U.S. Air Force (USAF)

By Graham Warwick
Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Vivienne Machi
When lawmakers return to Capitol Hill after Labor Day, they will be staring down a government shutdown deadline.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Steve Trimble
The Defense Security and Cooperation Agency notified Congress of the export deal, setting up a 30-day clock for lawmakers to review the proposed sale.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Steve Trimble
The U.S. Air Force plans to buy the Northrop Grumman APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR) to replace and upgrade the existing sensor in certain C-130s.
Multi-Mission Aircraft

By Brian Everstine
The U.S. Navy is now planning to field two key long-range missiles for its aircraft by fall of 2026, a further delay to both programs
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Brian Everstine
Flight testing for the U.S. Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft began with the YFQ-42A taking off for the first time.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Garrett Reim
The U.S. Air Force (USAF) awarded 3D Systems Corp. a $7.65 million contract to continue development on the company’s large-format 3D printer.
Supply Chain

By Brian Everstine
The U.S. Air Force has taken steps to reduce the required capability of the new radar for its B-52 bomber as a way to reduce costs and improve schedule.
Sensors & Electronic Warfare

By Brian Everstine
Hydraulic fluid contaminated with water froze inside an F-35A’s landing gear during a training flight in Alaska, eventually forcing the pilot to eject, according to a U.S. Air Force investigation.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
Ukraine is set to start receiving the first long-range, air-launched cruise missiles from the United States by the beginning of next month.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Garrett Reim
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is interested in getting a closer look at ships from satellites in very low Earth orbit (VLEO).
Satellites

By Ben Goldstein
Reliable Robotics has agreed to sell its Reliable Autonomy System (RAS) to the U.S. Air Force to be integrated and tested beginning mid-2026.
Advanced Air Mobility

By Brian Everstine
The U.S. Air Force on Aug. 25 released three investigations into incidents involving the Boeing KC-46A all linked to a similar issue—the tanker’s stiff boom getting stuck in receiving aircraft.
Multi-Mission Aircraft

By Steve Trimble
U.S. Navy officials canceled the service’s high-speed, air-launched, anti-ship missile program but not the goal of a missile that can defeat modern air defenses
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Robert Wall, Brian Everstine, Steve Trimble
Editors discuss U.S. naval aviation ahead of the annual Tailhook gathering and the surprise announcement that USAF Chief of Staff Gen. Allvin will be retiring.
Check 6

By Vivienne Machi
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched at 11:50 p.m. EDT Thursday from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Florida, carrying the Boeing-built X-37B spaceplane under the USSF-36 mission.
Launch Vehicles & Propulsion

By Brian Everstine, Steve Trimble
Tensions within the U.S. Air Force have come to the boil, leading to the surprise announcement that the service’s top officer is handing in his uniform.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Brian Everstine
U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin has announced his plans to retire, marking a surprise shift at the top of the service.
Budget, Policy & Operations

By Steve Trimble
The U.S. Air Force is seeking industry input on the airframe for the Next Generation Air Refueling System (NGAS) after reimagining the original concept.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Steve Trimble
Red 6 will integrate an emulation system based on augmented reality technology into the Lockheed Martin F-16.
Light Attack and Advanced Training

By Graham Warwick
Autonomous flight system developer Merlin is to go public through a merger with a blank-check company that values the Boston-based startup at $800 million.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Lindsay Bjerregaard
Additive manufacturing specialists are boosting parts portfolios, services and standardization to improve aerospace offerings.
Marketplace

By Brian Everstine
The U.S. Air Force faces a looming question with its plan to retire the E-3 AWACS and cancel the E-7 Wedgetail.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Chen Chuanren
Singapore says it has dropped plans to establish a permanent Boeing F-15SG detachment in Guam following a U.S. disclosure that the basing would not proceed.
Aircraft & Propulsion

By Graham Warwick
Beta’s motors coup; VerdoGo advances hybrid; medical drones deliver in Belgium; charging electric trainer fleets.
Emerging Technologies