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
Heliplex Acquisition Advances Piasecki’s Hydrogen Plans
Piasecki Aircraft plans to convert the former Lockheed Martin Sikorsky Heliplex into an R&D center for next generation VTOL and UAS aircraft systems.
jen.dimascio@a… Fri, 06/02/2023 - 17:53
Primary Category

First Take, June 5, 2023

By Graham Warwick Jun 02, 2023
Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week. Primary Category: AEROSPACE
Aerospace

Time To Bring Back Looking Glass Mission, Congressman Argues

By Brian Everstine Jun 01, 2023
The U.S. Air Force should return to its Cold War-era practice of flying a nuclear command post 24/7, a key lawmaker argues. 
Budget, Policy & Operations

USAF Pilots To Finally Fly T-7s This Month, Boeing Says

By Brian Everstine Jun 01, 2023
U.S. Air Force test pilots will begin flying the T-7A Red Hawk this month.
Light Attack and Advanced Training

Opinion: Why It Is Time For The Blended Wing Body

By Kevin Michaels Jun 01, 2023
The BWB offers a number of advantages for both commercial and military applications.
Aircraft & Propulsion

First Aircraft Arrive In Germany For Deployment Exercise

By Tony Osborne May 31, 2023
The first aircraft participating in the Air Defender 2023 deployment exercise have touched down at German air bases.
Budget, Policy & Operations

U.S. Air Force’s Autonomy Prime Targets First Aircraft In 2024

By Graham Warwick May 26, 2023
The proving ground will use open-architecture testbeds to enable industry to flight-test autonomy technologies.
Aircraft & Propulsion

Want High-Speed Vertical-Takeoff-And-Landing Aircraft? Think Small.

By Graham Warwick May 26, 2023
The U.S. Air Force’s AFWerx High-Speed VTOL Concept Challenger produces mixed results.
Aircraft & Propulsion

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

Boeing’s MQ-28 Makes U.S. Debut

By Brian Everstine May 25, 2023
A Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat has arrived in the U.S. for testing.
Aircraft & Propulsion

Boeing’s Phantom Works To Build New Advanced Coatings Facility

By Brian Everstine May 25, 2023
Boeing will build a new manufacturing facility to focus on advanced coatings as part of a large push for upcoming secretive military programs.
Aircraft & Propulsion

USAF OKs Launch Of Massive Sentinel ICBM Construction Effort

By Steve Trimble May 24, 2023
A U.S. Air Force official has approved the start of a sprawling, multistate construction project to support the U.S. Air Force’s future ICBM program. 
Missile Defense & Weapons

BAE Wins Development Extension For Extended-Range Projectile

By Steve Trimble May 24, 2023
BAE Systems will continue developing a ramjet-powered, 155-mm artillery shell for the U.S. Army.
Missile Defense & Weapons

U.S. Air Force Sends Out Solicitation For F-22 Successor

By Steve Trimble May 24, 2023
A yearslong campaign to define a new U.S. air superiority fighter will reach a climax when a development contact is awarded in 2024.
Aircraft & Propulsion

USAF, Boeing In Early Discussions For MH-139 Change

By Brian Everstine May 23, 2023
Boeing has delivered four of the six aircraft ordered under the research, development, test and evaluation contract, with two more set to come this summer.
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

USAF’s CCA Plan Includes ‘A Lot of Work’ For Industry

By Brian Everstine May 19, 2023
The U.S. Air Force is designing its Collaborative Combat Aircraft program—uncrewed systems that will fly alongside future fighters—to be fielded in increments.
Aircraft & Propulsion

Can Boeing And Suppliers Keep The B-52J Transformation On Track?

By Steve Trimble May 19, 2023
Several upgrades are making the B-52 relevant for the 2030s and beyond, but they require sweeping changes to internal structures and electronics.
Aircraft & Propulsion

U.S. Air Force Plans NGAD Award In 2024

By Brian Everstine May 18, 2023
The U.S. Air Force plans to award a contract next year for its Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter.
Aircraft & Propulsion

T-7A Escape System, Software Fixes May Be Years Away

By Steve Trimble May 18, 2023
The Boeing T-7A could receive a limited military flight release this summer, but faces the risk of new schedule delays as software and escape concerns linger.
Light Attack and Advanced Training

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

Reliable Robotics Demonstrates Autonomous Flight In USAF Exercise

By Ben Goldstein May 17, 2023
Reliable Robotics has demonstrated autonomous takeoff, flight and landing of its retrofitted Cessna Caravan 208 aircraft for the U.S. Air Force.
Advanced Air Mobility

KC-46 Deliveries Still Paused; Boeing Hoping To Meet Overall 2023 Goal

By Brian Everstine May 17, 2023
Deliveries of the Boeing KC-46 tanker to the U.S. Air Force are still paused amid an ongoing problem with the aircraft’s fuel tanks.
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