Press Releases

Alyxandra Scalone, 305th Maintenance Squadron Production Controller (right), and her Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory team prepare to load cargo on BETA Technologies’ prototype, ALIA CTOL, a battery-powered fixed-wing aircraft at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., July 9, 2024. This is the first demonstration of the aircraft’s cargo capabilities. BETA partnered with AFWERX Agility Prime to test the capabilities of moving cargo between bases in a safer, cleaner, and more cost-effective way.

All-Electric Fixed-Wing Aircraft Offloads Cargo at JB McGuire-DIX-Lakehurst

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst played a vital role in a historic first cargo flight as part of a demonstration of the ALIA CTOL, a battery-powered fixed-wing aircraft.

As part of its ongoing modernization efforts, the Department of the Air Force chief information officer, in partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory, is accelerating initiatives to provide Guardians, Airmen, civilian employees, and contractors the ability to responsibly experiment with Generative AI, with adequate safeguards in place.

Aircraft & Technology

Air Force Introduces Experimental Bridge to Leverage GenAI

The Air Force Research Laboratory is accelerating initiatives to provide Guardians, Airmen, civilian employees, and contractors the ability to responsibly experiment with Generative...

The B-21 Raider program is on track and continues flight testing at Northrop Grumman’s manufacturing facility on Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. The B-21 will have an open architecture to integrate new technologies and respond to future threats across the spectrum of operations. The B-21 Long Range Strike Family of Systems will greatly enhance mission effectiveness and joint interoperability in advanced threat environments, strengthening U.S. deterrence and strategic advantage.

Aircraft & Technology

B-21 Raider Continues Flight Test, Production

Hunter explained this is the first aircraft that is more digital than not, which contributes to the program meeting requirements.

Stefan Craw, chief, Requirements, Development, Program Management and Policy Division, Headquarters, Air Force Materiel Command, discusses Air Force reoptimization with small business representatives at the Air Force Operational Imperatives and Reoptimizing for the Great Power Competition small business collider, hosted by AFMC, at the Wright Brothers Institute in Dayton, Ohio, May 23, 2024.

Aircraft & Technology

AFMC Empowers Small Businesses for Air Force Reoptimization

Small businesses, ranging from technology startups to specialized service providers, contribute directly to national security. By understanding the Air Force's reoptimization ...

Alex Wagner, assistant secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, speaks at the RAND Corporation’s “America’s All-Volunteer Force: recognizing its Success and Charting a Path for the Future” event in Arlington, Va., May 3, 2024. The all-volunteer force-centric discussions focused on how the services can leverage retention and talent management programs to continue to bolster the force.

Aircraft & Technology

DAF Leaders Discuss Future of All-Volunteer Force

Current efforts to remove barriers to service of Airmen and Guardians include modernized tattoo and body composition policies, as well as accelerating naturalization at basic ...

News

Aircraft painters with the 588th Aircraft Maintenance Support Squadron Corrosion Control shop, are using a virtual reality paint training simulator to reinforce the skills they have learned in class at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. Virtual paint training started at Robins to boost classroom learning by allowing hands-on time in a controlled environment.

Education & Training

WR-ALC Virtual Reality Paint Simulator Enhances Classroom Experience

Aircraft painters in the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex can now hone their trade virtually. Painters with the 588th Aircraft Maintenance Support Squadron Corrosion Control...

Tony Aderman, Agriculture Department district supervisor, and Dane Williams, wildlife specialist, check Swedish goshawk traps at Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Mich., as part of the base's Bird/wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH) program, Oct. 29, 2019.

Defense

USDA, Michigan Air Guard Program Cuts Risk of Bird Collisions

ALPENA, Mich. (AFNS) -- The flightline at Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center is a busy place. As the year-round host for training events like Northern Strike – the Defense...

F-35A Lightning II aircraft sit on the flightline during an exercise at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Jan. 6, 2020. A little more than four years after receiving their first combat-coded F-35A aircraft, Hill AFB’s fighter wings have achieved full warfighting capability. The exercise demonstrated the ability to employ a large force of F-35As – testing readiness in the areas of personnel accountability, aircraft generation, ground operations, flight operations and combat capability against air and ground targets.

Defense

F-35A Lightning II Standup Complete at Hill AFB’s 388th, 419th Fighter Wings

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah (AFNS) -- A little more than four years after receiving their first combat-coded F-35A Lightning II aircraft, Hill Air Force Base's fighter wings have...

Articles

Airman 1st Class Jacob Helzer, 100th Maintenance Squadron hydraulics maintenance journeyman, uses the Boom Cover Tool on a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft at RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom, July 22, 2022. The Boom Cover Tool, created by Helzer, is expected to save 40,000 man-hours and $1 million annually.

Defense

Airman’s Innovation Saves Time, Money

A new boom cover tool has the potential to save the U.S. Air Force 40,000 man-hours and approximately $1 million per year.

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Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall prepares to fly in the X-62 VISTA during a visit to Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., May 2, 2024.

