Space Force Reveals $3.2B in Space-Based Interceptor Awards for Golden Dome
The U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command announced on April 24 that it has awarded 20 contracts worth up to $3.2 billion to 12 companies to develop space‑based interceptor (SBI) technology for the Golden Dome missile‑defense program. The contracts cover prototypes capable of boost‑phase, mid‑course and glide‑phase missile engagements, with an initial operational capability targeted for 2028. Golden Dome, a layered shield concept launched by the Trump administration, carries an overall budget of about $185 billion, and analysts warn that a full SBI fleet could push total costs beyond $250 billion. The awards use Other Transaction Authority agreements to bring both traditional defense contractors and newer entrants such as SpaceX and Anduril into the effort.
Air Force Doubles Planned F-15EX Fleet to 267 Fighters
The U.S. Air Force announced it will more than double its planned F-15EX Eagle II fleet, raising the total order from 129 to 267 aircraft. The move follows a series of revisions since the 2020 contract, which originally targeted 144 jets,...
Space Force Budget Cuts SDA’s Data Transport Funding
The Space Force’s FY2027 budget request drops future funding for the Space Development Agency’s dedicated data‑transport layer, moving roughly $1.5 billion of procurement and an equal R&D line into a new “Proliferated Low‑Earth‑Orbit” account. The service proposes a hybrid Space Data...
Northrop Delivers New Jam-Resistant Navigation System for F-22
Northrop Grumman has delivered the first production‑version of its LN‑351 Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System Modernization (EGI‑M), a jam‑resistant navigation suite for the Air Force F‑22 Raptor and Navy E‑2D Advanced Hawkeye. The system leverages military‑only M‑code signals from...
Pentagon Zeroes Out E-7 in Budget, Leaving Its Future Uncertain
The Pentagon’s FY 2027 budget request left the Boeing E‑7A Wedgetail unfunded, casting doubt on the program’s long‑term viability. The Air Force will keep building prototypes under the FY 2026 allocation and has pledged a congressional discussion to explore funding options for...
Air Base Defense Would Get $1.4 Billion in ’27 USAF Budget
The U.S. Air Force is seeking $1.4 billion in its FY 2027 budget to fund Air Base Air Defense Systems (ABADS). The request includes a $1.3 billion procurement increase for new drone‑and missile‑defense technologies such as the Small Unmanned Aircraft Defense System (SUADS)...
U-2 Fleet, Half of A-10s Would Retire; Air Force Plans to Add 108 Planes in ’27
The U.S. Air Force’s FY2027 budget proposes divesting 149 legacy aircraft, including the last 23 U‑2 spy planes and roughly half of the remaining A‑10 Thunderbolt II fleet, while retaining three squadrons. At the same time, the service seeks to purchase...
Air Force Budget Plan Seeks to Boost Munitions
The U.S. Air Force’s FY2027 budget request earmarks $15 billion for its munitions portfolio, with $10.8 billion for weapon purchases and $4.3 billion for research, development, test and evaluation. The plan adds $1.1 billion for the Joint Advanced Tactical Missile, $1.4 billion for AMRAAMs, and...
Space Force Seeks Bigger Operational Footprint With 4 New Ops Centers
The U.S. Space Force is seeking $1 billion in the FY 2027 budget to construct four new space operations centers, each costing roughly $250 million. The facilities will be sited at Kirtland AFB (New Mexico), Redstone Arsenal (Alabama), Schriever SFB (Colorado) and Grand Forks...
Pentagon Cancels $6B GPS Ground System Contract
The Pentagon has terminated its $6.27 billion contract with RTX for the Next‑Generation GPS Operational Control Segment (OCX), a ground system meant to manage the modernized GPS III constellation. The program, launched 15 years ago, fell 10 years behind schedule and...
Iran War Highlights the Value of Unmanned Aircraft
The U.S. Air Force deployed MQ‑9 Reaper drones early in Operation Epic Fury over Iran, using their 24‑hour endurance to locate and strike mobile missile and drone launchers. Despite being vulnerable to sophisticated air defenses, several Reapers were lost, yet...
