Air Force Hikes VC-25B Budget, Bypasses FY27 Bridge Funding
The Air Force is increasing VC-25B spending to meet the newly announced schedule. Also, no money requested in FY27 for the Qatar-donated 'bridge aircraft.' Funding transferred from Sentinel, outside the typical budgetary process, covers the whole project https://t.co/nMNKAzWLff
Pentagon Aims to Accelerate
The Pentagon in its budget request says it can speed up fielding of the F-35's Block 4 by a year, to 2030, as it increases spending on the program. This is reliant on reconciliation approval https://t.co/F5NdnDxpKT
Navy's 2027 Budget Revives P‑8 Purchases, Costs Surge
The Navy is procuring new P-8s in its 2027 budget request for the first time since 2024. That gap has seen the flyaway cost per aircraft to substantially rise, connected in part to Boeing's production shift to MAXs https://t.co/ww2HzyUpU6
Navy Expands E‑2D Fleet Amid E‑3 Readiness Woes
The Navy wants to grow its E-2D fleet because Advanced Hawkeyes are seeing "accelerated service life burn down" as they are taking on more overland airborne early warning taskings This as E-3s face readiness issues and the E-7 has an uncertain...
Air Force Seeks Funding for E‑7 Wedgetail Despite Budget Gap
Despite no funding in Pentagon's fiscal 2027 request, the Air Force is "evaluating options to resource the E-7 program" to finish the Wedgetail prototypes and continue EMD. https://t.co/mD86r3Qjmj
Air Force Extends Three A‑10 Squadrons Through 2030
The Air Force will extend three A-10 squadrons, the service announces today. One Moody active duty squadron and one Whiteman reserve squadron to 2030, plus another Moody squadron to 2029, according to the service. https://t.co/pNrdLnWk15
Qatar‑gifted VC‑25 747 Starts Flight Testing
The VC-25 "Bridge Aircraft"---the 747 gifted by Qatar---has begun flight testing , the Air Force confirms. Spotted yesterday on a flight in Texas, painted freshly white but not yet in the full livery https://t.co/gtG0orHjKQ
Bell Launches Upgraded MV‑75 Cheyenne II with Stronger Gear
In addition to getting a name, Bell unveiled a new model of the MV-75 Cheyenne II with some design changes. This includes beefy landing gear and easier access for maintenance. https://t.co/7CIcRtfvJc
Army's Cheyenne II Faces Aggressive, Success‑dependent Timeline
The Army's MV-75 has a name, Cheyenne II It also has an extremely aggressive schedule that top officials warn relies on a series of successes to meet Link (now that the embargo is lifted): https://t.co/9WoZgHBaZ9
Navy Seeks Fast, Carrier‑Free Trainer Amid F/A‑XX Focus
With all of the focus on F/A-XX, it is worth watching the competition for the next Navy trainer. Especially as the service has shown intention to move quickly (and avoid carrier landings) In the current issue: https://t.co/hNCixl9Kwq
US Army Expends All Precision Strike Missiles Early in Iran Conflict
The US Army fired its entire stock of Precision Strike Missiles in the opening stages of the war against Iran. via @TheDEWLine https://t.co/CvFJqTGvTs
Inside the 747-8i Conversion to Doomsday Plane
Exclusive: I recently had the chance to get on a 747-8i that SNC is converting into an E-4C Doomsday plane, for an up-close look at how the work is beginning and the outlook for the program In the latest issue of...
Defense AI Group Budget Jumps 24,000% to $54.6B
"...The [Defense Autonomous Working Group] would command a $54.6 billion budget entering the next fiscal year. To spare you the math, that represents a jaw-dropping, year-over-year increase of 24,166.67%." https://t.co/rnUtdKWEvJ via @TheDEWLine
F/A-XX Funding Remains Low Amid RDT&E Surge
Looks like another relatively low budget request for F/A-XX despite a big spike in overall RDT&E $68.5m in the PB, with another $72m in the reconciliation request https://t.co/Rg5WoLuAtw
Navy Targets $1.7B T‑45 Replacement, Drops Unflared Landing Requirement
NEW: The Navy sets the plan and requirements to replace its T-45 trainer, targeting an EMD cost of no more than $1.7 billion to start fielding 216 aircraft To get there, the Navy has officially settled on not requiring unflared landings/field...
Army's FY27 Ammo Funding Peaks, Then Slashes
A tiny peak at the upcoming DOD budget: The Army is looking to continue high spending on GOCO ammo production in FY27 before a sharp drop off in the following years, according to new slides. https://t.co/hCSeV8VFbd
34th FS Sets Record
The 34th FS at Hill was deployed 11 of 12 months last year They had the first air-to-air drone kills for the F-35A, flew defensive air cover for multiple carrier strike groups, were first into Iranian airspace for Midnight Hammer. Release:...
