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The U.S. Air Force has backed away from developing a new electronic warfare aircraft. Now it will rely on UAVs equipped with jammers, and electronic jamming pods on non-specialized (as jamming aircraft) warplanes. This was not the preferred approach. Last year, the air force revived a program to convert some of its B-52 heavy bombers into radar jamming aircraft. This would be done by equipping the bombers with jamming pods (that are similar in appearance to large bombs). The air force planned to buy 24 sets of pods, for a force of 34 B-52s. Each pair of pods would cost...

New laser weaponry being developed at Boeing has dealt a telling blow to airborne aircraft -- all of them unmanned -- in successful tests that take military laser technology a few steps closer to assuming a key role in future conflicts. Laser weapons are seen by industry analysts as a major step toward a more effective -- and more cost-effective -- deterrent to enemy threats from the air. Laser weapons can be fired at enemy targets without any apparent risk to human crews involved. However, most defense laser technologies are still many stages behind fictional depictions of laser weapons in...

Posted in Intelligence, International, Policy, Space The man at the pointy end of the spear of missile defense and of nuclear weapons warned today that the US must carefully weigh any increase in missile defense — particularly on the west coast — to avoid triggering a “destabilizing” reaction by the Peoples Republic of China. “We have to be cautious about missile defense…[which] can be destabilizing if you are not careful,” said Air Force Gen. Kevin Chilton, commander of Strategic Command and one of the military’s brightest brains. When the US places anti-ballistic missile assets on the West Coast, “What does...

U.S. F-22s versus Chinese F-35s Posted by David A. Fulghum at 11/12/2009 2:25 PM CST A new Chinese fighter with stealth and supercruise is in development and may soon make its first flight with predictions of operational fielding by 2017-19, says PLA Air Force deputy chief, Gen. He Weirong. The new Chinese fighter aircraft could come from Avic Defense’s Chengdu facility, which developed China’s latest J-10 fighter, or from Shenyang. He says the PLAAF will emphasize development of reconnaissance/early warning; strike; strategic airlift, and air and missile defense. The J-10 began large-scale service in 2006. While replicating the F-22 seems...

Senior Air Force officials have applied a new basing process to more than 200 sites for training and operational basing of the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter aircraft. In fall 2008, Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Norton Schwartz sought to redefine how Air Force experts make basing decisions. The new basing process was put into practice as they prepare to base up to 1,763 planes between now and 2035. "We created a process that was deliberate, repeatable and transparent with defined roles and responsibilities," said Kathleen Ferguson, deputy assistant secretary...

A Tribute to Major Richard L. Felman, of the United States Air Force, for the 10th Anniversary of his passing in honor of Veterans Day, 2009 Major Richard L. Felman U.S.A.F. May 29, 1921 - November 13, 1999 Major Felman, kneeling and saluting, as the wreath is laid at the eternal flame in Daley Plaza, Chicago, for the 50th Anniversary commemoration of "Operation Halyard", May 1994. Photo by A. Rebic. He never stopped. It became his mission in life. For 55 years, over half of the 20th Century, Major Richard L. Felman of the United States Air Force worked ceaselessly...

The U.S. Air Force is modifying the fire control software on its AC-130H gunships so the 105mm howitzer and 40mm autocannon can track and shoot at different targets at the same time. Currently, the two weapons can both be aimed at only one target at a time. The AC-130s are also being tested using missiles, like Hellfire. U.S. Air Force operates 25 of these gunships (eight AC-130H "Spectre", and 17 AC-130U "Spooky"). The AC-130U has an additional 25mm autocannon, and always had the capability to track more than one target at a time. Because of their vulnerability to ground fire,...

Last month, the U.S. Air Force created four new UAV squadrons (29th Attack Squadron, 6th Reconnaissance Squadron, 16th Training Squadron and 849th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron). All these new units are actually training squadrons. The air force is training 220 operator crews (each with a pilot and one or two sensor operators) a year. In two years, this will increase to 400 a year, which will enable the air force to run 50 CAPs (Combat Air Patrol; UAVs in the air over a combat zone) simultaneously. The large number of new crews are needed because the pilots only operate UAVs for...

