Defense Systems
Air Force looks to double its number of drone squadrons
The five-year plan would also add up to 3,500 airmen, expanding the unmanned aircraft program to meet rising demand.
Science & Tech
US Air Force to Ask for More Drones
Plan would add 3,500 Reaper pilots and up to five more ops centers around the country.
Defense Systems
Air Force calls Raytheon's GPS control station 'a disaster'
The Space Command's head says GPS III’s operational control system is "embarrassing" to defend, as the service considers reopening parts of the program to competition.
Defense Systems
Air Force activates five new cyber squadrons
The Air Force's cyber wing announced the activation of five new cyber operations squadrons that will defend Air Force networks
Defense Systems
General Dynamics wins $80M Air Force communications contract
The contract, worth up to $80 million, will support air defense missions for North American Aerospace Defense Command and Pacific Air Forces’ communication systems.
Defense Systems
Air Force releases more details on cyber operations contract
The deal, worth up to $49.5 million, would cover offensive and defensive cyber activities.
Defense Systems
How the Air Force is taking on the cyber domain
Officials discuss the ways in which the force is addressing dominance in the information age and across all spectrums of operation.
Defense Systems
For the Air Force, big data analytics in ISR is a team sport
The service’s Jon Kimminau lays out the challenges of increasing collection and improving analysis in a time of tight budgets.
Defense Systems
Air Force wants 'kill chain' integration in network systems
In a recently released solicitation, the service said it wants to improve security and its ISR capabilities though full-spectrum awareness of emerging threats.
Defense Systems
Air Force adds 10 companies to $10B cybersecurity program
The 10 large companies will join six small businesses in competing for work under the five-year deal.
Defense Systems
The future of autonomy has a strong human component
Human-machine teaming is at the heart of the military service's plans, leaders told lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
Defense Systems
Raytheon tests help get GPS III closer to reality
The company announced the successful tests of the Launch and Checkout System and the GPS Next-Generation Operational Control System, both of which will support the launch of GPS III satellites.
Business
Army, Air Force Acquisition Chiefs to Step Down
The departures of William LaPlante and Heidi Shyu will likely leave the Air Force and Army without permanent procurement leaders until 2017.
Defense Systems
Air Force to ID targets by their vibrations
The VIBE program will use laser-Doppler technology to identify factors such as engine type and engine speed, even the number of cylinders a vehicle has.
Business
US Air Force Might Delay Retiring A-10 Attack Plane
Afghanistan, Africa, Iraq and Syria—all three conflicts might lead the U.S. Air Force to delay retirement of the A-10 'Warthog,' a top general said.
Business
Boeing, Lockheed Contest Air Force Bomber, But Will They Win?
Data shows that companies that contest Pentagon decisions, like the U.S. Air Force’s selection Northrop Grumman to build a new stealth bomber, often lose.
Defense Systems
Combat Shield teams prepare aircraft for electronic warfare threats
The Air Force is testing radars and other systems to be sure they're ready for contested environments.
Defense Systems
The future of ISR is unmanned, whether commanders like it or not
Air Force officials see the U-2 and Global Hawk as complementary, but they’ll soon have to do without one of them.
Defense Systems
Air Force readies penultimate GPS IIF satellite for launch
The Space Command announced plans to launch the 11th of 12 total GPS IIF satellites Oct. 30, while it continues to wait for GPS III.
Defense Systems