All United States Air Force articles – Page 5
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NewsBoeing MH-139 nuclear security helicopter begins operational service
An operational US Air Force unit has for the first time received one of the new Grey Wolf helicopters which will replace the Bell UH-1N in supporting physical security at the service’s nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missile silos.
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In depthPentagon to resume Osprey flights, despite unanswered questions around fatal crash
Although the US military now knows what caused the fatal crash of a Bell-Boeing V-22 tiltrotor last November, the airworthiness authority for the type still does not know why the deadly failure occurred, even as it plans to restart flight operations.
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NewsUSAF deepens cooperation with Sweden on eve of NATO integration
Washington and Stockholm launched joint air combat drills involving American B-1B heavy bombers and Swedish Gripen fighters as the Nordic country completes the long-delayed process of officially joining the transatlantic military alliance.
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NewsBoeing nears delivery of first combat-configuration F-15EXs
Boeing has already delivered six examples of the latest F-15 variant to the US Air Force in an operational test configuration, with tail numbers seven and eight marking the first combat-configured aircraft.
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NewsUSAF teases export potential for future autonomous fighters
Speaking at the Singapore air show, the top procurement official for the US Air Force said subsequent versions of the autonomous fighter aircraft currently being developed could be eligible for sale to overseas customers.
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In depthCollins preparing to test ACES 5 ejection seat for F-15E integration
The latest combat ejection seat from Collins will provide generational improvements to the company’s Cold War-era ACES II system, which is featured in numerous fighter and bomber aircraft.
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NewsMerlin to develop autonomous KC-135 flight capabilities with USAF
Autonomous flight technology company Merlin has an agreement with the United States Air Force (USAF) to work toward uncrewed operations of the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker.
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NewsBAE to provide additional electronic warfare packages for new Compass Call aircraft
Based on a Gulfstream G550 business jet and bearing the designation EA-37B, the electronic warfare aircraft will replace the previous EC-130 Compass Call platform that was based on a cargo transport.
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NewsBoeing pushes delivery of fourth T-7A to February
Boeing has delayed the delivery of the US Air Force’s fourth new trainer jet after quality control checks found components supplied by a sub-contractor failed to meet the company’s standards.
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NewsUSAF special operations test air-launching small UAVs from MQ-9A
The recent demonstrations saw an Anduril Altius 600 deployed from a General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9A Reaper while in flight, as the US Air Force seeks to expand its ability to operate in a contested environment.
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NewsPentagon releases photos of intercontinental B-1B combat mission
An unspecified number of Boeing B-1B long-range bombers flew an intercontinental combat mission from Dyess AFB in Texas to strike targets in Syria and Iraq on 2 February, as the USA began a retaliatory air campaign against militant groups involved in the deaths of three US Army personnel in Jordan.
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NewsBeta completes USAF electric aircraft test deployment
During the three months of evaluations with the US Air Force, airframer start-up Beta says one of its all-electric Alia aircraft demonstrated its ability to support a range of operations, including casualty evacuation, logistics resupply and personnel transport.
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NewsBoeing reveals flight of first production-model MH-139
Without providing a specific date, Boeing says it completed assembly of the first production-model MH-139A Grey Wolf nuclear-site security helicopter in late December, with the first flight of that aircraft following shortly after.
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NewsAdditional US manufacturers join USAF autonomous fighter effort
Three additional aerospace manufacturers – Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman – have confirmed they will participate in a US Air Force effort to develop autonomous fighter jets known as collaborative combat aircraft.
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NewsCost overruns on B-21 development generate $1.5bn charge for Northrop
While company executives previously predicted that early stages of B-21 development and production would lose money, the substantial $1.56 billion charge from the US government related to cost overruns led Northrop to post a loss in the final quarter of 2023.
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NewsAnduril selected for USAF autonomous fighter programme
The artificial intelligence-focused defence technology start-up, which recently acquired autonomous fighter developer Blue Force Technologies, will be among five companies advancing so-called collaborative combat aircraft.
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NewsNorthrop approved to begin low-rate production on B-21
The decision comes after the first prototype of the next-generation stealth bomber has completed at least two successful flights.
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NewsB-21 completes second known test flight
The next-generation US Air Force stealth bomber being developed by Northrop Grumman made its first flight in November from a test centre in Palmdale, California.
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NewsUSAF tests rapid fighter deployment with Bahrain
Military planners at the Pentagon and regional headquarters around the world are exploring methods for maintaining the sortie generation needed to establish air superiority without relying on large, established airfields that are easier for adversaries to target – a concept known as agile combat employment.
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NewsUSAF crew ejects from B-1B in South Dakota crash
All four crew aboard a US Air Force Boeing B-1B supersonic bomber safely ejected from a crash on Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota, for which the cause is not yet known.