Davis-Monthan Desert Lightning News

10/04/2025

PHOTO OF THE DAY!
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NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 launches from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The Dragon spacecraft, piloted by astronaut and U.S. Air Force Maj. Nichole Ayers on her first spaceflight, is part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. Ayers and crew will conduct research, technology demonstrations and station maintenance aboard the International Space Station. (Courtesy photo by Aubrey Gemignani)

09/04/2025

“The more we test and analyze performance, the greater our confidence that there is no single system better positioned to deliver peace through strength for the American warfighter than B-21...”

Northrop Grumman continues to deliver strong performance across test and production on the B-21 Raider, with an LRIP Lot 2 award late last year signaling furthe

09/04/2025

PHOTO OF THE DAY!
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Staff Sgt Keaton Watts, 71st Rescue Squadron loadmaster, prepares to drop a parabundle over the FEVER Drop Zone at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. The drop zone is named after the call sign 'Fever,' a symbol of the HC-130J Combat King II’s' distinguished presence and vital missions in Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jessie Roth)

08/04/2025

Hello and welcome to the April 4th, 2025 issue of Aerotech News and Review. Celebrating our 40th year “serving the Aerospace, Military and Veteran Community of the Desert Southwest,” we bring you top stories from the aerospace and military at Edwards AFB, AF Plant 42 in the Antelope Valley, CA, Nellis AFB, Creech AFB and NTTR in Las Vegas, NV and Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, AZ.

On this month’s cover, Air Force awards contract for NGAD platform: The F-47.

Also included in this issue:

• Red Tail Rendezvous celebrates warfighter resiliency – Page 2
• Brewing Camaraderie at Crazy Otto’s – Page 3
• NASA’s X-59 completes ‘cruise control’ engine speed hold test– Page 4
• NASA boosts efficiency with custom X-66 flooring – Page 5

https://www.aerotechnews.com/blog/2025/04/04/aerotech-news-and-review-april-4-2025/

All this and more for your reading pleasure in this edition of Aerotech News and Review. Visit our website, www.aerotechnews.com, for much more aerospace and defense industry news, and “Like” our page to receive daily news updates.

As always, THANK YOU for your support – it’s our privilege to serve you! Be safe and be well.

Digital and Print Journal of Aerospace, Defense Industry and Veteran News, serving the Aerospace, Military and Veteran Community of the Desert Southwest includi

08/04/2025

The Military marketplace is the only market that is not affected by the economy. Their jobs are safe and secure. From May through August, thousands of service members and their families relocate to new assignments—starting fresh and settling into unfamiliar communities.

How can your business become their first choice? You can connect directly with military families as they transition into your area. This special issue reaches a focused, actively employed audience with wide distribution on and off base, plus thousands of engaged online readers.

What new arrivals are looking for:
~Housing: Where can we live—especially if base housing is full?
~Education: Charter and private schools for kids, higher education for adults.
~Dining & Entertainment: Where to eat, relax, and socialize.
~Transportation: Who offers military-friendly financing on cars or leases?
~Faith Communities: Where can we worship—churches, synagogues, and more?
~Healthcare: What off-base medical and dental services accept TRICARE?
~Child Care: Trusted providers for dual-income families.
~Goods & Services: Best spots for furniture, auto repair, and specialty shops.

08/04/2025

The contract, awarded to Boeing, will lead to the development of the F-47, the world’s first sixth-generation fighter aircraft.
“I’m thrilled to announce that, at my direction, the United States Air Force is moving forward with the world’s first sixth-generation fighter jet,” said President Donald J. Trump during a press briefing at the White House. “Nothing in the world comes even close to it, and it’ll be known as the F-47.”
This decision follows a fair and thorough source selection process conducted by the Air Force, reaffirming the NGAD Platform as the most capable and cost-effective solution to maintain air superiority in an increasingly complex and contested global threat environment.

