Author Archive
Audrey Decker
Staff Writer
Business
F-35s are piling up on Lockheed tarmacs, presenting ‘unique’ risks to the Pentagon
The program is trying to quash bugs that force pilots to reboot in midair, GAO says.
- Audrey Decker
Policy
Air Force picks homes for expeditionary ‘Air Task Forces’
The new deployment model will get its first real-world test next year.
- Audrey Decker
Policy
House authorizers: cut F-35 purchases to fix problems
Their version of the defense policy bill would reduce the Pentagon’s 2025 purchase by 10 jets.
- Audrey Decker
Science & Tech
B-2 that caught fire in 2022 won’t be fixed, Air Force confirms
That will leave just 19 of the stealth bombers, according to the service’s new force-structure plan.
- Audrey Decker
Science & Tech
AI-powered F-16 impresses ride-along SECAF in dogfight
Air Force will deploy armed, automated aircraft around 2030, Kendall says.
- Audrey Decker
Threats
Hurricane Hunters are chasing more storms—and say they need more aircraft to do it
The reserve squadron is “spread thin” as it prepares for another busy hurricane season.
- Audrey Decker
Policy
‘Betrayal’: Air Guardsmen, governors pile on criticism of plan to move units to Space Force
The proposal is an “existential threat” to the Air National Guard, one commander says.
- Audrey Decker
Threats
Expect Air Force’s new requirements command to launch this year, chief says
Gen. Allvin says Integrated Capabilities Command will draw 500 to 800 people, many from major commands’ requirements offices.
- Audrey Decker
Threats
Chinese satellites are breaking the US 'monopoly' on long-range targeting
China “has rapidly advanced in space in a way that few people can appreciate,” Space Force official says.
- Audrey Decker
Threats
Russian space nuke could render low-Earth orbit unusable for a year, US official says
Pentagon’s space-policy leader noted with concern Moscow’s recent veto of a UN resolution against putting nuclear weapons in space.
- Audrey Decker
Policy
Everyone’s V-22s are flying again—and may do so past 2060
As all services emerge from March’s grounding, the program’s manager lays out long-term plans.
- Audrey Decker
Policy
Air Force declares major cost breach for new helicopter program
The service wants to halve its buy of the helicopter, which is driving up per-unit costs.
- Audrey Decker
Business
Pentagon canceled Northrop’s classified satellite program due to ‘budgetary concerns’
Its CEO also said the company won’t compete to build cheap, non-survivable drones.
- Audrey Decker
Business
Anduril, General Atomics win more USAF money to develop robot wingmen
But the giants they beat out are welcome to pitch self-developed drones for production contracts.
- Audrey Decker
Business
RTX moves away from competing as a prime for space contracts
COO: “We've got some other strengths in some of the key components that go in the prime satellites and buses.”
- Audrey Decker
Threats
China’s new stealth bomber ‘nowhere near as good’ as US’s, intel official says
U.S. could win a war with China today, but would suffer heavy losses, the official told reporters.
- Audrey Decker
Science & Tech
An AI took on a human pilot in a DARPA-sponsored dogfight
Last September's tests are informing the Air Force’s effort to build autonomous drones.
- Audrey Decker
Exclusive
Business
ULA has an ambitious plan to ‘reuse’ Vulcan rocket: keep it in space
The heavy-lift rocket’s upper stage might extend its service as a tug or defender.
- Audrey Decker
Policy
Ukraine doesn’t want A-10s, but another country might, Air Force secretary says
Could Poland or Romania be eyeing the USAF’s old Warthogs?
- Audrey Decker
Policy
F-35 deliveries could resume in July, but the new jets won’t be combat-ready for a year or more
Program officials also say they’ll “reimagine” their upgrade plan, with new delays for some capabilities.
- Audrey Decker