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Science & Tech
Boeing is using Fortnite’s game engine to upgrade B-52s
Will this “hyper-realistic” modeling tool help get the program a Victory Royale?
Threats
Pentagon propping up F-35 readiness by buying new parts instead of waiting for repairs, GAO says
This is unsustainable, DOD concedes—and may be delaying the creation of depots that could fix the repair backlog.
Threats
Air Force general defends incendiary memo but says ‘war is not inevitable’
Minihan says a mindset of urgency helped produce three “game-changing” concepts in a recent exercise.
Business
Lockheed aims to hit F-16 production goal by end of 2025
But lawmakers and Pentagon officials want more jets, faster, particularly for Taiwan.
Exclusive
Business
As Lockheed hungers for F-35 sustainment deal, Pentagon says it might not happen
Company officials no longer expect DOD to approve a switch to performance-based logistics by year’s end.
Ideas
Defense One Radio, Ep. 133: Unpacking the 2023 Air, Space & Cyber conference
In this episode, we review several things we learned at the Air & Space Forces Association's biggest annual event.
Threats
Pentagon set to make 100K artillery shells a month in 2025
That’s up from an Army projection in August.
Threats
After Niger coup, Air Force looks for other countries to host drone base
Still, ISR operations have resumed from Nigerien sites, the region’s U.S. Air Force commander said.
Science & Tech
B-21 starts engine tests as bomber preps for first flight
Software is ready to go, program officials say, engendering some 'smack talk' with hardware teams.
Threats
China, Russia taking ‘batting practice’ in air intercepts of aging US aircraft, general says
Aggressive maneuvers underscore diminishing U.S. advantage, Air Combat Command leader said.
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Policy
Some Ukrainian pilots could finish training in as few as three months
Air National Guard director said shorter timeline is “absolutely realistic” for experienced pilots.
Threats
Air Force clearing out jungles in Pacific to bolster airfield options
But additional funding for these efforts may be held up by budget impasse on Capitol Hill, Pacific Air Forces commander says.
Policy
USAF aims to ‘re-optimize’ for great power competition
Kendall dispatches teams to seek better ways to organize to take on China.
Science & Tech
Questions loom as Air Force robot-wingman effort prepares to take flight
Industry execs outline challenges of technology, test and evaluation—and even philosophy.
Business
Air Force frets as Lockheed announced another delay for new-tech F-35
The first F-35 with a new tech package might not arrive until June, Lockheed now says.
Business
Ukraine could get '5th-gen' AMRAAM weapons in 3 years
Raytheon completed the first flight test of a new variation of the air-to-air missile in June.
Defense Systems
SDA readies second batch of satellites for its space data network
The Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture was designed to be the “space backbone” for JADC2.
Science & Tech
Shield AI drones demonstrate autonomous teaming under USAF contract
The company says it will operationalize its AI pilot software on V-BAT drones in 2024.
Threats