US Air Force

The US Air Force's MH-139 Grey Wolf helicopter achieved initial operational capability (IOC) on August 10, 2026, replacing the Vietnam-era UH-1N Huey for nuclear security missions. The Boeing twin-engine helicopter is nearly 50% faster, carries twice as many troops, and features advanced defensive systems. It will secure Minuteman III ICBM fields across 33,600 square miles and support emergency response missions. The 40th Helicopter Squadron at Malmstrom Air Force Base conducted the first operational convoy mission in January 2026.

8 reports · 4 sources · Updated Sep 1, 08:48 PM UTC

U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach visited Israel in late August 2025/2026, meeting with Israeli military leaders Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and Maj. Gen. Omer Tischler as the conflict with Iran surpassed its six-month mark. Discussions focused on the regional situation, lessons from the joint U.S.-Israeli air campaign, and future cooperation. The war began with dual air campaigns on February 28, 2026, and has involved long-range bomber strikes. Since the war began, 18 U.S. service members have died, though the Pentagon later reclassified some casualties, lowering the official count to 14.

8 reports · 4 sources · Updated Aug 31, 08:09 PM UTC

On August 28, 2026, Joint Base Andrews in Maryland activated the 5th Helicopter Squadron, the first new helicopter squadron there in 60 years. The squadron will receive 26 HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopters, replacing the aging UH-1N Huey fleet. The transition, expected to reach full operational capability by 2030, will modernize executive airlift and continuity-of-government missions for the National Capital Region, adding 60 personnel and marking the end of the Huey’s iconic 60-year legacy.

9 reports · 4 sources · Updated Aug 31, 12:00 PM UTC

On August 20, 2026, a U.S. Air Force C-17A Globemaster III (ICE28) en route from Christchurch, New Zealand, to Antarctica turned back after New Zealand’s Civil Aviation Authority issued a NOTAM warning of a planned Russian missile launch posing a hazard to international airspace. The flight, a routine resupply mission for Antarctic research stations, returned to Christchurch 2.5 hours later. The incident highlights the impact of Russian space activities on aviation operations in the region.

9 reports · 3 sources · Updated Aug 20, 07:10 PM UTC

On August 10, 2026, U.S. Air Force airmen from Nellis AFB, Nevada, rapidly deployed two HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopters to rescue five Navy sailors after their MH-60S Seahawk made a hard landing in mountainous terrain near Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California. Despite a circuit breaker issue and no standby status, maintenance crews devised a workaround within 30 minutes. The helicopters departed at 1 p.m., established contact by 3 p.m., and extracted all five uninjured sailors by 3:50 p.m., transferring them safely to China Lake.

15 reports · 5 sources · Updated Aug 18, 09:33 PM UTC

The U.S. Air Force has selected Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, as the preferred location for 26 modified HH-60W helicopters to replace the aging UH-1N Huey fleet used for executive transport and contingency response. The move will establish the 5th Helicopter Squadron and add 60 active-duty jobs. Modifications include removing combat rescue gear and reconfiguring cabins for 11 passengers. Initial operational capability is expected by early 2029, with full capability by 2030. The House Armed Services Committee has requested more details on costs and operational implications.

7 reports · 3 sources · Updated Aug 12, 06:49 PM UTC

The U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing a $75 million initial production contract for the GBU-75, a jet-powered JDAM variant with a range over 300 nautical miles. Boeing invested nearly $100 million of its own funds. The first units go to the U.S. Navy, which tested the weapon in April 2026 from Super Hornets over the Point Mugu Sea Range, achieving precision strikes. The kit can be used on any JDAM-capable aircraft without modification and also supports a naval mining variant.

