Thunderbirds

The Pentagon is considering ditching the Air Force’s plan to buy the E-7 Wedgetail as it looks to outsource the airborne target-tracking mission to space, defense officials indicated this week.

The military’s first commercial nuclear microreactor moved a step closer to reality on June 11, when the Air Force announced it plans to award a contract for the technology to Oklo, a nuclear-energy company.

The Air Force has released its first artist's rendering of the AGM-181 Long-Range Stand-Off (LRSO) nuclear weapon, set to equip the B-52 circa 2030. The weapon is reminiscent of the AGM-129 Advanced Cruise Missile, which preceded it, and the AGM-158 JASSM; all three of which are stealthy missiles.

JetZero announced it will build its Z4 blended wing-body aircraft in Greensboro, N.C., where it's investing $4.7 billion and expects to create more than 14,000 jobs. The aircraft—being developed in part with Air Force funds—is potentially a disruptor in the airline/air cargo and Air Force airlift and aerial refueling markets,…

The official charity for the Air Force and Space Force is implementing major changes to help Airmen, Guardians, and their families with child care, health care, permanent change-of-station (PCS) moves, and other stressful or expensive life needs.

As futuristic aviation programs gain priority, the F-35—the only in-production, fifth-generation American fighter—is facing new headwinds. Fresh debate over its challenges and its potential in the coming months will shape its future role in the force. 

Efforts to craft the Pentagon’s next budget has highlighted disagreement among Republicans on whether the U.S. should continue to support Ukraine in its three-year war with Russia, pitting some key GOP voices against the Trump administration on questions of military aid and larger concerns about America’s role on the world…

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s first trip to Capitol Hill to argue for next year’s Pentagon budget shed new light on funding for some of the Air Force’s top-priority acquisition programs, even as the department continues to hide its 2026 request from view.

The first batch of instructor pilots on one of the Air Force’s newest airframes are piling on the flight hours as they prepare to welcome their own students next fiscal year.