Getting Perspective on Nontraditional ISR: The F-22 and F-35 fighters are capable of much more than air-to-air or air-to-ground combat. “They are tremendous ISR platforms,” said Lt. Gen. Larry James, deputy chief of staff for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance during his Sept. 17 afternoon address at AFA’s Air & Space Conference in National Harbor, Md. In fact, as the US shifts its focus from Afghanistan on to other potential anti-access, area-denial locations “they may be some of our only airborne systems operating” in that environment. James said that issue as well as the best way to integrate data collected from the fifth-generation aircraft’s sensors into the Distributed Common Ground System will be part of the upcoming Corona summit. He said the goal is to brief the four stars and “get some perspective” on the issue, adding that a report on nontraditional ISR is due out soon.
KC-46’s Refueling Boom Damaged While Refueling F-22s
July 8, 2025
A U.S. Air Force KC-46 tanker suffered damage to its boom while refueling F-22 Raptors off the coast of Virginia on July 8, Air & Space Forces Magazine has confirmed, with reported radio communication from the crew indicating the boom “detached.”