The U.S. Air Force has a morale problem with its combat pilots. The issue is lack of action for the pilots. That, plus the increased use of unmanned aircraft, and the very real prospect that the age of the manned combat aircraft may be coming to an end. This is made worse with hundreds of fighter pilots being assigned to operating Predator and Reaper UAVs. This was not popular duty, even though the pilots still draw flight pay. It is tedious work, although the UAV operators often saw more combat action than they did when piloting F-16s or F-15s. The...

For the second time in less than a year, the U.S. Air Force has relieved the commander of a combat wing. This time it was the 5th Bomb Wing, a B-52 outfit. Previously, the commander of one of the three Minuteman ICBM wings was relieved. The three missile wings control 450 American Minuteman III ICBMs. In this case, two other senior officers were also relieved (one of them the guy in charge of the Wing Maintenance Squadron.) In both cases, the reason was "loss of confidence in his ability to command". That's milspeak for "too many little things have gone...

Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems was awarded a $46 million contract modification from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory to continue development of an infrared sensor intended for a missile warning system that may succeed the over-budget and behind-schedule Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) now in development. The Air Force several years ago began planning for a so-called third-generation missile warning system even as it continued to fall behind on the development of SBIRS, a program dogged by technical troubles. Lockheed Martin Space Systems of Sunnyvale, Calif., is the prime contractor for the SBIRS program, which consists of dedicated missile...

The U.S. Air Force has hired Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems to study the possibility of integrating additional Missile Defense Agency (MDA) sensors into the U.S. Space Surveillance Network that tracks orbiting satellites, a Raytheon official said Oct. 28. The Tewksbury, Mass.-based company was awarded a $3 million contract from Air Force Space Command for a program called the Enterprise Sensing Prototype Architecture for Space Situational Awareness (ESP-SSA), Joe Chapa, Raytheon’s technical director for national theater security programs, said in an interview. The Air Force’s Space Surveillance Network employs a host of optical telescopes and radars around the world. The telescopes...

There've been satellites orbiting Earth for half a century. But getting information to and from them is still a pain. Which is why Pentagon research arm Darpa is looking to finally hook the orbiting spacecraft up with reliable broadband connections. It's part of a larger movement to extend terrestrial networks into space, and eventually build an "Interplanetary Internet." In the meantime, we might even get less-than-crappy satellite internet service - if the project works out, of course. Darpa recently issued a request for information about supplying "persistent broadband ground connectivity for spacecraft in low-Earth orbit." The idea would be to...

A U.S. Air Force psychologist described an al-Qaida sleeper agent as a sometimes kind, respectful man who nonetheless would attack the United States if given a chance. The psychologist testified during the first day of a sentencing hearing for 44-year-old former Bradley University graduate student Ali al-Marri, who has admitted training in al-Qaida camps and having contact with those involved in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The second and what is scheduled to be the final day of al-Marri's sentencing is Thursday in U.S. District Court in Peoria. The Qatar native faces up to 15 years in prison after pleading...

The death of an Air Force F-16 pilot is hitting close to home for many in Wichita Falls ... because Captain Nicholas Giglio spent several years as a student and then as an instructor pilot at Sheppard Air Force Base. He died Thursday when his F-16 collided mid-air with another F-16 off the coast of South Carolina. Katie Crosbie joins us now -- Katie, such a tragedy. It is, Doug. Captain Nick Giglio leaves behind a young family and a host of friends who spoke of his legacy. "My heart aches, but my faith is still strong." The words of...

GUAM - Despite taking some time to adjust to a totally different climate that challenged them to work extra hard to do their best and challenged maintainers to keep aircraft operational, deployed airmen from Alaska's Elmendorf Air Force Base and their fleet of $140 million F-22 Raptors performed above and beyond expectation with their 36th Wing counterparts stationed at Andersen Air Force Base. As Guam News Factor reported on October 5, heavy rains on Guam caused electronics problems on the visiting Raptors during their temporary basing on island. The Air Force Times had reported that crews at Elmendorf Air Force...

