Business
F-35 finally approved for full-rate production, years late
The program has been stuck in its operational testing phase since 2018.
Threats
Space Force seeks orbital-refueling tech in new budget
But spending caps will slow counterspace efforts, space chief says in interview.
Policy
USAF: Let’s cut older aircraft to fund newer weapons
Space Force would get real cut under 2025 budget proposal.
Threats
US clears Ospreys to fly, with new maintenance plan and one enduring mystery
Each service has its own path to resume operations after a two-month grounding.
Policy
Air Force warns of cuts to planned buys in upcoming budget
And, officials say, if Congress blocks aircraft retirements, it will have a ripple effect on other programs.
Science & Tech
AFWERX’s private-sector collab program abruptly closes up shop
The program sent military personnel to spend time at tech firms.
Science & Tech
General Atomics’ ‘robot wingman’ makes first flight
The company is in the running to build collaborative combat aircraft for the Air Force.
Policy
Space Force units that operate and sustain their gear? Let’s make more, leader says
The months-old Integrated Mission Deltas for electromagnetic warfare and positioning-navigation-timing have already proven their value, Space Operations commander says.
Policy
Air Force must learn from suicides, chief says in wake of airman’s self-immolation over Gaza
“Whether it was politically motivated or other, we lost one of ours,” Gen. Allvin said after being heckled by protesters.
Threats
Russian space nuke wouldn’t alter US orbital-network plans, Space Force says
The nascent Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture is built on the idea that lots of satellites offer plenty of redundancy.
Threats
Budget impasse freezes two Space Force efforts, leaders say
This year’s spending caps will boost future costs, acting Air Force undersecretary adds.
Business
Rocket Lab won’t be ready to launch its new rocket by year’s end, documents suggest
This likely means a delay for the Pentagon’s effort to boost competition for rocket launches.
Business
Industry needs to stop ‘whining’ about supply chain, space acquisition official says
Frank Calvelli also blasted industry’s practice of low-bidding contracts.
Ideas
Defense One Radio, Ep. 145: The USAF's big reorganization
Audrey Decker unpacks the top news from this year's Air & Space Forces Association Warfare Symposium.
Threats
Space Force: We need a hotline to China
Direct communications could ward off miscalculation as space militarizes faster than norms develop, officials say.
Policy
First Ukrainian F-16 pilots will complete training as soon as May
Air National Guard director says the effort is taking a bit longer because pilots need to learn a “full range of missions.”
Defense Systems
Air Force weighs future of Osprey as months-long grounding continues
The tiltrotor’s suspension has given the Marines an “operational gap.”
Business
Lockheed vows steady F-35 production amid demand shifts
The Pentagon is reportedly considering a cut to next year’s order but international interest continues to rise.
Threats
USAF plans stealthy tankers for ‘extreme threat areas’
Next-gen aerial refueling program will be “a system,” not just one aircraft, says mobility chief.
Business
'Unexpected’ engineering slows price negotiations on USAF radar plane
Air Force officials thought the E-7 would more closely resemble UK’s Wedgetails.
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