P-51 Mustangs Begin Escorting US Bombers

Dec. 5, 1943

P-51 pilots begin escorting U.S. bombers to European targets. Ninth Air Force begins Operation Crossbow raids against German bases where secret weapons are being developed.

AFRL Seeks Payload-Agnostic, Affordable Hypersonic Cruise Missile

Sept. 2, 2026

The Air Force Research Laboratory has signaled to industry it wants to develop a low-cost hypersonic cruise missile to deliver a wide range of payloads at a range up to 500 nautical miles.

US and Iran Trade Strikes as Fighting Resumes in Gulf

Sept. 2, 2026

U.S. Central Command launched a wave of strikes against Iran on Sept. 1, and President Donald Trump said forces are “prepared to do another one” as Iranian forces launched retaliatory attacks Sept. 2.

Doubling of F-15EX Fleet Comes with Risks for USAF to Manage: New Pentagon Report

Sept. 2, 2026

The Air Force’s decision to more than double its purchase of F-15EX Eagle II jets may bolster the service’s fighter fleet, but it also comes with risks and questions officials will have to manage in the years ahead, a new Pentagon report warns.

MH-139 Reaches Initial Operational Capability

Sept. 1, 2026

The Air Force’s new nuclear security helicopter, the MH-139A Grey Wolf, achieved initial operational capability this month—a significant milestone in the service’s effort to replace its Vietnam War-era UH-1N Hueys but years later than originally planned.

Congress Passes Short-Term Funding Bill, Putting DOD’s $1.5T Budget Ask on Hold

Sept. 1, 2026

With 30 days to go before the end of fiscal 2026, Congress passed a continuing resolution Sept. 1 to extend current spending levels through Dec. 11—putting on hold the Pentagon's request for $1.5 trillion in spending authority.

$100M Software Contract Will Streamline How Air Force Manages Aircrews

Sept. 1, 2026

The Air Force has issued a $100 million contract to combine its long-disjointed systems for managing aircrew readiness with software that is expected to reach initial operational capability next year, starting with the T-6A Texan II and the C-17 Globemaster III.

Pentagon Issues Contracts to Boost Manufacturing Capacity for Space Systems

Sept. 1, 2026

The Pentagon is moving forward with plans to invest in manufacturing capacity for the space industrial base, awarding multiple contracts in recent weeks to companies who supply key space components and subsystems as well as firms with innovative manufacturing technology that’s ready to scale.

What to Watch from Trump’s US Space Academy Commission

Aug. 31, 2026

As President Donald Trump’s commission to study a U.S. Space Academy formulates recommendations, experts say they’ll be watching for more detail on the academy’s mission and scope as well as efforts to garner feedback from members of Congress, who will ultimately get the final say on whether the U.S. needs…

Air Force Pulls ICBM Testing Device After Finding Likely Carcinogen

Aug. 31, 2026

The Air Force has pulled a piece of testing equipment for its Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles after discovering some appeared to be contaminated with a possible carcinogen.

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