Senior Air Force leaders believe that current shortages in the U.S. bomber fleet are putting the service, and the nation, at tremendous risk of enemy attack.
New attack drones, 5th-generation stealth fighter jets, reconfigured cargo planes and Russian-built air defenses are making Chinas Air Force even deadlier.
The Air Force will identify much less with platforms as virtually any computer, network, aircraft or spacecraft becomes a platform not only to acquire, move and process knowledge, but also to deliver long-range weapons.
Unique angles and approaches are highlighted in these submissions to Aviation Week's 2016 Photo Contest, the Defense category.
BAE Systems has won a contract from Northrop Grumman to provide Electronic Support Measure (ESM) systems for use on all 20 B-2 Spirit bombers. This ESM upgrade will be a complete replacement of the current AN/APR-50 system. With this award, BAE Systems will now be providing Electronic Warfare systems on all three of the U.S. …
So why does the nation need stealth bombers?
Air strikes against the Libyan military's ground and air forces have changed the dynamic of the conflict in Libya. Here are some prominent matchups in the allied campaign against Muammar Gaddafi.
Russia possesses exactly 11 warplanes capable of flying all the way around the world, darting through U.S. air defenses and launching bombs and missiles from close range. And just to make sure, we…
This article first appeared in Aviation Week & Space Technology.A fresh wave of structures, systems and weapons upgrades is being rolled into the Northrop Grumman B-2 as part of efforts to keep the stealth bomber in the front line to 2050 and beyond.
The B-2 Spirit bomber is a standout among military planes -- and also the world's most expensive at more than $2 billion each. Find out why each plane is said to have its own personality.
The B-2 Spirit bomber is a standout among military planes -- and also the world's most expensive at more than $2 billion each. Find out why each plane is said to have its own personality.
The B-2 Spirit, America's sole heavy stealth bomber, is getting upgraded ejection seats, the latest in a series of upgrades for the multi-role bomber to keep the aircraft flying into the 2050s.
The B-2 Spirit bomber is a standout among military planes -- and also the world's most expensive at more than $2 billion each. Find out why each plane is said to have its own personality.
Boeing said Friday it has renewed its previously suspended partnership with Lockheed Martin to prepare a bid to build the next-generation long-range bomber for the Air Force. The $55 billion...
The Air Force wants to replace its fleet by the mid 2020s. ;
The number of Russia’s long-range strategic bombers intruding the U.S. airspace doubled in 2014.
The Facebook page "Colorado Springs Crime Watch" posted audio of the incident, which occurred around 3 a.m. Tuesday morning.
As the Air Forces short-range fighters depart the western Pacific region, the service is counting on the B-21 fleet to do much of the heaviest fighting in the event of a war with China.
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel argued for funding of a new long-range bomber to replace the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber.
Could the B-2 stealth bomber be the most dangerous plane ever built?
The US Air Force put on an astounding show at one of the biggest military airshows in the world, the Royal International Air Tattoo.
MoneyWeek’s comprehensive guide to the best of this week’s share tips from the rest of the UK's financial pages.
The B-2 is not exactly easy to upgrade.
Says 'fascists' will be overthrown with military support
At $2bn, the plane is one of the US militarys most expensive and dangerous weapons
At $2bn, the plane is one of the US military’s most expensive and dangerous weapons
❮
❯
The US Air Force's new F-22 aircraft is proving more difficult to maintain than planned Because of the time required to maintain the stealth features of the aircraft, only 60 percent of them are available for service at any given time Non-stealth fig
)()
This week marks the 20th anniversary of the deployment of one of America's most important and expensive weapon systems — the B-2 Spirit.
The jagged-triangle shape of the B-2 long-range bomber is part of its “stealth” design, which uses various technologies to minimize its appearance to enemy radar. A profile of the aircraft that is likely to fire the opening salvos in any attack on Iraq.
