Pilot Unharmed After F-22 Mishap in Georgia
The Air Force is investigating a mishap involving an F-22 fighter jet that took place at about 11:30 a.m. on May 6 at the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, Ga.
Hurricane Hunters Say They Need More C-130s To Meet Record-High Demand
Air Force Hurricane Hunters have just 10 aging WC-130Js to fly an increasing number of missions gathering life-saving data for decision-makers before a storm.
PHOTOS: Air Force Secretary Flies in an AI-Piloted F-16, a ‘Significant Step’ for CCA
Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall caught a ride in the front seat of a modified, artificial intelligence-piloted F-16 on May 2, a high-profile show of confidence in the service’s autonomous technologies—and another key step in maturing that technology for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.
Northrop Gets $7 Billion for B-2 Support Through 2029. After That, Funding Dries Up
Northrop Grumman received a $7 billion indefinite-delivery/indefinite quantity Air Force contract for improvements and maintenance on the B-2 bomber, covering these activities at five USAF bases through 2029. Budget documents show no more procurement or research and development on the B-2 is planned after that point.
INSIDE THE CAOC
The CAOC is the Air Force nerve center in the Middle East, responsible for planning and executing air operations across the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of operations.
Radar Sweep
Russia Announces Nuclear Drills, Lashing Out in Anger at West
The Washington Post
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a sharp message on the eve of his inauguration for a fifth term in office, planning tactical nuclear drills as the Kremlin accused Western leaders of escalating tensions over the Ukraine war and hauled in the ambassadors of Britain and France for a dressing-down.
Xi Bristles at Criticism of China Over the War in Ukraine
The New York Times
President Xi Jinping of China, on a two-day visit to France, spoke out firmly against criticism of his country for its close relationship with Russia during the war in Ukraine, saying that “we oppose the crisis being used to cast responsibility on a third country, sully its image, and incite a new cold war.”
Hamas Accepts Gaza Cease-Fire; Israel Says It Will Continue Talks but Presses on with Rafah Attacks
The Associated Press
Hamas said May 6 it accepted an Egyptian-Qatari cease-fire proposal, but Israel said the deal did not meet its core demands and it was pushing ahead with an assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Still, Israel said it would continue negotiations.
US Soldier Detained in Russia, White House Confirms
The Hill
A U.S. Soldier was detained in Russia last week, the Army and National Security Council confirmed May 6. On May 2, “Russian authorities in Vladivostok, Russia, detained an American Soldier on charges of criminal misconduct,” U.S. Army spokesperson Cynthia O. Smith said in a statement to The Hill.
Pentagon Secures $500M for First Tranche of Replicator Systems
DefenseScoop
The Department of Defense has secured the funding it needs to move forward with the first tranche of systems for its Replicator initiative, the department announced May 6. A stated goal of Replicator is to accelerate programs and field thousands of “attritable autonomous” systems across multiple domains by August 2025 to help the U.S. armed forces counter China’s military buildup.
‘Betrayal’: Air Guardsmen, Governors Pile on Criticism of Plan to Move Units to Space Force
Defense One
In the latest backlash against the Pentagon’s proposal to bypass governors and move space-focused units from the Air National Guard into the Space Force, Guardsmen are speaking up—and saying they don’t want to join the service.
Maxar Inks Agreement with Lockheed Martin to Supply Imagery for F-35 Training Simulators
SpaceNews
Maxar Intelligence announced a strategic agreement with Lockheed Martin to supply high-fidelity imagery for the F-35 fighter aircraft mission training simulators. The agreement establishes standardized pricing, licensing, and requirements for a suite of Maxar’s geospatial data products, including imagery basemaps and 3D models.
Electronic Warfare in Ukraine Has Lessons for US Weapons, Navigation
Defense News
The U.S. is gaining valuable insights about the performance of its technologies amid electronic interference as Ukrainian troops use them on the front lines, according to one official. Washington and other governments have committed billions of dollars of security aid to Ukraine, including long-range missiles, armored vehicles and secure communication devices. The jamming and spoofing that blankets fighting in Eastern Europe offers a trial against Russian tools rarely seen in action.
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Creating Space Intel Hub
Defense News
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency is creating a hub for space intelligence collection and decision-making that its director hopes will improve collaboration among government agencies. NGA Director Vice Adm. Frank Whitworth said May 6 the Joint Mission Management Center will integrate data collected from the Defense Department, various intelligence agencies and international partners. While the center, dubbed JMMC, is still in the concept phase, he said the agency is working quickly to get it up and running.
Meet the First ‘Space Cowboys’: 3 Guardians Complete Arduous Army Cavalry Spur Ride
Military.com
After being covered in dust, sweat, dirt, and blood, three officers emerged from the West Texas desert last week and were given their spurs and Stetson cowboy hats by the Army, becoming the first ever “space cowboys.” The three Space Force Guardians traveled to Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, to complete an Army Cavalry Spur Ride, a series of arduous combat tests and physical training exercises in which service members often ruck-march in between challenges—the first members of the military's newest and smallest service to do so.
Space Force Will ‘Not Support’ Delays in ISR, Tracking Data to Shooters: SpOC Chief
Breaking Defense
The Space Force is doubling down on its assertion that what it deems as “tactical” intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) data must go directly from remote sensing satellites to shooters in all domains, and that combatant commanders need authority to task those satellites. “Anything that introduces delay in data being provided to commanders and shooters to either defend themselves and their team or prosecute, close with and destroy the adversary, we’re just not going to support that,” Lt. Gen. David Miller told the U.S. Geospatial Intelligence Foundation’s annual GEOINT conference.
Air Force Swimmer Madelyn Letendre Aims to Use Rhodes Scholarship to Improve Military Mental Health
NCAA.org
Air Force swimmer Madelyn Letendre is driven by a combination of passion to serve others and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Growing up in a family rooted in swimming and military service, she had early exposure to the benefits of both. Both passions led to a standout Air Force career, highlighted by being named one of the 32 Americans to earn a Rhodes Scholarship this year. It was an honor that brought with it a flood of emotions—excitement, humility, and a sense of responsibility.