US Navy P-8 Poseidon Suffers $2.5M Collision Damage
A US Navy P-8 Poseidon got bonked by a foreign aircraft taxiing into it at an undisclosed location on March 20. Damage was enough to classify it as a Class A (>$2.5m) https://t.co/k13bI4dv4P
Air Force Postpones B‑52 Radar Upgrades Amid Cost Overruns
The Air Force has adjusted its B-52 radar upgrade plans, pushing some capability (and the radome redesign) out for future increments amid delays and cost overruns: https://t.co/8C4uYpv0UU
CENTCOM Fact Sheet Reveals 6,500 Flights, 7,000 Targets
New CENTCOM fact sheet has a touch more detail 6,500+ combat flights, 7,000+ targets struck. Lists some more aircraft involved (V-22s?) https://t.co/oLJ9Nl1dOg
USAF Mobility Crews Finally Gain Situational Awareness Momentum
Far too early to say what happened as the investigation plays out. But something to watch is how USAF's mobility crews have been screaming for improved situational awareness on the bulk of its tankers and airlifters and it's finally getting...
Nine Years Later, Tanker Crews Still Fly Together
From 2017, riding on a KC-135 over Iraq. Nine years later they are still at it. Active, Guard and Reserve tanker crews have been the most open and welcoming to me throughout my career covering military aviation. Horrible days for a...
First 100 Hours Cost $3.7B, Mostly Unbudgeted
"The first 100 hours (H+100) of the operation are estimated to cost $3.7 billion, or $891.4 million each day. Some of these costs are already budgeted, but most ($3.5 billion) are not." -- @CSIS https://t.co/CXMXCNY8DQ
Historic PBY Catalina Joins Modern P‑8A Poseidon at Whidbey
PBY Catalina and a P-8A Poseidon assigned to the “Fighting Marlins” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 40 sit on the apron aboard Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash., Aug. 22, 2025. On DVIDS today. #avgeek https://t.co/dy2utMvSdY https://t.co/WLf4sHZzs0
Israeli F‑16Is Overfly Deir Ez‑Zor en Route to Iran
Looks like these F-16Is flew up and over Deir ez Zur, Syria, on the way to Iran
Oval Air Show Features Unexpected KC-135 Model
KC-135 model in the Oval. So there's a VC-25B, B-2, F-35, F-22 and KC-135? https://t.co/rMEE6kvj9A
Pentagon Skips Formal Nuclear Review, Keeps Trump Strategy
Pentagon policy chief Bridge Colby tells lawmakers just now the DOD doesn't plan to do a formal Nuclear Posture Review. Prior declaratory strategy from Trump's first term remains relevant
US Army's Missile Office Manages $43.7B in Middle East FMS
As of August 2025, the US Army's PEO Missiles and Space had 202 FMS cases in the Middle East, totaling about $43.7b. Slide from SMD Symposium: (no, I have no idea why the former flag of Afghanistan is on there)...
Ejection Training Unexpectedly Relevant Two Years Later
Apropos of nothing, Facebook reminds me two years ago today I flew backseat in an F-15E. Didn't think the ejection training would have relevance to current events two years later. https://t.co/kVxJj2kS3j
Anduril YFQ-44A CCA Tested with Inert AIM-120
New photo of the @Anduril YFQ-44A CCA carrying an inert AIM-120 as part of captive carry tests: https://t.co/zlKJ5RntBF
New CSAF Outlines Air Force Challenges and Solutions
Exclusive: I recently spoke with @OfficialCSAF for his first interview in the job. Including his perspective on coming back to lead the service, the challenges facing the Air Force and his perspective of how to address them. A read to...
Updated Design Adds Bigger Tail Flag, Cooler Engines
New design (left). First Trump admin (right). Much larger flag on the tail, different color on the engines--possibly related to the thermal concerns raised a couple years back. https://t.co/e5GPwczads
Beacon AI Showcases Pilot Assistance Autonomy Beyond Symposium
Outside of the Special Air Warfare Symposium, how Beacon AI is touting pilot assistance autonomy https://t.co/AK7QFrzgvz
Sierra Nevada, Northrop, General Atomics Team on Freedom Jet Bid
NEW: @SierraNevCorp is teaming with Northrop Grumman and General Atomics-ASI on its "Freedom" aircraft it is bidding for the US Navy's Undergraduate Jet Training System. First on @aviationweek https://t.co/Ch1Ml4EeZu https://t.co/nqyJQIievk
MV‑22 Gearbox Failure Underscores Persistent Osprey Issues
The latest gearbox issue happened last week in Oahu with an MV-22 from the 1MAW. Not many details on the extent of damage, but the mishap shows that issues continue as the Pentagon touts progress https://t.co/twBLN0m8Hj
C‑130 Deliveries Stalled Over Faulty New Communication Package
Scoop: Deliveries of new C-130s have been halted due to issues with a new communication package being installed on the Herks. https://t.co/4PBkDEFZ7v