Business
Pentagon keeping $5M per jet until Lockheed finishes F-35 upgrade
Lockheed issues small upgrade to TR-3, but full capability remains some time away.
Science & Tech
Ukraine’s F-16s are fighting with help from a USAF electronic-warfare unit
A U.S. Air Force squadron reprogrammed the jets' EW gear before delivery—and expects to upgrade them as needed.
Business
Lockheed aims to churn out dozens of F-16 pilots per year at new training center
COO talks potential Ukraine support, European expansion.
Threats
The Air Force wants to build lots of bases around the Pacific. But it still needs to determine how to protect them.
The service is collaborating with the Army to find solutions.
Threats
Air Force announces new Pacific exercise to test how it would fight China
The service is in the midst of a “reoptimization” effort to prepare for future high-end conflict.
Business
F-35 performance-based logistics deal is dead—for now
Pentagon balks at moving away from fix-on-demand arrangement during global uncertainty.
Threats
Replicator passes a milestone as some troops complete training with cheap new drones
DepSecDef says the systems will be a formal part of the 2026 budget.
Business
Air Force-facilitated arms export sales reach all-time high
“Business is booming,” particularly for fighter jets, officials say.
Defense Systems
Air Force aims to replace its insecure VIP flight scheduling system
The service wants a cloud-based app that can handle double the Pentagon's existing fleet of 66 VIP aircraft.
Business
The plan to keep B-52s flying is getting even pricier
The Air Force has brought in a former Pentagon official to help negotiate with Boeing.
Business
Defense One Radio, Ep. 160: The 2024 Farnborough airshow
We revisit some of the bigger takeaways from this year’s Farnborough International Airshow.
Threats
Failed gearbox, crew decisions caused fatal Osprey crash, Air Force says
Eight special operations airmen died when the aircraft went down off the coast of Japan last year.
Business