Tag: us air force
54 articles
US Air Force to Arm B-52 with Stealthy LRASM Anti-Ship Missiles
The US Air Force is gearing up to supercharge its B-52 Stratofortress with the stealthy AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), a move that will significantly boost the bomber's anti-ship capabilities. Lockheed Martin is set to be the sole partner in this high-stakes project, following a government notice signaling exclusive negotiations.
Air Force Winds Down A-10 Expertise at Nellis Base
The Air Force bid a fond farewell to the A-10 Thunderbolt II at Nellis Air Force Base on September 22, 2026, as the last of the iconic aircraft departed, marking the end of nearly five decades of Warthog operations. The base had been a hub for developing and refining the jet's operational skills since the first A-10 arrived in 1977.
Air Force Pares China Aerospace Institute Staff
The Air Force is shaking things up with a major restructure, pulling civilian staff from the China Aerospace Studies Institute (CASI) and assigning military members to take over the mission. Affected employees will keep their current roles for now and be considered for reassignment later.
Air Force Retires EC-130H Electronic Attack Plane
As the EC-130H Compass Call took its final taxi at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Staff Sgt. Justin Franko reflected on the end of an era, saying it closed not just his time in the squadron, but an entire chapter of his life. The Air Force bid farewell to the aircraft with a formal retirement ceremony on September 18.
US Air Force's RQ-170 Drone Squadron Wins Top Honor
The 30th Reconnaissance Squadron, aka the Blackbirds, has been recognized as the top Remotely Piloted Aircraft squadron of 2025, beating out the competition with its exceptional combat support, operational agility, and leadership that has significantly boosted the Joint Force's intelligence advantage. This elite unit's impressive achievements have set a new standard for the RPA community.
US Air Force Bolsters Base Defenses Against Aerial Threats
The US Air Force is overhauling its base defense strategy to counter aerial threats, shifting from a position of sanctuary to proactive protection of its bases and personnel from missiles and drones. Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach emphasized that point defense can no longer be a secondary focus, but a core function, driven by recent operational lessons from conflicts like the war with Iran.
US Airmen Describe Battling Iranian Barrages on US Bases
Airmen at US bases bravely withstood Iranian missile barrages, and one heroic security forces noncommissioned officer even saved trapped personnel by prying open a damaged bunker door.
Anduril's Fury CCA Flies Alongside F-35s in US Air Force Tests
Anduril's Fury CCA is taking flight with a major milestone: flying in formation alongside F-35 fighters in a recent US Air Force test exercise. The cutting-edge CCA aircraft successfully demonstrated its capabilities in a July exercise at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, marking a significant step forward in autonomous aviation.
General Atomics Unveils Wildfire, MQ-9 Reaper Successor
Meet Wildfire, the game-changing successor to the MQ-9 Reaper, engineered to deliver unparalleled capabilities: long ferry range, heavy firepower, and cutting-edge autonomy. It's a beast of a drone that's got everyone in the industry buzzing, with insiders clamoring for a fleet of 100 or more.
US Air Force Fortifies Defenses Against AI-Powered Cyber Threats
The US Air Force is stepping up its game against cyber threats with a new defensive playbook that's specifically designed to combat AI-powered attacks. This proactive plan aims to stay one step ahead of evolving threats and protect against the increasingly sophisticated tactics of AI-enabled hackers.
US Air Force Accelerates Innovation with Modernization-as-a-Service
Meet the Kessel Run team, the US Air Force's elite unit tasked with delivering cutting-edge operational air power to protect and defend the nation. Led by Col. Richard Lopez, this innovative team is revolutionizing the way the Air Force approaches modernization with a bold, modern approach.
US Air Force Pursues Anti-Aircraft Guns for Base Defense
The US Air Force is on the hunt for innovative anti-aircraft gun solutions to bolster base defense, specifically seeking a ground-based, medium-caliber gun system that can take down subsonic cruise missiles and rogue drones. This new system would provide a persistent defense against air and missile threats, and the Air Force is now scouting for industry partners who can make it happen.
