Low-End Close Air Support Mulled

The F-35A will be the primary close air support platform to eventually replace the A-10, but Air Combat Command is looking to possibly augment it with a second, low-cost light attack platform, said ACC boss Gen. Hawk Carlisle. “We have...

Start Your Stealth Engines

The Air Force will hold several public meetings later this month in Alaska to discuss its plan to bring the F-35A mission to Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks, according to a notice. The gatherings will take place on March...

JASSM-ER Ready for Combat

The Air Force’s Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile extended-range variant is now available to B-1B bomber crews to use in combat, announced officials at Dyess AFB, Texas. The base, home to the B-1s of the 7th Bomb Wing, received its first...

CAS Group a Response to Increasing Demands

A planned Close Air Support Integration Group between the Air Force and the other services will try to meet increased CAS training demands, said Air Combat Command boss Gen. Hawk Carlisle. The services agreed that the integration between their components...

Hill Unit’s Early Transition

The Air Force will make an “early” transition of the 4th Fighter Squadron at Hill AFB, Utah, from the F-16 mission to the F-35A, according to a release. This move is one of the steps the Air Force is taking...

Handheld Radar Eases Nondestructive Testing

The Air Force Research Lab demonstrated a new lightweight scanner for the nondestructive structural testing of advanced aircraft, announced lab officials. The Handheld Imaging Tool replaces a 1,200-pound scanner with a seven-pound handset and 11-pound backpack. The tool enables aircraft...

House Launches Airship Caucus

Rep. Tom Rooney (R-Fla.) and Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) have launched a cargo airship caucus in the House to encourage airship development for military and civilian use. “Recent advances in airship technology are exciting, and the caucus will help illustrate...

Saudi Arabia Tops the List of Arms Importers

Saudi Arabia eclipsed India in 2014 as the number one importer of arms worldwide and also became the top defense market for US companies, announced IHS, Inc., a global information company, in its annual Global Defense Trade Report. Saudi Arabian...