• Defence Helicopter

  MH-139 Grey Wolf helicopter enters US Air Force developmental testing

  24th August 2022

  The USAF has taken acceptance of four MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters for developmental testing following earlier trials after Military Flight Release.

• Defence Notes

  SAIC contracted for US Navy network support

  26th August 2022

  Science Applications International Corp (SAIC) has been awarded a $163 million USN contract to support the shore networks for the Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific Shore Networks Branch.

• Training

  HTX Labs to support US Air Force training modernisation

  11th August 2022

  The cloud-based enterprise software called EMPACT from HTX Labs will support USAF training modernisation by boosting the adaptation of immersive solutions.

• Digital Battlespace

  USAF seeks more Link 16 installation work for HC-130Js

  17th August 2022

  A Link 16 line-of-sight data capability is being integrated on up to 22 HC-130Js.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Expert claims ‘decentralised’ approach holds back USAF next-generation UAV ambitions

  6th September 2022

  Despite a number of Skyborg test successes, a defence expert has questioned how the development of next generation drones will advance without activities being concentrated and clear requirements set out.

• Air Warfare

  US Air Force assesses EPAWSS data after F-15EX missile firings

  8th August 2022

  EPAWSS provides both the F-15E and F-15EX with fully integrated radar warning as well as advanced jamming and countermeasure employment capability in highly contested environments.

• Air Warfare

  USAF tanker force nearly 200 aircraft short for conflict with China

  2nd August 2022

  Problems with the USAF's tanker fleet are such that it risks being unable to effectively fight a war with China, according to a leading defence expert.

• Training

  US Air Force selects Barco projector for sim solution

  9th August 2022

  The laser-phosphor projector from Barco will allow real-time image generation and display control.

• Defence Notes

  Northrop Grumman looks to evolve AARGM-ER for Stand-in Attack Weapon edge

  9th August 2022

  Northrop Grumman has detailed why its Stand-in Attack Weapon missile concept stands out as an attractive offer for the US Air Force.

• Naval Warfare

  US Air Force battle lab to support JADC2 efforts

  1st August 2022

  The US Air Force’s Shadow Operation Center supported the preparation of a US Indo-Pacific Command exercise that is set to increase joint force competence.

• Training

  US prepares for virtual exercise in Indo-Pacific

  4th August 2022

  The US is due to run Virtual Flag, a C2-focused synthetic drill that will allow geographically separated units to work together across all domains.

• Digital Battlespace

  USAF orders extra SABR AESA radars for F-16s

  25th July 2022

  Northrop Grumman will produce and supply 31 additional AN/APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar AESA radars for USAF F-16 fighter aircraft.

• Training

  Farnborough 2022: TCTS II becomes part of US air training programme of record

  19th July 2022

  TCTS Inc II will provide an ACMI and I-LVC capability for training at 55 USAF ranges.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Farnborough 2022: Kratos completes XQ-58A Valkyrie test flights for Skyborg

  19th July 2022

  The latest XQ-58A Valkyrie test flights will help to inform future Skyborg concepts of use for the USAF, says Kratos.

• Training

  Royal Air Force modernisation and training experience a plunge

  23rd September 2022

  Along with the British Army, the Royal Air Force has lost out on the Integrated Review and the UK MoD has taken risky bets. It is in need of an honest review and ministers should accept that wrong assumptions were made.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  RQ-20B Puma (USAF)

  Programme Background Requirement According to the AeroVironment Vice President and product line general manager, Trace Stevenson, the USAF Security Forces requires a small UAV to ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  MQ-9A Reaper (USAF)

  Programme Background Procurement & Inventory According to the USAF FY2019 Budget Estimate document, the USAF set aside funds to acquire 433 MQ-9 Reapers by the end of ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  JLTV Oshkosh Contract [US Air Force]

  As of November 2020, the US DoD had signed 14 contracts with Oshkosh Defense covering the delivery of approximately 17,731 JLTVs to all branches of ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | F-35A Joint Strike Fighter - USAF Future Procurement

  The USAF is planning to order 1137 F-35As between FY2026 and FY2048 under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. The purchase will be at a ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | F-35A Joint Strike Fighter - USAF Future Procurement

  The USAF is planning to order 1137 F-35As between FY2026 and FY2048 under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. The purchase will be at a ...

• Data links

  Data links | F-35A Joint Strike Fighter - USAF Future Procurement

  The USAF is planning to order 1137 F-35As between FY2026 and FY2048 under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. The purchase will be at a ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | F-35A Joint Strike Fighter - USAF Future Procurement

  The USAF is planning to order 1137 F-35As between FY2026 and FY2048 under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. The purchase will be at a ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | F-35A Joint Strike Fighter - USAF Future Procurement

  The USAF is planning to order 1137 F-35As between FY2026 and FY2048 under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. The purchase will be at a ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

  Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) (Increment 1) [USAF]

  Background Requirements The programme's requirements are based on the USAF's belief that it requires mass to compete effectively with an adversary in symmetrical warfare. However, ...

• AEW&C

  E-7A Wedgetail (1-2) [USA]

  Programme Background Shephard notes that this entry covers the two rapid-prototype E-7 aircraft, whose contract was signed in August 2024. A second programme entry covers the ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-Y Tanker Aircraft (USA)

  Programme Background The USAF is replacing its fleet of 396 KC-135 Stratotanker refuelling aircraft, built in the 1950s and 60s, and 59 KC-10 Extenders, which entered service ...

• AEW&C

  E-7A Wedgetail (USA - Forecast)

  Programme Background Speaking on 21 September 2021 during the annual Air Force Association (AFA) Meeting in Washington DC, USAF Chief of Staff Gen Charles Brown ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  KC-46A (USA)

  Programme Background The first four Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) KC-46A aircraft were delivered to McConnell AFB in Kansas in January 2019. As of December 2020, a ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-15EX - USAF (Contracted)

  Programme Background USAF is looking to procure 144 F-15EX fighter aircraft, including two RDTE configurations and six low-rate initial production aircraft. F-15EX will replace ageing ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-15EX - USAF (Announced)

  Programme Background The F-15EX will be based on the 2-seat F-15QA (Qatar) configuration upgraded with USAF-only capabilities, including the Eagle Passive Active Warning and Survivability ...