After hitting pilot training goal, resolving shortage will take years, Air Force official says
“It’s going to take 15 or 20 years to get those types of people,” said Air Force Lt. Gen. Clark Quinn.
US clears $24B F-35 sale for Saudi Arabia
The approval comes a year after President Donald Trump announced Riyadh would be permitted to buy the highly advanced stealth fighters, though lawmakers could still block the sale.
From directed energy to AI and hardening, JIATF-401 is widening counter-UAS options
There is no single answer to the drone threat, pushing the Pentagon toward a broader mix of defenses.
Air Force seeks 737 MAX for VIP airlift
The aircraft would be known as the C-40 when modified for military missions, and would appear to be the first time the 737 MAX would be militarized for a government customer.
Space Force’s GMTI program gets a name, with Northrop as prime: General
Separately, the Space Force plans to issue the first operational contracts for space domain awareness to commercial firms “very soon,” according to Space Force Col. Timothy Tremailo.
F-35 engine upgrade clears key design review, Pratt says
“It means that the design is solid. It means that we're ready to move forward from an industrial base as well,” Jill Albertelli, the president of Pratt & Whitney's military engines business, told Breaking Defense.
Budget impasse imperils 1 in 10 Space Force programs, new chief says
“We’re thankful that we have a [continuing resolution] going into October [1], but I would really be more thankful if we had a budget,” said Chief of Space Operations Gen. Doug Schiess.
presented by
Building a predictive defense industrial base begins with artificial intelligence
AI-enabled workflows accelerate production, but cybersecurity and governance remain central.
EXCLUSIVE: Pratt licenses Hermeus to build F100 fighter jet engine
Hermeus CEO Zach Shore told Breaking Defense the company can now vertically integrate production of its Quarterhorse drone and serve as a second source of engines for Pratt’s F100-PW-229 powerplant.
After combat success, AFSOC wants new Leidos cruise missile on ‘every type’ of platform
The 200-pound class Havoc Spear has a range of over 400 nautical miles (460 miles), according to Leidos.
Space Force has ‘space control weapons’ on orbit, Air Force secretary reveals
Troy Meink didn't elaborate on what "weapons" the US deployed, but revealed new info on other space and unmanned Air Force programs.
Swarm Aero debuts Gamera drone in bid to succeed Reaper
“What we've done cuts against the conventional wisdom,” Swarm co-founder and chief revenue officer Oliver Palmer told Breaking Defense. “And what we've done instead is create a very simple, non-stealthy aircraft that's optimized for extreme range.”
presented by
Three exercises that proved a new approach to C-UAS
Architecture that linked sensors, C2, RF effects, and lasers into a distributed c-UAS kill chain.
General Atomics unveils ‘Wildfire’ drone to replace Reaper
Pitched for the Massed Modular Aircraft program run by the Air Force and Defense Innovation Unit, General Atomics says its new drone design can exceed requirements set by the Pentagon to succeed the MQ-9A Reaper.
US clears $5B in JDAMs for Saudi Arabia, other Middle East deals
Roughly $6.1 billion of military equipment was cleared for potential sales to Saudi Arabia, Oman and Iraq, spanning precision munitions to fighter jet sustainment, according to the State Department.
F-35 costs jump in latest production lots
Compared to recent contracts, the average flyaway cost of an F-35A and F-35B rose by over 11 percent, while the price of an F-35C climbed over 8 percent, according to figures supplied by the F-35 Joint Program Office.
After ‘concerning’ losses, Air Force pushes to replace Reaper faster
“There's no doubt if we try and pursue the exact same approach that we had with things like the MQ-9, we're going to get something that costs about the same as an MQ-9,” said Air Force Lt. Gen. Christopher Niemi.