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
USAF Plans $28.48 Billion over 5 Years to Develop New Advanced Fighters, Drone Escorts
The Air Force is budgeting $28.6 billion over the next five years to develop its next frontline fighter and an armada of autonomous escorts to go with it, according to just-released budget documents. Activities planned for 2025 include building and flying prototypes.
At Last: After 23 Years, F-35 Enters Full-Rate Production
The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter has been cleared for full rate production in a Milestone C decision directed by Pentagon acquisition executive William LaPlante.
Air Force Looks to Reusable Hypersonics as ARRW Ends and HACM Gears Up for Testing
The Air Force’s hypersonics efforts are focused on an air-breathing cruise missile in the near term, a reuseable platform further out, and the possible end of its boost-glide ARRW program, Lt. Gen. Dale White told the House Armed Services Committee.
Air Force’s 2025 Budget Lags Inflation But Is ‘Acceptable’ Within New Constraints
The Department of the Air Force budget for fiscal 2025 is “acceptable” and Secretary Frank Kendall said he can defend it before Congress, but legislative cuts and inflation have slowed the development of key future capabilities, he said.
Kendall: F-35 Delivery Hold Is ‘Hurting’ the Air Force
A delivery hold on F-35 fighters is hurting the Air Force, denying it the operational advantages it needs while causing it to spend money on extending older fighters, Secretary Frank Kendall said.
Acquisition Boss: Spending Caps Forced USAF to Trim 2025 Budget Request
Spending caps set under the Fiscal Responsibility Act shaved around two percent from the topline of the Air Force’s planned fiscal 2025 budget, and that reduction will have an outsized impact given constraints on what accounts can bear the cuts, Air Force acquisition executive Andrew ...
Acquisition Reformers: Pentagon Can Achieve ‘Quick Wins’ in Multiyear Overhaul
The Pentagon’s system of planning and budgeting needs a substantial overhaul, a blue-ribbon commission found, offering 28 recommendations that can help the Department of Defense deal with the quickening pace of technological change and increases in the threat, commissioners said.
Air Force About to Test ARRW Hypersonic Missile in the Central Pacific
A flight test of an AGM-183A hypersonic missile over the central Pacific Ocean is expected at any moment, based on navigational warnings and movements of tracking aircraft to the Kwajalein Atoll area. The test may be the last for the ARRW, which the Air Force ...
Air Force Deploys Live Hypersonic ARRW Missile to Guam
The Air Force has published images of an operational hypersonic Air-Launched Rapid-Response Weapon (ARRW) in Guam; a disclosure possibly meant to send a message to China but which raises questions about the future of the ARRW, which the Air Force insists it is not planning ...
Allvin Promises Quick Start to Some Re-Optimization Changes But Warns Others Will Take Years
While some of the Air Force's newly announced changes will happen quickly, it may take most of Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin's tenure in the job to accomplish the rest, he said in a Brookings Institution event Feb. 28.
Experts: 2025 Could Be ‘Year of Decision’ in Ukraine War
Timely aid for Ukraine, particularly long-range weapons, is critical to western security, CSIS panelists said, suggesting the war in Europe could end in 2025 if either side runs out of resources.
Potential F-35 Cuts in 2025 Won’t Be Made up by FMS, May Drive Costs Higher
Rumored cuts to the F-35 from the fiscal 2025 defense budget—six from Air Force plans—would not be offset by recent Foreign Military Sales, and will disrupt ongoing Lot 19 negotiations, Pentagon and industry sources said.
Cybersecurity, Other USAF Needs Challenging E-7 Price Talks
Negotiations on the Air Force's purchase of two E-7 Wedgetail air battle management aircraft have hit bumps over cybersecurity and USAF-specific capabilities, service and industry officials said.
Air Force Says It Is Not Aware of B-21 Quality Problems Linked to Spirit AeroSystems
The Air Force says it is unaware of quality issues with work done by Spirit AeroSystems on the B-21 bomber. Spirit is under investigation by the NTSB for its work on Boeing 737 MAX airliners which may have contributed to a January in-flight accident.
Lockheed Anticipates Stable F-35 Production for Next Five Years
The production rate for the F-35 will likely remain stable for at least five years, Lockheed Martin aeronautics executive vice president Greg Ulmer said.