Ideas
More Than Just Subs: AUKUS Will Change Pacific Air Ops as Well
For example, U.S. air forces will be able to practice and refine the burgeoning agile combat employment, or ACE, concept.
Science & Tech
Hypersonics Test Shows the US Is Catching Up in the New Missile Race
But questions remain about costs and priorities remain.
Defense Systems
Keeping up with software cadence at the Air Force Test Center
Maj. Gen. Evan Dertien, commander of the Air Force Test Center, said the organization wants rapid software update capabilities for the USAF fleet, but that approach won't work in every use case.
Science & Tech
Air Force Chief Anticipates ‘Something Special’ for B-21 Public Debut
The Raider is still on schedule to make its first test flight with the next year, Air Force chief says.
Defense Systems
How the Air Force is tackling electronic warfare challenges
The Air Force is on high alert when it comes to electromagnetic spectrum threats. But extensive system updates pose a risk.
Threats
Vulnerabilities May Slow Air Force’s Adoption of Artificial Intelligence
More data on the battlefield means a wider attack surface, something the Defense Department has yet to prepare for, experts say.
Ideas
AFA Conference Wire: Keeping AI Safe From Bad Data
News and notes from the 2021 Air Force Association's Air, Space & Cyber conference.
Defense Systems
Telework is the new normal for Air Force Materiel Command
Air Force Materiel Command is preparing to have half of its headquarters personnel working remotely at least some of the time, Commander Gen. Arnold Bunch said.
Defense Systems
Air Force secretary mulls space acquisitions nominees
Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said candidate interviews are underway for the space acquisition system secretary position and he expects to make a recommendation to the defense secretary and White House soon.
Defense Systems
Zero trust, EMS top Air Force cyber priorities
Lt. Gen. Timothy Haugh, the commander of the 16th Air Force, said implementing zero trust principles was "foundational" to improve data use and mitigate vulnerabilities from the defense industry supply chain.
Threats
Racial Division, Troops’ Role in Protests Has Hurt Minority Recruiting, Air Force Says
Black interest in military service plummeted after the George Floyd protests. Can the Pentagon undo the damage?
Ideas
AFA Conference Wire: New Space Force Uniforms, Hub-and-Spoke
News and notes from the 2021 Air Force Association's Air, Space & Cyber conference.
Policy
Trump’s Red, White & Blue Air Force One Paint Job is Not Final, General Says
The concept image is “just something that’s on a paper,” according to Air Force acquisition official.
Ideas
AFA Conference Wire: China Warnings and B-21 Numbers
News and notes from the 2021 Air Force Association's Air, Space & Cyber conference.
Threats
Air Force Secretary Warns of China’s Burgeoning Nuclear Arsenal, Reveals B-21 Detail
Frank Kendall also criticized Congress for not allowing the Air Force to retire old, unneeded warplanes and questioned the need for hypersonic weapons.
Science & Tech
US Air Force Developing Combat Tanker-Airlifter that Can Land on Water
In a conflict with China, aircraft will need flexibility in basing, and that means water takeoffs, landings.
Ideas