U.S. Air Force (USAF)

By Brian Everstine
The U.S. Air Force will start replacing its C-37A/B executive airlift fleet with a newer variant starting in fiscal 2027.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Graham Warwick
A long-endurance uncrewed aircraft has been powered in flight via laser beam while conducting a surveillance mission during a demo on a U.S. Air Force range.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Brian Everstine
The U.S. Air Force plans to field 263 KC-46 refueling tankers to fully replace its KC-135 fleet, .
Multi-Mission Aircraft

Aviation Week Staff
News In Brief
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Steve Trimble
Several new programs have arisen to drive low-cost munitions into service more quickly and at higher volumes than ever before.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Graham Warwick
U.S. startup VerdeGo Aero has begun shipping its VH-4T turbine-based hybrid-electric powerplant to undisclosed customers to support ground and flight testing.
Advanced Air Mobility

By Ben Goldstein
Reliable Robotics has raised $160 million in new funding as it pushes toward certification of its autonomous flight system.
Advanced Air Mobility

By Steve Trimble
Northrop Grumman says a previously undisclosed company-owned test aircraft has been sold to the USAF as part of a B-21 Raider production acceleration pact.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Brian Everstine
The U.S. Air Force will keep two Fairchild Republic A-10 squadrons in service until 2030 to “preserve combat power.”
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
Official photos reveal a distinct similarity to the Zone 5 Technologies Rusty Dagger.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Brian Everstine
The Boeing 747 donated by the government of Qatar to serve as a future Air Force One for President Trump has begun flight testing, the U.S. Air Force confirms.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
The U.S. Air Force kicked off testing for the Anduril YFQ-44A prototypes assigned to the Experimental Operations Unit to help learn tactics and procedures for a new class of Collaborative Combat Aircraft now in development.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Vivienne Machi
Air Force leaders say on-orbit data proves space-based moving target indication works amid new contracts and a $7 billion push to field new satellites rapidly.
Budget, Policy & Regulation

By Vivienne Machi
The U.S. Air Force seeks a multiyear procurement framework for air- and spacecraft similar to recent munitions agreements.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Vivienne Machi
The Department of the Air Force has awarded the base contract for new space-based air moving target indication systems.
Satellites

By Steve Trimble
The U.S. Air Force is now looking at options for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance uncrewed aircraft in the “attritable” cost category.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
Air refueling testing has begun for the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider, the U.S. Air Force said late April 14.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
Aevex expands with 4,800 UAS orders under the Deep Strike program, fueling growth as Phoenix Ghost deliveries continue in EUCOM area.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Tony Osborne
USAF ferries MQ-9s across the Atlantic bypassing dismantling to save time, revealing stretched airlift capacity and operational urgency.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Brian Everstine
Sierra Nevada Co. begins modification and testing on 747s that will fly nuclear command and control for the next 50 years.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
The U.S. Air Force is exploring the addition of one-way attack drones to its arsenal, seeking domestically sourced designs that comply with U.S. technology policies and avoid reliance on Chinese components.
Sensors & Electronic Warfare

By Brian Everstine
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. said it paused operations with its YFQ-42A prototype following a mishap after takeoff at its airport in California.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
The U.S. Air Force launches a new missile program for standoff attack weapons, targeting advanced features and affordability for fielding by 2033.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Brian Everstine
U.S. Air Force combat search and rescue crews on April 3 were conducting a daring daylight mission to recover aircrew from a downed F-15E over Iran.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Guy Norris
One of the biggest unanswered questions about the F-47 combat aircraft remains the identity of the engine supplier and the specific propulsion system.
Aircraft & Propulsion