Defense Systems

Air Force adds to deal for cyber weapon system

The service has more than doubled its investment it what it said in January was its first cyber weapon.

Defense Systems

Air Force puts new tech into Forward Operating Base of the Future

The project taps alternative sources and efficient power use to reduce reliance on diesel fuel.

Defense Systems

AFRL project powers up on base's trash

The waste-to-energy demonstration is turning up to 10 tons of trash a day into 300 megawatts of electric power.

Defense Systems

Air Force adds to deal for upgrading Global Hawk UAS

The award adds to the retrofit work for the unmanned aircraft, which is slated to entirely replace the manned U-2 spy plane.

Defense Systems

Lockheed Martin renews push for hypersonic spy plane

The contractor claims it could deliver a hypersonic demonstrator of the SR-72 for under $1 billion.

Defense Systems

Should drone training be a joint operation?

Some in DOD are recommending a departmentwide UAS training strategy, but Army and Air Force leaders say their systems and missions are too different.

Science & Tech

Skunk Works Chief: How To Keep America’s Airborne Advantage

Regular updates to the F-22 and F-35, says Lockheed’s Weiss, plus a deep commitment to chasing the game-changing tech of the future.

Science & Tech

F-35 Chief: Think Very, Very Hard Before Making Another Joint Fighter

Lt. Gen. Chris Bogdan has a bit of advice for Air Force and Navy leaders envisioning their next tactical aircraft.

Defense Systems

Endgame cyber solution proves useful for Air Force at Red Flag

The commercial tool has been effective in hunting and securing networks during the Air Force’s two most recent large-scale exercises.

Defense Systems

Reaper's retrofits extend its range and endurance

General Atomics said the unmanned aircraft's longer wings and greater fuel capacity take its flight endurance from 27 to 40 hours.

Defense Systems

Air Force steps up the competition for a new rocket engine

Aerojet Rocketdyne and United Launch Services join two other companies in developing prototypes to replace the Russian-made RD-180 engine.

Science & Tech

Behind the Air Force's Fast-Growing Cyber Research Budget

The service wants to quadruple its money for defending networked aircraft, launch systems, satellites and a whole lot more.

Defense Systems

Air Force is looking for resilient autonomous systems

The service wants to develop systems that can operate contested spectrum environments and learn from prior experience.

Defense Systems

Stratcom brings Spain into the space surveillance fold

The U.S. Strategic Command recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Spain, the tenth country agreeing to share space situational awareness.

Defense Systems

Missile-warning sensor advances despite launch uncertainties

The developer of a platform to carry an Air Force missile defense sensor reported progress, but it's unclear when the test bed will get off the ground.

Defense Systems

As threat landscape changes, Air Force mulls the next unmanned platform

The Air Force is currently looking for drones, large and small, that can operate in contested environments for future conflicts.

Science & Tech

The Real Winners of the Air Force Bomber Contest

The Air Force’s selection of Northrop Grumman to build a new stealth bomber is the first major award in years to withstand a government audit and, for some, a win for Pentagon reforms.

Defense Systems

Lawmakers grill Clapper over U.S.-Russia space arrangement

During a Senate hearing on Tuesday, Sen. McCain and others expressed exasperation with the U.S. reliance on a Russian-made rocket engine to send payloads into space.

Policy

The Coming Dogfight Between the F-35 and the New Bomber

A battle is brewing between the two multibillion-dollar aircraft programs — and the defense companies, lobbyists, and Pentagon offices that back them.

Defense Systems

Final GPS II satellite goes into orbit as Air Force gets ready for GPS III

With ULA launching the last of the second generation, the service awards Lockheed a contract to help the transition to the next generation.