Proposed Bill Would Block U.S. Air Force Squadron Cuts

By Brian Everstine Jun 02, 2023
The proposal is called the Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act of 2023, introduced last month.
Budget, Policy & Operations

Westinghouse, Astrobotic Sign MOU To Explore Space Nuclear Tech

By Garrett Reim Jun 02, 2023
Westinghouse Electric Company and Astrobotic have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore development of space nuclear technologies.
Commercial Space

Debt Deal’s Defense Toplines Rankle Lawmakers; Supplemental Possible

By Brian Everstine Jun 01, 2023
The measure sets the fiscal 2024 DOD budget at $886 billion, about a 3.5% increase from the current budget. For fiscal 2025, it would increase to $895 billion.
Budget, Policy & Operations

Hermeus Receives First Pratt Engine For Hypersonic Darkhorse

By Guy Norris Jun 01, 2023
Aircraft startup Hermeus received the first military turbofan that will be integrated into the engine core for the hypersonic Darkhorse uncrewed aerial system.
Aircraft & Propulsion

New Aid Package For Ukraine Includes Patriot Munitions, AIM-7s

By Brian Everstine May 31, 2023
The Pentagon on May 31 announced a new batch of aid for Ukraine.
Budget, Policy & Operations

Biden Nominates Brown As Next Chairman Of Joint Chiefs

By Brian Everstine May 25, 2023
If confirmed, Brown would be the first Air Force chairman since 2005, replacing retiring U.S. Army Gen. Mark Milley in the role.
Budget, Policy & Operations

Denmark, Netherlands To Lead Ukraine F-16 Training

By Brian Everstine May 25, 2023
Denmark and the Netherlands will lead a group effort to train Ukrainian pilots on Lockheed Martin F-16s following a green light from the U.S.
Budget, Policy & Operations

Thailand Air Force Explains U.S. Rejection Of F-35 Sale

By Chen Chuanren May 25, 2023
The Royal Thai Air Force has provided an explanation for a recent report that the U.S. had rejected Thailand’s proposal to acquire Lockheed Martin F-35As.
Budget, Policy & Operations

Western Fighter Pledge Prompts Ukrainian Air Force Revamp

By Steve Trimble May 24, 2023
A promised supply of Western fighter jets has prompted a comprehensive review within Ukraine’s air force of its structure, training and logistics needs.
Aircraft & Propulsion

F-16s To Ukraine Will Take Several Months, Kendall Says

By Brian Everstine May 23, 2023
While the U.S. and its partners have agreed to start training Ukrainian pilots on Lockheed Martin F-16s, the jets’ delivery will take several months.
Budget, Policy & Operations

U.S. Air Force Agility Prime Tackles eVTOL Airspace, Infrastructure

By Graham Warwick May 18, 2023
The U.S. Air Force’s Agility Prime program has established airspace innovation and battery energy storage teams.
Aircraft & Propulsion

Wittman: Congress To Speed Up Collaborative Combat Aircraft

By Brian Everstine May 17, 2023
Capitol Hill is supportive of the Pentagon’s, and particularly the U.S. Air Force’s, plan to develop large numbers of uncrewed Collaborative Combat Aircraft.
Aircraft & Propulsion

Ukraine Claims It Downed More Kinzhals; Russia Says It Hit Patriot

By Brian Everstine May 16, 2023
Ukraine on May 16 again claimed it had downed a round of Russian hypersonic Kinzhal missiles.
Missile Defense & Weapons

Pentagon: Planned 2024 Aircraft, Ship Cuts Would Save $3.5 Billion

By Brian Everstine May 15, 2023
The Pentagon hopes to save $3.5 billion through its planned divestments of aircraft and ships across all services.
Budget, Policy & Operations

Industry Report Warns Of Limitations On Hypersonic Supply Base

By Brian Everstine May 11, 2023
The National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) released a report May 11 outlining the needs of the industrial base.
Missile Defense & Weapons

Archer Completes Final Assembly Of First Midnight Prototype

By Ben Goldstein May 11, 2023
Archer Aviation has announced the rollout of its first Midnight air taxi prototype.
Advanced Air Mobility

Austin Criticizes Senator’s Blanket Hold On Pentagon Nominees

By Brian Everstine May 10, 2023
Sen. Tommy Tuberville placed a hold on DOD nominations to protest a policy of the military reimbursing travel for service members who obtain abortions.
Budget, Policy & Operations

OMB Budget Changes Add Multiyear Weapons Buys For GMLRS, PAC-3

By Brian Everstine May 10, 2023
The White House’s Office of Management and Budget is modifying its recently submitted fiscal 2024 budget request.
Budget, Policy & Operations

Archer Forms Government Advisory Board To Support DOD Relationship

By Ben Goldstein May 10, 2023
Archer Aviation has announced the establishment of a new Government Services Advisory Board, staffed by a cadre of retired military officers.
Advanced Air Mobility

The Week In Defense, May 10-18, 2023

By Jen DiMascio May 10, 2023
U.S. hypersonic facilities need cash; China’s X-37B returns; Poland warms to Korea’s KF-21; and fleet retirement optimism.
Budget, Policy & Operations

Latest Batch Of Ukraine Aid Focused On Air Defense Integration

By Brian Everstine May 09, 2023
The U.S. military will provide another $1.2 billion in newly produced military aid for Ukraine.
Missile Defense & Weapons

Jacobs Engineering Spinning Off NASA, Military Businesses

By Michael Bruno May 09, 2023
CEO Bob Pragada said the corporate divorce will stand up two well-established publicly traded companies.
Supply Chain

Kendall Optimistic About OK From Congress For Fighter Cuts

By Steve Trimble May 09, 2023
The Air Force Secretary believes opposition has lessened as House Armed Services Committee panels are set to mark up the fiscal 2024 authorization bill.
Budget, Policy & Operations

Report Highlights Issues Facing DOD’s Hypersonic Test Infrastructure

By Brian Everstine May 08, 2023
The U.S. military’s top test facilities for hypersonic weapons are facing issues with equipment reliability and parts obsolescence.
Missile Defense & Weapons

The Weekly Debrief: Is Kinzhal Merely A Dagger Of The Mind?

By Steve Trimble May 08, 2023
President Vladimir Putin described the Kinzhal as the “most important” of the six modern weapon systems he revealed in a Kremlin speech on March 1, 2018.
Missile Defense & Weapons