New artists concepts of the B-21 Raider bomber, released Jan. 31, reveal subtle differences between it and the B-2 Spirit on which it is based. The flying wing is shallower, with a shorter cockpit area, smaller landing gear and more angled landing gear doors. The nose gear is also set further back from the nose than it is on the B-2, as is the windscreen.

Boeing has incurred another $148 million in losses for its KC-46 tanker program due to higher than expected manufacturing costs, as the company works with the Air Force to address continued deficiencies in the tanker’s capabilities. The company disclosed the losses in a Jan. 31 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, stating that the “reach-forward losses” of $148 million follows $736 million last year, and $445 million the year before. Boeing has already absorbed more than $3 billion in losses on the fixed-price KC-46 contract. The same day as the SEC filing, the Pentagon’s Department of Operational Test and Evaluation released its 2019 annual report on the program, detailing the deficiencies still impacting the new tanker fleet.

A career special operations pilot will become the second-highest officer at the Space Force's Space Operations Command, according to a slew of promotions and job changes announced Jan. 30. Col. Michael Conley, selected for promotion to brigadier general, comes to the Space Force after having run the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Fla., since 2018. He has flown several types of aircraft, including the UH-1N helicopter, the CV-22 tiltrotor, AC-130W gunship, and MC-130J refueling and airlift plane, and spent time in the Pentagon. Twenty-two other Air Force officers will get new jobs as well.

Reports of sexual assault at the Defense Department's three military academies rose 27 percent in the 2018-2019 academic year, despite a recent high-level call to action to eradicate the problem, according to a new Pentagon report. The report also found the U.S. Air Force Academy was still struggling to recover from the 2018 changeover of personnel after the school's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response office was found to be "derelict" in its duties.

Enemy attacks on U.S., coalition, and Afghan forces in the fourth quarter of 2019 reached the highest level since the U.S. government’s watchdog for the war began keeping track in 2010, resulting in increased air operations in the country. The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, in its quarterly report to Congress, states there were 8,204 effective enemy-initiated attacks—ones that resulted in casualties, the highest total since 2010’s tally of 7,685. As these attacks rose, the U.S. military increased its pace, setting a record for more bombs dropped and total strike sorties than any year since at least 2009, according to Air Forces Central Command.

Poland's defense ministry on Jan. 31 finalized its $4.6 billion buy of 32 F-35As and 33 F135 engines, a move Polish President Andrzej Duda said will be a significant step toward strengthening the security of the country and the region. The deal, which was approved by the U.S. State Department in September, will also include eight mission simulators, logistic support, and the Autonomic Logistics Information System, according a Polish government statement. Delivery of the aircraft will begin in 2024 at a pace of four to six per year, and run through 2030.