All United States Air Force articles – Page 2
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NewsRussian Su-35 nearly collides with US F-16 during Alaska intercept
In a move being decried as unsafe and unprofessional by the Pentagon, a Russian air force Su-35 fighter passed dangerously close to a US Air Force F-16 whilst the American jet was shadowing a Russian long-range bomber off the coast of Alaska.
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In depthCould the US Air Force restore electronic attack fighter capability?
The US Air Force has not operated a dedicated offensive electronic-attack fighter since 1998 when the service retired its EF-111 Ravens, but service leaders now appear to be embracing electronic warfare as a central aspect of modern air combat operations.
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NewsUS Air Force to retire final KC-10 tanker
After more than 40 years of service, the US Air Force is retiring its final Boeing KC-10 Extender aerial refueller, which is being replaced by the newer Boeing KC-46 Pegasus.
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NewsBoeing defence chief Ted Colbert departs company
Ted Colbert, chief executive of Boeing Defense, Space & Security, is leaving the aerospace manufacturer in what could be the first sign of a major senior leadership overhaul under new CEO Kelly Ortberg.
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NewsL3Harris exploring intelligence and crisis-response roles for Armed Overwatch turboprop
Amid criticism from government auditors, the US Special Operations Command and contracter L3Harris are expanding the potential capabilities of the new OA-1K close-air support turboprop to include more intelligence collection and electronic warfare.
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NewsUSAF’s first autonomous combat jets will act as air-to-air ‘missile trucks’ for crewed fighters
The first batch of autonomous “Collaborative Combat Aircraft” being developed for the US Air Force will primarily be tasked with carrying extra precision munitions aloft, with other combat functions coming in subsequent designs.
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NewsUS Air Force Ospreys will return to combat duty in coming weeks
The Bell-Boeing CV-22 tiltrotors will soon return to combat duty, 10 months after a deadly crash in 2023 killed eight special mission airmen and grounded the USA’s entire Osprey fleet.
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NewsPentagon releases test footage of new B-21 stealth bomber in flight
Officials with the US Air Force and Northrop Grumman say a test version of the next-generation stealth bomber is currently flying up to two sorties per week, with two more examples being used for ground testing.
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In depthUS Air Force to shake up fleet modernisation programmes in coming months
The service’s top civilian official says the US Air Force soon plans to announce major changes to its most-significant new aircraft development programmes, including to its sixth-generation air superiority platform, a low-observable tanker and low-cost autonomous fighters.
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In depthAnduril unveils low-cost Barracuda cruise missile designed for ‘hyper-scale’ production
The US defence start-up plans to develop a line of long-range precision munitions called Barracuda that are being designed for simplicity and rapid production at a mass scale.
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In depthRaytheon eyes F-22 modernisation amid US pause on sixth-generation fighter development
With senior US Air Force officials pausing to re-evaluate development of a sixth-generation fighter, defence contractors are eyeing potential modernisation opportunities for the service’s current air superiority platform – the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor.
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NewsRaytheon integrating air-to-air missiles into uncrewed fighter prototypes
The munitions producer says it is working with uncrewed aircraft designers Anduril and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, both of which are under contract by the US Air Force to deliver flight-capable prototypes of what the service calls Collaborative Combat Aircraft.
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NewsUS F-35As complete first-ever European roadway landing
Two UK-based Lockheed Martin F-35A stealth fighters from the US Air Force have completed the service’s first fifth-generation roadway landings in Europe, during NATO training exercises in Finland.
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NewsNorthrop aims to put F-16 survivability ‘on a par’ with fifth-generation fighters
The Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite is designed to provide the Lockheed Martin F-16 multi-role fighter expanded protection against modern air defences by disrupting the ability of enemy targeting radars to track the jet.
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NewsFirst EA-37B reports for frontline service in boost to USAF’s electronic attack capabilities
The US Air Force’s frontline headquarters – Air Combat Command – has received its first EA-37B Compass Call electronic attack aircraft.
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In depthUS Air Force continues withdrawal of older F-15s from Japan
With production of Boeing’s latest F-15EX variant ramping up, the US Air Force is continuing to reassign ageing F-15C/D Eagle fighters from forward bases in Japan, which is set to receive the newer and more-capable Eagle II.
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NewsUSAF steps up to provide Ukraine F-16s with EW support
The US Air Force has provided electronic warfare (EW) assistance to Ukraine to support its deployment of Lockheed Martin F-16s.
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NewsUSAF KC-46 suffers emergency during refuelling flight
While the US Air Force has not specified the nature of the issue, unverified photos on social media show the aircraft on the ground with a severed fuel-transfer boom.
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NewsUS and South Korea launch 2,000 sorties in ‘largest-ever’ fighter drills
Dubbed Ulchi Freedom Shield, the five-day exercise over the Korean Peninsula includes a staggering 2,000 sorties during 120h of continuous flying.
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NewsB-2 stealth bombers make surprise appearance in Australia
Northrop Grumman B-2 stealth bombers from the US Air Force completed a transpacific flight from their base in the USA, making a night landing at a Royal Australian Air Force Base in Queensland on 16 August.