Business
Air Force says Qatar jet retrofit will cost less than $400M
Other defense officials have estimated it could be over $1 billion.
Threats
Air Force Reserve faces steep fighter cuts, uncertain future
Plan to eliminate multiple squadrons “takes us out of the fight,” the Reserve’s top general said in a Pentagon interview.
Business
Lockheed pitches pilot-optional F-35
The company is hoping the Pentagon will buy into plans to “supercharge” the F-35.
Policy
Pentagon accepts Qatari jet to use as Air Force One
The Air Force is preparing to award a contract to modify the luxury jet.
Business
Hegseth to Air Force: Figure out how to modify Qatari jet
Converting the luxury plane into Air Force One could cost more than $1 billion, one senator said.
Policy
Is Trump’s ‘F-55’ fighter jet real?
One former defense official said the president is “very confused.”
Defense Systems
F-47 will have 70% better combat radius than F-22, Air Force says
Infographic says service plans to buy at least 185 of the sixth-gen fighter.
Threats
Trump’s Qatari Air Force One would pose massive security risks
Treating the aircraft as safe for the commander in chief with just a few modifications is "absurd," one former senior defense official said.
Science & Tech
AI is helping the Pentagon go from finding targets to predicting threats
With the next chapter of Maven, NGA aims to spot not just known objects but “anomalies.”
Science & Tech
Air Force Special Operations wants to fire cruise missiles from Reaper drones
The demand for AFSOC forces is increasing, creating new pressure to re-imagine current tools.
Threats
Boeing says it can deliver Air Force One in 2027—if requirements are relaxed
The Air Force has already lowered security requirements so Boeing can move faster.
Policy