You would think that an unpiloted space plane built to rocket spaceward from Florida atop an Atlas booster, circle the planet for an extended time, then land on autopilot on a California runway would be big news. But for the U.S. Air Force X-37B project — seemingly, mum's the word. There is an air of vagueness regarding next year's Atlas Evolved Expendable launch of the unpiloted, reusable military space plane. The X-37B will be cocooned within the Atlas rocket's launch shroud — a ride that's far from cheap. While the launch range approval is still forthcoming, SPACE.com has learned that...

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah (AP) -- An official with the Davis County sheriff's office in northern Utah says there has been an explosion at Hill Air Force Base. Capt. Kenny Payne says the explosion occurred Thursday at a weapons cache. He did not have other details.

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, SC (WIS) - Two Air Force F-16 jets based out of Shaw Air Force Base collided off the coast of South Carolina Thursday night, and one of them is missing. Air Force officials said the fighters were assigned to the 20th Fighter Wing collided in mid-air over the Atlantic Ocean about 8:30pm on Thursday near Myrtle Beach. The aircraft were participating in night training maneuvers, officials said. The aircraft carried one person each. One F-16 was able to land safely at Charleston AFB, and the pilot is being examined by Air Force medical personnel. The location...

The Pentagon has missed the deadline set by the 2001 Nuclear Posture Review for the retirement of the W62 nuclear warhead. Retirement of the warhead, which arms a portion of the 450 U.S. Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles, was scheduled for completion in Fiscal Year 2009, which ended on September 30th. But the Department of Defense has been unable to confirm the warhead has been retired, saying instead earlier today: “The retirement of the W62 is progressing toward completion.” The 2001 Nuclear Posture Review decided that, “the W62 will be retired by the end of Fiscal Year 2009.” The schedule...

The US Air Force said on Thursday the commander of a nuclear wing had been sacked after his unit failed a safety inspection, trucks carrying missile parts crashed and officers under him fell asleep with launch codes in hand. Colonel Christopher Ayres, commander of the 91st Missile Wing at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota, was removed Wednesday "due to loss of confidence in his ability to command," Air Force Space Command said in a statement. The Air Force has tried to improve its handling of the country's nuclear arsenal after a series of mishaps and blunders led to...

Air Force Maj. Jack Swinehart (left), 721st Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron UH-1H pilot, oversees an Iraqi pilot performing aerial formation flying procedures here, Oct. 8. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Johnny Saldivar, U.S. Air Forces Central, Baghdad Media Outreach Team. CAMP TAJI — U.S. Air Force pilots here train, advise and assist Iraqi helicopter pilots around the clock, helping the Iraqis to develop a capable Air Force to secure their country. Christopher Elam, Mi-17 instructor pilot, and Jack Swinehart, UH-1HP Huey Military Transition Team lead, both majors with the 721st Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron, fly side-by-side with Iraqi pilots, fine-tuning...

Many senior members of the U.S. military, defense officials, members of Congress, and analysts have long-warned of the growing fighter gap facing the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps and its implications for U.S. national security. A fighter gap is essentially a deficit between the services' fighter aircraft inventories and their operational requirements based on emerging and possible air threats to U.S. security. At a hearing just last year, defense officials testified projecting a "most-optimistic" deficit of 125 strike fighters for the Department of the Navy, including 69 aircraft for the U.S. Navy and 56 for the Marine Corps....

Security: After Iran admits building a second enrichment facility inside a mountain, the Pentagon shifts money from other programs to urgently fund the mother of all bunker-buster bombs. Why the need for speed? At the G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh last month, President Obama announced, "The Islamic Republic of Iran has been building a covert uranium enrichment facility near Qom for several years." U.S. officials said they knew for some time that the facility existed. The announcement was made after U.S. officials learned Iran had told the International Atomic Energy Agency of Qom's existence. Our knowledge of the facility built in...

