Tag: air force
84 articles
Air Force Cyber Fortifies Defenses Against AI-Driven Attacks
The Air Force's cyber arm is gearing up to counter a new wave of sophisticated threats: autonomous AI-driven attacks that can adapt and evolve at unprecedented speeds. Lt. Gen. Thomas Hensley warns that these cutting-edge threats are already a reality, demanding a major upgrade to the Air Force's defensive strategies.
Air Force Overhauls Command and Control Comms After Epic Fury Lessons
The Air Force is revolutionizing its command and control communications, ditching its old model of bulky, 10-pallet comms packages that required 40-person teams to deploy, and embracing a leaner, more agile approach. Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Phillips, deputy chief of staff for warfighter communications and cyber systems, is spearheading the change.
Air Force Seeks Expendable Drones to Mimic Diverse Airborne Threats
The US Air Force is on the hunt for affordable, expendable drones that can replicate a wide range of airborne threats, from tiny hobby drones to advanced fighter jets. These drones would need to mimic various aircraft characteristics, including speed, size, and radar signatures, while being simple and inexpensive enough to produce in large quantities.
China's PLAAF Exposes Air Combat Training Tech
Air combat training gets a major boost when it's backed by hard data - and that's exactly what Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (ACMI) pods provide, turning aerial sparring into measurable, repeatable results. With ACMI, air forces can track every move, missile shot, and gun envelope, making training more credible and effective.
Air Force Seeks AI to Streamline Minuteman III Missile Fleet Data
The Air Force is on a mission to modernize its Minuteman III missile fleet by harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to unify the vast amounts of data scattered across 60 disparate systems. By streamlining this data, the Air Force aims to gain centralized control and improve the efficiency of its aging intercontinental ballistic missile fleet.
Air Force Clears Production of Long-Range JDAM Munition
The Air Force has given the green light for production of the turbojet-boosted Joint Direct Attack Munition, paving the way for a $75 million deal with Boeing that brings long-range precision-strike capability at a lower cost. This milestone marks a major step forward for the JDAM Long Range program, with the Navy set to receive the first kits.
Forum Vigilance Bolsters Online Security Discussions
Meet 2nd Lt. Garret Burgess, a nuclear and missile operations officer who's on high alert 24/7, as captured in a gripping photo inside a launch control center at Malmstrom Air Force Base. He stands guard behind a blast door that safeguards access to the underground control center.
Air Force Faces Engine Dilemma for F-47 Fighter
The Air Force is caught in a timing squeeze with its F-47 fighter engine plans, as it works to build its current system while preparing for future integration activities. With the Next-Generation Air Power (NGAP) program's prototype phase slated to run through 2031, the service is racing against the clock.
Air Force Accelerates KC-135 Connectivity Upgrades Amid Iran War
The Air Force has fast-tracked connectivity upgrades for its KC-135 fleet following a deadly tanker crash during Operation Epic Fury, a move driven by urgent safety and operational concerns. This acceleration comes after a tragic incident in March that claimed the lives of six airmen and raised critical questions about the aircraft's battlespace awareness and secure communications.
Air Force Narrows Drone Wingman Vendors
The Air Force is pushing forward with its Collaborative Combat Aircraft development, planning to narrow down its pool of vendors from nine to as many as six next year. Over the next 10 months, the service will refine its concept and ultimately receive up to six closed conceptual designs.
Air Force Advances Robot-Wingman Effort with Six Potential Designs
The Air Force is pushing forward with its robot-wingman initiative, narrowing down to six potential designs that could soon move into prototyping. Col. Timothy Helfridge says the next phase, expected to wrap up by mid-2027, will yield several promising conceptual designs.
Air Force Accelerates Next-Gen Engine Integration by 2030
The Air Force is gearing up to integrate its Next Gen Engine into aircraft by 2030, according to John Sneden, chief of the Air Force's propulsion directorate. This milestone marks a significant acceleration of the Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion program after years of delay.
