U.S. Air Force

The Pentagon revoked former U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall’s eligibility to access classified information and barred him from sensitive positions after alleging disclosure of sensitive details about Air Force One's capabilities. The revocation follows reporting on security concerns regarding a new, Qatari-gifted retrofit aircraft. Separately, the Justice Department subpoenaed reporters but later withdrew them, sparking fears over press freedoms.

US Central Command (Centcom) redirected three more commercial vessels as part of its blockade against Iran. Since August 5, 48 ships have been redirected, two disabled, and two boarded. A U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter jet was involved in patrols enforcing the blockade.

The US Air Force's B-52 bomber modernization program is billions over budget and delayed, with 10 of 13 upgrades facing cost, schedule, or performance challenges. The Commercial Engine Replacement Program alone has seen a $3 billion cost increase since 2023 and a 15-month delay in its initial operational date.

The U.S. Air Force is addressing significant challenges in jet engine manufacturing, including production delays, quality control issues, and supply chain problems, by seeking new engines and manufacturers through a Request for Information with an August 28 deadline. The initiative aims to resolve delays and cost overruns in programs like the F-35 and B-52, prioritizing supply chain resilience, lifecycle costs, and scalable production.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) intercepted an MQ-9 Reaper drone over the Strait of Hormuz using its air defense system. The origin of the drone was not immediately clear, and the U.S. Air Force is noted as the largest operator of MQ-9 Reaper drones.

The U.S. Air Force’s F-47 program has entered the engineering and manufacturing development phase, with a first flight scheduled for 2028. The program aims to replace the F-22 Raptor fleet and includes test aircraft production and integration of advanced technologies. President Donald Trump announced the sixth-generation F-47’s development under the NGAD program in March 2025.

New NOAA research shows hurricane hunter data improves track and intensity forecasts by 10-20%, saving $25 million per hurricane impact. The study also found post-landfall rainfall forecasts improved for storms like Harvey (2017) and Florence (2018). A bipartisan bill proposes $2.5 billion to expand NOAA's aging hurricane hunter fleet from 3 to 9 aircraft.

The U.S. Air Force is advancing up to six designs in its next robot-wingman project. This initiative aims to develop autonomous aircraft to accompany manned missions.

Israeli defense minister Israel Katz claimed US warplanes used Israeli bases to attack Iran, threatening a strong Israeli response if targeted. The US and Gulf allies launched strikes on Iran without Israeli involvement, as Iran focused attacks on US interests in the Gulf. Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich described the US-led conflict as advantageous for Israel if it avoids direct participation.

US Air Force aircraft launched attacks on Iran from Israeli bases, as confirmed by Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, who also warned of potential strikes against Iran. Israel recently intercepted drones near the Jordanian border, according to Katz.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President Donald Trump at the White House to discuss regional agreements and relations, coinciding with memorial services for Sen. Lindsey Graham. Trump delivered remarks at Graham’s funeral, while the U.S. Air Force initiated renaming a base in honor of Graham.

Trump eulogized Sen. Lindsey Graham at a memorial service in Washington, highlighting his political influence and defense of Brett Kavanaugh during confirmation hearings. The U.S. Air Force initiated a process to rename Joint Base Charleston after Graham. Trump also met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss regional agreements and bilateral relations.

Anduril's first Ohio-made YFQ-44A unmanned aircraft rolled off the production line for the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft program. The aircraft, built at the company’s Pickaway County, Ohio, facility, is part of a $1 billion project aiming to add 4,000 jobs. The Air Force recently conducted a live-fire test with the CCA and completed an exercise demonstrating its integration with manned platforms.

The U.S. Air Force is considering adaptive turbofan technology for integration into the next-generation F-47 stealth fighter by 2030, according to John Sneden, chief of the Air Force’s propulsion directorate, though no final decisions have been made.

George Sivulka, founder of AI startup Hebbia, argues that companies hastily deployed AI agents without proper management systems, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs. The article highlights Amazon's $500 million loss from AI failures and Ford's return to hiring human engineers, drawing a historical parallel to a 19th-century railroad crash that spurred industry management reforms.

Boeing's MQ-28 Ghost Bat, an uncrewed aircraft developed for Australia, made its debut at the Farnborough International Airshow. The aircraft participated in a multinational exercise with crewed jets and demonstrated combat capabilities by firing an AIM-120 AMRAAM missile. Boeing emphasizes its role in enhancing human-machine teaming for future air operations.

NATO's top general, Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, stated that alliance forces are prepared for a battlefield dominated by drones, electronic warfare, and surveillance, similar to the conflict in Ukraine. He highlighted Ukraine's participation in NATO exercises and the evolving tactics and technology observed in the war.

Funeral services for Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) will be held in Washington, D.C., and South Carolina on July 28 and 29. President Donald Trump will deliver a tribute at Washington National Cathedral, followed by a public procession in Columbia with military honors and an F-16 flyover. The events include private and public ceremonies, with livestreamed components and a private burial in Pickens County.

The U.S. Air Force is integrating semiautonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) through simulations and training exercises to build trust with human operators, as emphasized by former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall. Recent live-fire tests with Anduril's YFQ-44A and planned trials with General Atomics' YFQ-42A highlight progress, with simulations like Red Flag exercises playing a critical role in demonstrating the technology's effectiveness.

