Space Force’s unfunded wishlist comes to $1.15B, including several classified programs

Space Force’s unfunded wishlist comes to $1.15B, including several classified programs
Space Force’s unfunded wishlist comes to $1.15B, including several classified programs

Among the unclassified programs listed, the Space Force could use an additional $160 million to establish a “working capital fund” to be used for purchasing commercial satellite communications.

Air Force conducts final test of ARRW hypersonic missile, won’t discuss ‘specific’ results

Air Force conducts final test of ARRW hypersonic missile, won’t discuss ‘specific’ results
Air Force conducts final test of ARRW hypersonic missile, won’t discuss ‘specific’ results

The test’s results could determine the ultimate fate of the Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon, or at least help “further a range of hypersonic programs.”

Space Force takes ‘acceptable’ cut to $29.4B in FY25 budget request

Space Force takes ‘acceptable’ cut to $29.4B in FY25 budget request
Space Force takes ‘acceptable’ cut to $29.4B in FY25 budget request

Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall explained that the “small decrease in the number for the Space Force” isn’t itself quite reflective of reality, as there are mitigating circumstances that lessen the blow.

Air Force wants to retire 250 aircraft as part of $188B FY25 budget request

Air Force wants to retire 250 aircraft as part of $188B FY25 budget request
Air Force wants to retire 250 aircraft as part of $188B FY25 budget request

“We’re very, very fixated on being competitive with the pacing challenge [of China],” said Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall. “I think the budget that we’ve submitted moves us forward — not quite as fast as we would like to, but it moves us forward in the right direction while maintaining current capabilities that are essential to the nation.”

F-22s ‘highest priority’ for near-term fight, Air Force acquisition boss says

F-22s ‘highest priority’ for near-term fight, Air Force acquisition boss says
F-22s ‘highest priority’ for near-term fight, Air Force acquisition boss says

Despite disagreements with Boeing on pricing for the E-7A Wedgetail, Air Force acquisition chief Andrew Hunter said officials still see the radar plane “as a capability that makes sense and that we need to field in the near term.”  

Take 2: Kratos aims for prime status on second CCA ‘increment’

Take 2: Kratos aims for prime status on second CCA ‘increment’
Take 2: Kratos aims for prime status on second CCA ‘increment’

“So there’s a sweet spot for where we can prime it and there’s a stretch area. … What I hope is you see the sweet spot increases and the stretch area is moving to higher” program sizes and complexities, Kratos’s Steve Fendley told Breaking Defense.

Air Force ‘having a hard time’ on E-7 Wedgetail price negotiations with Boeing: Kendall

Air Force ‘having a hard time’ on E-7 Wedgetail price negotiations with Boeing: Kendall
Air Force ‘having a hard time’ on E-7 Wedgetail price negotiations with Boeing: Kendall

Development of the Air Force’s first two rapid prototype radar planes proved more difficult than expected, according to acquisition chief Andrew Hunter.

Air Force plans CCA downselect within ‘months,’ second ‘increment’ in FY25: Kendall

Air Force plans CCA downselect within ‘months,’ second ‘increment’ in FY25: Kendall
Air Force plans CCA downselect within ‘months,’ second ‘increment’ in FY25: Kendall

International partners could join in on drone development for a next round of CCA work planned for the FY25 budget, according to Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall.

Air Force launches reorganization, as Kendall warns ‘We are out of time’ to match China

Air Force launches reorganization, as Kendall warns ‘We are out of time’ to match China
Air Force launches reorganization, as Kendall warns ‘We are out of time’ to match China

Under the “reoptimizing” effort, changes are coming across the Department of the Air Force, from new training approaches to the establishment of high-level offices.

‘A crime’: Air Force’s Kendall blasts congressional budget dysfunction

‘A crime’: Air Force’s Kendall blasts congressional budget dysfunction
‘A crime’: Air Force’s Kendall blasts congressional budget dysfunction

“This is just crazy,” agreed Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Bill LaPlante.

How (not) to reorganize the Air Force

How (not) to reorganize the Air Force
How (not) to reorganize the Air Force

After a top Air Force official strongly hinted at coming changes to the Air Force’s structure, Adam Lowther and Curtis McGiffin warn that one particular option would be bad news for America’s nuclear readiness.

New planes, budget constraints and great power competition: 2024 air preview

New planes, budget constraints and great power competition: 2024 air preview
New planes, budget constraints and great power competition: 2024 air preview

The Air Force has big plans for 2024, but lawmakers could throw a wrench into them.

Air warfare in 2023: The year of the drone and the shadow of AI

Air warfare in 2023: The year of the drone and the shadow of AI
Air warfare in 2023: The year of the drone and the shadow of AI

From more sophisticated systems like the Air Force’s collaborative combat aircraft to cheap kamikaze weapons, the drone had its heyday in 2023 — and promises, coupled with AI, to be a much bigger part of future warfighting.

Ethical Terminators, or how DoD learned to stop worrying and love AI: 2023 Year in Review

Ethical Terminators, or how DoD learned to stop worrying and love AI: 2023 Year in Review
Ethical Terminators, or how DoD learned to stop worrying and love AI: 2023 Year in Review

Over the last 11 months, the US has made major progress in defining “Responsible Military Use of Artificial Intelligence” and even getting other nations to sign on the idea — without ever actually precluding the kind of automated “killer robots” activists want to ban.