Aaron Mehta

Aaron Mehta was deputy editor and senior Pentagon correspondent for Defense News, covering policy, strategy and acquisition at the highest levels of the Defense Department and its international partners.


  • Interview: Richard Lombardi
    Interview: Richard Lombardi

    With the Feb. 2 release of President Obama’s fiscal 2016 budget request, the Air Force made clear it is threading the needle between current requirements and developing, and procuring, new technologies.

  • Ayotte Pledges to Oppose A-10 Retirement
    Ayotte Pledges to Oppose A-10 Retirement

    The US Air Force has announced it will try to retire the A-10 Warthog fleet in its fiscal 2016 budget request. And once again, a top member of the Senate Armed Services Committee is rallying opposition to the move.

  • Bomber Leads Way on USAF RDT&E Request
    Bomber Leads Way on USAF RDT&E Request

    The Air Force’s single biggest research program is also its most mysterious.

  • USAF Budget Funds Munitions, Keeps U-2
    USAF Budget Funds Munitions, Keeps U-2

    The US Air Force’s budget request reflects the service’s delicate situation — balancing the need to recapitalize an aging fleet with real-world concerns and ongoing operations.

  • Kendall Unveils 6th Gen Fighter Strategy
    Kendall Unveils 6th Gen Fighter Strategy

    Pentagon acquisition chief Frank Kendall unveiled part of his strategy for procuring a next-generation fighter for the Air Force and Navy in congressional testimony last week.

  • Limited Impact for Boeing in Air Force One Win
    Limited Impact for Boeing in Air Force One Win

    The US Air Force selected Boeing to provide the next-generation Air Force One on a sole-source selection, a move that had been widely expected but is still welcome for the aerospace company.

  • US Air Force Launches Trio of Tech Studies
    US Air Force Launches Trio of Tech Studies

    What is the future of technology for the US Air Force?

  • Sources: U-2 in USAF Budget Request
    Sources: U-2 in USAF Budget Request

    The Air Force will include both the U-2 spy plane and Global Hawk unmanned system in their FY16 budget request, but will once again ask to retire the A-10 Warthog, sources tell Defense News.

  • USAF Names F-35 Integration Office Head
    USAF Names F-35 Integration Office Head

    The US Air Force has appointed Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian as the director of its expanded F-35 integration office, the service announced Friday.

  • Northrop Teases New Bomber in New Ad
    Northrop Teases New Bomber in New Ad

    Subtlety, Thy Name Is Northrop. Again.