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
Boeing Gets $2.47 Billion Contract for 15 More KC-46s
Boeing received a $2.47 billion Air Force contract Nov. 25 for 15 more KC-46s, bringing to 183 the number of Pegasus tankers on contract to all customers, foreign and domestic. The new contract—for Lot 12 of the initially planned KC-46 buy—is to be completed by ...
Air Force Confirms SEAD Role of F-35s in Midnight Hammer
The Air Force F-35As that participated in Operation Midnight Hammer—the June 22 strike against Iranian uranium enrichment and nuclear research facilities—conducted both suppression of enemy air defenses, also called SEAD, and provided fighter cover for the strike force as it departed Iran, the service acknowledged ...
B-52 Returns to Caribbean for Second Mission in Five Days
A B-52 bomber from Minot Air Force Base, N.D., flew over the Caribbean Sea and near Venezuela on Nov. 24, according to open-source flight tracking data—the second time in four days such a mission has unfolded.
Next-Gen USAF Airlifter Expected by 2038; C-17 to Fly Another 50 Years
A newly-released Air Force plan to replace the C-5 and C-17 airlifters with a single airplane type called the Next-Generation Air Lifter (NGAL) will keep those fleets in service another 20 and 50 years, respectively. The plan will likely require a service life extension for ...
White to Become Czar for Highest-Profile Air Force Programs: F-47, B-21, and More
Lt. Gen. Dale White, the military deputy to the Air Force’s acquisition executive, has been nominated for a fourth star and a newly created job overseeing the service’s highest-visibility, highest-risk, and highest-cost programs.
Trump Says Saudi F-35 Sale Will Be Approved ‘Quickly,’ as Israel Eyes Balance of Power
President Donald Trump projected confidence Nov. 19 that a proposed sale of F-35s to Saudi Arabia will sail through the Foreign Military Sales process, an early test of the Pentagon’s acquisition reforms. The deal is also likely to face scrutiny from ally Israel over how ...
Pratt & Whitney Gets More Than $1.2 Billion for F100 Engine Sustainment
Pratt & Whitney recently received more than $1.2 billion worth of contracts to sustain the F100 engines flown in older-model F-15s and F-16s.
Pentagon Research Chief Tightens List of Top Technology Priorities
The Pentagon's list of 14 top technology priorities has been slimmed to six, to ensure they get the attention they need, Defense Research and Engineering director Emil Michael announced. Changes may be coming in authorities for funding them, as well.
Shutdown Had No Major Impact on Flying Hours, Exercises: Air Force
The six-week government shutdown did not affect the hours flown by Air Force pilots, a service spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine—avoiding what could have been a major blow at a time when flying hours are already lower than they have been in decades.
Air Force Fighter Roadmap Projects Slow Growth for F-35 Fleet
The Air Force is projecting relatively limited growth for its main F-35 fleet for the rest of the decade, according to the new fighter roadmap it provided to Congress. That roadmap also calls for the overall fighter fleet to shrink for two more years before ...
Air Force’s New Fighter Math Doesn’t Add Up for Critics
A new way of counting the Air Force's fighters gives a better idea of how many are available for action but could undercut how comprehensively they're funded, experts said.
Air Force’s New Fighter Goal: More Jets, But Who’s Paying?
The Air Force’s new fighter plan calls for a 30 percent increase in fighter jets, but achieving that increase will be challenging, and the plan lacks a convincing force-sizing rationale, according to former service leaders and defense analysts.
Airmen Cleared to Start Training on New EA-37 Compass Call Simulator
The Air Force has approved Airmen to start training with the EA-37B Compass Call Mission Crew Simulator, BAE Systems announced. The system will provide realistic training and mission rehearsal for EA-37B crews, who perform long-range electromagnetic warfare missions.
General Atomics Flies Second CCA, Announces New Ground-Attack Drone
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. has flown a second YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft, stepping up the pace of testing for the new uncrewed fighter escort. The company also announced “Gambit 6,” a fresh variant in its CCA family meant for air-to-ground missions.
Air Force to Retain ‘Platinum’ F-15C/Ds Four More Years for Homeland Defense
The Air Force is planning to retain some F-15C/D Eagles, among its oldest fighters, to perform the homeland defense mission at least four more years, the service revealed in a “Long-Term Fighter Force Structure” report submitted to lawmakers earlier this year.