Despite strenuous efforts to change the situation the US Air Force is still stuck with an annoying readiness rate (percentage of available aircraft able to do their job) problem In short, the half century old B-52s have a readiness rate of 75 percent
The radar-evading B-2 stealth bomber has been called one of the greatest achievements in military technology. With its distinctive “flying wing” design, the B-2 has a wingspan nearly as long as the Boeing 747 jumbo jet and yet it on radar it looks to be about the size of a tennis ball -- at least...
The B-2 Spirit stealth bombers are deployed as part of US Strategic Command's Bomber Task Force Europe.
The design of the flying wing, an aircraft type with no distinct fuselage or tail, goes back to the early days of evolution. We retrace its flight path through history.
During the dying days of Obama's administration, U.S. B-2 Spirit bomber crews executed a 32-hour sortie against ISIS. This is how it happened.
The Northrop (later Northrop Grumman) B-2 Spirit, also known as the Stealth Bomber, is an American heavy penetration strategic bomber, featuring low observable stealth technology designed for penetrating dense anti-aircraft defenses; it is a flying wing design with a crew of two.Thornborough, A.
Intimidating Kim Jong Un with B-2 bombers is expensive
B-2 Bombers Lead 'Shock and Awe', B-2 stealth bombers that led the coalition's
B-2 stealth bombers that led the coalition's "shock and awe" campaign last week continue to drop bombs over Baghdad in an effort to clear the way for coalition ground forces.
B-2 stealth bomber, once derided for high price and questionable durability, gains fresh backing and could play leading role in Pres Bush's Pacific-oriented military strategy; Defense Sec Donald H Rumsfeld weighs purchase of 40 planes, four years after Northrop Grumman Corp stopped producing them because Congress balked at price of $2.2 billion each; Defense Department would purchase planes for $735 million each; photos (M)
Mission: Strategic Bomber
Stealth bombers are not invisible—far from it, in fact. The Northrop Grumman-designed B-2 Spirit has a hard-to-ignore 175-foot wingspan and a thin, disk-like silhouette that makes it look like a cross between a stingray and an alien craft from a summer blockbuster.
❮
❯
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is offering a modernized version of its 1970 era delta-winged Kfir Mach 2+ fighter aircraft. Equipped with advanced avionics and mission systems that, the IAI claims its old fighter jet could rank in the same class of contemporary ‘fourth generation’ fighter jets. According to sources at IAI, the company can deliver…
Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim ready for his 44th year at his alma mater
The order of battle of the Spanish Air Force are the separate parts or sections of the air arm as a whole, divided in order to improve military coordination.
The U.S. Air Force's top commander in the Asia-Pacific region says his troops haven't changed the way they operate since North Korea asserted it would have the right to shoot down U.S. bombers even in international airspace.
All seven crew members made it out safely when their North Dakota-based B-52 crashed on Guam shortly after takeoff, the U.S. Air Force said.
The U.S. has seen a shortage of testing kits as the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, spreads.
Beginning Oct. 1, officers and enlisted personnel in its beleaguered nuclear missile force will get new financial incentives of up to $300 per month.
Rapper defends his art references, rhymes about Lupita Nyong'o
If the U.S. Air Force determines it needs an OA-X light attack aircraft this summer, it will find strong support in the Senate Armed Services Committee, which has already authorized $1.2 billion to begin buying new planes.
The new bomber, which was developed to replace the B-1 and B-2 bombers, is dubbed the B-21 Raider, according to an Air Force news release.
The United States has begun operating two types of radar-evading aircraft, a bomber and a fighter, for the first time together in the Pacific, the head of U.S. air forces in the region said on Friday.
The Diehl BGT IRIS-T weapon was carried by aircraft flown to Australia for big multinational exercise.
Did you know this?
The word MiG was synonymous with the USSR’s military might. BBC Future looks at these incredible aircraft and the designer who helped create them.
Another signal from the Trump administration that North Korea can hardly ignore.
