All Department of the Air Force (USAF) articles – Page 7
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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.
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Pentagon joins with Australia to develop SCIFiRE, an air-breathing hypersonic missile
The US Department of Defense and Australian Department of Defence have joined to develop an air-breathing hypersonic missile called the Southern Cross Integrated Flight Research Experiment (SCIFiRE).
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Northrop, Boeing AEW&C work demonstrates open mission system potential
Northrop Grumman and Boeing have demonstrated an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar optimised as an open mission system connecting with an airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) system in recent ground and flight tests.
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US Air Force receives first two Sikorsky HH-60W combat rescue helicopters
The US Air Force received its first pair of Sikorsky HH-60W combat rescue helicopters at Moody AFB on 5 November.
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Area-I expanding air-launched effects portfolio with 1,000km-range drone
With recent successes under its belt, Area-I is developing an even larger air launched effect, called the Altius-900.
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Lockheed Martin to support JASSM-ER launch demonstrations from cargo aircraft
The US Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin a $25 million contract to help with the service’s Palletized Munitions Experimentation Campaign, an effort to test the feasibility of launching cruise missiles from the back of cargo aircraft.
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Boeing takes $67m loss on KC-46 tanker, but sees reason for optimism
Boeing has taken another multimillion dollar charge on the KC-46A Pegasus in-flight refueling tanker, but believes the programme is beginning to “clear the hurdle” in terms of how the US Air Force (USAF) views its manufacturing performance.
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DoD aims to set up performance-based logistics contract for A-10 Thunderbolt II
The US Defense Logistics Agency is researching ways to set up a performance-based logistics contract for the US Air Force Fairchild-Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II to reduce the time it takes to repair the ground attack aircraft.
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BAE Systems working on ‘Skyborg’ technology for USAF drone concept
The aerospace manufacturer expects to start working with the USAF in the first quarter of 2021 on system designs for “attritable” unmanned air vehicles.