Author Archive

Audrey Decker

Staff Writer

Audrey Decker is a staff reporter for Defense One, where she writes about air and space. She previously reported for Inside Defense, where she reported on the Navy and then on emerging defense technology. She's a graduate of the University of Maryland.
Business

How many F-35 versions are there? Hint: more than 3

Fixes and upgrades have maintainers dealing with more than a dozen flavors of the Lightning II.

Policy

HASC chair: Space Command's temporary office is insecure. Officials: untrue

After White House scuttles move to Alabama, Rep. Rogers vows to keep SPACECOM from building a permanent HQ in Colorado.

Policy

Air Force bristles at congressional cost limits for robot wingmen

But one lawmaker says the drone program needs safeguards against the Pentagon’s costly acquisition process.

Science & Tech

Space Force’s speedy launch record clears way for bigger launches—faster

The “Victus Nox” mission is part of the service’s “tactically responsive space” effort to respond quickly to in-orbit threats.

Science & Tech

Air Force eyes supply missions for its first electric air taxi

Joby Aviation delivered its battery-powered vertical takeoff and landing aircraft to Edwards AFB in California.

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

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.

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.