All Department of the Air Force (USAF) articles – Page 16
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NewsUAVs could start replacing manned fighters in mid-2020s: USAF
As older Lockheed Martin F-16s approach the end of their service life five to eight years from now, the US Air Force (USAF) may consider replacing the manned fighters with attritable unmanned air vehicles (UAV).
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Lockheed Martin’s hypersonic ARRW passes critical design review
ARRW is to officially pass the milestone on 27 February and the US Air Force is pleased with the missile’s development progress, says Lockheed Martin.
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Kratos begins XQ-58A Valkyrie production, despite funding delay caused by mishap
Kratos Defense and Security Solutions has started building production examples of its XQ-58A Valkyrie attritable unmanned air vehicle, despite an investigation into an October 2019 mishap which delayed an expected contract from the US Air Force.
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General Atomics tests space laser communication system for MQ-9
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has successfully tested on the ground a space laser communication system that it intends to use to securely transfer data between its MQ-9 Reaper unmanned air vehicle and satellites.
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U-2 spyplane fleet gets new high-powered camera
The electro-optical and infrared camera is to provide more precise, long-range tracking of stationary or moving targets in a wider range of weather conditions.
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US Air Force retires aircraft and looks to future war in $169bn budget proposal for 2021
While the total is unchanged from years prior, the service is asking to increase research and development in order to meet upcoming threats from China and Russia by 2030.
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Boeing markets T-7 trainer in Asia, as it eyes first export deal
Boeing is pitching its T-7 to Asian militaries for the first time at the Singapore air show, as it seeks a first export deal for the advanced jet trainer.
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US Air Force wants commoditised F-16 for easier Foreign Military Sales
The US Air Force wants to develop a commoditised Lockheed Martin F-16 to make it easier for US allies and foreign partners to buy the combat aircraft.
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USAF trials pre-positioning war materiel across Pacific region
Caught between a growing US government fiscal deficit and an expanding military threat from China, the US Pacific Air Forces is looking for inexpensive ways to pre-position war materiel on islands across the Pacific Ocean.
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Australia approved to buy 200 Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles for F/A-18F Super Hornet
The US State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale of 200 Lockheed Martin Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASMs) for $990 million to Australia.
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US Special Operations plans to buy 75 light attack aircraft for Armed Overwatch
The US Special Operations Command plans on buying 75 fixed-wing aircraft for its just-announced Armed Overwatch programme.
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New B-21 image shows subtle changes from B-2A design
A new rendering released by the US Air Force (USAF) of the top-secret Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider shows subtle differences compared to its stealth bomber predecessor, the B-2A.
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XQ-58A Valkyrie expands flight envelope and safely recovered in fourth test
The AFRL says that the XQ-58A met all its test objectives and expanded its flight envelope, including flying at an undisclosed higher altitude as part of an effort to gather data in representative real-world flight conditions.
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X-60A hypersonic test vehicle completes rocket hot firings
The US Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) X-60A rocket recently completed engine test firings while on the ground at Cecil Spaceport in Jacksonville, Florida.
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Lockheed Martin delivers 134 F-35 stealth fighters in 2019
Lockheed Martin delivered 134 examples of its F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter in 2019 to the US military services, international development partners and Foreign Military Sales customers.
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America establishes sixth military branch: US Space Force
The US Space Force (USSF) was established as the sixth military branch of the US armed forces on 20 December 2019 when President Donald Trump signed the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act.
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Boeing KC-46A to resume cargo and passenger flights after cargo lock fixes
The US Air Force has lifted its ban on the Boeing KC-46A Pegasus in-flight refuelling tanker from carrying passengers and cargo after accepting a cargo lock retrofit from its manufacturer.
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USAF names ballistic missile security helicopter the MH-139A ‘Grey Wolf’
The US Air Force named its intercontinental ballistic missile base security and support helicopter, the Boeing MH-139A, the “Grey Wolf” on 19 December.
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USAF searches for Boeing E-4B aerial command center replacement
The US Air Force (USAF) has started searching for a new airborne command, control and communications operations center to replace the Boeing E-4B, and the service is asking US defence manufacturers for input.
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USAF Research Lab builds an ‘open source’ jet engine in 13 months
The US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) says it has designed, built and tested an “open source” engine in 13 months.