Security: After Iran admits building a second enrichment facility inside a mountain, the Pentagon shifts money from other programs to urgently fund the mother of all bunker-buster bombs. Why the need for speed? At the G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh last month, President Obama announced, "The Islamic Republic of Iran has been building a covert uranium enrichment facility near Qom for several years." U.S. officials said they knew for some time that the facility existed. The announcement was made after U.S. officials learned Iran had told the International Atomic Energy Agency of Qom's existence. Our knowledge of the facility built in...

Keep flying, keep control is 'the No. 1 priority,' Buchanan Dam pilot says. The engine rumbled ominously and the plane unexpectedly started to shake. As Alan Crawford flew through low-hanging clouds on his way from Fort Worth to his hometown of Buchanan Dam on Saturday, he knew he was going to crash. When Crawford realized the plane was not producing enough thrust to keep him airborne, he said he pulled out of the clouds and shut down his engine to avoid a post-crash fire. In 40 years of flying, he said, he had had an engine fail only once. Crawford,...

The U.S. military’s historic dominance of the skies, unchallenged since around spring 1943, is increasingly at risk because of the proliferation of advanced technologies and a buildup of potential adversary arsenals, according to Air Force Lt. Gen. David Deptula, the service’s chief for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. Speaking today at the Air Force’s annual convention in the Washington area today, he provided a wide ranging assessment of what the QDR team is calling “high-end, asymmetric threats.” Emphasizing the increasing capabilities of “anti-access weapons,” such as long range precision missiles, Deptula said pilots in future wars will not operate in the...

Officials from 8th Air Force here reached a milestone in nuclear enterprise transformation Oct. 1 with the transfer of nonbomber units to 9th Air Force and 12th Air Force. Under this unit reassignment, 12th Air Force officials at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., gains control of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing at Beale AFB, Calif.; the 55th Wing at Offutt AFB, Neb.; and the 552nd Air Control Wing at Tinker AFB, Okla. Officials from 9th Air Force at Shaw AFB, S.C., is now responsible for the 116th Air Control Wing at Robbins AFB, Ga.; and the 819th RED HORSE at Malmstrom...

A video of the last F-15C Eagles of the 33d Fighter Wing at Eglin AFB after thirty years of service (sad to see them go).

A critical space-based capability was added to America's ballistic missile defenses Sept. 25 when two U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS) Demonstrator satellites built by Northrop Grumman were launched aboard a Delta II rocket. "This demonstration will show the inherent advantages space sensors bring to persistent missile tracking and engagement," said Gabe Watson, vice president and STSS program manager for Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector. "Space-based sensors will augment existing radar to enable missile tracking through all phases of flight from boost through intercept." The United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket, with the tandem-stacked STSS...

The B-52 aircraft deployed as part of the U.S. Air Force fleet are to be equipped with secure Extremely High Frequency Communication Systems to enable them to remain in contact with other elements of the military in space, in the air and on the ground. The revolutionary EHF has been found to be more reliable and less susceptible to atmospheric conditions than other frequencies. The Boeing Co. said Tuesday it received a $5.4 million initial contract to begin work on developing technologies required to integrate the new EHF satellite communication system on the U.S. Air Force B-52 fleet. No timeline...

WASHINGTON — The Air Force is poised to reopen a troubled $35 billion contract competition for mid-flight refueling tankers between Boeing Co. and Northrop Grumman Corp. "After eight years, we can finally get on with this program," Rep. John Murtha, D- Pa., said Thursday. Murtha chairs the House Appropriations subcommittee on defense. He was one of several lawmakers briefed by Air Force Secretary Michael Donley and other Pentagon officials on the latest request for bids — due out Friday — on the tanker competition. Washington Democrat Rep. Norm Dicks, a Boeing supporter, said the Air Force is seeking to reduce...

