Air Force News

USAF Authorizes Production of Ninth WGS
An agreement by Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and New Zealand to become subscribers to the Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) broadband communications network has prompted the U.S. Air Force to exercise an option for Boeing to build a ninth spacecraft.
2012-01-19

USAF Ranks Last in Pentagon Testing Scorecard
In the latest annual report from the Pentagon's Director of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E), the U.S. Air Force ranks last among the services in testing performance, with a mere 27% of programs reviewed meeting their reliability thresholds.
2012-01-19

Five More Nations to Join WGS Program
The U.S. Air Force is finalizing a deal with five nations to buy into the Wideband Global Satellite (WGS) wideband communications constellation as it prepares for the launch of the fourth satellite on Jan. 19.
2012-01-13

Challenges Face US Military Launch Ability
The U.S. must overcome the growing challenges of rising launch costs and aging propulsion systems if it is to gain much needed efficiencies and maintain its global lead, warns Gen. William Shelton, commander of Air Force Space Command.
2012-01-12

F-35 Under Fire in Italy
The Italian government is ushering in a new round of defense cuts in which, for the first time, the fate of Rome's participation in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program will be seriously threatened.
2012-01-09

Libya Reveals NATO Readiness Highs and Lows
Can any worthwhile lessons be drawn from Operation Unified Protector, the NATO mission to protect Libyan civilians and insurgents during the recent civil war?
2012-01-03

Hawker Sues USAF After Losing Protest
Days after its bid protest was dismissed by congressional auditors, Hawker Beechcraft is turning to the courts to try to force a reinstatement of its aircraft in the U.S. Air Force's Light Air Support (LAS) competition.
2011-12-28

USAF Plans Larger, More Capable Predator UAV
The U.S. Air Force is planning to develop a heavier, more powerful version of the jet-powered, reduced signature Predator C Avenger unmanned aerial system (UAS) for deployment soon in combat zones.
2011-12-21

Cornyn Working on Vote to Require F-16 Sale
Sen. John Cornyn is hoping that his amendment requiring the U.S. government to sell at least 66 F-16s to Taiwan will remain alive.
2011-11-30

Boeing Offers New Capabilities for F/A-18s
Boeing is offering a line of upgrades for international variants of its F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and F-15C/Es that the U.S. military is likely to envy and may well adopt as defense budgets shrink.
2011-11-23