On March 21, 2025, the Department of the Air Force announced the contract award for the Engineering and Manufacturing Development of the Next Generation Air Dom

08/04/2025

PHOTO OF THE DAY!
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An F-16 Fighting Falcon takes off for a night mission during exercise Red Flag 25-2 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. Red Flag was established in 1975 to better prepare our forces for combat by exposing each participant to ten simulated combat missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Jimmy Cummings)

07/04/2025

The aerospace sector is buzzing with significant developments, including the recent Air Force contract for the Next Generation Air Dominance Platform and community events honoring veterans. Businesses can also benefit from advertising in our upcoming PCS guide, which connects military families with local services. Engage with this vital market today.

https://conta.cc/3RF5Red

07/04/2025

PHOTO OF THE DAY!
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F-35 Lightning IIs from the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and the South Korean air force fly in formation over the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) during integration training in the Pacific Ocean as part of exercise Freedom Shield 25. The event highlighted the capability of U.S. and South Korean forces to seamlessly integrate air, ground and maritime operations, reinforcing and enhancing their combined defense posture. (Courtesy photo)

06/04/2025

PHOTO OF THE DAY!
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An F-22A Raptor from the 71st Fighter Squadron takes off from Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, after competing in the Mitchell Trophy Air Race. Established in 1922, the race honors the original home of the 1st Fighter Wing at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich. Pilots can only compete once in their lifetime, regardless of the outcome. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mikaela Smith)

05/04/2025

PHOTO OF THE DAY!
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A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress from the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron performs a celebration flight over the skies of Sweden after its acceptance into NATO during Bomber Task Force 25-2 at RAF Fairford, United Kingdom. These operations demonstrate the ability to rapidly deploy strategic assets in support of global stability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Chris Hibben)

04/04/2025

PHOTO OF THE DAY!
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Staff Sgt. Kaylin Cornell, a 673rd Force Support Squadron fitness assessment cell manager, sits in the MindGym at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. The MindGym is a facility designed to bolster mental resilience and cognitive performance for service members and their families by offering a sensory-controlled environment where users engage in guided mindfulness sessions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Hunter Hites)

03/04/2025

We all probably know of Amelia Earhart’s mystery, how Jacqueline Cochran helped form the WASPs and hung out with Chuck Yeager, that astronaut Dr. Sally Ride was the first American woman in space, and maybe that Col. Eileen Collins was the first Space Shuttle commander. We may even know that Maj. Gen. Jeannie Leavitt was the first fighter pilot in combat for the U. S. Air Force.
But there are many women pioneers who are mostly celebrated by aviation historians, people in their hometowns, and air and space museums. Here, randomly chosen, are eight women you may not have heard of before.

We all probably know of Amelia Earhart’s mystery, how Jacqueline Cochran helped form the WASPs and hung out with Chuck Yeager, that astronaut Dr. Sally Ride w

03/04/2025

PHOTO OF THE DAY!
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SpaceX Crew-10 launches aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Dragon spacecraft piloted by astronaut and Air Force Maj. Nichole "V***r" Ayer at Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

02/04/2025

PHOTO OF THE DAY!
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An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 64th Aggressor Squadron takes off for a night mission during exercise Red Flag-Nellis 25-2 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. Red Flag provides unique training with an emphasis on Airmen and Guardians’ readiness for high-end warfighting and strategic competition. (U.S. Air Force photo by William R. Lewis)

01/04/2025

PHOTO OF THE DAY!
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An F-22 Raptor from the F-22 Demonstration Team soars over Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, showcasing its unrivaled maneuverability and cutting-edge capabilities. The team, consisting of 12 highly skilled active-duty Air Force personnel, travels across the United States and internationally to inspire, recruit and retain the next generation of Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Samantha Melecio)

31/03/2025

The 56th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base marks a significant transition as it completes its final F-16 training sortie and prepares to train pilots on the advanced F-35A Lightning II. This change reflects the evolving landscape of military aviation and the commitment to modernize our forces. Join us in recognizing the accomplishments of the 309th Fighter Squadron and the future of aerospace training.

https://conta.cc/3QXxor9

Email from Aerotech News and Review Top Headlines From Aerotech News March 31, 2025 Aerospace, Military and Veteran News of the Southwest U.S. Visit our Website 56th FW completes final U.S. F-16 sor

31/03/2025

PHOTO OF THE DAY!
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An Air Force C-130J Hercules, Marine Corps KC-130J Hercules and an Air Force C-130H Hercules sit on the flightline at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. The aircrews were attending the Advanced Tactics Aircrew Course hosted by the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Patrick Evenson)