10 reports · 5 sources · Updated Aug 12, 05:39 PM UTC

Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works and the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School demonstrated a milestone in airborne autonomy at Edwards Air Force Base. Over eight test flights, the X-62 VISTA (a modified F-16D) completed 27 AI-controlled intercept maneuvers against a real T-38 target jet, using live sensor data from the Legion Pod for the first time. The AI integration took only three months via Skunk Works' 'Supermassive' framework. This advancement aims to reduce pilot workload and enhance tactical decision-making, paving the way for future manned-unmanned teaming and AI-enabled air superiority.

6 reports · 2 sources · Updated Aug 8, 02:15 PM UTC

The U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing a $75 million initial production contract for the GBU-75 JDAM Long Range (JDAM LR), a wing-and-turbojet kit converting 500-pound bombs into precision-guided munitions with over 300 nautical miles range. Developed with the Navy and tested in April 2026, the weapon offers fourth-generation aircraft a low-cost standoff strike capability against advanced air defenses. Boeing invested nearly $100 million internally. First units go to the U.S. Navy.

11 reports · 7 sources · Updated Aug 7, 10:08 AM UTC

Anduril's YFQ-44 Fury and General Atomics' YFQ-42 Dark Merlin arrived at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, for Agile Combat Employment (ACE) trials from July 20-24, 2026. The USAF's Experimental Operations Unit led ground and flight operations testing lean sustainment, human-machine teaming, and integration with manned fighters. Observers from the Royal Netherlands Air Force attended. The exercise aims to reduce logistical risks and validate concepts for forward-deployed operations, following earlier tests in the Pacific and at Edwards AFB.

5 reports · 2 sources · Updated Jul 29, 10:40 PM UTC

The U.S. Marine Corps accepted its 359th and final MV-22B Osprey on July 29, 2026, in Amarillo, Texas, ending nearly two decades of production. The tiltrotor aircraft, operational since 2007, has logged over 683,000 flight hours across 114 deployments and handles 75% of Marine rotary-wing assault support. However, the program has been marred by safety issues, with over 60 fatalities in accidents, including a 2023 grounding. The focus now shifts to sustaining and modernizing the fleet through 2055.

20 reports · 9 sources · Updated Aug 9, 01:00 PM UTC

The US Air Force officially confirmed on July 9, 2026, that the B-21 Raider stealth bomber will operate with a two-pilot crew, ending months of speculation about a possible single-seat configuration. The decision was based on the physical demands of long-range strike missions that can last over a day, requiring pilots to rotate flying duties and manage fatigue. Despite unprecedented levels of AI-assisted automation, the Air Force determined that two fully qualified pilots are necessary for optimal mission performance and survivability in contested environments. Additionally, the service announced a new program allowing experienced Weapons System Officers (WSOs) and Combat Systems Officers (CSOs) to retrain as B-21 pilots through the Undergraduate Pilot Training program. The B-21 is planned to become the backbone of America's bomber fleet, entering operational service in 2027, and will incrementally replace the B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit bombers.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 11:10 PM UTC

The US Air Force officially confirmed on July 9, 2026, that the B-21 Raider, its next-generation stealth bomber, will operate with a two-pilot crew, ending months of speculation about a single-seat configuration. Despite unprecedented levels of AI-assisted automation, the service determined that two pilots are necessary for extended-duration, long-range strike missions that can last over a day, allowing for rotation of flying duties, systems monitoring, and coverage for incapacitation. The Air Force also announced a new program allowing experienced Weapons System Officers (WSOs) and Combat Systems Officers (CSOs) to retrain as B-21 pilots through the Undergraduate Pilot Training program. The decision was influenced by recent combat operations, such as the 37-hour B-2 Spirit mission during Operation Midnight Hammer, which highlighted the physical demands on crews. The B-21 is planned to become the backbone of the bomber fleet, entering operational service in 2027.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 11:10 PM UTC

