US sends F-35s to Middle East as strikes on Houthis continue
The U.S. continues to strike Houthi militants, who have targeted Israel and American ships in the region.
Asia Pacific
US approves sale of F-16s to the Philippines in $5.5bn weapons package
The move follows U.S. Defense Secretary Peter Hegseth’s trip to the Philippines last week and comes ahead of the annual, joint Balikatan exercise.
F-35s to get new capabilities with summer software update
Future Block 4 capabilities are intended to bring the F-35 better sensors, improved sensor integration, and the ability to carry more and deadlier weapons.
General: 8% cuts ‘painful,’ but could bring fresh funds for Air Force
“There’s not many places that we can go for” such cuts, Maj. Gen. Joseph Kunkel said, with the Air Force smaller and older than it's ever been.
Air Force budget cuts may open old wounds with Congress
Experts say it's unlikely the Air Force could save $15 billion only targeting the kind of diversity and climate change programs Sec. Hegseth has derided.
For India, it’s ‘Pick your fighter,’ as Delhi weighs US, Russian bids
India wants to catch up quickly to China in fighter jets. But buying on the global market could torpedo the country's homegrown program.
Trump fires Joint Chiefs chairman, Navy head in DOD leadership purge
Trump plans to nominate retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan Caine as the nation’s next chairman of the Joint Chiefs.
NGAD engines pass key design reviews, prototype work underway
Work continues on the engines that might one day power the Next Generation Air Dominance fighter, though the fate of NGAD itself is still undetermined.
Air Force tests unarmed nuclear missile in pre-dawn video
The Air Force must continue maintaining Minuteman III nuclear missiles longer than expected, with the Sentinel successor requiring a major restructuring.
Black Hawk crew in DC crash may have missed key air traffic messages
The Black Hawk that collided with an American Airlines jet in January may not have had accurate altitude readings, investigators said.
Pentagon expands list of commercial drones certified for military use
Following a November demo, DOD chose 23 systems and 14 drone components to add to its Blue UAS and Framework lists, pending cybersecurity validation.
