Defense News reports, “The U.S. Air Force approved low-rate initial production of Boeing’s T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer, setting the stage for the long-awaited replacement of the service’s 60-year-old T-38 Talon. The April 23 decision authorizes a $219 million contract for the first 14 aircraft, along with spares, support equipment and training, the Air Force announced Monday. The service is targeting initial operational capability in 2027.”
Full Story (Defense News)
Tag: US Air Force
U.S. Air Force Eyes Major Expansion of KC-46A Pegasus Fleet
Aerospace Global News reports, “The Air Force already has around 100 Boeing KC-46A tankers in service, but now it wants to increase that to around 319 eventually. There are rumours it wants to fully replace the KC-135, but that would require an even bigger order. While the aircraft has faced repeated high-profile teething maturation problems, it is the only US tanker aircraft on the market available to replace aging KC-135 and to increase the overall fleet size.”
Full Story (Aerospace Global News)
U.S. Air Force Extends A-10 Warthog Service Life to 2030
Reuters reports, “The U.S. Air Force secretary extended the life of the A-10 ‘Warthog’ attack plane until 2030, sparing the aging but beloved close air support aircraft that has played an important role in Iran from an earlier retirement deadline of 2026.”
Full Story (Reuters – Subscription Publication)
Air Force Taps Boeing to Begin B-52 Commercial Engine Replacement
Defense News reports, “In December the Air Force awarded Boeing Defense Systems a more than $2 billion contract to start the first engine replacements on the B-52H Stratofortress, marking a major step forward for the overhaul of the venerable Cold War-era bomber. In a Dec. 23 contract announcement, the Pentagon stated that the task order for the Commercial Engine Replacement Program, or CERP, requires Boeing to modify a pair of B-52s with new engines and associated subsystems — and then test the aircraft.”
Full Story (Defense News)
Air Force Authorizes SpaceX to Develop SLC-37 in Florida as Starship Launch Site
SPACE reports, “SpaceX just took a big step toward launching its Starship megarocket from Florida. The U.S. Air Force has given SpaceX permission to develop Space Launch Complex-37 (SLC-37) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station as a launch site for Starship, the biggest and most powerful rocket ever built. All 11 of the giant vehicle’s test flights to date have flown from Starbase, SpaceX’s facility in South Texas.”
Full Story (SPACE)
US Air Force Planning Independent Squadrons of Collaborative Combat Aircraft
Defense News reports, “The U.S. Air Force plans to create independent squadrons for its future fleet of collaborative combat aircraft instead of adding the drone wingmen to already-existing squadrons of manned fighters. Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, the nominee to be the service’s next chief of staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing Thursday the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard also may stand up their own CCA squadrons, along with the active duty.”
Full Story (Defense News)
US Air Force’s New ‘Doomsday Plane’ Begins Flight Tests
Defense News reports, “The Air Force and aerospace firm Sierra Nevada Corp. have started flight tests on the service’s next-generation ‘doomsday plane.’ Flight tests for the E-4C Survivable Airborne Operations Control, or SAOC, are being held at the Aviation Innovation and Technology Center in Dayton, Ohio, the company said in a Wednesday release.”
Full Story (Defense News)
Air Force Provides First Look at YFQ-42 ‘Fighter Drone’
The War Zone reports, “We now have our first actual look at General Atomics’ YFQ-42A ‘fighter drone’ prototype. The YFQ-42A, as well as Anduril’s YFQ-44A, are being developed under the first phase, or Increment 1, of the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, and both designs are expected to make their maiden flights later this year.”
Full Story (The War Zone)
Video
The YFQ-42A drone by General Atomics
(Techno Thunder; YouTube)
U.S. Air Force Begins Initial Operational Testing and Evaluation of MH-139 Grey Wolf
Flying Magazine reports, “The U.S. Air Force recently launched initial operational testing and evaluation (IOT&E) of the MH-139 Grey Wolf, the helicopter set to replace the service’s aging fleet of Bell UH-1N Hueys that perform nuclear security missions. During the week of January 27, three MH-139 flights operated by the 550th Helicopter Squadron at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, demonstrated its capabilities, the Air Force said.”
Full Story (Flying Magazine)
U.S. Air Force to Order More Autonomous Fighter Prototypes
Aviation Week reports, “The U.S. Air Force plans to add more orders for the first batch of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) prototypes to equip a newly established experimental operations unit, acquisition chief Andrew Hunter said on Nov. 13. The additional orders come after the Air Force selected Anduril and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) for CCA Increment 1 prototypes in April.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)