraft, which was lawfully conducting routine operations over the South China Sea in international airspace.
U.S. Air Force

Chinese Flanker’s “Unsafe” Intercept Seen From B-52’s Sniper Pod

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 26, 2023

Capt. Bob Peel, left, and Lt. Col. Tony Adamo, right, F-16 instructor pilots from the 162nd Fighter Wing, fly over the Grand Canyon while supporting Operation Noble Eagle’s air sovereignty alert mission.
U.S. Air Force

Ukraine Situation Report: Ukrainian Pilots Have Begun F-16 Training In U.S.

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 25, 2023

The US Air Force has confirmed that its first pre-production B-21 Raider stealth bomber is undergoing taxi testing ahead of its first flight.
U.S. Air Force

B-21 Raider Has Begun Taxi Tests

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 25, 2023

A US Air Force B-52 bomber was seen flying in East Asia recently sporting white-colored wing tips and we now know the reason why.
U.S. Air Force

Here’s Why Some B-52s Have White Wing Tips

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 24, 2023

Lockheed Martin says it no longer plans to compete for a contract to replace a portion of the Air Force's KC-135 tanker fleet.
U.S. Air Force

Lockheed Bails On KC-135 Tanker Replacement Competition

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 23, 2023

A B-52 is set to land in South Korea sometime this week.
U.S. Air Force

B-52 To Make Very Rare Landing In South Korea This Week

By Howard Altman

Posted on Oct 17, 2023

Countermeasures released by an F-22 Raptor
U.S. Air Force

This May Be The Best F-22 Raptor Demo Shot Ever

By Tyler Rogoway, Oliver Parken

Posted on Oct 10, 2023

MQ-20 Drone recovery
U.S. Air Force

MQ-20 Avenger Tests Recovery Line For Grabbing Smaller Drones Mid-Flight

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 10, 2023

“Multiple” New Versions Of The XQ-58 Valkyrie In The Works
U.S. Air Force

“Multiple” New Versions Of The XQ-58 Valkyrie In The Works

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 6, 2023

KC-10 departs PSAB
U.S. Air Force

KC-10 Extender Has Flown Its Last Combat Mission

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 5, 2023

F-16 Syria Turkey
U.S. Air Force

U.S. F-16 Shoots Down Turkish Drone Over Syria (Updated)

By Howard Altman

Posted on Oct 5, 2023

Flight testing of the Air Force's future nuclear-tipped AGM-181A Long Range Stand Off cruise missile is well under way.
U.S. Air Force

Flight Testing Of Air Force’s New Nuclear-Armed Cruise Missile Well Underway

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 3, 2023

F35 flare release
U.S. Air Force

Moment Flare Released From F-35 Captured In Remarkable Photo

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 3, 2023

Future Air Combat Drone Performance Focus Areas Emerge
U.S. Air Force

Future Air Combat Drone Performance Focus Areas Emerge

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 2, 2023

The U.S. Air Force has provided the first real look at a future hypersonic air-breathing cruise missile, a type weapon it hopes to start fielding in 2027.
U.S. Air Force

Our First Glimpse Of The Air Force’s Hypersonic Cruise Missile

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 30, 2023

A group of airmen at Aviano Air Base in Italy are pitching an idea for a folding boarding ladder that F-16 pilots can stow in the map case in the jet's cockpit.
U.S. Air Force

Airmen Design F-16 Boarding Ladder That Fits Inside Cockpit

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 27, 2023

The National Museum of the U.S. AIr Force's latest acquisition, an Su-27UB Flanker-C, has a curious history.
U.S. Air Force

Su-27 That Mysteriously Vanished After Private Sale Resurfaces

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 27, 2023

JSTARS E-8 retirement
U.S. Air Force

E-8 JSTARS Has Flown Its Last Operational Mission

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Sep 26, 2023

William Tell
U.S. Air Force

William Tell Air Combat Competition Crowns Its Winners

By Jamie Hunter, James Deboer

Posted on Sep 19, 2023

NORAD EADS
U.S. Air Force

North American Airspace Defense Getting Cloud-Based Backbone Next Month

By Hope Hodge Seck

Posted on Sep 15, 2023

Chinese J-20 aircraft on the runway
U.S. Air Force

China’s J-20 Isn’t A “Dominating Aircraft,” USAF General Says

By Oliver Parken

Posted on Sep 13, 2023

CCA F-22
U.S. Air Force

Collaborative Air Combat Drones Will Head To Pacific En Masse

By Hope Hodge Seck

Posted on Sep 13, 2023

For the very beginning, the B-21 Raider stealth bomber program has been about much more than only the bomber itself.
U.S. Air Force

B-21 ‘Family Of Systems’ Details Emerge, Engine Test Runs Start

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 12, 2023

B-21 Raider Side View
U.S. Air Force

B-21 Raider Seen Like Never Before In New Images

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Sep 12, 2023

The US Air Force's Air Mobility Command is still pushing ahead with an idea to turn its KC-135 aerial refueling tankers into drone motherships.
U.S. Air Force

