Defense Systems

KC-135 crash in Iraq spurs calls for communications upgrades

Almost half of the Air Force's oldest tanker fleet lacks real-time battlefield connectivity systems.

  • Thomas Novelly
Threats

A-10s are striking Iranian boats. Some say it’s a ‘wake-up call’ to stop the Warthog’s retirement.

Last year, Congress paused the aircraft’s retirement. Now it’s flying in Operation Epic Fury.

  • Thomas Novelly
Threats

Anduril: new factory will start making drone wingman in just ‘days’

The Ohio manufacturing facility is to open months ahead of schedule.

  • Thomas Novelly
Policy

Aircrew who died in KC-135 crash likely lacked parachutes

The Air Force removed chutes from the tankers in 2008 to save time and money.

  • Thomas Novelly
Threats

The D Brief: 6 die in tanker crash; Russia’s US-war windfall; Iran’s industry ‘functionally defeated’; Escorts for Hormuz vessels?; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson, Bradley Peniston, Meghann Myers and Lauren C. Williams
Threats

Iran’s defense industrial base is ‘functionally defeated’: Hegseth

“Bad things can happen,” defense secretary says of Thursday’s KC-135 crash over Iraq

  • Meghann Myers
Defense Systems

Fighter jets are downing Iranian drones—a dangerous, expensive mission

Former pilots laud the arrival of cheap munitions and help from Ukraine.

  • Thomas Novelly
Threats

The D Brief: War aims keep shifting; First week’s cost; ‘Ruthless’ JAG review; Ukraine’s China-free drones; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston
Defense Systems

B-21 spotted in aerial-refueling test flights

The milestone follows a top commander’s warning about aging tankers supporting the new bomber.

  • Thomas Novelly
Defense Systems

B-1, B-52 bombers join Trump’s war on Iran

Modernized 20th-century aircraft are still crucial for the conflicts of today and tomorrow, aviation experts say.

  • Thomas Novelly
Threats

The D Brief: War on Iran; Retaliation throughout the Gulf; Friendly fire downs F-15s; Anthropic ejected from federal service; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston
Threats

First 24 hours of Trump's war on Iran, by the numbers

As of Sunday morning, three service members have been killed and five wounded in Operation Epic Fury.

  • Thomas Novelly
Threats

The D Brief: Anthropic says no to DOD; Afghanistan-Pakistan war; Ukraine tactics update; US laser downs DHS drone; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston
Threats

The D Brief: Reports: Caine has concerns; USAF mobility chief; Senators seek boat-strike info; Arrest in China-training case; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson and Thomas Novelly
Defense Systems

USAF ‘woefully behind’ on modernizing mobility aircraft, airlift commander says

Pushing aging aircraft decades past their service life is the emerging service strategy.

  • Thomas Novelly
Threats

The D Brief: SOTU quiet on policy; Defense tech’s European shift; Ukraine war in 10 charts; Cockpit AI evades ‘missile’; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston
Science & Tech

Air Force test pilots used tactical AI to evade a missile

A Skunk Works project pushed pilots to give artificial intelligence control in the cockpit.

  • Thomas Novelly
Business

An Air Force drone wingman has started flying with weapons

Anduril’s collaborative combat aircraft began “captive carry" testing last month.

  • Thomas Novelly
Business

Air Force reaches deal with Northrop to expand B-21 production

The Pentagon wants to spend $4.5 billion in bomber-related reconciliation funds this year alone.

  • Thomas Novelly
Exclusive Business

Replacement B-52 test engine deliveries expected in 2027

The new F130 engines aim to keep the Cold War-era bomber flying through the 2050s.

  • Thomas Novelly
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