U.S. Air Force (USAF)

By Steve Trimble
On the path to developing autonomous, high-performance, uncrewed combat aircraft, the U.S. Air Force now has tools for early testing and experimentation.
Paris Air Show

By Jen DiMascio
Lockheed’s tanker engine choice; Iran claims it has hypersonic missile; Japan awards warship contract; Poland’s first FA-50.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Brian Everstine
The proposal is called the Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act of 2023, introduced last month.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Graham Warwick
Piasecki Aircraft plans to convert the former Lockheed Martin Sikorsky Heliplex into an R&D center for next generation VTOL and UAS aircraft systems.
Advanced Air Mobility

By Graham Warwick
Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week. Primary Category: AEROSPACE
Aerospace

By Brian Everstine
The U.S. Air Force should return to its Cold War-era practice of flying a nuclear command post 24/7, a key lawmaker argues.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Brian Everstine
U.S. Air Force test pilots will begin flying the T-7A Red Hawk this month.
Light Attack and Advanced Training

By Kevin Michaels
The BWB offers a number of advantages for both commercial and military applications.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Tony Osborne
The first aircraft participating in the Air Defender 2023 deployment exercise have touched down at German air bases.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Graham Warwick
The proving ground will use open-architecture testbeds to enable industry to flight-test autonomy technologies.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Graham Warwick
The U.S. Air Force’s AFWerx High-Speed VTOL Concept Challenger produces mixed results.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Brian Everstine
If confirmed, Brown would be the first Air Force chairman since 2005, replacing retiring U.S. Army Gen. Mark Milley in the role.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Brian Everstine
A Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat has arrived in the U.S. for testing.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Brian Everstine
Boeing will build a new manufacturing facility to focus on advanced coatings as part of a large push for upcoming secretive military programs.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
A U.S. Air Force official has approved the start of a sprawling, multistate construction project to support the U.S. Air Force’s future ICBM program.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Steve Trimble
BAE Systems will continue developing a ramjet-powered, 155-mm artillery shell for the U.S. Army.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Steve Trimble
A yearslong campaign to define a new U.S. air superiority fighter will reach a climax when a development contact is awarded in 2024.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Brian Everstine
Boeing has delivered four of the six aircraft ordered under the research, development, test and evaluation contract, with two more set to come this summer.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Brian Everstine
While the U.S. and its partners have agreed to start training Ukrainian pilots on Lockheed Martin F-16s, the jets’ delivery will take several months.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Brian Everstine
The U.S. Air Force is designing its Collaborative Combat Aircraft program—uncrewed systems that will fly alongside future fighters—to be fielded in increments.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
Several upgrades are making the B-52 relevant for the 2030s and beyond, but they require sweeping changes to internal structures and electronics.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Brian Everstine
The U.S. Air Force plans to award a contract next year for its Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
The Boeing T-7A could receive a limited military flight release this summer, but faces the risk of new schedule delays as software and escape concerns linger.
Light Attack and Advanced Training

By Graham Warwick
The U.S. Air Force’s Agility Prime program has established airspace innovation and battery energy storage teams.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Ben Goldstein
Reliable Robotics has demonstrated autonomous takeoff, flight and landing of its retrofitted Cessna Caravan 208 aircraft for the U.S. Air Force.
Advanced Air Mobility