A comprehensive look at the Air Force and the Space Force, including people, equipment, budget, weapons systems, and more. This Almanac was compiled by Amanda Miller, Aaron M.U. Church, and the staff of Air & Space Forces Magazine. We gratefully...
The Air Force has six Institutional Commands focused on the recruit, train, and equip function of the department, and 10 Service Component Commands focused on meeting the needs of the nation’s joint combatant commands.
As futuristic aviation programs gain priority, the F-35—the only in-production, fifth-generation American fighter—is facing new headwinds. Fresh debate over its challenges and its potential in the coming months will shape its future role in the force.  The House’s $150 billion...
Total aircraft inventory; aircraft inventory trends; ICBM and satellite inventory; and aircraft age. Aircraft Total Active Inventory (TAI) (As of Sept. 30, 2024) ACTIVE ANG AFRC TOTAL FORCE AVG. AGE BOMBER B-1B Lancer[i] 46 0 0 46 37.40 B-2A Spirit[i]...
ANNUAL MILITARY BASIC PAY (Effective Jan. 1, 2025) GRADE 2 3 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS O-10 — — — — — — — — — — 225,698 225,698...
The annual defense budget is prepared by the Department of Defense, reviewed by the White House Office of Management and Budget, and then submitted to Congress. Yet it is Congress that has the final say. The House and Senate must...
ACE Gets Real  How USAF is evolving Agile Combat Employment informed by insights from Ukraine and Israel.  By David Roza  As the head of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Africa and NATO Allied Air Command, Gen. James B. Hecker...

WORLD: Munitions

April 4, 2025
Sustained Munitions Production and Lower-Cost Designs By John A. Tirpak Munitions have long been a bill-payer in the Air Force budget—staples of warfare that, in peacetime, can be neglected or shortchanged to pay for more pressing needs—but after more than...