Chairman Caine talks cislunar ops, plus a window into next-gen airlift
We discuss top news from the final day of AFA 2026.
With new defense business, Electra pitches EL9 plane as Pentagon ‘Sprinter van’
The startup aims to move smaller amounts of DoD cargo and people using a hybrid-electric, fixed-wing aircraft.
The Army’s Digital Transformation
AI is reshaping the Army’s approach to cyber, electronic warfare and command and control. At TechNet Augusta 2026, leaders outlined how they’re turning emerging technology into capabilities for the battlefield.
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Next-generation KC-390 Millennium expands multimission options for air forces
The jet-powered transport’s speed, survivability and multi-mission agility position it as a viable option to the C-130 for the US and NATO allies.
Boeing sees 5G, drone inspectors and augmented reality training key to future aircraft maintenance
Boeing officials recently demonstrated two separate efforts with the Air Force focused on aircraft mission and training readiness.
AMC Eyes Self-Defense For Cargo, Tanker Planes
"We have hardpoints on the C-17; We have hardpoints on the KC-46. It's not a hard stretch to think that we could put one or two missiles on there for self defense," says AMC head Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost.
Air Force Culls ABMS Experiment After Budget Cut
The sixth ABMS onramp "was going to be in partnership with Australia, and allies and partners, in the Pacific Rim," Air Force Chief Architect Preston Dunlap said, but "just due to the budget constraints, we had to pull the plug on that."
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A new era of uncrewed airpower: GA-ASI’s lineup for high-tech warfare
GA-ASI is serious about retaining its position as the leading provider of UAS to the United States and its allies.
AFRL Moves To Equip Cargo Planes With Bombs In a Box
WASHINGTON: With its latest contract to Lockheed Martin, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has taken another step in its effort to rapidly develop a capability to drop bombs and launch cruise missiles to augment the shrinking fleet of long-range bombers. The Other Transaction Authority (OTA) contract, announced yesterday and worth $25 million over 18 […]
Tankers, Transports Need Real-Time Threat Data To Survive: AMC
As Air Mobility Command looks to connect its aircraft to high-speed battle networks like ABMS, it is still struggling to get its KC-46 tankers working properly.
Air Force Weaponizing Cargo Planes For All-Domain Ops: ‘Bomb Bay In A Box’
"You've got to create enough capacity so that long-range punch is really a punch," Maj. Gen. Clint Hinote said.
OMFV: The Army’s Polish Bridge Problem
The Army has struggled for decades to fit armored vehicles on airplanes. The real challenge is getting them across rickety Soviet-era bridges in Eastern Europe.
Building logistics networks for contested environments
Explore how software, edge AI and resilient connectivity can strengthen military logistics in contested environments. Join Breaking Defense on Oct. 21 and earn 1 CPE credit.
Bradley Replacement: Did Army Ask For ‘Unobtainium’?
General Dynamics’ cancelled OMFV prototype could only meet the requirement for armor protection by growing too heavy to meet the requirement for air transport, sources say. So which will the Army give up?
CSIS Bad Idea: Blaming OCO for Defense Budget Blunders
In other words, the fault is not with the OCO mechanism, but in many cases, with members of Congress who are critiquing its use.
Air Force Pushes 3D Printing To Boost Readiness
Air Force LCMC is working to ensure that far-flung depots eventually can print their own parts -- with a recent first being Travis AFB's using their brand, spanking new laser printer to print those toilet seat covers built of a new-fangled polymer from it's own brand new printer.
Acting SecAF & Roper Likely Head To Paris Show, With F-35A
Amid chatter about what aircraft will make their way to Paris, the Air Force going all in.