Business
Lockheed Pitching F-22/F-35 Hybrid to US Air Force
With a Raptor’s body and the JSF’s brain, the new jet would aim to answer the next decade’s Russian and Chinese threats.
Science & Tech
How A Billion-Dollar Satellite Gets to the Launch Pad
Before an ultra-secure communications military satellite soars into orbit, it has to fly to Florida aboard the U.S. Air Force's largest plane.
Business
Pentagon Spending $34M to Make Presidential Jets More Posh
The Air Force is upgrading the interiors of two smaller VIP aircraft to resemble the presidential cabin of Trump’s main Air Force One jets.
Business
Lockheed Will Design Both of the US Air Force’s Hypersonic Missiles
The latest contract could give the company lasting advantage over its competitors for some of the Pentagon’s top-priority weapons.
Science & Tech
The Future Airman is a Hacker
Air Force recruiters will prize computer skills more highly, while the service will encourage airmen to experiment with their own solutions.
Policy
5 Unanswered Questions About Space Force
As Pentagon leaders plan changes to the U.S. military’s orbital-operations organizations, analysts wonder whether they have done all their homework.
Science & Tech
Cargo Bases in Space: Air Force General Wants Them Within a Decade
The service’s mobility chief is already talking with SpaceX and other companies about the possibilities of orbiting supply dumps.
Policy
EXCLUSIVE: Pentagon To Start Creating Space Force — Even Before Congress Approves It
Within months, DoD will start standing up a new combatant command, a new space-procurement agency, and a new Space Operations Force.
Science & Tech
New Details About the F-15X That Boeing is Pitching the US Air Force
The single-seat jet is being built to shoot down enemy aircraft, pound targets on the ground, and even hit ships at sea.
Business
No-Bid Maintenance Contract Sweetens Air Force One Deal for Boeing
A newly released contracting document reveals details about the $3.9 billion deal to buy and modify two 747s for presidential use.
Business
Boeing Is Pitching the US a New F-15, Using Its Super Hornet Game Plan
The company convinced the Trump administration to buy advanced F/A-18 jets. Can it do the same with the the F-15?
Science & Tech
US Air Force Wants More Commercial Companies Working AI Projects
Defense leaders issue a new call to industry after a study finds just two of 100 top AI firms have Pentagon contracts.
Business
After Crash, Air Force Ends Test Flights of Light-Attack Planes Vying for Contract
Weeks after a Naval aviator was killed in a Super Tucano, Air Force leaders say the competition is back on for propellor-plane key to the Afghanistan war.
Science & Tech
General: Project Maven Is Just the Beginning of the Military’s Use of AI
Air Combat Command chief invites tech firms to help build next-gen tools for the Pentagon. Also says dissent "is part of being an American."
Ideas
An Extraordinarily Expensive Way to Fight ISIS
The tale of a 2017 bombing raid in the Libyan desert that pitted stealth bombers and 500-pound bombs against 70 ragtag fighters.
Ideas
SpaceX Just Sold the US Air Force the Cheapest Enormous Rocket It’s Ever Bought
The launch will cost $130 million, far less than the $350 million average cost of United Launch Alliance’s Delta IV.
Science & Tech
Amid NATO Infighting, the Future of the F-35 Is Shrinking
The U.S. Senate wants to revoke Turkey’s license to buy the jet, while other European governments are looking to get a competitor off the ground.
Ideas