Air Force gets first Red Hawk trainer, Compass Call electronic warfare jet

Air Force gets first Red Hawk trainer, Compass Call electronic warfare jet
Air Force gets first Red Hawk trainer, Compass Call electronic warfare jet

To meet the program’s delayed production decision, set for February 2025, the T-7A will need to qualify its escape system and finish its flight control software, though officials expressed confidence the jet could achieve the goal.

Chinese ‘popping’ corks: At AFA, service officials warn Tuberville hold emboldening adversaries

Chinese ‘popping’ corks: At AFA, service officials warn Tuberville hold emboldening adversaries
Chinese ‘popping’ corks: At AFA, service officials warn Tuberville hold emboldening adversaries

“I’d go so far as say if you drive north of the National Cathedral on Connecticut Avenue, that popping sound you hear is not stray gunfire. It is champagne corks at the Chinese embassy bouncing off the walls,” Air Force Gen. Mark Kelly said.

‘Not uncommon’ for American jets to be intercepted by China 10 times a day, PACAF chief says

‘Not uncommon’ for American jets to be intercepted by China 10 times a day, PACAF chief says
‘Not uncommon’ for American jets to be intercepted by China 10 times a day, PACAF chief says

Gen. Mark Kelly, who heads the Air Force’s Air Combat Command, said that the US’s shrinking and aging aircraft fleet has emboldened Russian and Chinese pilots to seek “batting practice.”

South Korea cleared to buy $5B worth of F-35s

South Korea cleared to buy $5B worth of F-35s
South Korea cleared to buy $5B worth of F-35s

The announced deal covers 25 F-35A models, alongside 26 Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines and a host of equipment.

180 minutes to kill: Can the Air Force update EW within 3 hours of detecting a new threat?

180 minutes to kill: Can the Air Force update EW within 3 hours of detecting a new threat?
180 minutes to kill: Can the Air Force update EW within 3 hours of detecting a new threat?

“Our mindset has to be that we use the spectrum to kill faster, not to protect things,” said Col. Joshua Koslov. “The more things we kill, the less things that can hurt us.”

Where to find the sights and sounds of AFA 2023

Where to find the sights and sounds of AFA 2023
Where to find the sights and sounds of AFA 2023

Check out the photos and flavor of the 2023 Air, Space & Cyber Conference.

GEOST sensors to detect interference will fly on SDA satellites

GEOST sensors to detect interference will fly on SDA satellites
GEOST sensors to detect interference will fly on SDA satellites

The company also is providing a ground system for the sensors that could provide data about interference threats to users across the Defense Department and Intelligence Community, said Josh Hartman of GEOST’s parent firm.

New B-21 photos released, as engine runs begin

New B-21 photos released, as engine runs begin
New B-21 photos released, as engine runs begin

“We’re still hopeful of having first flight this year,” Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said. “If I were to say it will, I would be making a very specific prediction, and I never do that about an acquisition program for something that hasn’t happened yet.”

Space Force ‘actively’ reviewing programs to potentially reduce secrecy: CSO Saltzman

Space Force ‘actively’ reviewing programs to potentially reduce secrecy: CSO Saltzman
Space Force ‘actively’ reviewing programs to potentially reduce secrecy: CSO Saltzman

Saltzman cautioned that the service is unlikely to “go from ‘eat before reading’ classification to unclassified.”

Space Force prototypes new ‘integrated’ Deltas for readiness boost

Space Force prototypes new ‘integrated’ Deltas for readiness boost
Space Force prototypes new ‘integrated’ Deltas for readiness boost

The two new Integrated Mission Deltas will be responsible for all aspects of electronic warfare and positioning, navigation and timing.

Ukrainian pilots could finish F-16 training in 3-9 months, ANG chief says

Ukrainian pilots could finish F-16 training in 3-9 months, ANG chief says
Ukrainian pilots could finish F-16 training in 3-9 months, ANG chief says

Air National Guard Director Lt. Gen. Michael Loh called the F-16s a potential “gamechanger” for Ukraine, but said the timeline for pilots depends mostly on experience levels.

US, allies struggle to find ‘collaborative’ space development projects

US, allies struggle to find ‘collaborative’ space development projects
US, allies struggle to find ‘collaborative’ space development projects

Air Marshall Harvey Smyth, UK Air and Space Commander, suggested that one way to move forward might be to find a mutually desired “capability set” and pursue it under a joint program along the lines of the F-35.

Air Force bullish on drone future: ‘We’re gonna need them around just about everywhere’

Air Force bullish on drone future: ‘We’re gonna need them around just about everywhere’
Air Force bullish on drone future: ‘We’re gonna need them around just about everywhere’

“What I would say is, be on the lookout [because] there’s going to be a CCA near you… because we’re gonna need them around just about everywhere,” Pacific Air Forces Commander Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach said.

Cloud-based C2 at top of Air Force’s priorities despite budget uncertainty: Official

Cloud-based C2 at top of Air Force’s priorities despite budget uncertainty: Official
Cloud-based C2 at top of Air Force’s priorities despite budget uncertainty: Official

“The current fielding plan should stay intact for CBC2 if we don’t get all the money that we need up front,” Brig. Gen. Luke Cropsey told reporters.