All United States Air Force articles – Page 10
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In depthRaytheon eyes F-22 modernisation amid US pause on sixth-generation fighter development
With senior US Air Force officials pausing to re-evaluate development of a sixth-generation fighter, defence contractors are eyeing potential modernisation opportunities for the service’s current air superiority platform – the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor.
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NewsRaytheon integrating air-to-air missiles into uncrewed fighter prototypes
The munitions producer says it is working with uncrewed aircraft designers Anduril and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, both of which are under contract by the US Air Force to deliver flight-capable prototypes of what the service calls Collaborative Combat Aircraft.
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NewsUS F-35As complete first-ever European roadway landing
Two UK-based Lockheed Martin F-35A stealth fighters from the US Air Force have completed the service’s first fifth-generation roadway landings in Europe, during NATO training exercises in Finland.
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NewsNorthrop aims to put F-16 survivability ‘on a par’ with fifth-generation fighters
The Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite is designed to provide the Lockheed Martin F-16 multi-role fighter expanded protection against modern air defences by disrupting the ability of enemy targeting radars to track the jet.
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NewsFirst EA-37B reports for frontline service in boost to USAF’s electronic attack capabilities
The US Air Force’s frontline headquarters – Air Combat Command – has received its first EA-37B Compass Call electronic attack aircraft.
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In depthUS Air Force continues withdrawal of older F-15s from Japan
With production of Boeing’s latest F-15EX variant ramping up, the US Air Force is continuing to reassign ageing F-15C/D Eagle fighters from forward bases in Japan, which is set to receive the newer and more-capable Eagle II.
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NewsUSAF steps up to provide Ukraine F-16s with EW support
The US Air Force has provided electronic warfare (EW) assistance to Ukraine to support its deployment of Lockheed Martin F-16s.
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NewsUSAF KC-46 suffers emergency during refuelling flight
While the US Air Force has not specified the nature of the issue, unverified photos on social media show the aircraft on the ground with a severed fuel-transfer boom.
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NewsUS and South Korea launch 2,000 sorties in ‘largest-ever’ fighter drills
Dubbed Ulchi Freedom Shield, the five-day exercise over the Korean Peninsula includes a staggering 2,000 sorties during 120h of continuous flying.
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NewsB-2 stealth bombers make surprise appearance in Australia
Northrop Grumman B-2 stealth bombers from the US Air Force completed a transpacific flight from their base in the USA, making a night landing at a Royal Australian Air Force Base in Queensland on 16 August.
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NewsMerlin launches aerial testing on KC-135 autonomous flight system
The autonomous flight start-up reveals it has completed three evaluation flights with the US Air National Guard, and hopes to conduct an in-flight demonstration of its autonomous Merlin Pilot system during 2025.
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NewsArcher delivers first Midnight aircraft to USAF
The electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle is the first of up to six that Archer intends to deliver to the service.
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NewsUSAF can no longer count on overseas bases for power projection
Top service leaders within the US Air Force say forward air bases can no longer be counted upon as sanctuaries for US forces in the era of modern conflict, and recently completed military exercises aimed to test new methods of generating combat sorties.
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NewsUSAF crew faulted for Ellsworth B-1B crash
The January incident at Ellsworth AFB resulted in the destruction of the $450 million bomber and a rare quadruple ejection of the crew, who were attempting to execute an instrument landing during poor weather.
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NewsUS, Canadian fighters intercept Russian and Chinese bombers off Alaska
The joint North American Aerospace Defense Command dispatched fighter aircraft from both the USA and Canada on 24 July to intercept a combined flight of bombers from Russia and China operating in international airspace around Alaska.
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In depthBoeing defence business seeks a return to engineering roots under Colbert
Ted Colbert, who took the helm of Boeing’s defence and space business in 2022, is seeking to return the company to its roots in engineering and manufacturing excellence, while also taking prudent risks for the future.
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NewsGE Aerospace exploring low-cost ‘disposable’ engines
Amid steady demand for existing propulsion systems, the defence unit of GE Aerospace is targeting development efforts on a series of next-generation technologies, including high-powered adaptive engines and small, low-cost solutions for uncrewed fighter jets.
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NewsUSAF plans to retire all T-1A trainers by 2026 and invest money saved in T-7A Red Hawks
The US Air Force (USAF) is attempting to retire its entire fleet of Beechcraft T-1A Jayhawks, including 101 T-1As used by its Air Education and Training Command, by 2026 to save money as part of the command’s undergraduate flight training transformation.
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NewsGeneral Atomics lands funding to continue XQ-67 development
The maker of uncrewed aircraft received an additional $9 million from the US Air Force Research Laboratory to continue development work of the experimental Off-Board Sensing Station jet, believed to be the basis for General Atomics’ bid for an autonomous aircraft capable of supporting crewed fighters.
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In depthWith deliveries underway, US pilots begin transitioning to F-15EX
With Boeing having delivered the first operational example of its latest F-15EX multi-role fighter, US Air Force pilots who previously flew the F-15C are beginning the process of transitioning to the new jet.