Air warfare and procurement of air combat weapons systems

Senators want answers on end of F-35B’s ‘probation’

By Philip Ewing on Tuesday, February 7th, 2012

Senators want answers on end of F-35B’s ‘probation’

The top men on the SASC want to know exactly what the B did to earn its clean bill of health.

Air Force details force structure cuts

By Michael Hoffman on Friday, February 3rd, 2012

Air Force details force structure cuts

Air Guard bears brunt of cuts as service announces which seven squadrons will lose their missions.

AF, Air Guard ready for face off

By Michael Hoffman on Wednesday, February 1st, 2012

AF, Air Guard ready for face off

Air Force leaders can expect Congress to push back against proposed cuts to the Air National Guard.

Boom times for the Boneyard

By Philip Ewing on Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

Boom times for the Boneyard

The only place the Air Force is likely to expand anytime soon is at its iconic aircraft junkyard in the Arizona desert.

CSBA: Our weapons mix is ‘out of whack’

By John Reed on Tuesday, January 24th, 2012

CSBA: Our weapons mix is ‘out of whack’

The Pentagon must continue to tweak its weapons mix if it wants to meet the military challenges of this century, a study concludes.

Report: Senator presses for ‘commercial’ C-17s

By Philip Ewing on Monday, January 23rd, 2012

Report: Senator presses for ‘commercial’ C-17s

A Missouri senator wants the FAA to clear Boeing to sell a commercial version of its flagship cargo plane.

The end of the F-35B’s ‘probation’

By Philip Ewing on Thursday, January 19th, 2012

The end of the F-35B’s ‘probation’

The Marines’ model of the Lightning II is off the black list, for now, though there was never much real danger.

Army, Air Force continue duel over light cargo aircraft

By Philip Ewing on Friday, January 13th, 2012

Army, Air Force continue duel over light cargo aircraft

CSA and CSAF are said to be in talks over another agreement on light cargo aircraft, according to a report — and the saga wears on.

With a nuclear arsenal, how small is ‘small?’

By Philip Ewing on Friday, January 6th, 2012

With a nuclear arsenal, how small is ‘small?’

DoD’s new strategy appears to presage a shrunken strategic arsenal. But what’s the best way to shrink it, and how small should it get?

Boeing shuttering Wichita plant

By John Reed on Wednesday, January 4th, 2012

Boeing shuttering Wichita plant

In what may be a harbinger of the immediate future for the aerospace industry, Boeing just announced that it’s closing its Witchita, Kansas facility, home to its B-52 and KC-767 military programs, citing high operating costs and a lack of new business for its maintenance and modifications division.

Boeing’s iron Eagles, part 2

By Philip Ewing on Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012

Boeing’s iron Eagles, part 2

If “reductions are expected” for the F-35, what opportunities could that open up for its older-model rivals?

After Japan loss, Boeing looks for other fighter deals

By Philip Ewing on Wednesday, December 21st, 2011

After Japan loss, Boeing looks for other fighter deals

Boeing is confident about its offerings and plans to go after other deals in other countries. But how long can it keep up?

Japan is the latest F-35 customer

By John Reed on Monday, December 19th, 2011

Japan is the latest F-35 customer

Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter scored a major victory when it was officially chosen to become Japan’s latest fighter.

Russians pay visit for AF nuke inspection

By Philip Ewing on Friday, December 16th, 2011

Russians pay visit for AF nuke inspection

A team of inspectors dropped by to check up on the Air Force’s strategic bombers.

Boeing: F-35 hasn’t yet won in Japan

By John Reed on Friday, December 16th, 2011

Boeing: F-35 hasn’t yet won in Japan

Big B says, hey, hold on, this thing ain’t over yet: Its Super Hornet could still be Japan’s new fighter.

Blakey: 2011 was a good year, but…

By John Reed on Wednesday, December 14th, 2011

Blakey: 2011 was a good year, but…

The head of the Aerospace Industries Association worries about tough times in the near future.

Time marches on for the F-22

By Philip Ewing on Tuesday, December 13th, 2011

Time marches on for the F-22

The final Raptor was set to roll off Lockheed’s production line on Tuesday, and the jury was still out.

SecDef plans first visit to F-35

By Philip Ewing on Wednesday, December 7th, 2011

SecDef plans first visit to F-35

Panetta will see the F-35 in person and meet its test force, just not this week as first scheduled.

Thinking the unthinkable about the F-35

By Philip Ewing on Wednesday, November 30th, 2011

Thinking the unthinkable about the F-35

It seemed untouchable: Too big. Too important. Too connected. But could even it become an austerity victim?

CSAF endorses more nuke consolidation

By Philip Ewing on Tuesday, November 29th, 2011

CSAF endorses more nuke consolidation

The Air Force is adding more units to its Global Strike Command in a new vote of confidence.