United States Air Force

D-Day: Aerial Armada

Graham Pitchfork describes the massive airborne assault that paved the way for D-Day

Lockheed Martin awarded U-2 Avionics Tech Refresh contract

Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works will continue to evolve the USAF’s U-2S Dragon Lady fleet, after it was contracted to provide avionics and system upgrades for the service’s high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft.

Blue Air Training acquires Broncos

US-based close air support (CAS) contractor, Blue Air Training, has added seven North American-Rockwell OV-10D+/G Broncos to its fleet.

USAF, Boeing agree on final KC-46 RVS 2.0 design

The US Air Force (USAF) and Boeing have reached two agreements on the final design of the KC-46A Pegasus’ Remote Vision System (RVS) – which is known as RVS 2.0.

AFRC receives first Combat King II

Lockheed Martin has delivered a first HC-130J Combat King II for the US Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) to Patrick Air Force Base (AFB), Florida.

Israel hosts US F-35s in first joint training exercise

Israeli Air Force (IAF) Lockheed Martin F-35I Adir fighters and US Air Force (USAF) F-35A Lightning IIs have taken part in exercise Enduring Lightning – the first joint training exercise dedicated to the fighter to be held by Israel.

US contracts Lockheed Martin for 78 more F-35s

Lockheed Martin has been contracted to produce 78 more F-35s for the US Air Force (USAF), US Marine Corps (USMC) and US Navy, in a contract modification worth roughly US$4.7bn.

Draken launches Mirage F1M combat training missions

US-based adversary air (ADAIR) contractor, Draken International, has commenced training operations with the US Air Force (USAF), using its ‘new', second-hand Mirage F1M fighters.

Modification work begins on new “Air Force One”

The US Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) has announced that the first of two Boeing 747-8s to be modified to VC-25B standard to become a new “Air Force One”, has begun.

The Nighthawk Returns!

Last February, Combat Aircraft Journal brought you the incredible story of the still-active F-117A Nighthawks that were photographed and filmed flying at low level in the Mojave Desert. Aircraft continued to be seen throughout 2019, but of recent their appearances had dropped off. However, now the F-117 is back!

AC-130Ws demonstrate ASuW role in the Middle East

In a first-of-its-kind joint exercise with the US Navy, Lockheed AC-130W Stinger IIs from the US Air Force have practiced supporting maritime security operations in the Arabian Gulf, demonstrating the type’s anti-surface warfare (ASuW) role.

USAF purchases two AT-6C Wolverines

Textron Aviation Defense has announced that the US Air Force (USAF) has now officially purchased two AT-6C Wolverine light attack aircraft.