KC-135 Tankers Being Eyed For Drone Launcher Role

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 11, 2023

Anduril's acquisition of Blue Force Technologies and its Fury drone is a latest development is an important story that could have broad ramifications for the US defense industry.
U.S. Air Force

The Rise Of Fury

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Sep 11, 2023

William Tell Air Force
U.S. Air Force

William Tell Has Fighter Pilots Competing For Trophies Once Again

By Jamie Hunter

Posted on Sep 11, 2023

LongShot Air-To-Air Combat Drone Bid Won By General Atomics
U.S. Air Force

LongShot Air-To-Air Combat Drone Bid Won By General Atomics

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 8, 2023

The Air Force says it is still considering employing its future Collaborative Combat Aircraft drones alongside B-21 bombers, and that the uncrewed aircraft might also serve as tankers and airlifters.
U.S. Air Force

B-21 Raider Could Use Collaborative Drones Meant For Fighters

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 6, 2023

U-2 Spy plane
U.S. Air Force

The U-2 Dragon Lady As You Have Never Seen It Before

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Sep 6, 2023

F-35 low departure
U.S. Air Force

F-35 Nearly Trims The Trees In Incredible Boeing Field Departure

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Sep 1, 2023

ERCS ICBM
U.S. Air Force

This ICBM-Launched Satellite Could Transmit Nuclear Codes When Nothing Else Was Left To

By Oliver Parken, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 29, 2023

A U.S. Air Force F-16 shot down a Turkish drone over Syria, a U.S. official tells The War Zone.
U.S. Air Force

Ukrainians To Train On F-16s In The United States

By Howard Altman

Posted on Aug 25, 2023

The Air Force has conducted another live-fire test of the AGM-183 hypersonic missile, but has offered few details about it.
U.S. Air Force

Air Force Tight-Lipped On Canceled Hypersonic Missile’s Latest Test

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 22, 2023

Air War Ukraine
U.S. Air Force

Top Ukraine War Lessons From USAF’s Commander In Europe

By Howard Altman

Posted on Aug 18, 2023

CSAR USAF Serbia
U.S. Air Force

U.S. Combat Rescue Helicopters Train With Old Foe Serbia For First Time

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Aug 18, 2023

F-16 Pilot Training Ukraine
U.S. Air Force

Ukrainian F-16 Combat Proficiency At Scale Not Likely Before 2027, Air Force General Says

By Howard Altman

Posted on Aug 18, 2023

Maj. Sandy Marquardt, Capt. Joe Hodges sit in the escape module of their F-111A
U.S. Air Force

F-111 Aardvark’s Crew Escape Module Ejected The Whole Cockpit

By Oliver Parken

Posted on Aug 17, 2023

The US Air Force has selected JetZero to design and build a demonstrator aircraft with a blended wing body, or BWB, configuration that could serve as the basis for future aerial refueling tankers and cargo planes.
U.S. Air Force

Blended Wing Body Demonstrator Jet Contract Awarded By Air Force (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 16, 2023

New details about the US military's plans to expand air and missile defenses on Guam show the island is set to see major changes on the ground and in the air.
U.S. Air Force

Guam’s Airspace Set To Be Most Defended On Earth In New Plans

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 11, 2023

NGAD Multi-purpose array
U.S. Air Force

How NGAD Will Sense, Communicate, And Jam Could Be Revolutionary

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Aug 9, 2023

F-22 Pacific
U.S. Air Force

Red Flag Expands Out Into The Pacific With An Eye On China

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 8, 2023

The US Air Force recently conducted a flight test involving an XQ-58A Valkyrie drone that demonstrated advanced autonomous capabilities.
U.S. Air Force

XQ-58 Valkyrie Solves Air Combat ‘Challenge Problem’ While Under AI Control

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 3, 2023

Unidentified Arizona training ranges
U.S. Air Force

Pilots Are Seeing Some Very Strange Things In Arizona’s Military Training Ranges

By Tyler Rogoway, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 2, 2023

At least some of Ukraine's Hind gunship helicopters now look to be armed with U.S.-supplied 70mm Hydra unguided rockets.
U.S. Air Force

Ukraine’s Mi-24 Hinds Now Armed With U.S. 70mm Hydra Rockets

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 1, 2023

Northrop Grumman says its "on track" for a B-21 Raider stealth bomber first flight in 2023 after the initial example was successfully "powered on."
U.S. Air Force

B-21 Raider’s First Flight Still Set For 2023 After ‘Power On’ Milestone

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 28, 2023

Nortrhop Grumman has dropped out of the running to be the prime contractor to design and build the US Air Force's future sixth-generation NGAD stealth combat jet.
U.S. Air Force

Northrop Grumman Bails On Next Generation Fighter Competition

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 27, 2023

North Korea Drone RQ-4
U.S. Air Force

North Korea Unveils Look-Alike Global Hawk, Reaper Drones

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jul 27, 2023

The US Air Force has stood up a new detachment at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson to meeting growing demand for RC-135V/W Rivet Joint sorties.
U.S. Air Force

RC-135 Rivet Joint Spy Flights From Alaska To Grow Thanks To New Unit

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 26, 2023