BAE Systems unveiled a helmet-mounted display prototype called Project Intuity at the Farnborough Airshow to help pilots manage data from multiple sources and command drone swarms. The U.S. military is testing similar technologies, including Air Force pilots controlling Valkyrie drones and Navy F-35 pilots using tablets to operate uncrewed drones during training.

The U.S. Air Force is seeking an air defense missile system to protect bases against cruise missiles and drones of varying sizes, including those from Group 1 to Group 5. A Request for Information with an Aug. 6 deadline outlines requirements for a transportable, self-contained system capable of intercepting threats like Iranian drones, which have damaged U.S. assets in the Middle East. Similar challenges from Russia and Ukraine are also cited.

Cedric Eneluna, a U.S. Air Force member who joined in March 2024, died in a heavy machinery incident at Vandenberg Space Force Base. The incident occurred on Thursday, according to officials.

Cedric Eneluna, a U.S. Air Force member, died in a heavy machinery incident at Vandenberg Space Force Base. He joined the Air Force in March 2024 and the incident occurred on Thursday.

A 23-year-old US Air Force airman was killed in a freak accident at a Space Force base in California when heavy equipment he was operating rolled down an embankment.

Iran claims its air defense systems shot down a US Air Force MQ-9A Reaper drone over Andimeshk in Khuzestan Province. State media reported the incident, specifying the location and the type of drone involved.

The U.S. Air Force is pursuing cheaper cruise missiles through its Family of Affordable Mass Missiles (FAMM) program, with framework agreements signed with Anduril, CoAspire, and Zone 5 Technologies. The program aims to produce up to 8,000 missiles annually at a cost of $218,000 per unit, significantly lower than the $1.3 million price tag of existing Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM).

The Royal Air Force station in Suffolk, England, serves as a key in-air refueling station for the U.S. Air Force during its operations against Iran. The facility is described as a crucial part of these military efforts.

South Carolina lawmakers expressed shock following the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham at 71. Tributes highlighted his military service, legislative career, and bipartisan advocacy for the state.

Iranian attacks on Gulf vessels in Omani sovereign waters triggered a cycle of escalation, with the US canceling Iran's oil export waiver and conducting airstrikes in southern Iran. Iran responded with ballistic missile attacks.

Senator Lindsay Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, died at 71 following a brief illness. President Donald Trump ordered American flags to be flown at half-staff in his honor. Graham was re-elected for a fifth Senate term and had a long political career, including roles on key Senate committees.

Senator Lindsay Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, died at 71 following a brief illness. President Donald Trump ordered American flags to half-staff in his honor. Graham served in the House of Representatives since 1994 and the Senate since 2002, and had recently won a primary for a fifth Senate term.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Trump ally and foreign policy hawk, died at 71 following a sudden illness. He served in the Senate for nearly 25 years, confirmed federal judges and a Supreme Court justice, and led the budget committee during Trump's tax package passage. Graham was a military veteran and part of a Senate defense group known as 'the three amigos.'

The U.S. Navy suspended the active search for a sailor missing after an MH-60S helicopter crashed in the Arabian Sea. The search was conducted by the U.S. Navy and Air Force under U.S. Central Command, with the sailor’s name withheld pending next-of-kin notification.

Maj. James Watson of the U.S. Air Force was arrested after calling for the impeachment, conviction, and removal of President Trump during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol. The incident occurred on Wednesday.

Reagan National Airport will close for rehearsals and celebrations on Friday and Saturday as part of the America 250 events, featuring military flyovers, parachute teams, and demonstrations by the Air Force Thunderbirds, Blue Angels, and other aircraft. The schedule includes multiple low-flying military formations, FAA-mandated airport shutdowns, and appearances by Air Force One and B-2 stealth bombers.

The US Air Force is establishing a specialized anti-drone force to defend military bases against missile and drone attacks, driven by vulnerabilities exposed in recent conflicts and incidents like Ukraine’s 2025 'Operation Spiderweb'. The initiative includes dedicated air base defense units and a $1.4 billion budget proposal for missile defense systems, though operational deployment remains uncertain.

President Trump is flying on a retrofitted Qatari Boeing 747 as Air Force One, featuring luxury elements and a red and gold color scheme. The $400 million jet, gifted by Qatar, will temporarily serve until new planes arrive in 2028, and Trump expressed pride in its luxurious design despite ethical concerns.

President Donald Trump is using a retrofitted Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar as his new Air Force One, featuring a navy, red, and gold color scheme and luxury amenities. The $400 million jet is temporarily in service until new planes arrive in 2028, with ethical concerns raised about the gift.

Lance Cpl. Armando Ortiz Canseco, a 21-year-old Marine from Minnesota, went missing during a training exercise off the coast of Southern California. Extensive search efforts by the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Air Force were conducted, but he was declared dead.

The U.S. Department of Defense has increasingly adopted artificial intelligence to process vast military data and gain decision advantage. Initiatives like Project Maven (2017), the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (2018), and the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (2022) demonstrate AI's role in enhancing battlefield awareness, autonomous systems, and threat detection while retaining human oversight.