U.S. Air Force (USAF)

The flight comes about two months after its competitor for CCA Increment 1, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., notched the first flight of its YFQ-42A.

Wilsbach will replace Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin, who announced in September he would retire just two years into a typical four-year term.

The U.S. Air Force is only set, for now, to pair Collaborative Combat Aircraft with the Lockheed Martin F-22.

An official new report lays out the U.S. Air Force plan to comply with minimum fighter force levels set by Congress fiscal 2030.

The U.S. Air Force plans to phase out older F-35s instead of upgrading them to the Block 4 standard.

Leonardo DRS reported a jump in sales as CEO Bill Lynn announced he would exit the business at year-end.

U.S. startup Merlin has reached a milestone in the development of its Merlin Pilot autonomous flight system.

With ambitions to become the “LAX of spaceports,” Vandenberg SFB is preparing for a new launch era.

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

Readers write about lunar rovers, Chinese military naming conventions, the Boom Overture, and stealthy tankers. Plus: Behind the scenes at the French Embassy.

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

Lockheed Martin has received a $233 million contract to deliver infrared search and track sensors to the U.S. Navy.

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.

The Netherlands has joined the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.

The U.S. Air Force is reversing course on a major plan to change its modernization process by not standing up a new command.

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.

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

Collaborative Combat Aircraft may soon be coming to the U.S. Army’s acquisition plans.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The nominee to become the U.S. Air Force’s next chief is committed to supporting airborne “domain awareness” programs.

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.

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.