US Air Force drops parts of previous administration’s revamp
The Air Force is dropping large portions of the previous administration's "reoptimization" plan, but keeping other aspects such as multi-capable airmen.
Air Warfare
Pentagon taps more than 1,000 companies that could work on Golden Dome
BAE Systems, L3Harris and Elbit America are some firms the Missile Defense Agency selected as potential vendors for a national missile defense shield.
Marines seek Osprey-portable GPS landing system for austere airfields
In the austere outpost of the future, the Corps wants its aircraft to land on a functioning airfield 90 minutes after the required equipment is flown in.
Air Force practices operating from cut-off bases in fierce future war
The Air Force's agile combat employment concept would prepare units to operate from dispersed, austere bases in a war against a major adversary like China.
Indian fighter jet crashes at Dubai Air Show, killing pilot
The pilot of an Indian combat plane has died after a crash during a demonstration flight at the Dubai Air Show.
US Air Force names general to oversee major acquisition programs
In his new role, Lt. Gen. Dale White will oversee many of the Air Force's biggest ― and, in some cases, most troubled ― programs.
Two-year flight delay for DARPA X-plane that steers with air bursts
The X-65 plane Aurora Flight Sciences is building for DARPA would use experimental air burst technology to steer, instead of traditional flaps or rudders.
Recent data shows significant spike in US military aircraft accidents
Across the military, the rate of severe accidents per 100,000 flight hours rose 55% in the 2024 budget year compared with four years earlier.
New planes, ready fleet a focus as Wilsbach takes charge of Air Force
Wilsbach's emphasis on aircraft readiness comes as mission-capable rates have steadily declined in recent years.
F-22 Raptor pairs with Avenger drone in combat flight test
During the test flight, the F-22 pilot controlled the Avenger drone from the cockpit by way of a tablet.
Here are the major defense programs backed in shutdown-ending deal
The bills passed as part of the deal that ended the longest U.S. government shutdown in history include billions of dollars for the Air Force and Navy.
Ukraine signs letter of intent to buy up to 100 Rafales from France
Zelenskyy wrote on X on Sunday that he looked forward to a “historic deal with France in Paris to strengthen our combat aviation and air defense.”
Watch the US Air Force load inert nuclear bombs in F-35 for tests
The unarmed nuclear bombs were dropped from an F-35A at the Tonopah Test Range in Nevada.
Joby, L3Harris fly autonomous electric aircraft, eye defense market
Joby and L3Harris hope their autonomous VTOL aircraft could one day carry out military operations, including by acting as a "loyal wingman."
European NATO countries scrap plan to buy Boeing E-7 Wedgetail AWACS
The United States withdrew from the AWACS replacement program in July, removing the strategic and financial base of the program, the Netherlands’ MoD said.
Pentagon wants ‘calculated’ risk culture in weapons buying revamp
The Pentagon said its overhauled acquisition strategy emphasizes — but doesn't mandate — speed in weapons buying.
French air force official says FCAS industry kerfuffle is overblown
“There are differences but don’t believe all you are reading,” said Brig. Gen. Phillipe Suhr, the French Air Force point man for the program.
