Air Warfare

Defense News offers premier news and analysis of global air warfare programs and technologies to keep military and industry decision-makers informed.

Dassault says Rafale jet production ramp-up hit by supply chain snags

“We have signed contracts for the Rafale, so we have to deliver on time,” CEO Eric Trappier said.

9 hours ago

Boeing says it will shun fixed-price contracts for drone wingmen

"That is a recipe for failure," Boeing Defense, Space and Security president Ted Colbert told reporters at the Farnborough Air Show.

31 hours ago

Air Warfare

The first of 14 new F-16 fighter jets from the US land in Slovakia

Two F-16 Fighting Falcons arrived in Slovakia in Monday under a deal with the United States.

US Air Force, Boeing reach deal on prototype E-7

The Air Force's desired upgrades to Boeing's battle management plane proved more complicated and costly than expected, snarling negotiations for months.

3 days ago

F-35 deliveries resume, but upgrade delays have ripple effects

“Don’t think that the TR-3 problems are over,” said Gen. James Hecker, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe.

4 days ago

F-35B hovering at RIAT

An F-35B flown by the Royal Air Force hovers during a display at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in England on July 20, 2024. (Stephen Losey)

4 days ago

How the sixth-generation fighter jet will upend air warfare

Militaries around the world are working on planes they hope will represent a generational leap in aviation technology.

5 days ago

Drone warfare in Ukraine prompts fresh thinking in helicopter tactics

The shift is animated in large part by proliferating ground-based air defenses that make manned flight over the battlefield almost impossible.

5 days ago

How the Swedish Air Force is finding its flow as part of NATO

Interview: Swedish Air Force chief Maj. Gen. Jonas Wikman talks next-gen fighters, his service's take on drones, and Russian aircraft near Scandinavia.

7 days ago

Embraer banks on Farnborough Airshow to boost C-390 cargo plane sales

The Brazilian company considers customer Portugal as a door opener for more NATO sales.

9 days ago

How Europe’s next-generation combat jet aims to catch the AI wave

The signature air-power program aims to be first such effort with artificial intelligence fully baked into every aspect.

10 days ago

Italy Air Force eyes new tanker competition after dropping Boeing buy

Should the Airbus aircraft be picked, it would mark an important shift for Italy after relying on Boeing tankers for over a decade.

12 days ago

Pentagon to accept deliveries of Lockheed F-35s after yearlong pause

The decision will allow deliveries of the latest F-35s to resume after a roughly year-long halt.

13 days ago

Sixth-gen jet selection likely in ‘24, Air Combat Command chief says

Commander Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach also said he wants to keep the roughly 32 older F-22s the Air Force has earmarked for retirement.

13 days ago

Slovakia’s F-16 top-up plans reopen political battles over Ukraine aid

The country's Moscow-friendly government has walked back on a combat-helicopter deal for Bell AH-1Z Vipers, championed by the previous Cabinet.

13 days ago

F-16s to be ‘flying in the skies of Ukraine this summer,’ US says

However, one analyst says this news doesn't necessarily mean the jets are ready for combat.

2 weeks ago

McConnell-based KC-46 completes around-the-world flight in 45 hours

A KC-46A tanker from McConnell AFB completed a record round-the-globe sortie in 45 hours, a mission that saw multiple aerial refuelings — and a birthday.

2 weeks ago

Navy, Marine Corps test new laser projection system to paint aircraft

The services are experimenting with a better way to mark insignia on aircraft, one that doesn't require old-school stencils.

2 weeks ago

Pentagon keeps commitment to Sentinel nuclear missile as costs balloon

Even a modified version of the Sentinel ICBM will be 81% more expensive than the program's original costs.

2 weeks ago