The U.S. Air Force plans to purchase F404-103 engines for its new T-7A Red Hawk trainer directly from GE Aerospace, rather than having Boeing supply them as part of the aircraft contract. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center issued two sources sought notices in early July: one for the engines and another for the technical data package needed to establish organic depot-level repair capabilities. This shift gives the service more control over a critical component and addresses concerns about technical data rights, which had been flagged as a high-risk issue for sustainment. The Air Force is negotiating with Boeing to provide the engines as government-furnished equipment. While the change could affect costs and pricing, it mirrors existing practices for other aircraft like the F-35 and F-15EX. A formal request for proposals is expected later this year. Defense analyst J.J. Gertler noted that the government's long history with the F404 engine and past data rights issues likely influenced the decision.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 09:35 PM UTC

The U.S. Air Force successfully conducted the first live-fire test of its YFQ-44A Fury Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), an autonomous drone built by Anduril Industries. The drone fired an AIM-120 AMRAAM missile at a simulated digital target over the Mojave Desert, California, from Edwards Air Force Base. A human operator authorized the engagement, ensuring no autonomous lethal decision-making. The milestone advances the CCA program, which aims to field semi-autonomous robotic wingmen for crewed fighters like the F-35 and F-22.

23 reports · 7 sources · Updated Jul 28, 05:31 PM UTC

Anduril's first YFQ-44A unmanned semi-autonomous aircraft rolled off the production line at its Arsenal-1 facility in Pickaway County, Ohio, on Monday, just four months after production began. The $1 billion, 5-million-square-foot facility, located near Rickenbacker International Airport, is expected to add 4,000 jobs. The YFQ-44A is a missionized variant of the Fury autonomous fighter jet for the US Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. This milestone follows the Air Force's first-ever live-fire test with the CCA, where the YFQ-44A executed a beyond-line-of-sight strike using an inert AIM-120 missile. The Air Force also completed an Agile Combat Employment exercise at Creech AFB, Nevada, to develop tactics for integrating CCAs with manned platforms. Air Force officials stress that human operators retain command and control at all times. The Air Force awarded CCA contracts to Anduril and General Atomics last month, with plans for 100-150 aircraft in the first increment and a long-term goal of 1,000 CCAs. The production line has capacity for 150 aircraft per year.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 05:31 PM UTC

L2 Aviation has been selected as an awardee on the US Air Force's KC-46 Commercial Aircraft Strategic Parts Exchange and Repair (CASPER) Multiple Award Contract. This selection allows the company to compete for future task orders supporting repair, exchange, teardown, evaluation, and sustainment of commercial-derived components for the Boeing KC-46A Pegasus aerial refueling aircraft. The CASPER program operates as a Multiple Award Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with a five-year ordering period. Tasks may include depot-level repairs and testing required for long-term aircraft sustainment. L2 Aviation president Tony Bailey stated the selection validates the company's investments in quality and engineering capabilities. The KC-46A Pegasus serves as the first phase in updating the Air Force's tanker fleet, replacing older models such as the KC-135, and supports aerial refueling, cargo transport, passenger movement, and aeromedical evacuation missions.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 03:23 PM UTC

L2 Aviation has been selected as an awardee on the US Air Force's KC-46 Commercial Aircraft Strategic Parts Exchange and Repair (CASPER) Multiple Award Contract. This IDIQ contract with a five-year ordering period allows L2 Aviation to compete for future task orders supporting repair, exchange, teardown, evaluation, and sustainment of commercial-derived components for the Boeing KC-46A Pegasus aerial refueling aircraft. Tasks may include depot-level repairs and testing for long-term fleet sustainment. L2 Aviation president Tony Bailey stated the selection validates the company's investments in quality and engineering. The KC-46A Pegasus is a key part of modernizing the US Air Force's tanker fleet, replacing older KC-135 models, and supports aerial refueling, cargo transport, passenger movement, and aeromedical evacuation missions.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 03:23 PM UTC

