Defense Systems

PEO Digital shows Air Force shift on software development

Steven Wert, USAF's digital program executive officer, said the service is looking to pivot to agile development.

Business

An Italian-Designed, American-Built Helicopter Will Replace US Air Force Hueys

The selection of the Boeing-Leonardo MH-139 ends a years-long quest to replace the 1970s-era UH-1Ns.

Science & Tech

The Must-Haves of the Next Strategic Nuclear Bomber

Air Force officials opened up — just a bit — about at the thinking that’s informing the design process.

Policy

USAF’s Space Force Cost-Estimate Is Likely Too High: Analyst

Todd Harrison says $13 billion is a high-ball figure meant to shift the debate.

Defense Systems

Shanahan talks Space Force

No. 2 Pentagon official Patrick Shanahan tries to allay Air Force worries that a Space Force would uproot its Space and Missile Command.

Policy

Pentagon Appears to Concede USAF Point in Space Force Tug-of-War

Days after the Air Force secretary fired off a memo, the deputy defense secretary appeared to back off a plan for a new acquisition agency.

Policy

Why 386 Squadrons? Air Force Says It’ll Have the Data Next Year

Air Force leaders say they’ll know how many planes they really need — in March.

Defense Systems

PEO Digital debuts

The Air Force is rebranding and changing its acquisition structure to reflect new statutory authorities and its agile approach to development.

Defense Systems

Air Force may launch RCO for cyber

The U.S. Air Force is considering a rapid capabilities office to streamline cybersecurity acquisition.

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.