USAF Chief Wilsbach Warns of Base Defense Vulnerabilities Amid Iran Tensions
The US Air Force is overhauling its base defense strategy in response to growing threats from Iran, Russia, and Ukraine, with plans to establish a new career field focused on airfield defense. This move comes as General Kenneth Wilsbach warns of current vulnerabilities and emphasizes the need for experts trained to counter an array of threats, from ballistic missiles to drones.
China's PLAAF Deploys Y-7G Transport in Medevac Role
In a recent low-key exercise, China's Central Theater Command Air Force showcased its military readiness with a standard search-and-rescue drill, featuring a notable twist: the deployment of a Y-7G transport in a medevac role. This marked a rare public appearance for the aircraft in this configuration.
USAF Pursues Air-To-Air Missile With 1,000-Mile Range
The US Air Force is seeking to revolutionize its air-to-air missile capabilities with a new weapon that can strike targets up to 1,000 miles away, aligning with the Department of War's top priorities. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center will host a classified industry event to share requirements and explore options for the cutting-edge Air Force Long Range Weapon program.
White House Proposes Raid on Navy E-2 Account to Fund USAF E-7s
The White House is shaking up its budget plans, proposing a $1.5 billion shift to fund the Air Force's E-7 Wedgetail program, a move that would siphon funds from the Navy's E-2D aircraft procurement. This significant reallocation aims to fast-track the development of two E-7 Wedgetail prototype aircraft.
Sen. Warren Probes Raytheon Exec's Ethics on Space Acquisition Nomination
Sen. Elizabeth Warren is pressing a Raytheon executive to promise strict ethics if he's confirmed to the Air Force's top space procurement office, citing concerns about impartiality due to his past ties to the defense contractor. She wants him to commit to a four-year recusal from matters involving his former employer.
Air Force's T-7 Red Hawk Trainer Faces Serious Airworthiness Risks
The Air Force's new T-7 Red Hawk trainer jets may be grounded by a serious airworthiness risk due to missing critical safety data from manufacturer Boeing. This critical gap in information could put pilots' lives at risk and threatens the program's success.
Congress Probes Air Force's Combat Rescue Readiness Amid HH-60W Repurposing
The Senate Armed Services Committee is raising red flags about the Air Force's combat search-and-rescue readiness, warning that recent decisions could leave them critically short-handed in a major crisis. The committee is pressing urgent questions after the Air Force cut its helicopter buys and reassigned key rescue aircraft.
Air Force Awards Contracts for Drone Wingmen to Anduril, General Atomics
The Air Force has taken a major leap forward in drone technology, awarding production contracts to Anduril and General Atomics for its first collaborative combat aircraft, also known as drone wingmen. This move enables the rapid deployment of semi-autonomous systems to stay ahead of emerging threats.
Air Force Taps General Atomics, Anduril for CCA Drone Production
The US Air Force has taken a major leap forward in its drone program, selecting General Atomics and Anduril to produce the first batch of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones, a crucial step from prototyping to production. This $2.4 billion initiative is set to revolutionize military operations with cutting-edge drone technology.
USAF Faces Senate Scrutiny Over E-11 BACN Jet Retirement Plan
The US Air Force's plan to retire its fleet of seven E-11A Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) jets by 2028 has raised red flags with the Senate Armed Services Committee, which is demanding answers on how the capability gap will be filled. The committee wants a briefing by March 31, 2027, on the Air Force's plan to mitigate the operational risk of losing this critical communication capability.
B-52 Crash Disrupts Radar Modernization Efforts
A devastating crash of a B-52 aircraft during takeoff at Edwards Air Force Base in California has dealt a significant blow to the Radar Modernization Program, with the incident deemed unsurvivable. The mishap has prompted an immediate suspension of flight operations at the base.
Air Force Undermines A-10 Commitment
The Air Force's commitment to keeping the A-10 flying through 2030 is being undermined by its own budget, which allocates zero dollars for modernization and cuts depot maintenance, putting the fleet's future in jeopardy. This disconnect between promise and funding is slowing down rebuilding efforts, making them costlier and increasingly infeasible.