First Flight of the XB-29 Superfortress

Sept. 21, 1942

Company test pilot Eddie Allen and crew make the first flight of the Boeing XB-29 Superfortress in Seattle, Wash. Designed as a replacement for the B-17 and B-24, the B-29 is considered the ultimate World War II bomber.

Space Force Surveys Industry For Refueling Tech

Feb. 17, 2026

As the Space Force continues to weigh the military utility and economic viability of on-orbit refueling, it’s looking to industry for more details about capabilities that could start servicing satellites by 2030.

USAFA Board Seeks More Cadets, New Facilities

Feb. 17, 2026

The U.S. Air Force Academy needs to grow its cadet corps by 10 percent and build a “home” for the U.S. Space Force in lieu of an entirely new service academy, a congressionally mandated oversight committee wrote in a new report, along with a slew of other recommendations.

El Paso Airspace Shutdown Is ‘Case Study’ in Complexity of Counter-Drone Ops: Experts

Feb. 14, 2026

The use of a military counter-drone laser on the southwest border this week—which prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to abruptly close the airspace over El Paso, Texas—will be a “case study” on the complex web of authorities needed to employ such weapons near civilian areas and the consequences of agencies…

Air Force Working with Collins, Shield AI to Build Autonomy Software for CCAs

Feb. 13, 2026

The Air Force is working with Collins Aerospace and Shield AI to develop the software Collaborative Combat Aircraft will use to fly missions alongside manned fighters, the service revealed Feb. 12—and drone-maker General Atomics was quick to announce it has already flown its YFQ-42A aircraft with Collins’ system.

How the Space Force Is Managing Growth at Its Busiest Launch Range

Feb. 13, 2026

If the forecast holds, the world’s busiest spaceport is poised to get even busier. The Space Force’s latest projections show that its Eastern Range at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida could be supporting as many as 500 launches annually by 2036—a fivefold increase over the next 10 years.

Pentagon Brings ChatGPT into Its Official AI Tool Set

Feb. 13, 2026

The Pentagon’s adoption of generative artificial intelligence tools—including the recent addition of the world’s most popular model, ChatGPT—holds promise for more efficient work for Department of Defense personnel but also poses risks unless users remain vigilant, experts told Air & Space Forces Magazine.

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