Air Force Chief: MQ-9 Reaper ‘Most Valuable Player’ of Iran War Despite Losses
U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drones have been the standout platform in Operation Epic Fury against Iran, Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach said May 20.
Space Force Study Recommends Third Heavy Launch Site
A recent study of the Space Force’s launch infrastructure found that the service needs a third launch site to manage surging government and commercial launch demand.
Meink: Long-Range Nuclear Cruise Missile ‘Going Well’ but Entering Critical Phase
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.
Air Force Asking for $1.5B to Fund E-7 in 2027
The Air Force’s planned budget amendment to restore funding for the E-7A Wedgetail in fiscal 2027 will be about $1.5 billion, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink told lawmakers May 20. The Air Force also plans to keep funding the E-7 in 2028 and beyond, Meink told the House Armed Services Committee.
Global Strike Command Launches Minuteman ICBM Test
Air Force Global Strike Command tested an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile early May 20, launching the ICBM from Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif.
Radar Sweep
US Military Boards Iranian-Flagged Oil Tanker Suspected of Trying to Breach Blockade
The Associated Press
The U.S. military said May 20 that it boarded an Iranian-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman that was suspected of trying to violate the American blockade, the latest action by the Trump administration to try to push Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
US Aircraft Carrier Arrives in Caribbean amid Tensions with Cuba
The Hill
The U.S. aircraft carrier USS Nimitz and its strike group arrived in the Caribbean this week amid U.S. tensions with Cuba and as President Trump has threatened to invade the island.
L3Harris Increases OA-1K International Pitch Amid US Uncertainty
Aviation Week
L3Harris is increasing its international pitch for the OA-1K Skyraider II armed overwatch aircraft, offering the modified crop duster as an effective counter-drone hunter along with maritime and border patrol uses.
AC-130J Gunship with Mini Cruise Missiles Paired with AESA Radar to Undergo Tests
The War Zone
U.S. Special Operations Command is moving to demonstrate a new, fully integrated extended-range strike capability for the AC-130J Ghostrider gunship. The two core elements of this effort are an active electronically-scanned array radar and the AGM-190A Small Cruise Missile, work on which has been underway separately for some time now.
Plane Makes ‘Belly Landing’ at McConnell Air Force Base
KWCH
A plane landed without its landing gear at McConnell Air Force Base on May 19. The aircraft is a Beechcraft T-6A Texan II manufactured by Textron Aviation Defense. The single-engine, two-seat plane is designed to train Joint Primary Pilot Training students in basic flying skills common to U.S. Air Force and Navy pilots.
OPINION: Chronic Pilot Shortages. Ancient Planes. The Air Force Needs Upgrading.
The Washington Post
“U.S. Air Force B-52s have been busy in the war against Iran, as they were in Vietnam, and when they were crucial Cold War components of the nation’s nuclear triad of air, land and sea-based deterrence. Wars are mostly fought by young people, but today, and increasingly, geriatric machines participate in the wild blue yonder,” writes columnist George F. Will.
Putin Seeks a Boost From Xi in Beijing as War Effort Falters
The Wall Street Journal
Days after Ukrainian drone attacks shook Moscow, Russian leader Vladimir Putin traveled to Beijing, where he met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on May 20, looking for support for his country’s economy and to show his close ties with Russia’s most important strategic partner.
Pentagon CTO Wants to Give Vendors ‘Fast’ Decisions on Buying Tech
Breaking Defense
The Pentagon is focused on being more straightforward with vendors, especially smaller ones, about the kind of technology it wants and when it wants it, Emil Michael, the Defense Department’s Chief Technology Officer said May 20.
Lack of Counter-Drone Tech to Cover Troops Patrolling the Southern Border a ‘Concern’ for NORTHCOM Commander
DefenseScoop
While U.S. forces deployed to the southern border employ several fixed and mobile counter-drone systems, the top general in charge of stateside defense said troops lack adequate technology for patrols.
Special Ops Leader Says Maduro Mission Set ‘New Standard’
Breaking Defense
The wildly complex, surprise operation to capture then-Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro set a “new standard” for multi-layered joint operations—and provided a glimpse of the “future of special operations” for years to come, according to the leader of U.S. Special Operations Command.
Retired Air Force Thunderbird Pilot Analyzes Idaho Air Show Collision Video
KSL
Video of two planes colliding during an air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho has the public and officials wondering what went wrong in the sky. Paul Strickland is a retired Air Force pilot who served with the Thunderbirds and goes by his call name, “Sticky.” He said what was captured on video at the Gunfighter Skies Air Show was all too real, showing the risk that comes with these events.