The U.S. Air Force announced that the F-35 fighter's Engine Core Upgrade (ECU) will undergo its critical design review in August, a key milestone for the program. John Sneden, the service's portfolio acquisition executive for propulsion, stated the upgrade is proceeding well. The ECU aims to modify Pratt & Whitney's F135 engines to provide more thrust and cooling power for the Block 4 upgrades. After the design review, ground testing is scheduled for late 2027, with flight tests starting around 2030. The Government Accountability Office's September 2025 report noted major risks including schedule integration issues and immature test plans. The Air Force's 2027 budget request seeks $317.5 million for the F-35 propulsion enterprise, up from $121 million in 2026, to accelerate development and delivery of the ECU and power and thermal management upgrade.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 03:07 PM UTC

The U.S. Air Force announced that the F-35 fighter's Engine Core Upgrade (ECU) will undergo its critical design review in August, a key milestone for the program. John Sneden, the service's portfolio acquisition executive for propulsion, stated the upgrade is proceeding well. The ECU aims to modify the existing F135 engines to provide more thrust and cooling power needed for the Block 4 upgrades. After the design review, ground testing is scheduled for late 2027, with flight tests beginning around 2030. The Government Accountability Office noted major risks including lack of integrated schedules and immature test plans. The Air Force's 2027 budget request seeks $317.5 million for the F-35 propulsion enterprise, up from $121 million in 2026, to accelerate development and meet target fielding dates.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 03:07 PM UTC

The U.S. Air Force is modifying a second B-52H Stratofortress with an upgraded AN/APQ-188 radar at Boeing’s San Antonio facility, following the June 15 crash of the first test aircraft at Edwards Air Force Base, California, which killed all eight crew members. The Radar Modernization Program, part of upgrading 75 B-52Hs to the B-52J standard for service into the 2050s, faces delays and a Nunn-McCurdy cost breach. Testing is expected to resume after the second aircraft’s modification is completed in 2026.

6 reports · 2 sources · Updated Jul 28, 12:29 AM UTC

The US Department of War awarded a 10-year, $343.2 million indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) firm-fixed-price contract to Segers Aero, Standard Aero, and Turbopower for repair and overhaul of T56 aircraft engine parts supporting the C-130 transport fleet. Work will be performed at facilities in Alabama, Texas, Florida, and Canada through July 2036. The contract also covers Foreign Military Sales support for 29 partner nations including Argentina, Brazil, France, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Taiwan. Turbopower will compete for future task orders involving depot-level MRO for T56 Series III and 3.5 engines for the USAF, USN, and FMS customers. The Air Force Sustainment Center at Tinker Air Force Base oversees the contract, with $1,500 in fiscal 2026 funds obligated initially.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 27, 01:47 PM UTC

The US Air Force, Marine Corps, and Royal Australian Air Force conducted a four-day munitions production exercise called Death Strike: Trident Fury at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, from June 22-25, 2026. Hosted by the 7th Munitions Squadron under Air Force Global Strike Command, the exercise tested combat production techniques, interoperability, and surge capacity under pressure. Crews operated 24/7, building conventional bombs, Joint Direct Attack Munitions, and Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles. RAAF personnel led a major conventional bomb build on the final day. The exercise included simulated austere conditions using Agile Combat Employment techniques. Officials emphasized the importance of joint integration for real-world crisis response. Dyess AFB is home to the 7th Bomb Wing and B-1B Lancer bombers, making munitions generation critical to its strike role.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 26, 03:00 PM UTC

The US Air Force, Marine Corps, and Royal Australian Air Force conducted a large-scale munitions production exercise, named Death Strike: Trident Fury, at Dyess Air Force Base in Texas from June 22 to 25, 2026. Hosted by the 7th Munitions Squadron, the exercise tested combat production techniques and interoperability under pressure. Personnel operated 24-hour shifts building conventional bombs, Joint Direct Attack Munitions, and Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles. The exercise included unexpected daily FRAG changes to simulate dynamic environments. RAAF personnel led a major conventional bomb build on the final day, integrating with US forces. The event culminated in Agile Combat Employment techniques under simulated austere conditions, validating the ability to surge munitions production for the base's B-1B Lancer bombers.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 26, 03:00 PM UTC

