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.
Defense Systems
Air Force develops prototype for skin-ID sensor
A system developed by the Sensors Exploitation Research Group at the Air Force institute of Technology differentiates human skin from other materials, and can aid id search, rescue and surveillance.
Defense Systems
ULA's Air Force launch contract under scrutiny
The Air Force is considering early termination of a launch support contract option, as Sen. John McCain renews a push to ban use of the Russian-made RD-180 engine.
Defense Systems
Navy, Air Force looking for new electronic warfare tech
Recent proposals point to continued interest in innovative offensive and defensive capabilities.
Defense Systems
Cyber, real world converge as U.S. targets ISIS hackers with bombs
In the continued fight against ISIS, the U.S. is specifically targeting members of the group that are affiliated with cyberspace operations with missiles from the air.
Defense Systems
Air Force puts its first cyber weapon system into play
The AFINC creates centrally managed points of entry for a million users at 237 locations around the world.
Defense Systems
Air Force takes open approach to upgrading its network
The service is adopting open standards via contracts to keep its infrastructure refreshed.
Defense Systems
Orbital ATK, SpaceX to develop prototype rocket engines
The Air Force shores up its effort to get a next-generation booster off the ground.
Defense Systems
Air Force looks to 're-define' ISR sensor suites
In a solicitation, the service said it is looking for ISR sensors that are capable of detecting targets obscured by natural or man-made means.
Defense Systems
Air Force wants sense and avoid technology for large drones
The service is looking for sense and avoid technology for aircraft such as the Predator and Global Hawk that could also be transitioned to smaller drones.
Science & Tech