December 23, 1974

Dec. 23, 1974

Company pilot Charles Bock Jr., USAF Col. Emil Sturmthal, and flight test engineer Richard Abrams make the first flight of the Rockwell B-1A variable-geometry bomber from Palmdale, Calif.

Wilsbach Pledges Tight Coordination with Navy on AMRAAM and JATM Missile Buys

Oct. 13, 2025

Air Force Chief of Staff nominee Gen. Henneth Wilsbach said he'll give special attention to coordinating with the Navy on buys of new weapons like the Joint Advanced Tactical Missile.

First Flight of Anduril CCA Likely Delayed by Government Shutdown

Oct. 13, 2025

 The first flight of the Air Force’s YFQ-44 collaborative combat aircraft, which is being developed by Anduril Industries, will likely be delayed because of the ongoing government shutdown, the company’s founder said.

What to Watch as Senate, House Start Crafting Conference 2026 NDAA

Oct. 10, 2025

The Senate passed its version of the 2026 National Defense Authorization bill late Oct. 9 with new language restricting retirements for B-1 bombers and E-3 AWACS. Now lawmakers from the House and Senate must set about resolving the differences between their two bills, which could lead to significant changes for…

Wilsbach: Fewer PCS Moves Would Boost Air Force Retention

Oct. 10, 2025

Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach, nominee to be the next Air Force Chief of Staff, voiced support for reducing the number of PCS moves Airmen and their families have to make, arguing it could improve retention.

Wilsbach: F-15EX Delayed by Strike; Fourth-Gen Fighters Still Bring Value

Oct. 9, 2025

Strikes at Boeing will delay deliveries of the F-15EX, Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach said before his Oct. 9 confirmation hearing. He also referred several times to the jet carrying hypersonic missiles and "very long range" weapons, indicating a rising mission for the jet.

Air Force Must Increase Flying Hours, Invest in Spare Parts: CSAF Nominee Wilsbach

Oct. 9, 2025

Air Force pilots are not flying enough, and the service must fix what has become a chronic issue and the myriad of factors that contribute to it, particularly a lack of spare parts, the nominee to become the next Chief of Staff of the Air Force told senators during his…

Space Force Plans 2026 Competition for Commercial Satellites That Can Maneuver

Oct. 9, 2025

The Space Force wants access to a fleet of small, maneuverable commercial satellites that can provide a range of services from geosynchronous orbit, chiefly satellite communications.

Air Force Pilots Need More Flying Hours, Which Build Both Skill—and Loyalty

Oct. 9, 2025

America's Air Force today is smaller and older than it was in my day, but what worries me more than size or age is just how ready we are to fly, fight, and win in a future war.

Why the Air Force Opted to Skip a Tanker Competition: Costs, Delay, and Need for NGAS

Oct. 8, 2025

The combination of an “unacceptable” eight-year delay, potentially billions of dollars in costs create a new logistics enterprise, and the need to prioritize a more advanced capability persuaded the Air Force to buy an additional 75 Boeing KC-46s, according to a new document.

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