Threats

How ‘Absolute Resolve’ harnessed 150 aircraft and more to launch a regime change in Venezuela

The Joint Chiefs chair described the "precise" and "unprecedented" military operation at a Saturday press conference.

Business

USAF adds third contender for initial robot-wingman buy; picks 9 for next phase

More than a year after Anduril and General Atomics got R&D contracts, Northrop wins entry with a self-financed CCA.

Policy

Nearly 300 days after purge, Pentagon taps new Air Force vice chief, JAG

Air Mobility commander nominated to be vice chief; Oklahoma Air National Guard commander to be top judge advocate general.

Science & Tech

Congress supports bare minimum on Navy’s F/A-XX, while fully backing Air Force’s F-47

Appropriators and other lawmakers have pushed for the Navy’s next-gen fighter, but the latest NDAA offers only enough to keep the nascent program warm.

Business

Northrop Grumman to fly new, improved CCA offering next year

The company spent 15 months redesigning and building a robot wingman after losing its initial bid for the U.S. Air Force’s collaborative combat aircraft program.

Policy

Air Force leaders axe major China-focused organizational efforts

The service continues to unravel its “reoptimization for Great Power Competition” strategy.

Defense Systems

USAF plan to fly C-5, C-17s even longer elicits concern

Service says it needs to hedge against delays to planned Next-Generation Airlift plane.

Policy

Most of the Air Force’s biggest programs will now be overseen by a 4-star under the deputy SecDef

The centralization of the ICBM, B-21, F-47, and Air Force One programs appears at odds with the Pentagon’s professed acquisition approach, one expert said.