August 27, 1939

Aug. 27, 1939
The first jet-powered aircraft, the Heinkel He-178, makes its first flight. Flugkapitan Erich Warsitz is the pilot.

Related

New Acquisition Czars Say They’re Not Trying to Blow Up the System

March 30, 2026
Pentagon leaders, eager to move fast and avoid pitfalls that have plagued defense acquisition in the past, are handing authorities and oversight for some of their biggest programs to officers outside the traditional structure. But the Air Force and Space Force four-stars given those responsibilities say they don’t intend their jobs to be a permanent change to the system.

Key E-3 AWACS Damaged in Iranian Attack on Saudi Air Base

March 28, 2026
An important U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry AWACS command and control plane was among the aircraft damaged in a March 27 Iranian missile and drone attack on Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, people familiar with the matter told Air & Space Forces Magazine.

Pentagon Eyes Canceling ‘Troubled’ GPS Ground System

March 27, 2026
Amid persistent development and testing delays, the Space Force is considering canceling a long-delayed effort to develop a ground system to manage its newest GPS satellites, a spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine.

US Forces at Saudi Air Base Suffer Iranian Attack

March 27, 2026
Multiple American service members were wounded and some aircraft were damaged in a March 27 Iranian attack on Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, people familiar with the matter told Air & Space Forces Magazine.

Hegseth’s Push for Chaplains to Remove Rank Sparks Debate

March 27, 2026
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently ordered chaplains to shed their officer rank insignia to make them more approachable to lower ranks—a move that has sparked a debate over why chaplains need to be viewed as officers.