Defense Systems
Air Force's new acquisition plan aims to boost innovation, cut costs
The Bending the Cost Curve program will increase early collaboration with industry while looking for acceptable trade-offs in performance.
Defense Systems
Air Force looks to speed development of modernized GPS gear
Service gives L-3 Communications an extra $8.5 million to accelerate work on the Military GPS User Equipment program.
Science & Tech
New Air Force Bomber Is a Critical Piece of the Pentagon’s Pacific Weaponry
The Air Force’s new radar-evading nuclear bomber is the first large piece of weaponry being purchased with the Pentagon’s Pacific pivot in mind. By Marcus Weisgerber
Science & Tech
The F-35 Has To Phone Texas Before Taking Off
Recent tests revealed the F-35 flies well enough, but not without calling Texas first. By Patrick Tucker.
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