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.
B-52 radar upgrade faces new delays, GAO says
The Government Accountability Office’s annual weapon system assessment also found that the Air Force is moving to field a hypersonic attack cruise missile in 2027, despite delays driving a compressed flight testing schedule.
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How defensive cyber responds to hockey-stick growth of AI-driven threats
Artificial intelligence is reshaping adversarial cyber operations at machine speed, requiring defenders to increase operational tempo while imposing pain and cost.
Air Force reopens F-16 ejection seat deal, setting up contest between Collins, Martin-Baker
While the Air Force will originally focus on a competition to place new ejection seats in the service's F-16 fleet, “decisions following the competition could extend to other platforms, including the F-22 and B-1," the Air Force said.
Bomber fleet size target ‘probably’ needs to be reassessed: Air Force Global Strike chief
“We have 141 bombers in the inventory,” said Air Force Gen. Thomas Bussiere. “The demand signal for the bombers is greater than any time I’ve seen in my career, across the fabric of every geographic combatant command.”
As Air Force reviews ejection seat deal, Collins, Martin-Baker gear up for a fight
The Air Force is nearing a decision on whether to recompete an ejection seat contract held by Collins. If the service changes course, it will send shockwaves through the duopoly that fights over every potential ejection seat sale.
Northrop wins $7 billion Air Force contract for more B-2 sustainment, upgrades
With only 20 bombers in the service’s fleet, that could translate to roughly $350 million in work per plane.
How AI is shaping geospatial intelligence
Breaking Defense’s latest eBook brings together reporting from GEOINT 2026 on how intelligence leaders are shaping the future of space-based geospatial intelligence.
B-21 Raider stealth bomber in production, Pentagon says
The Air Force recently confirmed the secretive plane was continuing flight testing out of Edwards Air Force Base.
Norway, US Bolster Russian Sub Watching With New Bases
The US government will pay for all facilities it builds on Norwegian soil, and will not permanently base any troops there, officials in Oslo were quick to point out.
No ‘New Cold War’ As US Bombers Move Into Norwegian Base
"I guess if someone were to take a message [from the basing agreement] it’s that we’re not restricted to one particular location," said Gen. Steven Basham, deputy commander of Air Forces in Europe/Africa.
Aircraft Mission Capable Rates Rise: Gen. Wilson
"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."
New webinar Safeguarding funded innovation in research security
Join us 6/24 as experts discuss evolving US research security policy and innovation protection. 1 CPE credit eligible.
Air Force, Don’t Cut A Single Bomber
Bombers are the ultimate chess pieces in the US national security plan. Bombers are also a scarce resource, and, personally, I’m worried about retiring even a single one of the U.S. Air Force’s bombers. Until the new B-21 Raider bomber squadrons fill out, years from now, there’s nowhere to turn for more. It’s not just me. Hear […]
Mitchell Weighs In: More F-35s or New, Old F-15s?
Fifth gen or fourth gen? F-35A or F-15X. Stealth, sensors and fusion or lots of missiles? Lockheed or Boeing? See what the Mitchell Institute says.
SecAF James: Lessons From The Pacific
Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James traveled through Asia, visiting Indonesia, India, Singapore, and the Philippines at the end of the summer. We didn’t hear a great deal about the trip in the US at the time but her meetings with her defense counterparts clearly impressed. In this op-ed, James shares the lessons she learned. China […]
How Many B-21s? Answer Pending, Says AF Global Strike
CAPITOL HILL: Gen. Robin Rand, head of Air Force Global Strike Command, made it pretty clear he’d like more than the 100 B-21 bombers to which the service is currently committed. He would probably like close to half again that many. Rand told a Mitchell Institute breakfast that the US currently has 156 bombers “in our […]