B-21 Raider

Pentagon creates new role managing B-21, F-47, AF1, ICBM programs

Lt. Gen. Dale White has been nominated for a fourth star in the new role of direct reporting portfolio manager (DRPM) for Critical Major Weapons Systems.

Manufacturing of first F-47 next-gen fighter underway, Air Force’s Allvin says

The Air Force is targeting to fly the jet in 2028, according to Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin.

PACAF commander: Air Force needs to ‘improve,’ staff up C2 capabilities

"The tree that that hangs on, the tree of our platforms and our capabilities is command and control, and I see a need for us to continue to invest and improve. And that’s people,” said Pacific Air Forces Commander Gen. Kevin Schneider.

New Sentinel ICBM silos, B-21’s next milestone flight on USAF radar

Lt. Gen. Andrew Gebara said that the Air Force’s plan to build fresh silos for the Sentinel ICBM will save time and cost, but that a small number may not fit on existing federal lands.

Northrop back at work on Sentinel ICBM missile silo design: CEO

"While we have continued to make good progress on the missile and the support and sustaining equipment, we are focused now on bringing the command and launch [portion] to that same level of maturity and design," said Northrop CEO Kathy Warden.

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.

Shipbuilding, Golden Dome and munitions win big as GOP unveils $150B bill to boost defense

HASC will take up the bill on Tuesday in a marathon markup session that will allow Democrats the opportunity to amend the measure.

Air Force officer sees options for ‘cheaper,’ less ‘exquisite’ CCA drone wingmen

“I think you'll see a range of options, from low end to potentially more exquisite,” Air Force Maj. Gen. Joseph Kunkel said of forthcoming tranches of drone wingmen. “I tend to think that it's probably going to be closer to this low end thing when we start looking at the further CCA increments.”

Northrop logs new $477M loss on B-21 bomber due to higher manufacturing costs

Losses for the B-21 Raider program now stand at more than $2 billion.

Trump administration inherits Air Force funding hurdle: 2025 preview

With Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy set to co-lead a commission that could recommend cuts to the Pentagon, many previously unthinkable options may be on the table for the US Air Force as the second Trump administration takes over Washington.

As Air Force lays out Force Design, top strategist warns service is ‘underfunded’ to face China

“If I had to categorize it, modernization costs are something that we still need,” Lt. Gen. David Harris told Breaking Defense. “And there's even some readiness pieces in here that allow me to have the right supply and support. All of that still needs to come together.”

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.”

EXCLUSIVE: How the Pentagon (quietly) spent $1 billion of inflation relief money

To help fight inflation, the Pentagon was given $1.05 billion to disperse to industry. Now, documents reviewed by Breaking Defense and interviews with key officials reveal how and why certain programs won out.

B-21, Columbia-class among programs hit under longterm CR, military leaders warn

Congress has about a week to pass a stopgap funding bill by the end of Sept. 30, when FY 2024 ends and government money runs out.