Todd South
Todd South served in the U.S. Marine Corps, deploying to Iraq during the Iraq War in 2003. He then attended the University of Georgia, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism. He later worked at the Red & Black, the Anniston Star, the Chattanooga Times Free Press, The Record and Military Times. Todd earned his MFA in nonfiction writing from Goucher College and was named a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2014 for local reporting.
Recent stories by Todd South
Lawmakers Push Back on Air Force’s Scaled-Down Plans for MH-139 Helicopter
The Air Force scaled back its plans for the new MH-139 helicopter two years ago. The House Armed Services Committee is pushing back in its draft of the National Defense Authorization bill released May 26.
New F-15E Depot Line Will Speed Up Installs of EW System
The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center has opened a “speedline” to accelerate installations of a new electronic warfare suite on board F-15E fighters, as the service looks to upgrade and expand its EW toolkit.
Space Force Awards $90 Million to Rocket Lab for Two GEO Satellites
Space Force has awarded a $90 million contract to Rocket Lab for satellites to host payloads that tracks objects in geosynchronous orbit.
New Report: Time Is Now to Start Work on Guardians in Space to Counter China
To counter Chinese ambitions, the U.S. Space Force must start work now to put Guardians in orbit and on the moon in the decades to come, according to a new paper from AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.
Meink: Long-Range Nuclear Cruise Missile ‘Going Well’ but Entering Critical Phase
Air Force Secretary Troy Meink told lawmakers May 20 that the program to build a new long-range nuclear cruise missile is performing “very well” in both cost and schedule—but will require support as it enters a critical phase.
Two Navy EA-18G Growlers Collide at Air Force Base Air Show
Two Navy EA-18G Growlers collided midair on May 17 during an air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. All four crew members ejected safely, and there were no fatalities.
Air Force Reservists Save 11 Plane Crash Survivors at Sea
Members of the Air Force Reserve’s 920th Rescue Wing helped save 11 airplane crash survivors off the coast of Florida on May 12. The Reserve Airmen were flying an HC-130J Combat King II and an HH-60W Jolly Green II on a routine training flight when ...
Space Force Considering Fewer Moves Between Bases for Guardians
Space Force leaders are looking at allowing Guardians stay at the same base longer than the standard three-year tour.
New Pentagon Missile Program Could Pair with Air Force’s Affordable Munitions Push
The Pentagon announced new long-term agreements with four defense companies May 13 to develop and produce large numbers of low-cost cruise missiles. And while the effort will focus mostly on the Army to start, it pairs with Air Force efforts to find more affordable munitions.
Pentagon Relents, Seeks Funds for E-7 Wedgetail
The Pentagon has now committed to funding the E-7A Wedgetail in its 2027 budget request after previously zeroing out its spending.
Space Force Lays Out How Officers Can Advance Their Careers
Guardian officers looking to advance their careers must master their job specialty but also have a strong all-around understanding of the service and the joint force, the Space Force detailed in a new officer career path document.
Smaller AIM-9X Could Give Drone Wingmen More Firepower
A combined Navy and Air Force program is seeking to build a smaller version of a ubiquitous air-to-air missile that could give advanced aircraft, such as the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, greater magazine depth in a high-end fight.
Air Force to Field Cruise Missiles on Cargo Plane Pallets in 2027
A yearslong effort to find an affordable way to turn cargo planes into strike platforms is now an official program with anticipated fielding in 2027.
SOF Insider Trading Case Spotlights Troops and Prediction Markets
The emerging ability to bet on future events using online prediction platforms puts a new twist on classified information: Now there are ways to profit from that insider information.
Air Force Wants to Nearly Double EA-37 Electronic Attack Fleet
Fresh off the first combat deployment of its new EA-37B, the Air Force is nearly doubling the planned number of new electronic attack jets and projecting more than $3 billion in spending on the program in the next five years.