AMC Head Looks to Pair B-21 With ‘Capable, Modern Tanker’
Lt. Gen. Rebecca Sonkiss, acting head of Air Mobility Command, announced an Analysis of Alternatives study to determine the Air Force’s next‑generation aerial refueling system (NGAS) slated for fielding in the mid‑2030s. The study weighs expanding KC‑46 Pegasus purchases, adding...
DAF to Double Construction Budget to Ready for B-21, F-47
The Department of the Air Force (DAF) is seeking $26.7 billion for fiscal 2027 construction, more than double its 2026 request. The budget adds $730 million for a new F‑47 hangar at Nellis, $1.33 billion for B‑21 Raider and Sentinel ICBM facilities, and...
Air Force Seeks $3.2 Billion Plus-Up to Improve Aircraft Readiness
During a House Armed Services subcommittee hearing, the Air Force asked Congress for an additional $3.2 billion in spare‑part funding as part of a broader FY 2027 budget push. The service also seeks a $15.4 billion, nearly 20 percent increase in operations and maintenance...
Extra $475 Million Puts Hypersonic Interceptor Program Back on Track
The Pentagon has injected $475 million into the Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) program, moving its initial operational capability target from 2035 to 2031. The funding, awarded to Northrop Grumman under the 2025 reconciliation bill, lifts the program’s total budget to $1.31 billion....
Air Force’s Experimental Ops Unit Flies and Maintains Anduril CCA
The Air Force’s new Experimental Operations Unit (EOU) flew Anduril Industries’ YFQ‑44A Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) from Edwards AFB, with Airmen—not engineers or test pilots—controlling each sortie. The exercise proved that a handful of maintainers can sustain semi‑autonomous drones, accelerating...
Air Force Seeks Massive Budget Boost for Fund That Helps Manage Spare Parts
The Air Force’s FY 2027 budget request includes a $4.2 billion appropriation for the Consolidated Sustainment Activity Group’s (CSAG) supply division, part of the Air Force Working Capital Fund. This represents a 3,012% increase over the 2026 request, bringing the total Working...
Space Force Urges Industry to Invest in Satellite Production Capacity
The U.S. Space Force is seeking a dramatic expansion of its satellite‑production capability as it prepares a $71 billion FY 2027 budget request, a 77 percent increase over the prior year. The procurement portion swells to $19 billion, up from $3.6 billion in FY 2026, and...
100-Plus Aircraft Join US Military Blockade of Iran
The U.S. has launched a naval blockade of Iran, backed by more than 100 aircraft and over 10,000 service members. CENTCOM coordinates warships, fighters, drones, ISR platforms and satellites to halt all maritime trade with Iran. In the first 24 hours,...
How ’27 Budget Requests Compare: Air Force, Space Force Vs. Army, Navy, DOD
The Pentagon’s FY 2027 budget request totals roughly $1.5 trillion, with the Department of the Air Force leading at $397 billion and the Navy close behind at $325 billion. Space Force funding surges 78% to $75.9 billion, while Defense‑wide accounts more than double, climbing 121%...
What Are Chinese Media Outlets Saying About the F-47?
Chinese state media are downplaying the U.S. Air Force’s sixth‑generation fighter, the F‑47, by stressing its sky‑high price, questioning Boeing’s ability to deliver, and warning of rare‑earth supply constraints. A report from the China Aerospace Studies Institute catalogued these themes...
BAE Unveils Highly Maneuverable, Refuelable Satellite, Eyes 2027 Delivery
BAE Systems unveiled Ascent, a high‑thrust, refuelable satellite in its Elevation line, aimed at dynamic space operations for the U.S. Space Force, commercial and civil users. The platform can maneuver across medium‑Earth orbit, geosynchronous orbit and cislunar space, and a...
Air Force Seeks Increase in Operations & Maintenance, Flying Hours in 2027
The U.S. Air Force is requesting a 21% increase in its active‑duty operations and maintenance budget for fiscal 2027, raising the allocation from $65.8 billion to $79.8 billion. The proposal also includes a 22% boost to the flying‑hour program, taking spending to...
Guard Leaders Tell Congress the Air Force Needs 100 New Fighters a Year
National Guard adjutants general from 22 states sent a letter to Congress urging multiyear funding for the Air Force to acquire 72 to 100 new fighter jets per year, focusing on the F‑35A Lightning II and F‑15EX Eagle II. The...