Air Force Activates Unit for HH-60W Evacuation Missions in DC
The Air Force has activated the 5th Helicopter Squadron at Joint Base Andrews, which will operate 26 HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopters for critical evacuation missions in the National Capital Region. This new unit will train aircrew, establish maintenance processes, and prepare for its national security mission.
US Air Force Accelerates $2.9 Billion B-52 Radar Modernization
The US Air Force just took a major step forward with its $2.9 billion B-52 Radar Modernization program, awarding two new contracts worth $766 million to RTX/Raytheon and Boeing to upgrade the bombers' radar systems and bomb rack equipment. This move comes despite a Government Accountability Office report warning that the program may deliver less capability at a higher cost.
US Air Force Awards Boeing $131 Billion F-15 Contract
The US Air Force has awarded Boeing a whopping $131.2 billion contract to support the F-15 family through production, upgrades, and sustainment, a deal that will run through August 2037. This massive Eagle Crest contract is set to streamline future F-15 requirements and accelerate delivery of critical capabilities to the warfighter.
US Air Force Seeks New Explosives for F-117 Tailhook System
The US Air Force is on a mission to breathe new life into its F-117 Nighthawks, with plans to keep the stealth jets flying until at least 2034 - and that means finding fresh explosive charges for a critical emergency system. They're on the hunt for new cartridge-actuated devices and propellant-actuated devices to keep the F-117's tailhook system in working order.
Air Force Grapples with Procurement Pace
The US Air Force's secure network is hindered by sluggish procurement timelines, with the Government Accountability Office finding that major federal acquisitions can take years to complete, stifling efforts to modernize connectivity and keep pace with rapidly evolving technologies and mission demands. It's a contracting conundrum that's causing friction, with one expert noting that the speed of acquisition simply isn't keeping up with mission requirements.
Damaged KC-135 Tanker Enters Tinker AFB Repair Facility
The damaged KC-135 tanker, serial 63-8017, has arrived at Tinker Air Force Base's Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex for a thorough repair and scheduled maintenance, following a midair collision over Iraq that tragically claimed the lives of the crew on board the other tanker. The aircraft is set to undergo extensive repairs, combining damage patching with its regular 5-year maintenance.
US Exposes Hypersonic Edge in Pacific Exercise
The US Air Force made a bold move in the Pacific, kicking off exercise PACIFIC ARCHER on June 17 with a rapid deployment of hypersonic-missile-equipped aircraft to the Second Island Chain, sending a clear message with its show of force.
Air Force Realigns F-15E Fleet
Big news for Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri: it's been selected as the new home for a 24-aircraft F-15E Strike Eagle mission, a critical move that will preserve the Air Force Reserve's combat capabilities. This development follows the Department of the Air Force's approval of the enterprise definition and site survey criteria.
US Air Force Explores Commanding Australian MQ-28 Ghost Bat Drones
The US Air Force is pushing the boundaries of drone technology with the MQ-28 Ghost Bat, a cutting-edge Australian drone that's being tested in a historic partnership with US forces. Gen. Kevin Schneider reveals that the MQ-28's successful integration with US test units at Exercise Valiant Shield 2026 marks a major milestone in collaborative combat aircraft development.
Air Force Resumes B-52 Radar Testing After Deadly Crash
The Air Force is reevaluating its testing schedule for the B-52 radar modernization program after a devastating crash on June 15 killed an eight-person crew, and plans to resume testing using another Stratofortress. The program's goal is to keep the 75 aging bombers flying until at least the 2050s.
US Air Force Weighs Expanding B-21 Raider Fleet Beyond 100 Aircraft
Northrop Grumman and the US Air Force are working together to analyze the possibility of expanding the B-21 Raider Fleet beyond 100 aircraft, thanks to a flexible production agreement that allows for accelerated production. This comes on the heels of a 25 percent boost in annual B-21 production capacity.
Iran Threatens UK Air Base After US Bombers Launch Strikes
Iran has issued a stark warning to a UK air base, threatening it as a legitimate target if used to launch attacks on Iranian territory, after US bombers took off from the base to carry out strikes. The base, RAF Fairford in England, has also recently welcomed electronic warfare aircraft, heightening tensions.