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
Pentagon Tech Nominees Say They’ll Stress Speed to Service for New Capabilities
Defense technology nominees told the Senate Armed Services Committee they will strive to sharply accelerate the transition of new technologies into fielded capabilities. They pledged to cut red tape and ensure that the innovation infrastructure can support the needed speed of adopting new tech.
Lawmakers Say Shutdown Has Delayed Secretive New JATM Missile
Members of the House Armed Services Committee say the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile program has been set back three months due to the ongoing government shutdown. The comment is noteworthy because the JATM's status has been kept tightly under wraps.
A New Kind of CCA? Meet the Supersonic, Vertical Takeoff and Landing X-BAT
Shield AI has entered the increasingly crowded field of Collaborative Combat Aircraft, this week announcing its “X-BAT” vehicle that stands out from others by having both vertical takeoff and landing capability and supersonic speed.
Northrop Checks Off Sentinel Milestones While Still Working on Program Restructure
While the Sentinel ICBM program writ large is undergoing a major restructure due to cost and schedule overages, prime contractor Northrop Grumman is touting progress on milestones with the missile itself.
Northrop: ‘Multiple‘ B-21s in Ground Test, Production Increase in Negotiations
Multiple B-21s are undergoing ground tests and being prepared to join the two aircraft now in test flight, and the Northrop Grumman is negotiating with the Air Force about how expanded production for the bomber could be accomplished, president and CEO Kathy Warden said Oct. ...
Lockheed Says It’s Self-Funding Prototypes. Could a ‘Ferrari’ F-35 Be One?
Lockheed Martin is taking a “home run” approach to self-funded research and development by going ahead and building full prototypes to show to the U.S. government, CEO Jim Taiclet said Oct. 20—a plan he hinted could apply to technology the company is hoping to shift ...
Northrop Grumman Clears Design Review for Sentinel’s Launch Support System
The Sentinel Launch Support System, the digital backbone for testing the new intercontinental ballistic missile over its expected 50-year life, has completed critical design review, Northrop Grumman said Oct. 20.
B-1 Bomber Task Force Deploys to Japan
A quartet of B-1Bs from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas have landed at Misawa AB, Japan, likely for a series of exercises with Japanese, U.S. and Australian forces.
Navy CCA Program’s Shape Coming into Focus
In announcing its Navy Collaborative Combat Aircraft contract, General Atomics has provided some clues as to where the service is heading with its version of an armed, autonomous fighter escort. It will likely be quite different from the Air Force version.
Could Modified Pave Hawks Help the Air Force Support Agile Combat Employment?
Sikorsky is pitching a modified "U-Hawk" version of older UH-60 Black Hawk series helicopters as autonomous resupply aircraft with additional capabilities as missile or drone swarm launchers.
Air Force Dropping Integrated Capabilities Command
A year after announcing the creation of a provisional Integrated Capabilities Command, the Air Force is dropping the plan, and intends to move all modernization planning to the Air Force Futures organization. Maj. Gen. Christopher Niemi, director of concepts and strategy, will oversee the restructure ...
Wilsbach Pledges Tight Coordination with Navy on AMRAAM and JATM Missile Buys
Air Force Chief of Staff nominee Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach said he'll give special attention to coordinating with the Navy on buys of new weapons.
Wilsbach: F-15EX Delayed by Strike; Fourth-Gen Fighters Still Bring Value
Strikes at Boeing will delay deliveries of the F-15EX, Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach said before his Oct. 9 confirmation hearing. He also referred several times to the jet carrying hypersonic missiles and "very long range" weapons, indicating a rising mission for the jet.
Why the Air Force Opted to Skip a Tanker Competition: Costs, Delay, and Need for NGAS
The combination of an “unacceptable” eight-year delay, potentially billions of dollars in costs create a new logistics enterprise, and the need to prioritize a more advanced capability persuaded the Air Force to buy an additional 75 Boeing KC-46s, according to a new document.
New ‘Nomad’ VTOL Drone Family Could Boost Air Force’s Plans for Agile Ops
Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky subsidiary is introducing a new “Nomad” family of autonomous uncrewed aerial systems that needs no runways and could be applied to missions complementing the Air Force’s Agile Combat Employment model, including resupply, armed combat, and potentially, combat search and rescue, company officials ...
