Defense Systems
Air Force, ULA agree on the process for certifying Vulcan launch vehicle
The agreement could help streamline the evaluation process; the Space and Missile Systems Center expects to sign similar agreements with SpaceX and Orbital-ATK.
Business
U.S. Air Force Preps a Controversial No-Bid Purchase of Spy Planes
Lawmakers balk at replacing aging EC-130Hs with smaller Gulfstream G550s without open competition.
Defense Systems
High anxiety: US needs resilient satellites, nets to avoid a space crisis
A new assessment highlights the potential for an instability crisis in space as the United States and China vie for the high ground.
Defense Systems
Air Force moves ahead with GPS III preparations
The service gives Lockheed Martin a $395 million contract modification for work on the ninth and tenth of the 32-satellite constellation.
Policy
The Intelligence Picture Over Iraq and Syria Has Gotten Much Cloudier
The leader of Air Combat Command says new players on the battlefield are complicating the air fight against ISIS.
Science & Tech
Tomorrow’s Downed Pilots May Be Rescued by an Osprey-Black Hawk Team
A U.S. Air Force chief of staff who was shot down over Serbia has reenergized the debate over the best way to do combat search and rescue.
Science & Tech
The Air Force Is Starting to Think About Its Next Strike Aircraft
Service leaders are laying groundwork for a new strike capability — even as they work to unground their F-35s.
Business
US Air Force Grounds F-35s It Just Declared Ready for War
Crumbling avionics lines are the latest setback for the jet, which had been riding a wave of progress.
Business
Boeing Needed International Help to Build New Training Jet
A decade of layoffs forced the US giant to seek engineering and manufacturing talent from partner Saab.
Business
Disjointed: Pentagon Isn’t Coordinating Efforts to Fix Readiness
Each service has its own plan, except for the Marines, who don’t really have a plan, says the GAO.
Defense Systems
Air Force exercise lets small businesses test battlefield tech
During the recent Tech Warrior exercise, technologies developed under AFRL’s SBIR program took the field in combat scenarios.
Defense Systems
Air Force's Tech Warriors put new tools to the test
The annual simulated exercise puts scientists and engineers into the field to give them a better idea of what ground troops need.
Defense Systems
Air Force orders upgrades for Reaper drone
The latest upgrades for the MQ-9 Extended Range Block 1, continues a program to improve features in older UAS.
Business
Air Force, Pentagon Have More Work to Do Before Ditching the A-10, Watchdog Says
Losing the aircraft would also mean a loss of U.S. combat search-and-rescue capabilities, the Government Accountability Office said in a newly declassified report.
Business
Priorities for a (Clinton) White House; The A-10’s forgotten mission; Why picking a training jet is so hard; and more.
Here's your who-called-August-slow? edition. Tell your friends.
Defense Systems
Air Force to improve Military Code GPS receivers
A $52.6 million contract with Raytheon calls for modernizing the Miniature Airborne GPS receiver 2000 as the service shifts to stronger, jam-resistant signals.
Threats
As Wars Demand Intel, Air Force Boosts Drone Pilot Bonuses
Secretary James hopes an extra $10,000 will ease the strain on careers and families.
Defense Systems
Air Force says the F-35 is combat ready
The Joint Strike Fighter, the most complex and expensive weapon system in history, gets a green light from its biggest customer.
Science & Tech