Air & Space Forces Magazine

07/11/2025

Six four-star generals and two AFA leaders joined reporters for a virtual media roundtable on July 10 to discuss the F-35 and E-7 shortfall in the DOD's proposed 2026 budget. Roundtable panelists included: - General Ronald R. Fogleman, USAF (Ret.) - General T. Michael Moseley, USAF (Ret.) - General Philip M. Breedlove, USAF (Ret.) - General John M. Loh, USAF (Ret.) - General Herbert J. “Hawk” Carlisle, USAF (Ret.) - General Kevin Chilton, USAF (Ret.) - Lt. Gen. Burt Field, USAF (Ret.) - Lt. Gen. David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.)...
SEE MORE: https://www.afa.org/watch-read-eight-generals-probe-the-f-35-e-7-problem-in-2026-budget/

07/11/2025

The latest round of weather tests, concluded June 17 at the McKinley Climatic Lab at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., included subjecting the T-7 to cockpit icing and 190-mph crosswinds.

The T-7 Red Hawk next-generation jet trainer aircraft underwent a second round of weather testing as the USAF is pushing to replace the T-38.

07/11/2025

Today’s simulators lack many existing B-52 updates, including communications and navigation equipment and the multifunction cockpit display. These updates were never added to the simulators, diminishing how realistic the training is for modern crews.

Air Force B-52 program officials are gunning for a budget boost for new simulators to traing bomber crews for real-world missions.

07/11/2025

The X-Plane will demonstrate its capabilities for special operations forces, while also offering the characteristics the Air Force seeks for its Agile Combat Employment model of force dispersion.

Bell Textron has won a contest to develop a tiltrotor for DARPA that converts to a jet aircraft for no-runway operations.

07/10/2025

The Space Force and, before that, the Air Force Space Command, began the road to handing off space traffic management to Commerce and TracCS seven years ago.

The Space Force and industry groups oppose Trump administration plans to cut a new civilian Space Traffic Management system in fiscal 2026.

07/10/2025

No final decisions have been announced, but the budget indicates a “Tanker Production Extension” program to follow the KC-46 once production for those aircraft concludes.

The Air Force appears to be leaning toward more KC-46-like refuelers and away from a stealthy future tanker in its 2026 budget request.

07/10/2025

The DLE series will test more than 12,000 Air Force and Space Force personnel, more than 350 USAF aircraft, and satellites and ground systems conducting space electromagnetic warfare, space domain awareness, orbital warfare, and navigational warfare

The Air Force and Space Force kicked off a summer of major exercises across the Pacific on July 8, including REFORPAC and Mobility Guardian.

07/10/2025

“A KC-46A Pegasus from McConnell Air Force Base declared an in-flight emergency July 8, while operating off the coast of the eastern United States, refueling F-22s.” --USAF

An Air Force KC-46 declared an in-flight emergency after the tanker’s refueling boom was damaged on a mission with F-22 Raptors July 8.

07/10/2025

REMINDER👉 The Mitchell Institute is excited to host an in-depth discussion with the STARCOM leadership team, Maj Gen Tim Sejba and Chief Master Sergeant Karmann-Monique Pogue.
REGISTER: https://tinyurl.com/5777rv2v

07/09/2025

“This delivery will support Initial Operational Capability and is the first step in a phased approach to rapidly proliferate a diverse satellite constellation.” --SSC

The Space Force has tapped Boeing to build up to four new satellites for the critical nuclear command, control, and communications mission.

07/09/2025

“The benefits of this innovative approach include saving near-term costs by utilizing lower cost-risk contracts, and providing incremental capabilities faster by operationalizing current PTS-Prototype satellite capabilities after they launch next year.” --Cordell DeLaPena Jr.

The Space Force is canceling a competition to build new satellites for jam-resistant tactical satellite communications, or tactical SATCOM.

07/08/2025

In 1989, Richardson commissioned as a second lieutenant after earning a degree in electrical engineering from Arizona State University. He worked a range of materiel-related assignments touching everything from space electronics to F-15 fighter software to presidential airlift to fixed wing special operations aircraft.

Gen. Duke Z. Richardson stepped down from the helm of Air Force Materiel Command July 3 after starting as an Airman basic 42 years ago.