Thursday, October 8, 2026

PHOTOS: Air Force Shows B-21 Refueling Tests with KC-135

The Air Force released new photos of the B-21 Raider conducting aerial refueling tests with a KC-135 Stratotanker—confirming a key milestone in the new long-range strike bomber’s development and offering a rare glimpse of the secretive aircraft’s features. Contractor Northrop Grumman and USAF announced the tests April 14 but did not specify when the first…

Space Force Lays Out Vision For What It Thinks It Needs in 2040

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—The Space Force on April 15 released two highly anticipated future-casting documents that describe what the service expects the space environment will look like in the year 2040 and lay out the force structure it thinks it will need to operate in that environment. Combined, the “Future Operating Environment” and “Objective Force” visions…

What Are Chinese Media Outlets Saying About the F-47?

Chinese media outlets are attempting to dismiss the U.S. Air Force’s planned sixth-generation fighter jet, the F-47, by criticizing the cost, downplaying the technology, and reporting that the U.S. won’t be able to effectively produce the air dominance platform. The China Aerospace Studies Institute at Air University, which regularly publishes research into Chinese military developments,…

How ’27 Budget Requests Compare: Air Force, Space Force vs. Army, Navy, DOD

The Air Force is emphasizing operations and maintenance and research and development. The Army and Navy plan buying sprees. The Space Force budget is approaching—and may yet surpass—that of the the Marine Corps. And non-service “Defense-Wide” funding got the biggest bump of all.  Those are among the topline takeaways from the Pentagon’s blockbuster $1.5 trillion budget request for fiscal 2027. Air & Space Forces Magazine compiled comparisons from the budget overview released earlier this month by…

100-Plus Aircraft Join US Military Blockade of Iran

The U.S. military’s naval blockade of Iran is relying on a significant amount of airpower to surveil the seas and protect maritime assets, U.S. officials and experts outside government said April 14. Some 10,000 U.S. military personnel from the Navy, Marines, and Air Force are participating in the blockade. It applies to vessels that were…

BAE Unveils Highly Maneuverable, Refuelable Satellite, Eyes 2027 Delivery

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—BAE Systems unveiled a new high-thrust, refuelable satellite designed to support dynamic space operations–a demand company officials say is coming not only from the Space Force, but from commercial and civil customers as well. The satellite, called Ascent, is part of BAE’s “Elevation” line of small spacecraft designed to operate in a range…

Space Force Urges Industry to Invest in Satellite Production Capacity

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—The Space Force is preparing for significant growth to its procurement budget in fiscal 2027, and the head of the service’s largest acquisition organization said April 14 he is asking companies to invest now in facilities and production capacity so they’re ready to execute when called upon. The Space Force’s $71 billion budget…