More data, comms, countermeasures needed for Special Ops aircraft
From their largest to smallest aircraft, upgrades are needed for the next fight, Special Operations Command officials said.
Air Warfare
KC-46 vision system upgrade slips to 2027, 3 years behind schedule
The original vision system for the KC-46 was beset by troubles such as distorted images, but its replacement also has repeatedly fallen behind.
Sentinel nuclear missiles will need new silos, Air Force says
The Sentinel ICBM program is already alarmingly over budget, and trying to reuse 55-year-old Minuteman III silos would put it even further behind.
US Air Force sending ‘boneyard’ F-16s to Ukraine for spare parts
The F-16s being shipped to Ukraine lack critical components like an engine and radar, the Air Force said, meaning they cannot be used operationally.
Defense firms closely watching tariffs, but split on potential sting
Tariffs are a key economic tool for the Trump administration, which also wants to bring manufacturing and material production back to the United States.
Vendor vows to hasten Turkey’s fifth-generation ‘Kaan’ fighter plane
“We’ve now ignited the afterburner on the first aircraft. We are awaiting its third flight – perhaps in August or before October."
Air Force starts ground testing Anduril collaborative combat aircraft
The service wants CCAs to fly alongside aircraft like the F-35 and F-47, and autonomously carry out missions like airstrikes, recon and serving as decoy.
With new jets, Marines need new weapons for future fights
Marine aviation leaders are looking for upgraded weapons and munitions options for the Corps' growing fleet of F-35B and F-35C fighter jets.
Safety fears keep most of India’s go-to military helicopters grounded
The grounding has strained the military’s fleet and forced the leasing of civilian helicopters as gap fillers.
Marines more than halfway through fielding of new 360-degree radar
More than half of the 60 systems have been received.
India tops up its Rafale warplane buy with 26 carrier-capable jets
The Indian Navy will become the first international user of the French jet's naval variant, underscoring the strategic ties between the two countries.
Northrop loses $477M on B-21 bomber as it revamps production process
Northrop CEO Kathy Warden previously warned investors that the B-21 could lose money at first, before later turning a profit.
Lockheed wants to turn F-35 into a ‘Ferrari’ with sixth-gen tech
Better passive infrared, stealth and longer-range weapons are among the sixth-generation technologies Lockheed might incorporate into the F-35.
AFSOC command chief relieved amid investigation
Air Force Special Operations Command’s top enlisted airman was removed "only after careful consideration," the AFSOC commander said.
F-35 nations prize spare parts, as US dismisses kill-switch angst
Concerns have grown in Europe about the extent to which Washington could exercise control over F-35 fleets globally.
Space Force commander fired after email DOD says ‘undermined’ JD Vance
"The concerns of the U.S. administration discussed by Vice President Vance on Friday are not reflective of Pituffik Space Base," the fired commander wrote.
Dassault CEO strikes dark tone on Europe’s sixth-gen fighter progress
Trappier's view contrasts with that of Airbus, which cited "strong progress" in a statement.