STARCOM Aims to Fill 400 Civilian Positions in Hiring Surge
Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM) announced a hiring surge to add 400 civilian positions over the next several months. The roles span acquisition, intelligence, testing analysis, and cybersecurity at sites including Patrick, Schriever, Vandenberg, Joint Base Andrews and other...
AFCENT to Spend up to $270 Million on Ultra-Long Range ISR Drones
U.S. Air Forces Central awarded an indefinite‑delivery, indefinite‑quantity contract worth up to $270 million to Kraus Hamdani Aerospace for its solar‑powered KH1000ULE ultra‑long‑range ISR drone. The 20‑foot, 42.5‑lb aircraft can stay aloft for 75 hours, cover more than 700 nautical miles and operate...
How Vandenberg’s Range Is Scaling to Meet Launch Demand
Vandenberg Space Force Base is gearing up for a dramatic increase in launch activity, targeting 150 launches in the next five years and over 200 by 2036. The effort is backed by $1.3 billion in federal funding through FY2028 and a...
USAFA Names New Commandant of Cadets as Leadership Shakeup Continues
The U.S. Air Force Academy announced Colonel Brandon J. Tellez will assume the role of commandant of cadets in May, succeeding Brig. Gen. Gavin Marks, who retires after a 30‑year career. Tellez, a 2001 Academy graduate, fighter pilot with F‑15C...
Air Force Awards Contract to Develop Small, Disposable Engines for Missiles and Drones
The U.S. Air Force awarded engine startup Beehive Industries a $29.7 million contract to finish development of its Frenzy 8 disposable jet engine and begin low‑thrust Frenzy 6 production. The engines, weighing about 200 lb and delivering 100‑300 lb of thrust, are part of the...
Air Force May Miss Historic Budget Boom With Cautious Proposals, Expert Fears
The Pentagon’s FY2027 Air Force budget request adds roughly 22%—about $57 billion—to reach $317 billion, but many analysts say it falls short of the service’s long‑term modernization needs. Procurement plans call for only 62 new fighters, well below the 72‑jet annual target,...
New Wargame Assessed USAF Force Mixes for a China Fight
A new unclassified wargame organized by the AFA Mitchell Institute compared two future U.S. Air Force force mixes for a 2035 China‑Taiwan conflict. Team Doolittle reflects the current modernization path, while Team Mitchell models a more aggressive build‑up with additional...
Space Force Awards GPS Ground Contract Amid OCX Uncertainty
The U.S. Space Force awarded Lockheed Martin a $105 million contract to sustain and enhance its interim GPS ground system, known as the Architecture Evolution Plan (AEP). The funding adds capabilities for launch, early‑orbit and disposal operations of the upcoming GPS...
Air Force Tanker, Airlift Fleet Could Get a ‘Moving Map App’ to Boost Battlespace Awareness
The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) announced a request for proposals to develop a modular, open‑mission engine (OMEN) that will host a moving‑map application for Air Force tanker and airlift aircraft. The tool aims to give crews a real‑time common operating...
New Report Highlights Global Trend Toward ‘Bodyguard’ Satellites
The Secure World Foundation’s 2026 counter‑space report shows a surge in “bodyguard” satellite programs as Japan, France, India and Germany move to protect and counter‑attack threats in orbit. These co‑orbital platforms combine surveillance with defensive or offensive capabilities, such as...
As US Announces Ceasefire with Iran, Pentagon Says Forces Will ‘Stay Ready’
The U.S. and Iran announced a two‑week ceasefire on April 7, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hailed Operation Epic Fury as a historic military victory. Pentagon officials emphasized that American forces will remain poised to resume combat if the pause ends without...
Air Force Wants a New, Affordable Standoff Attack Missile by 2033
The U.S. Air Force is reviving its Standoff Attack Weapon (SoAW) program, targeting a fielding date around 2033 and an industry day on June 17 at Eglin Air Force Base. The initiative seeks an affordable, air‑launched cruise missile priced under...
Space Force Resets Modernization Plan for Its Aging Satellite Control Network
The U.S. Space Force has scrapped the $1.4 billion Satellite Communications Augmentation Resource (SCAR) contract that would have delivered 12 phased‑array antennas, and issued a new request for information to tap existing commercial antenna assets. The legacy Satellite Control Network, a...
