An AUKUS announcement is “imminent,” Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said. “We’re in conversation with both the UK and the US around the manner in which that is ultimately announced.”
By Colin ClarkConcerns of an imminent confrontation that could take place in the Mideast before Trump exits the White House next January 20 are increasing.
By Riad KahwajiCombatant Commanders for European Command and Indo-Pacific Command see bombers with hypersonic capabilities as “incredibly, incredibly valuable,” says Gen. Timothy Ray.
By Theresa HitchensThe verbal pat on the back by the Defense Secretary at the biggest Air Force event of the year signals the program’s high priority for DoD writ large.
By Theresa Hitchens“How are we going to employ hypersonic weapons, what do they bring to the battlefield?,” asks Maj. Gen. Mark Weatherington, commander of the 8th Air Force and the Joint-Global Strike Operations Center.
By Theresa Hitchens“Contrary to most opinions, mission capable rates are actually increasing,” says Air Force Vice Chief Gen. Stephen Wilson, “but it’s one of the things we’re keeping an eye on.”
By Theresa HitchensRaytheon has won the LRSO design competition, but it remains uncertain whether it will nab the prime contract to actually build the next-generation cruise missile or be forced to share that with Lockheed Martin.
By Theresa HitchensLockheed Martin is designing what it calls a new Hypersonic Strike Weapon-Air Breathing (which goes by the awful acronym HSW-ab) for DARPA. John Varley, Lockheed’s VP for hypersonic weapons, wouldn’t provide details due to the program’s high level of classification.
By Theresa HitchensMeanwhile, the X-37B robotic space plane has hit another record on its fifth mission, now having spent 777 days on orbit, says AFRCO Director Randall Walden.
By Theresa HitchensIf an aircraft like the B-1 was taxed so hard due to high demand, the appropriate lesson is that the nation needs more bombers, not less.
By David Deptula and Doug BirkeyThe U.S. has 156 bombers today. But the Air Force is committed to boasting 386 squadrons, up 75 from its total today. “Certainly,” Gen. Timothy Ray said, “that means good growth for the bombers.”
By Colin ClarkIn any post-New START nuclear buildup, Russia will “at least initially” have an edge over the US, says retired Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz, former head of Air Force Global Strike Command.
By Theresa HitchensAs troops and hardware are on the move in the Gulf, diplomats signal that no one is eager for war.
By Arie Egozi and Colin Clark
As the Biden administration focuses on ways to improve deterrence in the Pacific, reenforcing Australia’s defense against China is a good place to start. Working closely with Australia now can send an important message to Beijing that political intimidation, backed by economic and military threats, is not in its long-term interest. For those not…
By Robbin Laird and Ed Timperlake