It is critical to continue F-22 modernization to keep the fleet capable to sustain air superiority in the future, especially with the Raptor line staying closed, Air Combat Command boss Gen. Hawk Carlisle said. Speaking at a House Armed Services Committee hearing on Wednesday, Carlisle said F-22s have shown their combat capability in Operation Inherent Resolve by targeting ISIS with small diameter bombs and by penetrating “airspace other airplanes couldn’t.” It is critical to continue to upgrade the capability of the 183-aircraft fleet. This includes taking lessons learned from the F-35, such as increasing the maintainability of the F-22’s low observable skin. Because the F-22’s production line will likely stay closed, Carlisle said he would like to upgrade the F-22s assigned to the 43rd Fighter Squadron at Tyndall AFB, Fla., to combat capable. The Raptors assigned to the squadron are older airplanes, but the upgrades would help because “the more combat-capable F-22s, the happier I’ll be,” Carlisle said. (Carlisle’s prepared testimony) (See also: Critical Ingredient in Short Supply.)
NASA Boss: Race to Moon Has National Security Stakes
Sept. 15, 2026
NASA is pushing hard to get astronauts back to the moon by 2028—and the urgency is driven in no small part by the national security implications of doing so before China does, Administrator Jared Isaacman said Sept. 15.
