Science & Tech
The Air Force Needs a Lot More Drone Pilots
An internal memo between top Air Force generals shows there are too few pilots to fill the Pentagon's growing demand for air strikes over places like Iraq and Syria. By Hanna Kozlowska
Defense Systems
Making civilian skies safe for unmanned aircraft
How the Army is working with the FAA and other military services to prevent drone collisions with other aircraft.
Business
Air Force Cancels Its Plans for Layoffs in 2015
The Air Force planned to carry out involuntary separation boards to meet budgetary requirements. This week, the plan changed. By Eric Katz
Defense Systems
DOD continues push to boost supercomputing power
The high-performance modernization program awards two $30 million contracts to increase computing capacity at its HPC centers.
Science & Tech
V-22 Osprey Could Get Some Serious Firepower
The Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey has relied on its agility to defend itself, but forward-firing rockets could give the tiltrotor more lethal firepower. By Marcus Weisgerber
Defense Systems
Air Force explores more efficient, jam-resistant data links
The service is looking for feedback on higher-frequency directional links that can increase capacity, spectral efficiency and jam resistance in tactical environments.
Science & Tech
A Look Inside a Secret US Air Force Intelligence Center
With no U.S. boots on the ground in Syria and not many in Iraq, it’s up to young intelligence analysts here to search for Islamic State militants. By Marcus Weisgerber
Defense Systems
Pentagon program would hitch rides with commercial satellites
DARPA’s Phoenix program has released the specs for its plan to launch detachable payloads with commercial communications satellites.
Defense Systems
With SWAT, Air Force out to boost its electronic warfare skills
The program will run sophisticated simulations to evaluate the latest technologies in the fight to control the spectrum.
Defense Systems
Air Force getting a grip on its cyber weapons
At Hanscom AFB, the service is centralizing control of the six cyber capabilities classified last year as weapons systems.
Ideas
The Last Thing the US Needs are Mobile Nuclear Missiles
The Air Force is wrong. The U.S. didn’t need a mobile ICBM during the Cold War and it doesn’t need one now. By Tom Z. Collina and Jacob Marx
Defense Systems
AFRL's 3D audio helps pilots sort through the chatter
The lab's technology makes multiple audio feeds sound like their coming from different locations, adding clarity to each voice.
Policy
Why the US Sent a C-17 to a Chinese Air Show Despite Concerns Inside the Pentagon
Despite concerns, the U.S. agreed to showcase a C-17 transport jet at a Chinese air show. By Gordon Lubold and Marcus Weisgerber
Defense Systems
Boeing claims new anti-jam capability
A new tactical waveform demonstrated by the satellite maker could be used in existing terminals and satellites.
Defense Systems
Air Force hospital adds Ebola-zapping robot
The Xenex system uses xenon ultraviolet light to rid rooms of a full range of viruses.
Defense Systems
Air Force nears finish line on massive ERP project
Accenture gets a $77.8 million contract for the final phase of DEAMS, which will give the service one financial management system.
Defense Systems
Watch: the future of autonomous robots
The Air Force Research lab puts together a video of small systems that explore risky settings without endangering lives.
Threats
The Understated Role of the Air Force In the Battle Against Ebola
Here are four things you probably didn't know about the 200-plus airmen on the ground in West Africa. By Janine Davidson
Defense Systems
AFRL tool makes suite work of intelligence analysis
The integrated software, called ERNEST, combines and streamlines many of analysts’ routine tasks.
Defense Systems