Brian Everstine is the Pentagon Editor for Aviation Week, based in Washington, D.C. Before joining Aviation Week in August 2021, Brian covered the Pentagon for Air Force Magazine. Brian began covering defense aviation in 2011 as a reporter for Military Times. Over a decade as a defense journalist, he has reported from dozens of bases at home and abroad, including austere airstrips in Afghanistan, the cockpit of a B-52 over the South Pacific and the boom operator station of a KC-46. Before the military beat, Brian covered the Washington state legislature for the Associated Press.
Both of the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft prototypes are flying with mission autonomy as the service is preparing both for more intensive tests and production decisions.
The U.S. Air Force is focused on near-term tanker recapitalization—extending purchases of the Boeing KC-46 and planning minor situational awareness upgrades.
The USAF needs to press forward on modernizing its airlift fleet after being too slow on progress to replace its C-17 and C-5 fleet, a top official argues.
