Ideas
Fighter Pilots Aren’t Flying Enough to Hone the Skills of Full-Spectrum War
The Air Force is losing training time, experienced teachers, and its combat edge.
Science & Tech
Decision Time: Half of US F-15s Need Overhauls — Or Retirement
In a backseat ride over New Hampshire, the Eagle shows why it’s still lethal, yet increasingly expensive.
Ideas
War in the Information Age
The chief of the U.S. Air Force describes a speed-infused future of combined arms — across domains and entire partnerships.
Threats
As China Shows Off J-20 Stealth Fighter, A Bit of Context
It takes more than a flyby at an airshow to deploy fifth-generation fighter jets in combat.
Business
Lockheed’s Pitch: Buy Our Training Jet, Save Taxpayers $1 Billion
Company officials say they can build the jets faster, and that should give them a leg up in the T-X bid evaluation.
Science & Tech
Why the US Military Still Flies Cold-War Era Planes
The U-2 shows how old technologies die hard.
Business
The US Air Force Just Dropped Two Fake Nukes
The tests in the Nevada desert come as tensions rise with Russia and the Pentagon seeks to replace its aging nuclear arsenal.
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