Air Force Lifts Pause on T-38 Flights, Jets to Fly After Inspections
The U.S. Air Force has lifted the operational pause on its T‑38 Talon trainer fleet, allowing inspected aircraft to return to flight within days. The pause, imposed after a May 12 crash in Alabama that forced both pilots to eject, halted all T‑38 operations across multiple commands for safety inspections and maintenance. Engineering teams have now completed the inspection process, while the service continues to rely on simulators to sustain pilot proficiency. The move comes as the Air Force accelerates its transition to the new Boeing T‑7 Red Hawk trainer.
Lawmakers Want USAF to Move Faster in Arming Tankers with Active Defenses
Lawmakers drafting the FY 2027 National Defense Authorization Act say the Air Force is lagging in equipping its KC‑135 and KC‑46 tanker fleet with active self‑defense systems. The House Armed Services Committee has asked for a detailed report by Dec. 1 outlining...
Northrop: Faster B-21 Production Allows Air Force to Consider a Bigger Fleet
Northrop Grumman announced accelerated B-21 Raider production, investing $2.5 billion in new facilities and leveraging a $4.5 billion funding boost to raise output by 25%. CEO Kathy Warden said faster build rates could persuade the Air Force to exceed its current minimum...
House Panel Proposes Eliminating SDA, Space RCO
House Armed Services Committee’s draft FY2027 National Defense Authorization Act proposes repealing the statutes that created the Space Development Agency (SDA) and the Space Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO). The plan would fold their programs into the Space Force’s new portfolio‑based...
New Aviation Mishap Task Force to Examine ‘Concerning’ Rise in Incidents
The Pentagon announced the formation of an Aviation Mishap Task Force on Jan. 15, 2024 to address a six‑year high in Class A aviation incidents recorded in fiscal 2024. The task force will integrate the Joint Safety Council and all military services...
Lawmakers Push Back on Air Force’s Scaled-Down Plans for MH-139 Helicopter
The House Armed Services Committee’s draft NDAA adds $128 million to fund eight MH‑139 “Grey Wolf” helicopters, doubling the Air Force’s 2027 request for four. The service had already trimmed its original 80‑aircraft plan to 56 and intends to modify existing...
F-35 Controls General Atomics Drone in CCA Autonomy Test
On May 27, General Atomics demonstrated that an F‑35 pilot could control a MQ‑20 Avenger drone from the ground using a tablet and a low‑Earth‑orbit satellite link. The test validated the Tactical Autonomy Ecosystem software and the broader Collaborative Combat...
USSF Gives SpaceX $2.29 Billion for ‘Backbone’ of New Data Network
The U.S. Space Force’s Space Data Network (SDN) will serve as a low‑Earth‑orbit backbone for joint‑force data transport. Space Systems Command awarded SpaceX a $2.29 billion contract to build the SDN backbone, using its militarized Starshield satellites derived from Starlink. The...
New F-15E Depot Line Will Speed Up Installs of EW System
The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center has opened a dedicated "speedline" at Warner Robins to fast‑track the Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS) on F‑15E Strike Eagles. The line, slated to receive its first aircraft in June, bypasses...
US Hits Iranian Boats, Missile Sites; Iran Claims Drone Shootdown
On May 25, U.S. forces sank two Iranian Revolutionary Guard vessels suspected of laying mines in the Persian Gulf, prompting the Iranians to fire surface‑to‑air missiles at U.S. aircraft. The United States retaliated by striking missile launchers near Bandar Abbas, close...
AETC Preps Next-Gen Simulators for Future Pilots
Air Education & Training Command’s Detachment 24 is rolling out next‑generation immersive training devices (eLTDs) that combine real T‑38 cockpit controls with 35‑inch monitors or mixed‑reality headsets. Over 30 eLTDs have been ordered, and a new advanced visual pod delivers...
New Report: Time Is Now to Start Work on Guardians in Space to Counter China
A new Mitchell Institute paper authored by retired Col. Kyle Pumroy calls on the U.S. Space Force to begin deploying Guardians in low‑Earth orbit and eventually on the moon to counter China’s expanding human spaceflight program. The report highlights China’s...
Air Force Chief: MQ-9 Reaper ‘Most Valuable Player’ of Iran War Despite Losses
U.S. Air Force Chief Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach told Congress that the MQ‑9 Reaper was the most valuable platform in Operation Epic Fury against Iran, delivering the highest number of strikes while keeping pilots out of harm’s way. The campaign saw...
Meink: Long-Range Nuclear Cruise Missile ‘Going Well’ but Entering Critical Phase
Air Force Secretary Troy Meink told lawmakers the AGM‑181 Long‑Range Stand‑off Weapon (LRSO) is progressing well on both cost and schedule, but is entering a critical production phase. The program, led by RTX, aims to replace the aging AGM‑86 cruise...
Global Strike Command Launches Minuteman ICBM Test
The U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command conducted Glory Trip 256, an unarmed Minuteman III ICBM launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base on May 20. This marks the second scheduled test of 2026 and follows a pattern of two to...