U.S. Air Force (USAF)

By Brian Everstine
The U.S. Air Force plans to phase out older F-35s instead of upgrading them to the Block 4 standard.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Matthew Fulco
Leonardo DRS reported a jump in sales as CEO Bill Lynn announced he would exit the business at year-end.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Graham Warwick
U.S. startup Merlin has reached a milestone in the development of its Merlin Pilot autonomous flight system.
Advanced Air Mobility

By Vivienne Machi
With ambitions to become the “LAX of spaceports,” Vandenberg SFB is preparing for a new launch era.
Operations & Safety

By Graham Warwick
Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.
Aircraft & Propulsion

Aviation Week Network Staff
Readers write about lunar rovers, Chinese military naming conventions, the Boom Overture, and stealthy tankers. Plus: Behind the scenes at the French Embassy.
Aviation Week & Space Technology

By Brian Everstine
The latter part of 2025 is set to be a key time for the U.S. Air Force’s Northrop Grumman B-21 program.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Brian Everstine
Lockheed Martin has received a $233 million contract to deliver infrared search and track sensors to the U.S. Navy.
Sensors & Electronic Warfare

By Brian Everstine
The U.S. Air Force, faced with ongoing readiness issues across much of its fleet, has issued a call to aircraft owners who are near bases to help out.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Tony Osborne
The Netherlands has joined the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Brian Everstine
The U.S. Air Force is reversing course on a major plan to change its modernization process by not standing up a new command.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Vivienne Machi
SpaceX is now authorized to double its current annual launch cadence from Vandenberg SFB, California, and to launch its Falcon Heavy from the Western Range.
Launch Vehicles & Propulsion

By Garrett Reim
Pyka has unveiled a new, in-development UAV, the DropShip, that is focused on flying military logistics missions, including parachute dropping cargo.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
Collaborative Combat Aircraft may soon be coming to the U.S. Army’s acquisition plans.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Brian Everstine
A new, open-architecture air defense system has been evaluated by the U.S. military, and producer SNC is targeting the U.S. Air Force for adoption.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Tony Osborne
A Royal Air Force (RAF) acquisition of a Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) is likely to be a priority in the UK defense ministry’s upcoming Defense Investment Plan, a senior officer said.
Budget, Policy & Operations

Aviation Week Network Staff
Readers write about U.S. Navy pilot training, retirement of the Alenia C-27J, and health-conscious antennas. Plus: Behind the Scenes in Japan and Washington.
Aviation Week & Space Technology

By Vivienne Machi
The U.S. Air Force will need at least a decade to adopt new technology that can facilitate dynamic spectrum-sharing, Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, the service chief of staff nominee, said Oct. 9.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Steve Trimble
The nominee to become the U.S. Air Force’s next chief is committed to supporting airborne “domain awareness” programs.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Steve Trimble
The U.S. Air Force could start forming new squadrons filled exclusively with Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) at bases yet to be determined, the nominee for chief of staff said on Oct. 9.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Steve Trimble
Ukraine’s fleet of Lockheed Martin F-16A/B Block 15s could use an electronic warfare pod upgrade, U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) said Oct. 9.
Sensors & Electronic Warfare

By Brian Everstine
Lockheed Martin is exploring ways to bring autonomy into the cockpit of its venerable C-130 fleet to reduce pilot workload.
Multi-Mission Aircraft

By Brian Everstine
Faced with a persistent pilot shortage, the U.S. Air Force in 2022 set a demanding goal of training 1,500 pilots per year to chip away at the issue.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Brian Everstine
The U.S. Air Force is pressing to field a next-generation aerial refueling system by as soon as 2036, to justify production extension of the Boeing KC-46.
Multi-Mission Aircraft

By Vivienne Machi
U.S. Space Force Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy made waves when he disclosed that he wants refuelable space situational awareness satellites.
Budget, Policy & Operations