The U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing a $2 billion contract to build two large Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellites, bucking the industry trend toward small satellite constellations like SpaceX's Starlink and Amazon's Project Kuiper. The contract supplements Lockheed Martin's original five-satellite MUOS system, ensuring continued ultra-high-frequency military communications through 2035. The article analyzes the strategic rationale for large satellites despite the advantages of small, cheaper, and more replaceable satellites, noting that the Air Force is replacing aging big satellites with new ones. This development has implications for space investors, as it signals continued demand for traditional large satellite platforms alongside the growing small satellite market.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 25, 09:25 AM UTC

Col. Christine Littlejohn made history on July 17, 2026, by becoming the first female commander of the 99th Air Base Wing at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. She leads 12 squadrons and two groups supporting over 10,000 personnel. Littlejohn, a veteran of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and Inherent Resolve, succeeded Col. Jason Glynn, who managed the base through a government shutdown and security incidents. Officials emphasized her selection was based strictly on merit.

6 reports · 2 sources · Updated Jul 23, 09:54 PM UTC

Iran, via the IRGC-linked Tasnim news outlet, threatened to attack RAF Fairford in the UK, claiming US B-1B bombers launched from there struck Iran. The threat came hours after two US Air Force EA-37B Compass Call electronic warfare jets arrived at the base. UK officials stated the country is prepared to defend itself, citing layered air and missile defense and increased funding. The article notes Iran's previous failed missile attack on Diego Garcia and suggests more likely attack vectors include short-range drones or sea-launched drones. The US Air Force confirmed the EA-37Bs are part of routine transient operations, while open-source trackers linked B-1Bs from Fairford to recent strikes on Iran, though CENTCOM declined comment.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 07:31 PM UTC

In early May 2026, the Oregon Air National Guard’s 142nd Wing achieved a milestone by dropping 36 concrete-filled practice bombs from an F-15EX Eagle II at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho—the first such air-to-ground employment by an operational unit. Previously only test crews had dropped bombs from the F-15EX. This training supports the wing’s transition from the air-to-air F-15C to the multi-role F-15EX, with live bomb training planned at Nellis AFB in late August.

6 reports · 2 sources · Updated Jul 23, 07:01 PM UTC

The U.S. Air Force's F-15EX Eagle II, initially focused on air-to-air combat, is expanding into air-to-ground missions. The Oregon Air National Guard's 142nd Wing conducted its first-ever training bomb drops in May, releasing 24 BDU-50s and 12 BDU-56s at Mountain Home AFB. Three pilots completed a 9-month training course to develop a unit-wide bombing program. Additionally, the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron deployed an F-15EX to Kadena Air Base in Japan for munitions load training with live GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb IIs. The F-15EX is derived from the F-15E Strike Eagle family, inherently supporting air-to-ground capabilities. The Air Force plans to establish F-15EX squadrons at Kadena and in several states, potentially expanding to a dozen squadrons.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 11:20 PM UTC

A bipartisan U.S. House bill, the BRRRRT Act (H.R. 9780), introduced by Rep. Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ) and Rep. Don Davis (D-NC), would require the U.S. Air Force to maintain at least 126 A-10 Thunderbolt II Warthogs, reversing planned retirements to a fleet of 103. The bill mandates reopening the Hill AFB maintenance depot, restarting pilot training, and restoring the Weapons School course. Further retirements require defense secretary certification of a fully operational replacement, with concurrence from the Army, Marine Corps, and SOCOM. The legislation follows A-10 combat operations in Iran and reflects ongoing congressional resistance to retiring the aircraft without a confirmed successor for close air support and combat search and rescue missions.

6 reports · 2 sources · Updated Jul 22, 09:10 PM UTC