John A. Tirpak

John A. Tirpak is Editorial Director of Air & Space Forces Magazine, with more than 25 years at the publication and more than 34 years in defense journalism. He has written for Aviation Week & Space Technology, Aerospace Daily, and Jane’s, reporting from all 50 U.S. states and 25 countries. He has been recognized with awards for journalistic excellence from the Society of Professional Journalists, the Aviation and Space Writer’s Association, the Association of Business Publications International, and was the recipient of the 2018 Gill Robb Wilson Award in Arts and Letters from the Air & Space Forces Association. He has lectured at the National War College and did postgraduate research at the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum.   


Recent stories by John A. Tirpak

JetZero to Build Blended Wing-Body Aircraft in North Carolina

JetZero announced it will build its Z4 blended-wing body aircraft in Greensboro, N.C., where it's investing $4.7 billion and expects to create more than 14,000 jobs. The aircraft--being developed in part with Air Force funds--is potentially a disruptor in the airline/air cargo and Air Force ...

Air Force Reveals First Image of LRSO Nuclear Cruise Missile

The Air Force has released its first artist's rendering of the AGM-181 Long-Range Stand-Off (LRSO) nuclear weapon, set to equip the B-52 circa 2030. The weapon is reminiscent of the AGM-129 Advanced Cruise Missile, which preceded it, and the AGM-158 JASSM; all three of which ...

What Might the Future Hold for the F-35?

As futuristic aviation programs gain priority, the F-35—the only in-production, fifth-generation American fighter—is facing new headwinds. Fresh debate over its challenges and its potential in the coming months will shape its future role in the force. 

US Bombers Step Up Combat Operations as Demand Grows

U.S. bomber units are stepping up the pace of combat operations and overseas training as demand for their capabilities grows around the globe, the head of Air Force Global Strike Command said June 5.

F-35 Contracts Slip in Delay Unrelated to Radar Woes

Funding to build the next two batches of F-35 fighters, originally expected to be finalized by the end of June, won’t be awarded to Lockheed Martin until sometime this summer, the jet's Joint Program Office told Air & Space Forces Magazine.

Allvin to Congress: USAF Will Have More Control of New F-47 Fighter

The F-47 fighter will be run differently than previous fighter programs and share the same mission systems architecture as the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin told the Senate Armed Services Committee. That means advances in one will fuel advances ...

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