Over the skies of the Barry M. Goldwater Range, one Luke F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot recently reached a milestone that few pilots can claim. Lt. Col. Greg Lukasiewicz, 62nd Fighter Squadron assistant director of operations and 944th Fighter Wing, 301st Fighter Squadron Reservist pilot, broke 4,000 F-16 flying hours after 20 years of piloting the F-16 jet, making him the 26th F-16 pilot to amass the equivalent of more than 166 days in the cockpit. For Colonel Lukasiewicz, it is just another notch on his belt. "Our flight commanders keep a log of our flying hours and track individual pilots'...

Obama promised to neuter America before the election in one of his campaign ads to supporters: That was one promise he decided to keep. As promised, Barack Obama will go ahead with his plan to weaken America's stand in the world. The Guardian reported today that Obama is pushing a radical plan to eliminate not hundreds but thousands of the nation's strategic warheads, via Free Republic. Barack Obama has demanded the Pentagon conduct a radical review of US nuclear weapons doctrine to prepare the way for deep cuts in the country's arsenal, the Guardian can reveal. Obama has rejected the...

September 20, 2009 As Promised Obama Proposes Radical Reduction in US Nuclear Arsenal "I will set a goal of a world without nuclear weapons." Barack Obama Presidential Election Ad Obama promised to neuter America before the election in one of his campaign ads to supporters: That was one promise he decided to keep. As promised, Barack Obama will go ahead with his plan to weaken America's stand in the world. The Guardian reported today that Obama is pushing a radical plan to eliminate not hundreds but thousands of the nation's strategic warheads, via Free Republic. Barack Obama has demanded the...

Barack Obama has demanded the Pentagon conduct a radical review of US nuclear weapons doctrine to prepare the way for deep cuts in the country's arsenal, the Guardian can reveal. Obama has rejected the Pentagon's first draft of the "nuclear posture review" as being too timid, and has called for a range of more far-reaching options consistent with his goal of eventually abolishing nuclear weapons altogether, according to European officials.

A few weeks ago, a small air show came to the local airport. It consisted of a P-51 Mustang, a B-24 Liberator and B-17 Flying Fortress. The show involved several flights up and down the cost over several days. I could hear the torque and grunt of the B-17’s four 1200 hp Wright Cyclone GR-1820-65 radial engines as it flew over my office. As I listened, I could not even imagine the sound when 115 of them filled the air on April 17, 1943 on the way for a raid on the Focke-Wulfe factory in Bremen, or on any other...

Happy birthday to the "Fly boys and girls" in the USAF! 18 September 1947, separated from USAAF with the National Security Act of 1947. Happy Birthday! 62 and looking good in BLUE!

~ Happy 62nd Birthday, United States Air Force!! ~ Canteen Mission Statement Showing support and boosting the morale ofour military and our allies militaryand family members of the above.Honoring those who have served before. < USAF Heritage of America Band ~ Air Force Hymn USAF Band ~ Air Force Song Asleep At The Wheel ~ Hot Rod Lincoln Chris LeDoux ~ Blue Eyes and Freckles ACDC ~ For Those About To Rock The Hollies ~ The Air That I Breathe Little River Band ~ Cool Change The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem ~ Flower of Scotland Casting Crowns ~...

Iraq has a major problem. Iraq’s air defense is the US Forces in Iraq and those forces are gone at the end of 2011. That region is too dangerous to go without air cover. The earliest that new fighters could start delivering is 2014. Then there is two to three years of training. Iraq cannot afford more than one squadron of fighters per year. It takes a minimum of five squadrons provide Iraq with a basic credible air defense. That means the earliest Iraq could have a basic air defense using new aircraft is after 2020. There are all sorts...

PHOTO: Boeing pitches OV-10X Bronco for USAF light attack By Stephen Trimble on September 11, 2009 Boeing confirms it has proposed building new OV-10s with upgraded avionics and weapons for the US Air Force light attack contract. Subscription-only Inside the Air Force broke the news this morning. Boeing provided the photo above, providing a glimpse of the new OV-10 concept. The image will surely be embraced by the Bronco's devoted following, who remember the aircraft's notably effective service in the Vietnam War. The OV-10 could face competition from other Vietnam-era light attack aircraft, such as the Piper Aircraft PA-48 Enforcer....

