The Mecca pact explained, tankers for Qatar, and CENTCOM’s new drone force
Middle East Bureau Chief Agnes Helou recaps leading developments from the region before speaking with Dubai-based analyst Riad Kahwaji.
Japan’s $60B defense budget request seeks funding for coastal defense network, more F-35s
The Japanese budget request for the coming fiscal year also includes several systems from the US, including KC-46 tankers.
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Project Talon Portfolio puts mission autonomy at the center of future CCA operations
Truly autonomous aircraft can make decisions without continuous human input.
Air Force again changes course on tankers, plans new ‘production extension’ program
The Air Force plans to use the Boeing KC-46 Pegasus’s Capability Production Document “as the most affordable requirements basis” for the new program, potentially giving the embattled aerospace manufacturer a leg up in a competition.
KC-46 deliveries set to resume next week
The US Air Force halted acceptance of the troubled tanker in February, following cracks discovered on the aircraft’s “outboard fixed fixed-trailing-edge support structure.”
KC-46 refueling vision system fix delayed to 2027
The new timeline is a setback for the beleaguered tanker, whose deliveries have been halted since February.
Air Force’s outgoing acquisition chief on NGAS, CCA and his biggest regrets
Speaking to Breaking Defense, Andrew Hunter said that the CCA loyal wingman program is proof the Air Force can move forward in new directions.
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Engineering decision advantage for the warfighter
Multi-orbit mission capabilities are accelerating decision making across domains.
Air Force identifies new category 1 deficiency on KC-46 refueler
Initial flight tests showed that a mitigation technique "look[s] very promising" as an interim solution, an Air Force official said, suggesting the issue could be downgraded relatively soon.
First flight of new Air Force One jet slips to 2026, Air Force says
Boeing is currently revising the schedule for the presidential jetliner once again, which is expected to be updated later this summer, according to an Air Force spokesperson.
Boeing KC-46A refueler had two-month pause in deliveries, expected to resume soon
The newest issue with the long-troubled tanker involves a part on the aircraft’s refueling boom.
Air Force RFI targets engine options for NGAS tankers
Responses will help shape analysis for the tanker program, known as the Next Generation Air refueling System.
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Island surge: the Army’s Next Generation Command and Control in action
Lightning Surge exercises are turning soldier feedback on NGC2 into operational software changes in days, not years.
Boeing’s KC-46A refueler, T-7A trainer face more delays
Air Force acquisition chief Andrew Hunter noted potential troubles ahead for the KC-46A and said T-7A production could start "a little later" than previously anticipated, but he remained confident about the way forward for the two aircraft.
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
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.”
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Fact-checking the KC-46A Pegasus
How the KC-46A has become a “game changer” for U.S. and allied warfighters.