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

Red 6 Closes Series B Financing For AR-Aided Pilot Training

By Steve Trimble Jun 02, 2023
The capital will support Advanced Tactical Augmented Reality System, which inserts synthetic images of objects, such as aircraft, on a pilot's display.
Light Attack and Advanced Training

Podcast: The Race To Replace The F-22 Raptor Begins

By Brian Everstine May 24, 2023
The U.S. Air Force plans to award a contract for a fighter aircraft to replace the F-22 Raptor in 2024.
Check 6

The Week In Defense, May 10-18, 2023

By Jen DiMascio May 10, 2023
U.S. hypersonic facilities need cash; China’s X-37B returns; Poland warms to Korea’s KF-21; and fleet retirement optimism.
Budget, Policy & Operations

Kendall Optimistic About OK From Congress For Fighter Cuts

By Steve Trimble May 09, 2023
The Air Force Secretary believes opposition has lessened as House Armed Services Committee panels are set to mark up the fiscal 2024 authorization bill.
Budget, Policy & Operations

Wilsbach Picked To Lead USAF’s Air Combat Command

By Brian Everstine May 04, 2023
U.S. Air Force Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach has been tapped to be the next commander of the service’s Air Combat Command.
Budget, Policy & Operations

U.S. Air Force Plans To Move Next-Gen Missile Into Production

By Brian Everstine May 02, 2023
The U.S. Air Force expects to move its next-generation air-to-air missile into production next year.
Missile Defense & Weapons

The Weekly Debrief: Will The B-21 Reach First Flight Faster Than Stealth Peers? No.

By Steve Trimble Mar 20, 2023
U.S. Air Force officials have not backed off predictions of a first flight coming later this year, but certain conditions and a note of doubt have creeped in.
Aircraft & Propulsion

Turkey’s Indigenous Fighter Performs Engine Runs, Rollout Plans Delayed

By Tony Osborne Mar 17, 2023
The first prototype of Turkey’s indigenous combat aircraft, TF-X, has begun engine runs, but a rollout planned for March 18 has been postponed.
Aircraft & Propulsion

F-22s Again Targeted For Retirement In USAF Budget

By Brian Everstine Mar 13, 2023
The U.S. Air Force is again asking for permission from Congress to retire hundreds of aircraft.
Budget, Policy & Operations

F-22s Operate From Tinian For First Time, Showcasing Agility

By Brian Everstine Mar 09, 2023
The U.S. Air Force recently deployed F-22s to a tiny, bare base in the Pacific for the first in a significant demonstration of its new agile operating concept.
Budget, Policy & Operations

USAF’s Advanced Tactical Trainer Effort Continues Following New RFI

Mar 09, 2023
The U.S. Air Force is pressing ahead on its desire for an Advanced Tactical Trainer.
Light Attack and Advanced Training

The Weekly Debrief: How A Phantom Works Project Fits The Secretive NGAD Profile

By Steve Trimble Feb 27, 2023
What is the “Voodoo II”? And why does the Voodoo II project’s special patch say “Two-0-Thunder”?
Aircraft & Propulsion

Spy Balloons And Mystery Objects Raise High-Altitude Awareness

By Steve Trimble Feb 24, 2023
A new level of scrutiny and investment is coming to high- and near-space altitudes following a bizarre series of ballooning incidents in February.
Budget, Policy & Operations

Northrop Starts Testing Self-Funded, Multifunction AESA Radar

By Steve Trimble Feb 23, 2023
The Electronically-Scanned Multifunction Reconfigurable Integrated Sensor is being developed to perform the functions of a radar, jammer and data link.
Sensors & Electronic Warfare

U.S. Air Force Overhauls Training To Prepare For Combat At Sea

By Brian Everstine Feb 23, 2023
Red Flag, the service’s most important combat training event, shifts to overwater for the first time in its 48-year history.
Budget, Policy & Operations

Biden Orders New Airspace Effort After Flying Object Shootdowns

By Steve Trimble Feb 17, 2023
The U.S. government will rewrite the rulebook for aerial objects flying over U.S. airspace, President Joe Biden said.
Sensors & Electronic Warfare

F-16 Downs Another Unidentified Object, 4th In 8 Days

By Brian Everstine Feb 13, 2023
Changes in radar restrictions in the wake of the Chinese balloon may be causing the surge in detections of unidentified objects in recent days, officials say.
Budget, Policy & Operations

F-22 Shoots Down Unidentified Flying Object Near Alaska

By Brian Everstine Feb 11, 2023
A U.S. Air Force F-22 shot down an unidentified flying object off the coast of Alaska on Feb. 10.
Budget, Policy & Operations

USAF Data Shows Readiness Worsening For Key, Aging Fleets

By Brian Everstine Feb 10, 2023
Several key U.S. Air Force aircraft saw their mission-capable rates drop in fiscal 2022 compared to the prior year.
Aircraft & Propulsion

Podcast: Hot Air Or High Tech? China’s Spy Balloon

Feb 10, 2023
Listen in as Aviation Week editors discuss a week of high drama, including the shootdown of China's balloon and the future of high-altitude surveillance.
Defense and Space

Balloon Shoot-Down Reveals New Insights On U.S., Chinese Capabilities

By Steve Trimble Feb 09, 2023
A bizarre, five-day saga revealed a new Chinese spy program, possible advances in light-than-air technology and new high-altitude skills for the F-22.
Missile Defense & Weapons

U.S. Fighter Shoots Down Chinese Balloon

By Brian Everstine Feb 04, 2023
President Joe Biden gave the go-ahead to down the balloon once it crossed over land and to the Atlantic Ocean, limiting potential damage from debris.
Defense and Space

GAO Report Details Lack Of Direction, Planning For USAF’s ABMS

By Brian Everstine Jan 17, 2023
The U.S. Government Accountability Office on Jan. 13 published a report taking stock of ABMS.
Sensors & Electronic Warfare

Lockheed Martin To Open Regional F-35 Spares Warehouse In Australia

Jan 15, 2023
The deal is worth A$1.6 million ($1.1 million) and will be part of the F-35 Global Sustainment System (GSS).
Budget, Policy & Operations