AFA Warfare Symposium 2026
Small B-52 Fleet Size Creates Challenges For Engine, Radar Upgrade Plans
With just some B-52s equipped for the nuclear mission and all of them in high demand around the globe, finding time to install the upgrades is an issue.
General Atomics Is Turning The MQ-9 Reaper Family Of Drones Into “Cruise Missile Trucks”
Branded content: Giving MQ-9’s the ability to reach out over vast distances to launch standoff strikes after loitering for hours on its own is a unique capability for a tactical asset.
Upgraded F-22 “Raptor 2.0” Details Seen In New Model
A scale model of the new-look F-22 Raptor reveals details of its new stealthy external fuel tanks and underwing infrared sensor pods.
100 B-21 Stealth Bomber Fleet Size Target Unchanged For Now Despite Production Acceleration
The main goal of expanded B-21 production right now is getting the first Raiders fielded in 2027.
AI Is Now Helping The F-35 Spot Enemy Air Defenses
New artificial intelligence technology is giving the F-35 the ability to pick out confusing threat emissions and get them properly identified faster.
Anduril’s Fury Collaborative Combat Aircraft Is Now Flying With AIM-120 AMRAAM
The USAF says its Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone program has entered the weapons integration and captive carry testing phase.
Talon Blue Is The New Name For Northrop Grumman’s YFQ-48A ‘Fighter Drone’
Talon harkens back to the company’s T-38 Talon heritage, while Blue is likely a reference to Tacit Blue, which was a technological leap at the dawn of the stealth age.
Straight Talk On State Of U.S. Airlift Capabilities From General Who Ran Air Mobility Command
General Minihan’s frankness about the China threat ended his career, but now as a civilian, he has much more to say.
Dark Merlin Is The Name Of General Atomics’ YFQ-42A Fighter Drone
Merlins are small but fierce birds that attack in groups and are known for their stealthy attacks.
Major Deployment Of Rickety E-3 Sentry Fleet For Iran Crisis Highlights Worrisome Gaps
The shrunken E-3 fleet isn’t getting any younger, and a replacement is still far off while demand for its services would be far greater in the Pacific.
X-68A LongShot Air-To-Air Missile-Carrying Drone Moves Closer To F-15 Launch
LongShot drones are also seen as a new way for bombers and cargo planes to engage aerial threats and reduce vulnerability.
New GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator Parts Reverse Engineered From ATACMS Ballistic Missile Tech
Replacing GBU-57s dropped on Iran highlights issues that come from being locked into a single contractor, which the Pentagon is trying to change.
C-17 Airlifts A Micro Nuclear Reactor For The First Time
Micro nuclear reactors are being seen as a way to get critical bases off the grid, but they could also have a major impact on civilian energy production.
Mini Missiles Used To Shoot Down Incoming Missiles Eyed For USAF Tanker Fleet
Tankers are increasingly vulnerable as enemy long-range missiles evolve, leading the USAF to explore ‘hard kill’ solutions.
USAF Ready To Make All B-52s Nuclear-Capable, Load ICBMs With Multiple Warheads If Directed
The end of New START treaty has left the U.S. nuclear arsenal unbounded for the first time in decades.
B-21 Raider Future Insights From Global Strike Command’s Top General
The new head of Air Force Global Strike Command offers us an exclusive look at the B-21 program in his first interview since taking charge.
New E-4C Doomsday Plane Could Take On Airborne ICBM Launcher Role
USAF requirements are being developed for planes to take on the ‘Looking Glass’ mission after the Navy retires its E-6Bs.