Defense Systems

Air Force’s AI ambitions mean simplifying its tangle of networks

Over the next year, battle-networks chief aims to reduce systems to a “rational number.”

  • Lauren C. Williams
Threats

China, China, Chi—wait, what? Air Force mulls next steps amid homeland focus

Officials tout applicability of ongoing modernization, but experts and former officials have doubts.

  • Thomas Novelly
Business

Defense One Radio, Ep. 194: Highlights from AFA's Air, Space & Cyber Conference

Our editors explore the dominant themes from this year's edition.

  • Defense One Staff
Threats

‘We need to be ready to go’: AFSOC preps for potential Caribbean missions

AFSOC held a long-planned exercise on St. Croix just days before the first U.S. strike on an alleged drug boat.

  • Thomas Novelly
Policy

Foreign ties are crucial to US space dominance, officials say

More partnerships, tighter alliances are needed to counter advances by China and others, U.S. space leaders said.

  • Lauren C. Williams
Threats

The D Brief: Trump’s Ukraine reversal; Russian refineries, hit; China’s missiles; Iran’s rebuilding effort; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston
Threats

The D Brief: China’s global challenge; NATO on Russian incursions; Estonia’s requests; Germany’s big arms plan; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston
Threats

The China threat goes beyond the Pacific, intel chiefs say

Air and Space Force intelligence chiefs warn of China’s global influence as military partnerships flourish.

  • Lauren C. Williams
Defense Systems

F-47’s first flight expected in 2028

That’s a year earlier than Air Force officials have previously said Boeing's sixth-gen combat aircraft might take wing.

  • Thomas Novelly
Business

Anduril blames CCA delay on push for ‘semi-autonomous’ first flight

Air Force officials, who expected the milestone over the summer, now anticipate it by mid-October.

  • Thomas Novelly
Threats

The D Brief: Another boat strike; Russian jets over Estonia; F-47’s new flight date; Shutdown watch; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston
Business

Lockheed’s Skunk Works unveils work on a potential CCA competitor

Officials say multipurpose Vectis drone is to fly by 2027, have “Indo-Pacific” range.

  • Thomas Novelly
Threats

The D Brief: AFSOC’s Caribbean exercise; NATO’s new Ukraine aid-pool; Saudi-Pakistani pact; Back to Bagram?; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston
Threats

AFSOC exercise brings concept created for great-power conflict to the Caribbean

Last month, U.S. forces “seized” a St. Croix airport in a demonstration of the Agile Combat Employment maneuver scheme.

  • Thomas Novelly
Threats

The D Brief: U.S. troops observe Zapad drills; Air Force’s future; Jokes about killing; Cost of Guard’s DC mission; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston
Ideas

Returning the Air Force to its expeditionary roots

Agility and innovation helped win WWII. They will be essential for the next conflict.

  • Lt. Gen. David A. Harris
Threats

The D Brief: Troops sent to a new US city; VJCS nom vows reform; 2nd B-21 takes flight; Golden Dome price warning; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston
Threats

Today’s ICBMs may operate until 2050, GAO says

That would be some 15 years longer than the Air Force was planning.

  • Bradley Peniston
Threats

The D Brief: Ukraine-support pledges; Secret mission gone awry; Venezuela’s show of force; China’s AI startups; And a bit more.

  • Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston
Science & Tech

Air Force debuts pilotless cargo flights in the Pacific

The service incorporated remotely-operated flights into its massive REFORPAC exercise as it aims to make cargo flights cheaper.

  • Lauren C. Williams
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