U.S. Air Force (USAF)

Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

The explosion that destroyed a Northrop Grumman solid rocket motor facility in Utah will not impact the company’s operations related to the Sentinel ICBM.

The C-130’s new role opens the door for a novel class of mass-produced, low-cost cruise missiles to enter U.S. and foreign weapon inventories.

A notice to industry calls for new technologies to integrate on USAF's upcoming Boeing E-7A Wedgetail fleet, while allowing for the possibility that the service could field another platform to serve the role.

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions has unveiled the second version of the XQ-58A Valkyrie.

Space Development Agency Director Derek Tournear will return to his post effective April 17.

Australian startup MicroTau is working with Delta Air Lines to test its drag-reducing riblet film on the Boeing 767.

The decision to avoid carrier-representative landings means less engineering and faster development.

Renowned aircraft designer Darold Cummings explores questions raised by Boeing’s F-47 NGAD design.

The U.S. Air Force and Viasat have reached a tentative resolution in a months-long lawsuit concerning a SDA-related contract award, court documents show.

The Trump administration’s next-generation military aircraft plans appear to be moving the U.S. away from global partnerships.

U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command has received the L3Harris/Air Tractor OA-1K Skyraider II.

A new U.S. Air Force unit creating a proving ground for autonomous combat aircraft hopes to take flight within the year.

Troy Meink, Trump's nominee for Air Force secretary, is looking to continue the service’s aircraft modernization push and increase the Space Force’s funding share.

Boeing has been awarded an $18.2 million contract by the U.S. Air Force to mature autonomous refueling.

Funding to help modify a glider to flight test ultraquiet, electric-ducted fans has been received by Whisper Aero .

Long-standing personnel and parts shortages are sidelining aircraft as service leaders call for more funding.

Multi-feedstock SAF production tested; Australian e-aircraft programs advance; ZeroAvia to study large hydrogen UAS; Vertiport design mitigates eVTOL downwash.

The Falcon 9 flight rate at Cape Canaveral SFS Space Launch Complex 40 is planned to be more than doubled by SpaceX.

The Navy now has no target date for its T-45 replacement award as it continues studies for carrier landing practice.

The U.S. Air Force’s next fighter is finally in development, with Boeing in the driver’s seat for a program with aggressive schedule and cost targets.

Secretary of the Air Force nominee Troy Meink told lawmakers the service’s fleet is “probably too small on the fighter and bomber side of the house.”

The USAF is debating whether to cancel a series of current and future contracts for the Space Development Agency and to use SpaceX-built assets instead.

Industry is being asked by the U.S. Air Force to submit ideas for a new countermeasure system that can defeat infrared-guided missiles and air vehicles.

Sustainability and decarbonization were front and center at the two-day “Airbus Summit” held in Toulouse on March 24-25.