Threats
Russian pilots chill in Mideast skies after Pentagon’s name-and-shame effort
Air Force three-star says U.S. moves in the region have also deterred Iran and ISIS.
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
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.
Defense Systems
Connect everything? Leaders need to get specific first
Hazy visions of data flowing seamlessly around the battlefield won’t get the job done, says the Air Force general for C2 systems.
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.
Defense Systems
One way the Air Force is filling electronic-warfare gaps: hiring interns
The 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing is working with universities to recruit young talent for now—and maybe later.
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.
Science & Tech
France sees smaller future in Africa, larger role in the Pacific, says country’s air force chief
French military is increasing its spend on tankers to be more places at once with a lighter permanent footprint.
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