All United States Air Force articles
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NewsUSAF debuts new EA-37B Compass Call electronic warfare jet in Europe
The US Air Force’s new EA-37B Compass Call electronic warfare aircraft has arrived in Europe for the first time, landing at Ramstein air base in Germany on 26 January as part of a multi-base demonstration tour.
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NewsUS Air Force partners with Stanford University to test cockpit AI
The US Air Force has partnered with Stanford University to evaluate an artificial intelligence cockpit assistant designed to reduce pilot workload during high-stress situations such as in-flight emergencies and system diagnostics.
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NewsGrid Aero’s Lifter Lite uncrewed cargo aircraft makes runway appearance alongside C-130
California-based start-up Grid Aero has begun ground testing its Lifter Lite uncrewed cargo aircraft, less than a year after publicly unveiling the twin-engined turboprop design intended as a companion to the Lockheed Martin C-130 transport.
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NewsMH-139 logs first convoy flight providing security to US Air Force nuclear missiles
The US Air Force’s Boeing MH-139 Grey Wolf has commenced operational nuclear security duties, completing its first convoy escort mission protecting intercontinental ballistic missile sites at Malmstrom AFB, Montana on 8 January.
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NewsNorthrop to develop uncrewed fighter for USMC based on Kratos XQ-58
Northrop Grumman has secured a US Marine Corps (USMC) contract to develop an uncrewed fighter jet based on the Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie, marking a significant win for the company’s autonomous aircraft efforts under the MUX TACAIR programme.
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NewsRare footage of RQ-170 stealth drone emerges from Venezuela raid
Social media footage appears to show a Lockheed Martin RQ-170 Sentinel operating from Puerto Rico during the US military’s recent operation to capture deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
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NewsBoeing secures $2bn contract to continue work on B-52 re-engining
The US Air Force funding will cover integration and testing of the Rolls-Royce F130 powerplant on two B-52H aircraft, marking a significant milestone in the effort to modernise the Cold War-era bomber for service into the 2060s.
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NewsNorthrop’s Talon jet receives prototype designation as YFQ-48A
Defence manufacturer Northrop Grumman has secured official US Air Force recognition for its Talon uncrewed jet, receiving the YFQ-48A prototype designation under the Collaborative Combat Aircraft programme as the service expands its autonomous fighter development efforts.
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NewsHanwha Systems wins F-15 cockpit display contract from Boeing
Boeing has selected South Korea’s Hanwha Systems to provide the Eagle Large Area Display for Seoul’s F-15K fleet and the US Air Force’s F-15EX, marking the Korean manufacturer’s first export of digital avionics equipment.
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NewsUS Air Force to equip X-62 fighter with PhantomStrike radar for AI combat testing
The US Air Force will install Raytheon’s PhantomStrike active electronically scanned array radar on its X-62 VISTA test aircraft, advancing autonomous combat capabilities as the service develops artificial intelligence systems for future uncrewed fighters.
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In depthMaterial failure involved in more than half of serious Osprey safety incidents since 2021
A multi-year review conducted the US military’s airworthiness authority for the V-22 tiltrotor found that out of 12 Class A mishaps in recent years, seven featured material failure as a causal or contributing factor.
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NewsJetBlue A320 crew startled by encounter with ‘unseen’ military tanker north of Venezuela
A JetBlue Airbus A320 crew reported a close encounter with a US Air Force tanker aircraft operating without an active transponder during climb-out from Curacao on 12 December, forcing the commercial flight to halt its ascent.
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In depthT-38C phase out begins as USAF flight school receives first T-7A trainer
The US Air Force’s Air Education and Training Command has received its first Boeing T-7A Red Hawk trainer jet, marking a significant milestone in the service’s efforts to modernise pilot training and replace its ageing fleet of Northrop T-38C Talon aircraft.
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NewsUS Air Force begins testing new radar for B-52 bomber
The US Air Force has begun evaluating a new active electronically scanned array radar system for its B-52H bomber fleet, with testing now underway at Edwards AFB following delivery of the first modified aircraft from Boeing’s San Antonio facility.
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NewsUS lawmakers approve 84% funding cut to US Navy’s F/A-XX sixth-generation fighter
Lawmakers in Washington are supporting a Trump Administration plan to provide only minimal funding to the US Navy’s F/A-XX sixth-generation fighter programme, instead favouring the US Air Force’s F-47.
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NewsCongress moves to protect E-7A Wedgetail programme from cancellation
Lawmakers in the US Congress are taking legislative action to prevent the Trump Administration from cancelling the US Air Force’s Boeing E-7A Wedgetail acquisition programme, overriding opposition from the White House, which favours space-based alternatives.
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NewsDamaged B-2 stealth bomber returns to frontline duty after four-year repair from landing gear collapse
B-2 tail number 89-0129 has been restored to flight status after extensive repairs to damage caused by a landing gear collapse in 2021, boosting the USAF’s limited stealth bomber capability.
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NewsNorthrop Grumman reveals Talon autonomous fighter design
Northrop Grumman has unveiled its Talon concept for an uncrewed fighter aircraft seemingly based on the Scaled Composites Model 437 low-cost jet.
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NewsUS Air Force takes delivery of 100th KC-46A tanker
The milestone delivery comes as the Air Mobility Command is increasingly relying on KC-46As to support frontline military operations across the globe.
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NewsThunderbirds F-16 crashes during California training flight
A Lockheed Martin F-16 from the US Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration team has crashed during a training flight in California, with the pilot ejecting safely and remaining in stable condition.