All United States Air Force articles
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NewsGrid Aero’s Lifter Lite uncrewed cargo aircraft makes runway appearance alongside C-130
California-based start-up Grid Aero has begun ground testing its Lifter Lite uncrewed cargo aircraft, less than a year after publicly unveiling the twin-engined turboprop design intended as a companion to the Lockheed Martin C-130 transport.
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NewsMH-139 logs first convoy flight providing security to US Air Force nuclear missiles
The US Air Force’s Boeing MH-139 Grey Wolf has commenced operational nuclear security duties, completing its first convoy escort mission protecting intercontinental ballistic missile sites at Malmstrom AFB, Montana on 8 January.
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NewsNorthrop to develop uncrewed fighter for USMC based on Kratos XQ-58
Northrop Grumman has secured a US Marine Corps (USMC) contract to develop an uncrewed fighter jet based on the Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie, marking a significant win for the company’s autonomous aircraft efforts under the MUX TACAIR programme.
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NewsRare footage of RQ-170 stealth drone emerges from Venezuela raid
Social media footage appears to show a Lockheed Martin RQ-170 Sentinel operating from Puerto Rico during the US military’s recent operation to capture deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
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NewsBoeing secures $2bn contract to continue work on B-52 re-engining
The US Air Force funding will cover integration and testing of the Rolls-Royce F130 powerplant on two B-52H aircraft, marking a significant milestone in the effort to modernise the Cold War-era bomber for service into the 2060s.
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NewsNorthrop’s Talon jet receives prototype designation as YFQ-48A
Defence manufacturer Northrop Grumman has secured official US Air Force recognition for its Talon uncrewed jet, receiving the YFQ-48A prototype designation under the Collaborative Combat Aircraft programme as the service expands its autonomous fighter development efforts.
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NewsHanwha Systems wins F-15 cockpit display contract from Boeing
Boeing has selected South Korea’s Hanwha Systems to provide the Eagle Large Area Display for Seoul’s F-15K fleet and the US Air Force’s F-15EX, marking the Korean manufacturer’s first export of digital avionics equipment.
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NewsUS Air Force to equip X-62 fighter with PhantomStrike radar for AI combat testing
The US Air Force will install Raytheon’s PhantomStrike active electronically scanned array radar on its X-62 VISTA test aircraft, advancing autonomous combat capabilities as the service develops artificial intelligence systems for future uncrewed fighters.
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In depthMaterial failure involved in more than half of serious Osprey safety incidents since 2021
A multi-year review conducted the US military’s airworthiness authority for the V-22 tiltrotor found that out of 12 Class A mishaps in recent years, seven featured material failure as a causal or contributing factor.
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NewsJetBlue A320 crew startled by encounter with ‘unseen’ military tanker north of Venezuela
A JetBlue Airbus A320 crew reported a close encounter with a US Air Force tanker aircraft operating without an active transponder during climb-out from Curacao on 12 December, forcing the commercial flight to halt its ascent.
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In depthT-38C phase out begins as USAF flight school receives first T-7A trainer
The US Air Force’s Air Education and Training Command has received its first Boeing T-7A Red Hawk trainer jet, marking a significant milestone in the service’s efforts to modernise pilot training and replace its ageing fleet of Northrop T-38C Talon aircraft.
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NewsUS Air Force begins testing new radar for B-52 bomber
The US Air Force has begun evaluating a new active electronically scanned array radar system for its B-52H bomber fleet, with testing now underway at Edwards AFB following delivery of the first modified aircraft from Boeing’s San Antonio facility.
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NewsUS lawmakers approve 84% funding cut to US Navy’s F/A-XX sixth-generation fighter
Lawmakers in Washington are supporting a Trump Administration plan to provide only minimal funding to the US Navy’s F/A-XX sixth-generation fighter programme, instead favouring the US Air Force’s F-47.
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NewsCongress moves to protect E-7A Wedgetail programme from cancellation
Lawmakers in the US Congress are taking legislative action to prevent the Trump Administration from cancelling the US Air Force’s Boeing E-7A Wedgetail acquisition programme, overriding opposition from the White House, which favours space-based alternatives.
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NewsDamaged B-2 stealth bomber returns to frontline duty after four-year repair from landing gear collapse
B-2 tail number 89-0129 has been restored to flight status after extensive repairs to damage caused by a landing gear collapse in 2021, boosting the USAF’s limited stealth bomber capability.
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NewsNorthrop Grumman reveals Talon autonomous fighter design
Northrop Grumman has unveiled its Talon concept for an uncrewed fighter aircraft seemingly based on the Scaled Composites Model 437 low-cost jet.
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NewsUS Air Force takes delivery of 100th KC-46A tanker
The milestone delivery comes as the Air Mobility Command is increasingly relying on KC-46As to support frontline military operations across the globe.
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NewsThunderbirds F-16 crashes during California training flight
A Lockheed Martin F-16 from the US Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration team has crashed during a training flight in California, with the pilot ejecting safely and remaining in stable condition.
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NewsElectra launches defence unit targeting military applications for EL9 ‘ultra-short’ concept
US aircraft developer Electra has established a dedicated defence business unit to pursue military applications for its EL9 ultra-short take-off and landing concept, appointing former Boeing executive Donn Yates as general manager.
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NewsUS Air Force inks $2.4bn contract with Boeing for KC-46A Lot 12
Boeing has secured a $2.4 billion US Air Force contract for 15 KC-46A Pegasus aerial refuellers under production Lot 12, with deliveries expected to be complete by mid-2029.