Our son, USAFSecurityForces is out of Iraq!!! He can't say where he is just now. But he is safe and sound. Good is good! We are so thankful for all the prayers and kind thoughts shared on his behalf during this deployment.

The Iraqi Government has a problem, a problem partially of their making. They do not have an air defense capability and the US is departing soon. It takes years to build a legitimate air defense capability and Iraq does not have the time. Since 2006, the Iraqi Ministry of Defense has been briefing about a three phased series of five-year plans for Iraqi Security Force development. In May 2009, the Iraqi Minister of Defense stated that Phase 2 and Phase 3 will be delayed given current funding. - Phase 1 (2006-2010): Tactical Independence. This means the ability for the Iraqi...

Minot Air Force Base is preparing to activate a new B-52 bomber squadron that will send 10 more B-52s to the North Dakota base. The new unit will be the fourth B-52 squadron in the Air Force. Minot base already has one squadron and Barksdale Air Force Base has the other two B-52 units. The Air Force has not said whether the planes will be transferred from Barksdale or taken from backup aircraft. Air Force officials say adding the new squadron at Minot is part of plans to put a stronger emphasis on nuclear mission training for B-52 units.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 3, 2009 – An Air Force firefighting squadron is making a big difference in Iraq by training firefighters and helping local children. The 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Protection Flight, a 40-man team of firefighters who provides fire response and airfield operations to Ali Base, Iraq, are training Iraqi firefighters in lifesaving and firefighting skills. The team provides fire response for airfield operations and all coalition forces assigned to the base, about 13,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines, said Air Force Master Sgt. Charles M. Harrison, the flight’s operations chief. “The team responds to everything on the...

The Air Force spent years fighting to keep building the $350 million F-22 fighter, an airplane crammed with so much gee-whiz technology there's a law barring it from being sold to any other nation. But since no other nation is building such a plane to challenge it, the F-22 has become a costly investment with an uncertain payoff, and Defense Secretary Robert Gates just killed it. That sent an unmistakable message to the two new top Air Force officials Gates recently appointed, and now the service is seeking 100 slower, lower-flying and far cheaper airplanes — most likely prop-driven —...

The next-generation surveillance package for the Air Force's MQ-9 Reaper drones, named for Medusa's stony glare, will provide an unprecedentedly broad view of the battlefield spanning time and space The military’s unblinking eye in the sky, which keeps watch over operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan, is about to get even beadier. A new multi-camera sensor the U.S. Air Force is adding to its killer spy drones will exponentially broaden the area troops can monitor, and the technology lets a dozen users simultaneously grab different slices of the image. Called the Gorgon Stare, it represents the next big step in...

UAE F-16s make debut appearance in US 'Red Flag' exercise By Craig Hoyle Lockheed Martin F-16Es from the United Arab Emirates air force are participating in the US Air Force's "Red Flag" series of multinational exercises for the first time, with the current manoeuvres set to conclude at Nellis AFB, Nevada on 5 September. The UAE aircraft are drawn from its US-based training squadron for the Block 60 F-16E/F, which is permanently based at Tucson AFB. Air force personnel set for involvement in the Red Flag exercise took part in a two-week series of preparatory training at the Arizona base...

Red Flag is underway at Nellis Air Force Base, and will be going until Sept. 5. Las Vegans and tourists alike sometimes get a hell of an air show when Red Flag is going on, but there is something new about Red Flag this year. For the first time, fighters from the United Arab Emirates will be participating in the combat exercise over the skies of Las Vegas.

Pilot Lee Taylor of Eagle’s Nest Ventures of Diamondhead gives flying instructions to Sean Peneguy, 13, before their flight Friday. Sean was excited and a little nervous before his first airplane ride last Friday. He had a chance to take the controls during mid-flight. After spending most of last year checking in and out of hospitals battling cancer, one middle school student got a thrill of a lifetime. Sean Peneguy, a 13-year-old from Bay St. Louis, was diagnosed with bone cancer a year ago. Since then, he has been in chemotherapy and had surgery to remove a tumor from...