Aircraft & Technology

Air Force Aircraft Incorporates Machine Learning To Test Cutting-Edge Capabilities

The most potent feature of the X-62A – called VISTA for Variable In-flight Simulation Test Aircraft – is its new tool for developing and testing flying capabilities in real-time...

Air Force Research Laboratory’s XQ-67A Off Board Sensing Station and the first of a second generation of autonomous collaborative platforms, takes its maiden flight, Feb. 28,2024 from Gray Butte Field Airport in Palmdale, Calif. Designed and built by General Atomics, the XQ-67A completed several test points and safely recovered on the first of a series of flight tests.

Aircraft & Technology

AFRL’s XQ-67A Makes First Successful Flight

The XQ-67A is the first of a second generation of autonomous collaborative platforms.

Defense

DZYNE Technologies Awarded $49 Million Contract by Air Force Research Lab for Advanced Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Development

DZYNE Technologies, a leading innovator in autonomous defense technology, today announced the award of a $49 million contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL...

Defense

Air Force Releases Chief Master Sergeant Promotion Cycle Statistics

Air Force officials have selected 506 senior master sergeants for promotion to chief master sergeant out of 2,249 eligible for a selection rate of 22.5 percent in the 23E9 promotion...

The first T-7A Red Hawk taxis at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Nov. 8, 2023. The aircraft’s test campaign is being executed by the T-7A Integrated Test Force, part of the Airpower Foundations Combined Test Force in association with the 416th Flight Test Squadron. The Integrated Test Force is a partnership between the USAF and T-7A manufacturer, The Boeing Company.

Defense

T-7A Red Hawk Arrives at Edwards Air Force Base

The aircrew collaboration in the cockpit represents the structure of the T-7A Integrated Test Force, which will see Air Force and Boeing team members working shoulder-to-shoulder...

Aircrew test out a C-130H Hercules new digital displays for the first time Aug. 2, 2023, on a flight to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The major upgrade, called Avionics Modernization Program Increment 2, is a significant improvement to the almost 60-year-old aircraft’s avionics and navigation systems.

Avionics

Air Force Reserve Command's C-130H Hercules Avionics Goes Digital

More than 23 Air Force Reserve and 54 Air National Guard C-130H aircraft will receive the AMP Inc 2 modification over the next five years at a cost of approximately $7 million...

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall speaks during the Tinker and the Primes Conference in Midwest City, Okla., Aug. 9, 2023. Kendall spoke about competition from China and his Seven Operational Imperatives to being operationally successful when projecting power.

Defense

Air Force, Industry Discuss Sustainment and Supply Chain Needs in a World With True Competitors

Tinker and the Primes conference is produced by the Midwest City Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with Tinker AFB and aerospace industry partners to discuss how they can help...

Shown is a rendering of the blended wing body prototype aircraft. On Aug. 16, 2023, the Department of the Air Force selected JetZero for the BWB prototype aircraft project. The effort aims to mature BWB technology and demonstrate its capabilities, giving the department and commercial industry more options for future air platforms.

Defense

DAF Selects JetZero To Develop Blended Wing Body Aircraft Prototype

The commercial industry, including passenger airlines and air freight companies, stand to benefit from development of this technology as well, increasing available cabin or cargo...

Staff Sgt. Dylan Metcalf, 54th Helicopter Squadron flight engineer, poses with a pair of heated glove prototypes being tested by Minot Air Force Base, N.D., July 28, 2023. The 54th HS can work up to approximately 10,000 feet where temperatures can be extremely low, requiring the highest level of cold-weather equipment to stay warm and offset hypothermia.

Defense

Minot AFB Develops Prototype Gloves for Extreme Cold Temperatures

By Airman 1st Class Alexander Nottingham, 5th Bomb Wing Public AffairsMinot Air Force Base’s innovation cell, also known as Atomic Spark, has brought another innovative solution...

Defense

Independent Panel Review Suggests How DOD Can Mitigate Risks in Microelectronics Commercial Supply Chain

The Research and Engineering’s Microelectronics Quantifiable Assurance effort allows DoD to bridge the gap between its requirements and the commercial supply chain allowing the...

A model sandcastle sits on a table in front of an ExOne S-Print sand 3D printer at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., April 13, 2023. The 76th Commodity Maintenance Group’s new foundry can sand cast aluminum parts up to 120 pounds, providing another avenue for sourcing aircraft parts not easily obtained through traditional contracting methods.

Engines & Parts

76th Commodities Maintenance Group Starts Sand Casting Aluminum Parts

By Paul Shirk, 72nd Air Base Wing Public AffairsThe 76th Commodities Maintenance Group and Reverse Engineering and Critical Tooling, or REACT, Lab at Tinker Air Force Base have...

Defense

Metrea Announces First Ever Commercial Aerial Refueling of US Air Force Aircraft

Metrea is proud to have been part of a historic first by providing commercial air-to-air refueling to U.S. Air Force RC-135 and E-3 aircraft in support of exercise RESOLUTE HUNTER...