All United States Air Force articles
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NewsUS Air Force inks $2.4bn contract with Boeing for KC-46A Lot 12
Boeing has secured a $2.4 billion US Air Force contract for 15 KC-46A Pegasus aerial refuellers under production Lot 12, with deliveries expected to be complete by mid-2029.
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NewsUS F-35A test dropped inert B61 nuclear bombs in August
US Air Force Lockheed Martin F-35A fighters have completed integration tests with inert B61-12 nuclear gravity bombs, proving the stealth jet’s “dual capable” status of being able to deliver conventional and nuclear munitions.
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NewsF-22 successfully controls uncrewed MQ-20 in demonstration flight
The US Air Force has successfully demonstrated the ability of an F-22 Raptor to control an General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-20 Avenger unmanned jet during flight, marking a significant step toward integrating the stealth fighter with future Collaborative Combat Aircraft.
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NewsUSA now has sufficient military assets in Caribbean to wage air campaign against Venezuela
According to recent analysis, the Pentagon has assembled sufficient military assets in the Caribbean to launch an air campaign against Venezuela, including the USS Gerald R Ford carrier strike group and F-35B stealth fighters, as tensions between Washington and Caracas smolder.
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NewsUS Marine Corps plans for two more XQ-58A test flights before year-end
The US Marine Corps will conduct two more test flights with the Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie before year-end, evaluating the uncrewed jet for electronic warfare and autonomous mission applications as part of its collaborative combat aircraft assessment.
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NewsGeneral Atomics flies second YFQ-42A prototype fighter
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems confirms it is now flying two examples of its YFQ-42A prototype fighter, with the second aircraft conducting flight testing under the US Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft programme.
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NewsAnduril logs first flight with YFQ-44A autonomous fighter prototype
US air force secretary Troy Meink heralded the start of competitive flight-testing as a key breakthrough in the effort to field a new class of uncrewed tactical jets known as Collaborative Combat Aircraft.
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In depthUSAF seeks 22% fighter fleet expansion to 1,558 jets by 2035
The US Air Force requires a 22% expansion of its fighter fleet to 1,558 aircraft by 2035, up from 1,271 currently, according to an analysis report obtained by FlightGlobal that cites global security requirements and an ageing inventory as major impediments to the goal.
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In depthLawmakers urge Boeing to end 12-week strike at fighter plant strike
Sixteen House Armed Services Committee members have written to Boeing chief executive Kelly Ortberg demanding resolution of the 12-week strike at the company’s St. Louis fighter production facility, citing national security concerns as delays impact F-15EX deliveries.
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NewsUS Air Force ‘hurricane hunter’ flight turned back by severe turbulence
A US Air Force weather reconnaissance flight was forced to return early after encountering severe turbulence while collecting data on Hurricane Melissa, a powerful Category 5 storm that later struck Jamaica.
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NewsWashington orders aircraft carrier to Caribbean one day after B-1B overflight
The Pentagon has ordered aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford and its air wing to Latin America as part of a large build-up of military forces in the southern Caribbean Sea.
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AnalysisUS Air Force strategy ‘likely to fail’ in Taiwan conflict, new report warns
Academic study concludes US Air Force approach to airpower in East Asia during major war against China would likely fail, with Chinese missiles capable of targeting regional facilities used by American forces.
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NewsUS Air Force OA-1K Skyraider crashes during Oklahoma training mission
A US Air Force OA-1K Skyraider II turboprop crashed during a training mission in Oklahoma on 23 October, with both crew escaping injury. The incident involved one of the service’s newest light-attack aircraft.
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NewsNorthrop Grumman expects next B-21 production contract by year-end
Northrop Grumman expects to receive its next production contract for the B-21 Raider stealth bomber before year-end, as the company continues flight testing with two aircraft while discussing potential production acceleration with the US Air Force.
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NewsPentagon conducts Caribbean ‘bomber attack demonstration’ with F-35Bs and B-52H
The Pentagon has deployed stealth fighters and heavy bombers in what it terms a ‘bomber attack demonstration’ as part of an ongoing military build-up in Latin America targeting the Venezuelan government.
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NewsGeneral Atomics will compete Gambit variant in US Navy uncrewed fighter programme
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has confirmed its selection for the US Navy’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft programme, revealing plans for a carrier-capable autonomous fighter based on its Gambit design family.
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NewsNetherlands joins US collaborative combat aircraft programme for uncrewed fighters
Amsterdam has committed to participate in the US Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft programme, which is developing low-cost autonomous tactical jets to operate alongside crewed fighters like F-35s.
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NewsBoeing steps up promotion of T-7A for UK Royal Air Force Hawk replacement need
Boeing is stepping up its efforts to promote the T-7A Red Hawk for a near-term requirement to equip the UK Royal Air Force (RAF) with new advanced jet trainers and aerobatic display aircraft.
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NewsQatar to permanently station F-15QAs at US base
Qatar and the USA have reached an agreement allowing the Gulf state to permanently station Boeing F-15QA fighters at Mountain Home AFB in Idaho, with Doha constructing its own facility at the base.
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NewsUS Air Force orders eight additional Boeing MH-139A helicopters
The US Air Force has expanded its Boeing MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopter order by eight aircraft in a $173 million deal, bringing total commitments to 34 rotorcraft for nuclear security missions.