AFA Air, Space & Cyber Conference 2026

The U.S. Space Force expects to imminently award follow-on contracts for the Resilient-GPS (R-GPS) program.

The current structure for U.S. Air Force base defense is simply not enough to protect bases and aircraft. So the service announced it is taking multiple steps to address it.

A longevity, thrust and fuel efficiency upgrade for the Lockheed Martin F-35 has passed a risk reduction design review milestone, Pratt & Whitney says.

Aviation Week Pentagon Editor Brian Everstine outlines the key features of Sierra Nevada Corp.’s (SNC) Battery Revolving Adaptive Weapons Launcher-Reconfigurable (Brawlr) system.

A mock-up of the Anduril FQ-44 Fury Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) is on show at AFA Air, Space & Cyber Conference 2026.

Aviation Week editors Christine Boynton, Vivienne Machi and Steve Trimble discuss the highlights from the first day of AFA Air, Space & Cyber Conference.

As the Golden Dome’s command-and-control system takes form, senior U.S. military leaders see a key role for artificial intelligence.

The U.S. Air Force expects to power on the first new Air Force One this calendar year ahead of first flight next year.

The U.S. Air Force has set a goal to field 1,000 new autonomous aircraft by 2032 along with tens of thousands of low-cost, long-range munitions.

The U.S. has weapons in space, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink announced Sept. 14, without disclosing whether they are kinetic or non-kinetic.

U.S. Air Force special operators confirmed on Sept. 14 that a new low-cost cruise missile launched from a Lockheed Martin AC-130J met operational requirements during a recent test.

Northrop Grumman has dropped out of its partnership to help build the U.S. Navy’s next-generation jet trainer as it awaits a decision by the service.

Swarm Aero unveiled the Gamera UAS on the opening day of the Air, Space and Cyber conference, revealing the product of a nearly five-year, largely secret effort to offer the U.S. Air Force a replacement for the MQ-9A Reaper.

Textron and Merlin announced an autonomous Cessna SkyCourier concept to fulfill the military's requirement for airlifters capable of operating in contested airspace.

Lockheed Martin now plans to build five prototypes of its Skunk Works-designed Vectis Collaborative Combat Aircraft.

For decades, the Pentagon has pursued Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control (CJADC2), linking every service's sensors and shooters so data reaches warfighters in time to matter.

Leonardo DRS helps pilots and aircrews train with realism—anywhere, anytime.

Editors gather on the eve of the AFA's Air, Space & Cyber Conference to discuss what the key themes will be at this year's event.

The U.S. Air Force has activated a new unit specifically dedicated to standing up operations with the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider at its first operating base.

The company’s point-to-point delivery vehicle hits a key milestone.

AI-enabled systems routinely fly mock dogfights between fighters within visual range of each other. The next step is to unlock air combat beyond visual range.

GE Aerospace is overcoming supply chain bottlenecks and introducing wholesale production system improvements to accelerate fighter, trainer and helicopter engine assembly.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. released the first renderings of the proposed Wildfire UAS, revealing a configuration that the company hopes will gain support from the U.S. Air Force.

Eagle Crest brings all F-15 procurement and modernization into one indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity vehicle.

After losing dozens of Reapers in Iran, the Air Force aims for its next medium-altitude surveillance aircraft to be simpler and cheaper.