The Air Force recently tested the Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile on the B-1B Lancer, clearing a key milestone for integrating the weapon on its bombers.
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A B-2 Spirit on June 27 used a ship-killing missile to strike a decommissioned amphibious transport vessel during a Pacific exercise, marking a significant expansion of the stealth bomber’s maritime strike capabilities.
The Air Force is launching an effort to develop a new stand-off missile with a range of 1,000 nautical miles, or 1,150 miles, that would eventually be used for both air-to-air and air-to-surface missions.
The famed U-2 Dragon Lady spy plane could get a reprieve from the Air Force’s chopping block under a new 2027 spending bill proposed by the House Appropriations defense subcommittee.
Air Force Secretary Troy Meink told lawmakers May 20 that the program to build a new long-range nuclear cruise missile is performing “very well” in both cost and schedule—but will require support as it enters a critical phase.
The Pentagon announced new long-term agreements with four defense companies May 13 to develop and produce large numbers of low-cost cruise missiles. And while the effort will focus mostly on the Army to start, it pairs with Air Force efforts to find more affordable munitions.
The cost of operations against Iran has risen to $29 billion, a senior Pentagon official told lawmakers May 12, a $4 billion increase from the Department of Defense’s last public estimate two weeks ago.
A combined Navy and Air Force program is seeking to build a smaller version of a ubiquitous air-to-air missile that could give advanced aircraft, such as the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, greater magazine depth in a high-end fight.
A yearslong effort to find an affordable way to turn cargo planes into strike platforms is now an official program with anticipated fielding in 2027.