Air Force awards GE, Rolls-Royce for ‘medium thrust’ drone engines
The two engine makers will advance designs to power medium thrust class drones, an Air Force spokesperson told Breaking Defense.
Air Force clears T-38s to resume flying
The training jet was grounded May 19; a week after a T-38 crashed in Mississippi.
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In contested seas, autonomy must anticipate, not just navigate
As missions stretch farther and comms grow less reliable, predictive software could become the edge that keeps missions afloat.
DIU ups Hermeus contract for high-speed drone
A recent award from the Defense Innovation Unit raises a total contract ceiling to $219 million, and will further develop Hermeus’ Quarterhorse drone to release payloads at speeds “up to and including Mach 3,” CEO Zach Shore told Breaking Defense.
Air Force sees another year delay for next-gen engines
The Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion program is now projected to complete prototyping work in 2031, a cumulative delay of three years compared to earlier projections.
General Atomics CCA drone returns to flight
Air Force Col. Timothy Helfrich said the response to the drone’s April 6 crash “validates our approach to accept acquisition/test risk instead of operational risk allowing us to accelerate the program towards fielding.”
Air Force grounds T-38 fleet after Mississippi mishap
The Air Force said an “operational pause” is necessary as an investigation into a May 12 crash of the aircraft proceeds. Inspections to return aircraft to flight are expected to begin as soon as this week.
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MQ-9B SeaGuardian® offers Navy-Marine Corps a decisive edge in today’s battlespace
The MQ-9B is uniquely suited to meet the challenges of modern conflict.
Multiyear buys for F-35, F-15EX? Sen. Budd hopeful airpower bills added to NDAA
The North Carolina lawmaker has sponsored a trio of bills aimed at boosting fighter jet inventory and retaining pilots.
B-52 modernization ‘stabilized’ after cost spikes, schedule delays, Air Force official says
“It’s a lot of money. Some of us watch that money very carefully,” said Rep. Clay Higgins.
Air Force expects new KC-46 vision system in 2028 as lawmakers question price hike
Sen. Kevin Cramer said lawmakers "need more information for sure" about projected price increases for the air refueler, which budget documents show could climb by $100 million per tail.
Air Force greenlights requirements for MQ-9A Reaper drone replacement
“There is, I think, a burgeoning interest across the broader defense industrial base on what comes next,” said Air Force Lt. Gen. Luke Cropsey.
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Accelerating space power through software-defined mission dominance
As space threats continue to evolve, existing satellites need new capabilities to defend and protect, even after launch.
Hegseth says E-7 Wedgetail ‘has a future,’ reversing planned cancellation
The Boeing E-7 Wedgetail previously faced the axe under the Trump administration, but pressure from lawmakers and a new “mindset” at the Pentagon have revived its prospects.
Air Force seeks to scrap its E-11 BACN fleet
An Air Force spokesperson told Breaking Defense following the hearing that there are seven E-11s in the current fleet, and confirmed that the plan is to replace them with the emerging DAF (Department of the Air Force) Battle Network.
With unmanned systems in the forefront, Marine Corps evolves how it operates
Marines could begin operational testing with drone wingmen in 2029, and in the future could conduct their own intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions in lieu of contractors, officials said during the Modern Day Marine conference in Washington.
One big FAMMily: Air Force eyes huge boost for low-cost cruise missile
With nearly 30,000 copies envisioned, even among a spending spree for munitions, the Air Force’s Family of Affordable Mass Missile stands out.