Policy
What Trump’s Space Force Announcement Means
New plan would create sixth service branch, and annoy the Air Force.
Business
Predicting When Weapons Will Break is a Hot New Market. Microsoft Wants In.
The company touts its commercial artificial intelligence as ripe for the military.
Defense Systems
Air Force announces partnership to push emerging tech
The Air Force Academy inked a five-year cooperative research and development agreement with telecom giant AT&T to keep better pace with the speed of commercial advancement.
Business
Scrapped: $24M Plan to Replace Refrigerators On Air Force One
Rep. Joe Courtney says the no-bid deal “didn’t pass the smell test.”
Business
US Air Force Is Waiting a Year for Parts That It Could 3D-Print
Its chief weapons buyer is mulling licensing arrangements to allow third-party manufacture.
Ideas
Ep. 5: Q&A with Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson; UAE, Iran, and the war in Yemen, plus more.
Welcome to the fifth episode of our podcast about the news, strategy, tech, and business trends defining the future of national security.
Business
Here’s How the USAF Is Using Its New Purchasing Power
Next week, program heads will meet at the Pentagon to brief the service’s new acquisition board of directors.
Ideas
America’s New Stealth Bomber has a Stealthy Price Tag
Revealing how much the Air Force’s B-21 is costing won’t help America’s enemies — but will make oversight possible.
Ideas
Ep. 4: Trump vs. Kim; Military algorithms; ISIS’ new war narratives; USAF’s next plane and more.
Welcome to the fourth episode of our podcast about the news, strategy, tech, and business trends defining the future of national security.
Business
How to Sell a COIN Aircraft in a Great-Power Era
Even as the Pentagon shifts its focus from low-intensity conflict to full-spectrum war, the U.S. Air Force might finally buy a prop-driven light attack plane.
Business
The US Air Force Is Adding Algorithms to Predict When Planes Will Break
The airlines already use predictive maintenance technology. Now the service’s materiel chief says it’s a “must-do for us.”
Policy
US Air Force: Recent String of Crashes Isn’t a Crisis
But it will stand down every flying wing for one day to look for trends in the mishaps that claimed the lives of 18 airmen.
Business
Did Your Company Make that Warplane? Don’t Count on the Upgrade Work Anymore
The new Air Force acquisition chief wants to open more sustainment contracts to competition.
Defense Systems
Shwedo tapped to be new Joint Staff CIO
President Donald Trump has nominated Air Force Lt. Gen. Bradford Shwedo to be the next Joint Staff CIO.
Threats
US Air Force to Put Sensors on Allies’ Satellites
The move is intended to deter Russia or China from shooting down spacecraft — and provide backups if they do.
Business
US Air Force Is Moving Faster on Space Contracts, Industry Execs Say
The service has new purchasing authorities, a planned new structure for its satellite-buying arm — and a new attitude, company leaders say.
Business
Air Force Secretary: Boeing Is Giving Its Tanker Short Shrift
Pointing to the KC-46 program’s latest problems, Heather Wilson says the company is focusing too much on its civil aircraft.
Defense Systems
Military looks to boost pay for cyber talent
Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) said $37,000 may be sufficient for Hill staffers answering the phone, but is much too low for military cyber specialists.
Defense Systems