Air Warfare

Northrop wins $705 million contract for F-35 air-to-ground weapon

The SiAW would strike enemy air defense targets on the ground, and the Air Force wants it to reach initial operational capability by 2026.

Joby’s air taxis to help US Air Force usher in electric aviation era

The vehicles will first be flown remotely to shuttle cargo around Edwards Air Force Base, followed by human pilots and passengers next year.

GAO blasts contractor-led F-35 maintenance as costly, slow

Without key technical data from F-35 manufacturer Lockheed Martin, GAO said military maintainers can't fix some parts — or even learn how to fix them.

KC-135 tanker autopilot now safer to use in flight, Air Force says

A new restriction bars airmen from turning on the autopilot when flying at an altitude of less than 2,000 feet at night, or when flying in bad weather.

Biden taps Melissa Dalton for Air Force’s No. 2 civilian post

She would replace Gina Ortiz Jones, who left the leadership post in March.

Argentina eyes surplus CH-46 helicopters as Mi-17 replacement

Argentina was unable to perform maintenance on its Mi-17s because of Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine.

Democratic Republic of Congo orders Paramount Group’s Mwari aircraft

The purchase follows Paramount’s delivery of equipment to Mozambique, where the Mwari is already operational.

Israeli companies showcase drones that take off, land vertically

IAI developed the Rotem Alpha loitering munition, capable of hovering, taking off and landing vertically.

With F-35 still missing, Marine Corps holds aviation standdown

The Marine Corps is pausing its aviation operations for two days as the disappearance of a Marine Corps F-35B jet over South Carolina remains unsolved.

Opinion

Why improve Ukraine’s deep-strike capability?

Some NATO members have decided that providing deep-strike weaponry is important for Ukraine’s defense and worth any risk of escalation.

SAIC hires former Air Force CIO Knausenberger for tech innovation role

SAIC brought in $3.7 billion in defense-related revenue in 2022, according to Defense News "Top 100" analysis.

Lockheed’s new F-16 training center in Romania could train Ukrainians

Romanian pilots will be the first to learn to fly F-16s at this in-the-works training center — but Ukraine and other nations could follow.

Romania considers joining French-led Mistral procurement program

The security situation in Romania has become more turbulent than normal, with the finding of drone debris near the country’s border with Ukraine.

Surveillance flights, not counterterrorism ops, restarted in Niger

The Pentagon says it has not restarted counterterrorism operations in Niger, a day after Air Force Gen. James Hecker said those flights had resumed.

Spectrum Warfare Wing’s Koslov eyes fast retooling for ‘wicked threats’

“If you think about trying to get data to fighters, to bombers, to weapons, to countermeasures, to all the things that we do, that’s a good number.”

B-21 ground tests proceed as bomber’s first flight deadline approaches

Engine runs on the first B-21 are underway, with tests of its fuel systems, doors, landing gear and more already complete.