The Rescue of DUDE 44: Inside the Massive Operation to Save Two Downed Airmen In Iran
In early April, an Iranian missile downed a U.S. F‑15E Strike Eagle over Iran, prompting a two‑day rescue that involved more than 150 aircraft and hundreds of personnel. The first wave deployed 21 aircraft in daylight to extract the pilot,...
Air Force Wants Nearly $1 Billion to Start Buying CCAs in 2027
The Air Force has asked for nearly $1 billion in FY 2027 to begin procurement of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs). The budget request totals $996.5 million for procurement plus $150 million advance procurement and $1.37 billion for research and development, bringing the program’s FY 2027 request...
KC-135 Crews Receive Distinguished Flying Crosses for Combat Missions
More than a dozen airmen from the 92nd Air Refueling Wing were honored on March 31 for extraordinary combat refueling missions in contested Middle‑East airspace. Twelve KC‑135 pilots and boom operators received the Distinguished Flying Cross, with Staff Sgt. Gabrielle Stallings...
The Soul of Aerospace Power: It’s the People, Not the Machines
Operation Epic Fury demonstrated the United States Air Force and Space Force’s massive sortie tempo, with over 13,000 combat missions and 12,300 targets struck by April 1. The conflict’s first U.S. aircraft loss occurred on April 3 when an F‑15E was downed...
Space Force to Create Futures-Like Group on HQ Staff
The U.S. Space Force will stand up a new headquarters staff directorate, designated SF/S9, on April 21 to serve as the service’s force‑design architect. The group will coordinate future‑oriented entities such as the Space Warfighting Analysis Center, the Chief Science...
Guard, Reserve Leaders Flag Concern over Recapitalizing Fighter Fleet
Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve leaders warned that more than 80% of their fighter inventory consists of aging legacy jets with limited service life, and over half of Guard squadrons lack a clear modernization roadmap. They argue that...
Space Force Wants More Testers, Looking at Own Test Center to Deliver Faster
The U.S. Space Force is overhauling its testing approach by embedding acquirers, testers, and operators in early‑stage "test integration teams," a shift aimed at delivering usable capabilities faster. Officials say the new model reduces silos, accepts "good enough" solutions, and...
How the Space Force Is Supporting NASA’s Artemis II Mission
The U.S. Space Force’s Space Launch Delta 45 is providing extensive range support for NASA’s Artemis II crewed lunar mission, scheduled for launch on April 1. Because the Space Launch System lacks an autonomous flight‑safety system, the range will staff roughly 28...
F-35 From Nellis Air Force Base Crashes in Nevada
A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II from Nellis Air Force Base crashed within the Nevada Test and Training Range on March 31. The pilot ejected safely and suffered only minor injuries. Emergency responders confirmed no impact on nearby populated...
Missile Cancer Study Finds Increased Rate of Two Cancers Based on More Data
The U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine’s Missile Community Cancer Study, now analyzing 148,078 cases from 1976‑2010, found statistically higher rates of testicular cancer and Hodgkin lymphoma among intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) personnel compared with other Airmen. Earlier phases...
New Acquisition Czars Say They’re Not Trying to Blow Up the System
The Pentagon has created Direct Reporting Program Managers (DRPMs) to accelerate high‑risk weapons programs, placing four‑star generals like Gen. Michael Guetlein and Gen. Dale White directly under Deputy Secretary Stephen Feinberg. Their portfolios include Golden Dome missile defense, the F‑47...
Key E-3 AWACS Damaged in Iranian Attack on Saudi Air Base
Iran launched a missile and drone attack on Prince Sultan Air Base on March 27, damaging a U.S. Air Force E‑3 Sentry AWACS that appears to be beyond repair. The loss reduces the already limited fleet of 16 aircraft, which in...
Pentagon Eyes Canceling ‘Troubled’ GPS Ground System
The U.S. Space Force is weighing the cancellation of the Next‑Generation Operational Control Segment (GPS OCX), a ground system built by RTX to command the newest GPS III and upcoming GPS IIIF satellites. After a government‑led test phase uncovered persistent software defects, the...