All Department of the Air Force (USAF) articles – Page 10
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NewsSecond Avenger gets FAA Experimental Certificate as UAV plays growing payload-testing role
A second General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Avenger Extended Range (ER) unmanned air vehicle (UAV) has received an Experimental Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration.
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NewsHypersonic boost-glide ARRW missile scheduled to fly this week
The US Air Force’s plans to flight test its boost-glide AGM-183A Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon this week for the first time.
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NewsGolden Horde collaborative bombs hit four targets simultaneously in test
The Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL’s) Golden Horde collaborative munitions programme had its first successful demonstration last week.
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NewsAFSOC open to UAVs for Armed Overwatch, but concerned about required manpower
The US Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) is open to considering unmanned air vehicles for its Armed Overwatch programme, but is concerned the unmanned aircraft would require too much manpower.
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NewsUSAF explains why fixed-price contract caused problems for Boeing KC-46A tanker
The US Air Force (USAF) believes that in hindsight the Boeing KC-46A Pegasus in-flight refuelling tanker, which has been plagued with delays, functionality problems and cost overruns, might have had less problems if it wasn’t on a fixed-price contract.
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NewsUSAF ponders Boeing E-3 Sentry replacement, some ask for Boeing E-7 Wedgetail
The US Air Force (USAF) is pondering replacing its Boeing E-3 Sentry airborne early warning and control aircraft and the commander of the Pacific Air Forces wants the Boeing E-7 Wedgetail.
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NewsUSAF to flight test Skyborg autonomous system at Orange Flag this summer
The US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) plans to flight test its Skyborg autonomous aircraft technology during Orange Flag exercises this summer for the first time.
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NewsUS Air Force Research Lab starts building airborne laser weapon
The US Air Force Research Laboratory is anticipating delivery later this month of the first major assembly of its Self-Protect High Energy Laser Demonstrator weapon.
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NewsLockheed Martin defends value of F-35 as USAF programme under new pressure
Lockheed Martin is defending the value of the F-35 stealth fighter as the US Air Force (USAF) is for the second time in two years considering buying a cheaper fourth-generation fighter aircraft for its fleet recapitalization plans.
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NewsUS Air Force begins retiring group of 17 B-1B bombers
In all, the service plans to retire 17 B-1B supersonic bombers to free maintenance funds and labour for the 45 examples of the aircraft that will remain in the fleet. The reduced fleet should also free up funds for buying the in-development Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider stealth bomber.
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NewsRolling updates planned for HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter
After the original US Air Force requirements for the HH-60W Jolly Green II were overtaken by new threats within less than a decade – even before the first example of the rotorcraft was delivered – manufacturer Sikorsky is aiming to update the service’s Combat Rescue Helicopter on a rolling basis.
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In depthUSAF to consolidate multiple aircraft roles into Armed Overwatch
The US Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) aims to consolidate multiple aircraft roles into its Armed Overwatch aircraft programme in order to save money on the War on Terror.
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NewsAfter more than $5bn in losses, can KC-46A become profitable?
The KC-46A programme is about $5.1 billion in the hole and there are questions about whether Boeing can make it profitable.
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NewsUS Air Force plans upgrade for brand-new Combat Rescue Helicopter worth up to $1bn
Less than a year after receiving its first pair of brand-new Sikorsky HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopters, the US Air Force (USAF) is planning to upgrade the type with new systems worth up to $981 million.
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NewsAir Force Research Laboratory holds wargame to assess impact of laser weapons
The US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) held a virtual wargame recently at Kirtland AFB in New Mexico to assess the impact of laser weapons on future air-to-air battles.
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NewsBoeing KC-46A losses exceed $1.3bn in 2020, biggest annual loss yet
Despite assurances last fall from Boeing’s chief executive that the KC-46A Pegasus in-flight refuelling tanker programme had turned a corner, the aircraft piled another $275 million loss on the company in the fourth quarter of 2020.
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NewsBoeing wins $2.1bn for 15 more KC-46A tankers, points to battle communications role
Boeing has won its second contract in 2021 for KC-46A Pegasus in-flight refuelling tankers from the US Air Force.
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NewsLockheed Martin F-35 deficiencies: two fewer in 2020, 871 issues remain
Lockheed Martin managed to reduce the total number of identified problems with its F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter by two in 2020 – though 871 deficiencies remain.
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NewsUSAF says it’s conducted first hot refuelling of a KC-135 Stratotanker
The US Air Force (USAF) says for the first time ever, in September 2020, it conducted an on-the-ground hot refuelling of the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker at Al Udeid air base in Qatar.
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NewsUS Air Force assesses bomb damage using synthetic aperture radar in test
The US Air Force tested the use of synthetic aperture radar for bomb damage assessment on 15 December 2020 at Nellis AFB in Nevada.