Dik A. Daso
Recent stories by Dik A. Daso
Ukrainian Officials: F-16 ‘Super Effective’ at Downing Russia Drones But Challenges Remain
Ukraine’s fleet of F-16 fighters has played a vital role in protecting the country against Russian aerial attacks, including the jet-powered drones the Russians have used to try to overpower Ukrainian air defenses, senior Ukrainian officials said. But Ukraine has a chronic need for spare parts ...
Major Air Show Permanently Moves Away from RAF Fairford
The Royal International Air Tattoo, one of the world’s biggest annual air shows, will permanently move from its longtime home of RAF Fairford, a longtime base for the U.S. Air Force, to a different military installation in the United Kingdom, its organizers announced Nov. 4.
US Conducts Airstrikes on Iran, Latest in Series of Undisclosed Attacks
The U.S. conducted limited airstrikes against Iran on Nov. 2, the latest in a series of attacks the U.S. military has undertaken in the past few weeks but not publicly disclosed. The strikes occurred just ahead of the U.S. midterm elections.
The Space Force Goes to War
The Space Force has spent the past few years preparing for war. Now, it has fought one. The U.S. military has chronicled its strikes by sea and air on Iranian military sites in Operation Epic Fury, as well as its...
WORLD: Iran
10 Epic Fury Airmen Earned Battlefield Promotions Ten Airmen received battlefield promotions for their roles in the daring rescue of DUDE 44, the crew of an F-15E Strike Eagle that was shot down over Iran last spring, Air Force Chief...
WORLD: Iran
DRONE-KILLER ROCKETS W hen the Air Force needed a new solution to shoot down the one-way attack drones that have dominated the new era of drone warfare, it turned to a decades-old weapon: small air-to-air rockets. How the Air...
Two ‘Non-Hostile’ Deaths Raise Iran War Toll to 23
Two Airmen who were supporting the U.S. conflict against Iran died this month in “non-hostile” incidents, according to official figures recently released by the Pentagon.
Pentagon Bets Big on Drone-Killing APKWS Laser-Guided Rockets
The Pentagon has concluded a new agreement to buy laser-guidance kits that turn rockets into drone-killing weapons. BAE Systems and the Defense Department announced a framework deal of up to seven years for 25,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System guidance kits annually for the U.S. military.
Hegseth Highlights Defense Manufacturing Push with Visit to Future ‘Doomsday’ Planes
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth took his Arsenal of Freedom tour to the swing states of Ohio and Wisconsin on Oct. 20, highlighting efforts to boost defense manufacturing before the midterm elections next month, including by visiting future E-4C "Doomsday" planes.
Meet the Task Force Trying to Turn Golden Dome Into Reality
A Golden Dome task force established under U.S. Northern Command earlier this year has a broad remit, which includes fielding the capability to defend the U.S. against missile and drone attacks, its leaders said this week. Some of the primary focuses right now are ensuring ...
Army Building Up New Space Operations Branch
The Army has long been dependent on space capabilities to navigate terrain, communicate in hard-to-reach areas, and identify and strike targets. Now, the service wants to deepen its space operations expertise and is making plans to expand its own cadre of operators in the coming ...
Meink: Operational Prototypes for MMA Drones Coming in 2028
The Air Force will field operational prototypes for an autonomous drone to replace its MQ-9 Reaper in 2028, Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink said Oct. 14.
Space Force Activates Component Under Special Operations Command
The Space Force has officially established its component to U.S. Special Operations Command, creating a ninth component charged with presenting space expertise to commanders in the field.
B-21 Testing, Manufacturing Ramp Up: ‘We’re Moving Fast’
Northrop Grumman has broken ground on a major new production facility for the B-21 Raider, the company and the Air Force announced Oct. 6. The construction comes as a top service official said testing on the bomber is going well in the lead up to ...
Northrop’s Talon Blue Collaborative Combat Aircraft Makes First Flight
Northrop Grumman’s Talon Blue YFQ-48A Collaborative Combat Aircraft took its first flight Oct. 3, heightening the competition for the Air Force’s future combat fleet.