Air

Defense News offers premier news and analysis of global air warfare programs and technologies to keep military and industry decision-makers informed.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. answers questions after delivering his “Accelerate Change to Empowered Airmen” speech during the 2021 Air Force Association Air, Space and Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Md., Sept. 20, 2021. (Eric Dietrich/Air Force)

Top Air Force officer’s plan to ‘accelerate change or lose’ is picking up speed, one year in

“We could all use more manpower, more money and more time. But leaders cannot wait for perfect conditions to act or make a decision," Brown said.

11 hours ago

A B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing, Minot Air Force Base, N.D., taxis on the flight line April 23, 2021, at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. The B-52 aircraft are deployed to Al Udeid AB to protect U.S. and coalition forces as they conduct drawdown operations from Afghanistan. (Air Force/Staff Sgt. Greg Erwin)

US Air Force to declare winner of B-52 engine replacement competition as soon as this month

Three companies are in the running to win a contract to produce about 600 modified commercial engines.

12 hours ago

U.S. Air Force Maj. Joseph Butters administers the oath of office to U.S. Air Force Capt. Devin Mulvanny at a promotion ceremony during Exercise Relampago VI at Comando Aereo de Combate Number 5 in Rionegro, Colombia, on July 19, 2021. (Senior Airman Duncan Bevan/Air Force)

Air Force Association

The promotion outlook: What lies ahead for Air Force officers and enlisted airmen

Personnel management updates aim to reward both good performance and time in service; give airmen with different skill sets a fairer shot at promotion; and judge people on their character and competence rather than popularity.

To insignia and beyond: Space Force rolls out new designs for enlisted sleeves

The Space Force hopes to have the new enlisted insignia patches on guardians' arms by the end of 2021.

32 hours ago

B-21 Raider concept

Northrop Grumman now has five B-21 stealth bombers in production

The program is making good progress, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said Monday.

2 days ago

AFSOC plans to demo amphibious MC-130J by end of next year, commander says

A new water-ready C-130 would give the Air Force more littoral capability.

2 days ago

SecAF to Congress: Let us retire aircraft or we can’t beat China

"We will not succeed against a well-resourced and strategic competitor if we insist on keeping every legacy system we have,” Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said Monday.

2 days ago

Six questions with US Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall

Can this cold warrior bring lasting change to the Air Force and Space Force?

2 days ago

As the US Air Force looks to the future of special operations, vertical lift takes center stage

What comes after the MC-130 and CV-22s operated today by Air Force Special Operations Command?

5 days ago

Lockheed reveals new LMXT refueling tanker, firing the opening salvo in US Air Force competition

Improvements include more range and better fuel-offloading capabilities compared to the baseline version of Airbus's A330 tanker.

5 days ago

To get F-35 performance-based logistics contract, Lockheed will have to give up tech data

Lockheed has been angling for an F-35 performance-based logistics contract for three years, but it will come with strings attached.

6 days ago

See Taiwanese jets take off from rural roads, and more from its latest drill

The Taiwanese military exercise envisioned a Chinese attack taking out the island’s main airfields, necessitating the use of rural roads as runways to carry on the fight.

7 days ago