Defense Systems

Air Force seeks 'ubiquitous connectivity' from telework to bases

Lauren Knausenberger, the Air Force's CIO, said since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the service had increased focus on telework and improving base connectivity.

Business

UK Confirms Plans to Add F-35s, But Won’t Commit to Original Goal

Officials have promised to buy 48, are thinking about buying more, but wouldn’t say whether the 138-plane vision will ever be realized.

Ideas

What Do We Know About China’s Newest Missiles?

Much can be gleaned from open sources, from official announcements to commanders’ online bios.

Ideas

The New ICBM Is a Legacy System, And Should Be Cancelled

Antiquated strategic thinking must not be allowed to drain funding that could be put toward more pressing threats.

Policy

Americans’ Trust in Military Is Declining, Survey Finds

Yet people still trust the military more than six other U.S. institutions.

Business

AI-Powered Drones Emerge as R&D Priority for Boeing

As the company cuts costs in other areas, a new drone flew for the first time last week.

Business

Air Force General: If US Doesn’t Hurry to Build New Fighter, China Will

A test version of the highly classified Next Generation Air Dominance aircraft flew last year.

Science & Tech

Hyten: US Must Broaden Its Strategic Deterrence Concept — and Keep Its ICBMs

The Joint Chiefs vice chair said a “new strategic defense review” should take account of communications and sensors.

Business

F-35 Still the ‘Cornerstone’ Fighter, Top Air Force General Says 

After calling for a new fighter, Gen. Brown clarified the F-35 is alive and well while a new study reevaluates fighters and drones for 2036.

Business

Troubled KC-46 Tankers Cleared for Limited Ops, Air Force Says

The decision will free up older aerial refuelers needed overseas. But the KC-46 still can gas up only some warplanes and needs more testing and new technology.

Science & Tech

Island-Hopping F-35s Test Pacific Air Forces’ Agility Concept

A pair of jets flew two missions from different airfields on the same day in a bid to complicate Chinese targeting.

Science & Tech

Russia Is Working to Pair Combat Jets and Drones, Too

In moves to match the U.S. military, experiments are aimed at producing mixed air regiments that are tied into a wider battlefield network.

Business

New Plane Key to Special Ops Vision for Africa, General Says 

Air Force Special Operations Command is planning flight demonstrations in coming months.