All Department of the Air Force (USAF) articles – Page 10
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NewsUS Air Force Research Lab starts building airborne laser weapon
The US Air Force Research Laboratory is anticipating delivery later this month of the first major assembly of its Self-Protect High Energy Laser Demonstrator weapon.
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News
Lockheed Martin defends value of F-35 as USAF programme under new pressure
Lockheed Martin is defending the value of the F-35 stealth fighter as the US Air Force (USAF) is for the second time in two years considering buying a cheaper fourth-generation fighter aircraft for its fleet recapitalization plans.
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News
US Air Force begins retiring group of 17 B-1B bombers
In all, the service plans to retire 17 B-1B supersonic bombers to free maintenance funds and labour for the 45 examples of the aircraft that will remain in the fleet. The reduced fleet should also free up funds for buying the in-development Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider stealth bomber.
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News
Rolling updates planned for HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter
After the original US Air Force requirements for the HH-60W Jolly Green II were overtaken by new threats within less than a decade – even before the first example of the rotorcraft was delivered – manufacturer Sikorsky is aiming to update the service’s Combat Rescue Helicopter on a rolling basis.
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In depth
USAF to consolidate multiple aircraft roles into Armed Overwatch
The US Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) aims to consolidate multiple aircraft roles into its Armed Overwatch aircraft programme in order to save money on the War on Terror.
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News
After more than $5bn in losses, can KC-46A become profitable?
The KC-46A programme is about $5.1 billion in the hole and there are questions about whether Boeing can make it profitable.
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News
US Air Force plans upgrade for brand-new Combat Rescue Helicopter worth up to $1bn
Less than a year after receiving its first pair of brand-new Sikorsky HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopters, the US Air Force (USAF) is planning to upgrade the type with new systems worth up to $981 million.
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News
Air Force Research Laboratory holds wargame to assess impact of laser weapons
The US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) held a virtual wargame recently at Kirtland AFB in New Mexico to assess the impact of laser weapons on future air-to-air battles.
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News
Boeing KC-46A losses exceed $1.3bn in 2020, biggest annual loss yet
Despite assurances last fall from Boeing’s chief executive that the KC-46A Pegasus in-flight refuelling tanker programme had turned a corner, the aircraft piled another $275 million loss on the company in the fourth quarter of 2020.
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News
Boeing wins $2.1bn for 15 more KC-46A tankers, points to battle communications role
Boeing has won its second contract in 2021 for KC-46A Pegasus in-flight refuelling tankers from the US Air Force.
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News
Lockheed Martin F-35 deficiencies: two fewer in 2020, 871 issues remain
Lockheed Martin managed to reduce the total number of identified problems with its F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter by two in 2020 – though 871 deficiencies remain.
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News
USAF says it’s conducted first hot refuelling of a KC-135 Stratotanker
The US Air Force (USAF) says for the first time ever, in September 2020, it conducted an on-the-ground hot refuelling of the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker at Al Udeid air base in Qatar.
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News
US Air Force assesses bomb damage using synthetic aperture radar in test
The US Air Force tested the use of synthetic aperture radar for bomb damage assessment on 15 December 2020 at Nellis AFB in Nevada.
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News
US Air Force deploys first automated quadcopter for base security
The US Air Force has deployed its first automated unmanned air vehicle security system for an airbase.
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News
U-2 spy plane uses artificial intelligence to control radar
The US Air Force for the first time used an artificially intelligent algorithm program, called ARTUµ, to control the radar on a Lockheed U-2 spy plane.
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News
Air Force Research Lab demos ‘record-breaking’ scramjet and ‘high-speed’ warhead
The US Air Force Research Laboratory completed a series of “record-breaking tests” of a scramjet engine in November. The laboratory also finished sled testing a new ‘high-speed’ warhead technology.
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News
F-22, F-35A and XQ-58A attempt airborne data sharing via gatewayONE
The US Air Force F-22 Raptor, F-35A Lightning II and Air Force Research Laboratory XQ-58A Valkyrie flew in formation for the first time on 9 December at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona.
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News
Boeing, General Atomics and Kratos to fly USAF Skyborg prototypes in 2021
The US Air Force has awarded contracts to Boeing, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and Kratos Unmanned Aerial Systems to build and fly Skyborg prototypes as loyal wingman unmanned air vehicles in a series of experiments.
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News
Boeing starts building T-7A Red Hawk simulators
Boeing has started to assemble the first two weapon system trainers and an operational flight trainer for the US Air Force T-7A Red Hawk advanced jet trainer.
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News
Lockheed Martin moves to connect USAF F-35 simulators in USA and UK in 2021
Lockheed Martin plans to connect full-mission simulators in the USA and in the UK at RAF Lakenheath through a software upgrade starting in 2021, allowing US Air Force pilots to virtually train with one another across international borders.
