First USAF Chairman of the Joint Chiefs

Navy Invests in Shield’s Vertical-Takeoff CCA; Air Force Holds Off

Aug. 19, 2026

Shield AI recently received $50 million from the Navy and DIU to support development of its autonomous fighter jet X-BAT, but the Air Force isn’t investing yet for several reasons, experts say.

Golden Dome Secrecy Poses Challenge for Estimating Costs

Aug. 19, 2026

While Pentagon officials have revealed some details about the architecture behind the Golden Dome missile defense project, crafting an independent cost estimate for a largely classified program remains a challenge, experts said Aug. 19.

US, S. Korea Scale Back Exercise on Trump’s Orders as PACAF Reviews Drills

Aug. 19, 2026

The joint U.S.-South Korea Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise will end Aug. 21, a week earlier than previously planned, at the behest of President Donald Trump—a move that comes as U.S Air Force is already reviewing its exercise schedule in the Pacific.

Air Forces Southern Focuses on Intel Sharing for Major SOUTHCOM Exercise

Aug. 19, 2026

A major U.S. Southern Command exercise this month brought representatives from 10 Latin American countries to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., for the air component of the event, with a focus on intelligence sharing for coordinating air operations.

Over a Year in, Experimental Ops Unit Matures CCA Concepts and Gets a New Commander

Aug. 18, 2026

The Air Force’s Experimental Operations Unit hosted a change of command ceremony recently, another sign of how the CCA concept is maturing and becoming entrenched in the Air Force’s structure, to the point where exercises have generated multiple sorties in a single day to simulate high-tempo combat operations.

Air Force Wants New Family of Target Drones Ranging from Expendable to Sophisticated

Aug. 18, 2026

The Air Force is looking for a new family of drones to serve as aerial targets for test missions, ranging from cheap, expendable quadcopters to large, reusable aircraft that can mimic fifth-generation enemy fighters.

AFA Urges Congress to Fully Fund Space Force, Ramp Up F-35 Procurement

Aug. 18, 2026

The Air & Space Forces Association urged congressional leaders this week to fully fund the Space Force’s record-breaking $71.1 billion budget request for fiscal 2027, increase F-35 procurement, and finish revisions to troops’ Basic Allowance for Housing.

USSF to Operate Legacy Weather Sats Until at Least 2028 as It Works on Replacements

Aug. 18, 2026

The Space Force will maintain its aging weather satellite fleet—which provides key forecasting data for military planners—until at least 2028 as it transitions to a new replacement architecture.

New Space Force EW Unit Pairs Multiple Weapon Systems in a First

Aug. 17, 2026

The Space Force's recently activated 1st Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron is its first unit to combine the Bounty Hunter system with the new Meadowlands, part of a larger push to field and operate powerful EW capabilities across the force.

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