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
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 ...
New Radar for F-15EX: More Range Without Demanding More Power
RTX’s Raytheon is offering the Air Force and potential future users of Boeing's F-15EX an enhanced APG-82 radar that promises greater effective range without requiring more power, enabling it to better detect low-observable targets.
F-35 Engine Production Contract Slips to Spring 2026
The finalized Lot 18 and 19 contracts for the F-35’s F135 engines have been delayed six months to early 2026, the Joint Program Office told Air & Space Forces Magazine. It did not elaborate on what’s causing the delay or whether it would affect production ...
Bussiere to Retire After Vice Chief Nomination Was Withdrawn
Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere, head of Air Force Global Strike Command, announced his intention to retire in a social media post on Sept. 30, a reversal from just a few months ago, when he was poised to become Vice Chief of Staff of the Air ...
Lt. Col. George Hardy, Last Tuskegee Combat Pilot in WWII, Dies at 100
Lt. Col George E. Hardy, last combat pilot from among the famed Tuskegee Airmen, died Sept. 25 at the age of 100. He was a combat pilot veteran of WWII, Korea and Vietnam.
F-35 Deal for Lots 18 and 19 Covers Nearly 300 Fighters at $24.3 Billion
Lockheed Martin and the F-35 Joint Program Office have struck a final deal on production Lots 18 and 19, for nearly 300 airplanes, under agreements worth over $24 billion. The contract has been in negotiation for several years, and the jets—destined for U.S. as well ...
Air Force Contemplating B-21-Like Aircraft for Air-to-Air Combat
The Air Force is studying whether a large flying wing-type stealth aircraft armed with dozens of air-to-air missiles could be an element of its future air superiority force, sources told Air & Space Forces Magazine.
Fixing Air Force Readiness Will Take Years, Top General Says
Getting Air Force readiness back where it needs to be—something new Secretary Troy E. Meink has quickly made one of his top priorities—will take parts, flying hours, maintainers, and new aircraft. But even if the service fills the funding accounts for those things in its ...
What USAF and Industry Leaders Say Are the Keys to Future Airpower
Winning future wars will require air dominance achieved through a blend of stealth, numbers, spectrum warfare, and an ability to swiftly adapt, Air Force and industry experts said at AFA’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference.
Meink: Readiness and China’s Speed Are Key Challenges for USAF
In his first major speech as Secretary of the Air Force, Troy E. Meink said he was surprised by the extent to which the Air Force’s readiness is suffering after years of under-investment in sustainment accounts—and the speed at which China has been innovating for ...
Pratt Developing New Engine Class for CCA Drones, Cruise Missiles
RTX's Pratt and Whitney is developing a new class of engines to power everything from loitering munitions and cruise missiles to Collaborative Combat Aircraft. The new “scalable” family of engines has not been named yet.
Second B-21 Will Be Used to Test Weapons and Mission Systems
The second B-21 Raider, which flew for the first time Sept. 11, will be used to test weapons and mission systems for the new bomber, contractor Northrop Grumman said.
Meet ‘Vectis’: Lockheed Skunk Works Unveils CCA-Like Fighter Escort Platform
Lockheed Martin has revealed its “Vectis” autonomous combat aircraft, an unsolicited proposal for a “customizable” escort drone to fly with fifth-generation fighters and carry out a variety of missions.