Star Trek: Resurgence is a new narrative adventure from former Telltale Games developers at freshly-formed Dramatic Lab…
The new C-130J has the familiar silhouette, but it is a brand new airplane with the performance to prove it. Compared to the earlier production C-130E, maximum speed is up 21%, climb time is down 50%. Cruising altitude is 40% higher, range 40% longer. With new engines and props, the J can reach 28,000 feet in just 14 minutes.
A new variant of the Xian JH-7 fighter-bomber is in service with the China People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), according to a 5 August report by the state-owned Xinhua News Agency about the Aviadarts 2019 competition of the International Army Games (IAG) being held from 3 to 17 August.
Three airmen received awards for their actions in evacuating nearly 260 U.S. and partner forces from harm's way in Iraq.
One pilot died and another was injured after they ejected from a US Air Force U-2 spy plane that crashed in Northern California Tuesday, an Air Force spokesman confirmed.
❮
❯
Find unrivaled intelligence, consultancy and advertising solutions to the defence and national security sectors
An F-35 Joint Strike Fighter pilot may one day control a small fleet of nearby drones from the cockpit while in flight.
Russia said its fighter jets targeted several ISIS positions on Tuesday; but some locations are not in an area controlled by terror group
IAF has recommended a gallantry award – Vir Chakra – the third-highest wartime gallantry award - for Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman.
Indonesia signed a deal with France on Thursday to buy six Rafale warplanes as part of an anticipated total order of 42, as Paris bolsters military ties in the Asia-Pacific.
The key to the Meteor’s range is its ramjet propulsion.
Defense Update International is an online defense magazine covering modern aerospace and defense technology worldwide. Coverage includes current news, review of trade events, exhibitions and airshows, new products, news and business analysis and more. Other topics include a comprehensive job section, an annual list of tradeshow and conference.
The Ministry of Defence has awarded BAE Systems a £22.5m, seven-year contract to support the Royal Navy's Submarine and Mine Warfare Command Team training systems.
Despite some difficult economic headwinds this year's Dubai Airshow is set for a record number of visitors as well as displays from the Chinese air force's aerobatics team, writes Tim Bowler.
The low-cost economy fighter has struggled for customers—so who is the first buyer?
Moscows expanding sales bring money and geopolitical influence, with clients such as Egypt, Turkey and Algeria.
Sweden has decided not to make a formal offer of the JAS 39E/F fighter to Denmark because it believes that the nation’s requirement is loaded in favor of the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter.
The Trump administration on Friday gave the green light to an $8 billion sale of F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan in a move that is all but certain to anger China amid a bitter trade dispute between Washington and Beijing.
The Navy's 2016 "wish list" for Congress includes requests to buy more F/A-18 Super Hornets and F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, according to a Reuters report.
Shares in Swedish defence company Saab <SAABb.ST> slid more than 10% on Monday after it posted falling third-quarter profits and said it saw increased risks due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Russian news agency Novosty reports on two major arms export negotiations expected to be announced later this month. The agency reports that negotiations between Moscow and Riyadh on a groundbreaking arms deal worth about US$4 billion with Saudi Arabia are nearing completion. A second arms deal with Venezuela is also in progress. // The arms…
)
Saudi Arabia said on Monday it had signed an agreement with the British government to buy 72 Eurofighter Typhoon jets from BAE Systems for 4.43 billion pounds ($8.84 billion).
Are aliens visiting Earth?
Economically one of the strongest countries in the South East Asian region, Singapore operates a well trained and very well equipped Air Force. The backbone of the air force of this tiny island situated just south of Peninsular Malaysia is formed by modern Block 52/52+ F-16C/D Fighting Falcons.
The state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) has for the first time released a computer-generated image (CGI) in a promotional video showing a twin-seat...
The Pentagon is gearing up simultaneously to bolster the defense of U.
Saudi Arabia and Britain have signed an understanding for Saudi Tornado and other combat jets to be replaced by Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft, the British embassy in Riyadh said.
"Rahul Gandhi is disturbed that Modi ji and not Pakistan received it," Rajasthan minister Jaswant Singh Yadav said.
❮
❯