F-22 Raptor Clears FOT&E: Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center officials say the F-22A Raptor is now “mission capable” for the air-to-ground role; they have completed follow-on operational test and evaluation for the new fighter. This was not a pro forma announcement, even though Air Combat Command declared initial operational capability for the Raptor late last year. In fact, Maj. Gen. Robin Scott, AFOTEC commander, says that ACC was able to declare IOC based on data arising from FOT&E. According to Col. Matthew Black, head of the AFOTEC detachment at Nellis AFB, Nev., that shepherded the evaluation, AFOTEC and ACC conducted the “most complex operational test ever on a tactical aircraft.”
Air Force Munitions Gets Big Boost from Reconciliation
June 28, 2025
Thanks to reconciliation, the fiscal 2026 Air Force budget would get a surge of munitions procurement, but it's not yet clear if the production increase will be sustained. The Air Force revealed the secret AIM-260 air-to-air missile's funding for the first time.