Safety board calls to end helo flights on route of fatal DC crash
The National Transportation and Safety Board is recommending helicopters no longer fly along the route when planes are landing on specific runways at DCA.
Europe
Germany’s military build up continues, but personnel shortages remain
The report outlined the European power’s more assertive foreign military involvement, including its navy’s first-ever shots fired in a combat situation.
Sikorsky proves out ‘rotor blown wing’ drone
Sikorsky reported successful flight tests for its 115-pound, battery-powered twin prop-rotor unmanned aircraft.
Air Force aircraft readiness plunges to new low, alarming chief
As budget cuts loom, U.S. Air Force leaders lament a fleet in which all aircraft types don't pass muster.
‘F’ for fighter: Air Force combat drones get novel mission designation
“It may just be symbolic, but we are telling the world we are leaning into a new chapter of aerial warfare," said Chief of Staff Gen. Dave Allvin.
Museum exhibit controversy reignites airman’s Medal of Honor dispute
A museum honoring Medal of Honor recipients is set to open later this month, but the project is already dogged amid an apparent snub to one airman.
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.
Deterring China, slashing waste top Pentagon priorities, Hegseth says
"Certainly, we want to send the signals to China that the [Indo-Pacific] area will be and continues to be contested.”
Ukraine receives first Mirage 2000 fighter jets from France
The warplanes arrived with Ukrainian pilots on board, after several months of training in France.
