Science & Tech

Skunk Works Chief: How To Keep America’s Airborne Advantage

Regular updates to the F-22 and F-35, says Lockheed’s Weiss, plus a deep commitment to chasing the game-changing tech of the future.

Science & Tech

F-35 Chief: Think Very, Very Hard Before Making Another Joint Fighter

Lt. Gen. Chris Bogdan has a bit of advice for Air Force and Navy leaders envisioning their next tactical aircraft.

Policy

If Trump Wins, Expect Thousands of Defense Jobs to Move to Europe

The GOP frontrunner's anti-Muslim comments could prompt U.S. allies to shop elsewhere for arms.

Ideas

Congress Will Rethink Combatant Command Boundaries

Reshaping, or even deleting, some of the four-star headquarters that run America’s military operations around the world could be part of broader Defense Department reforms.

Business

Boeing Shakes Up Defense Leadership Week After Losing Bomber Deal

Leanne Caret, a 28-year veteran at Boeing has been elected the new CEO of Boeing’s defense business replacing Chris Chadwick who will quickly retire.

Threats

Top Admiral Asks US Allies to Help Buzz China’s Fake Islands

The four-star admiral of U.S. Pacific Command told Congress he wants other countries to join the U.S. in flying, sailing near China’s new islands (and that new radar).

Threats

Back to Iraq: US Military Contractors Return In Droves

Behind the president’s directive to ‘accelerate’ the counter-ISIS campaign came a surge in the number of contractors assisting in the campaign against ISIS.

Science & Tech

The Real Winners of the Air Force Bomber Contest

The Air Force’s selection of Northrop Grumman to build a new stealth bomber is the first major award in years to withstand a government audit and, for some, a win for Pentagon reforms.

Threats

Washington OKs Controversial F-16 Sale to Pakistan

The Pentagon says new warplanes will help Islamabad fight al Qaeda, but U.S. lawmakers don’t want taxpayers footing the bill.

Ideas

Obama Punts Controversial War Account to Successor

The president, who decried the Pentagon’s 'dishonest' war chest, will leave office with it firmly entrenched.

Policy

The Coming Dogfight Between the F-35 and the New Bomber

A battle is brewing between the two multibillion-dollar aircraft programs — and the defense companies, lobbyists, and Pentagon offices that back them.

Business

Pentagon Running Low on Smart Bombs for ISIS Campaign

In a preview of the Pentagon’s 2017 budget, Defense Secretary Carter signals a coming acceleration of the 18-month-old bombing effort.

Threats

Obama Taps New General to Lead Afghan War

Lt. Gen. John Nicholson, an Army Ranger, will become the latest officer to lead the 14-year-old war.

Threats

ISIS, Global Threats Boost US Arms Exports

Lockheed Martin, the world’s largest defense contractor, reported strong export growth, and it’s not alone.

Science & Tech

Old American Warplanes Still Scare North Korea

The B-52 bomber might be more than 50 years old, but when it flies near the Korean peninsula, Kim Jong-un’s government pays attention.

Science & Tech

US Approves $2B in Bombs for Iraqi F-16s

Five months after Iraq began flying its F-16 fighter jets against ISIS, the Obama administration has approved a $2 billion cache of guided bombs and missiles that will make them far deadlier.

Science & Tech

Pentagon Eyes Laser-Armed Drones to Shoot Down Ballistic Missiles

The high-flying aircraft would be the unmanned successors to the Air Force’s missile-zapping jetliner.

Science & Tech

Air Force to Delay A-10 Retirement, Thanks to ISIS

After trying to retire the battle-tested Warthog for the past two years, Air Force officials concede that the plane is key to the war on ISIS.

Ideas

What to Watch in 2016

Keep an eye on these nine story lines in warfighting, industry, politics, and technology.