USAF is buying two Lufthansa 747-8is for VC-25B "Air Force One" training and spares and the service set a new schedule for Boeing's two aircraft. Details first on AvWeek aviationweek.com/defense/budg...

New internal and external reports are extremely critical of how the Pentagon handles oversight of V-22 safety issues, as the Osprey's issues increased. aviationweek.com/defense/airc...

They don't call us "Aviation Leak" for nothing. I didn't sign. Our job isn't to solely write what the government wants us to. Proud to stand with my colleagues on the Pentagon beat

Skunk Works Unveils Stealthy Collaborative Combat Aircraft Design aviationweek.com/defense/airc...

Under the new DOD policy announced last night, every reporter who received this email could lose their credentials

Drama continues in the search for the next Air Force Chief of Staff, with the net widening aviationweek.com/defense/budg...

SCOOP: A new entrant aims to shake up the competition for the US Navy's future trainer. SNC brings back its Freedom trainer, and calls on the Navy to get back to field carrier landing practice for the T-45 replacement. aviationweek.com/defense/airc...

In the next issue of Aviation Week I take a deep dive into how the relatively small but mighty Air National Guard unit at PDX is establishing USAF's F-15EX future. With some scoopy details on unreported issues facing the nascent fleet. aviationweek.com/aerospace/em...

The unprecedented strikes from seven B-2s that flew deep into Iran last month has direct lessons for what the U.S. Air Force might need to do in a future, longer-range, more threat-intense environment, the service’s leader says. aviationweek.com/defense/budg... via @beverstine.bsky.social

Shortly after SecDef Hegseth posted this video announcement, DOD released and then quickly deleted a CUI memorandum on the drone policy changes.

DARPA has ended the Liberty Lifter program, years before the expected first flight of the seaplane demonstrator aviationweek.com/defense/airc...

Hidden in the Senate-passed reconciliation langugage: $600 million for the development, procurement and integration of Air Force long-range strike aircraft and $500 million for Navy long-range strike aircraft. aviationweek.com/defense/budg... via @beverstine.bsky.social

The most transparent DOD in history making me get an escort to and from my car. And to Taco Bell

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) is showcasing a new counter-uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) role for its MQ-1C Gray Eagle as the mission is increasing in importance across the world. aviationweek.com/aerospace/ai... via @beverstine.bsky.social

The U.S. Army intends to slash planned fleet size of ME-11B high-altitude surveillance and targeting aircraft, though program officials hope that might be reversed as the aircraft begin operations. aviationweek.com/defense/airc... @beverstine.bsky.social

Anduril posts new photos of its YFQ-44A, as the Air Force announced it and the General Atomics YFQ-42A are in ground testing. And a unit will stand up for CCA operations at Beale AFB.

RAF officer leading concepts/req for Tempest sixth-gen plane at UK MoD: "at the top of our list is the payload." Irrelevant how it gets to target, he says, but analysis shows fast jet better than cargo plane or sub. "Payload is what we're all about...we're talking roughly double an F-35A's worth..."

Likely a significant industrial base setback for the Sentinel ICBM program here: "Chief Deputy Sheriff, Cade Palmer with Box Elder County confirmed that a building at the Northrop Grumman Facility at Promontory Point is a total loss." ksltv.com/local-news/n...

Beyond the Wedgetail? USAF raises possibility of fielding an "equivalent" aircraft, along with big changes to the E-7A itself such as potentially replacing the top-hat MESA radar. aviationweek.com/defense/airc...

First missionized OA-1K delivered: www.afsoc.af.mil/News/Article...

The Air Force has awarded Boeing a contract to mature autonomous refueling, as the push for NGAS looks away from a clean-sheet 'stealth' tanker and toward a 'team-of-systems' type approach. aviationweek.com/defense/airc...

Future Naval aviators won't have to go to the boat or even conduct field carrier landing practice to touch down, with advancements in simulators and landing aids, according to a new solicitation The approach will avoid costly development for UJTS aviationweek.com/defense/airc...

A dachshund named Valerie was reported lost on a remote Australian island in November 2023. She has just been spotted, and an effort is underway to rescue her.

Embarked on the Ford today. They have a dog. She is good

Waited about 13 years to write this story. aviationweek.com/defense/airc...

The last clean-sheet fighter design that entered service under the Boeing brand was this baby. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_...

President Trump is showing an active interest in USAF and Navy future fighter plans, summoning leaders for a brief last week. aviationweek.com/defense/budg...

The Air Force hopes to replace the C-32 and C-40 fleet with one platform, and had targeted fielding the first military variant of the Boeing 737 MAX in the short term---though Congress didn't support it this time around. aviationweek.com/defense/airc...

Could you use drones to protect the homeland from incoming bombers and fighters? Yes, General Atomics ASI argues. It's cheaper and you don't have to risk a pilot ejecting over the Arctic. The company gave me an exclusive look at their case: aviationweek.com/defense/airc...

Mamma mia

Shot: Boeing and the Air Force have reduced the clearance requirements to work on the VC-25B---the next Air Force One---to speed up the program. The lack of 'Yankee White' workers has been a contributor to delays. aviationweek.com/defense/airc...

New: USAF Chief Gen. Allvin announces the General Atomics ASI Collaborative Combat Aircraft is designated the YFQ-42A, Anduril's the YFQ-44A.

New: The OA-1K has been officially named the Skyraider II, an ode to the Douglas A-1 Skyraider tail dragger. AFSOC announces the name today as it prepares to receive its first aircraft next month aviationweek.com/defense/airc...

SCOOP: A group of military contractors, including Erik Prince, has pitched the White House on a proposal to carry out mass deportations through a network of “processing camps” on military bases, a private fleet of 100 planes, and a “small army” of private citizens www.politico.com/news/2025/02...

Notable: Boss of the 412th TW at Edwards AFB. Obvious: A lot of really important work happens at that wing, and a lot of it classified. I'm sure those testing the B-21 or JATM aren't very keen on replying to the "five things" email.

Former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall pens an op-ed for The Times following Friday's purge: www.nytimes.com/2025/02/24/o...

Pres. Trump fires the current CJCS Gen. Brown and nominates a retired three star for the role. Says another five nominations coming soon.

The Air Force is looking to sustain its QF-16 aerial targets for an additional 10 years, as there's no solid road ahead for a future uncrewed target. aviationweek.com/defense/airc...

Pretty interesting hire over at Boeing. boeing.mediaroom.com/2025-02-20-B...

Had a couple visitors

The L3Harris/MAG Athena is in the Indo-Pacific, joining the Ares prototype, which recently passed 6,000 hr. SNC's Athenas will follow suit soon. The four aircraft fleet will be deployed by the end of the fiscal year. aviationweek.com/defense/budg...

Here's the damage to the Truman following the collision in the Eastern Med: www.dvidshub.net/image/887153...

Navy statement: The Truman was involved in a collision in the Med

Sikorsky this morning is demonstrating its X2 tech on the S-97 Raider to an international audience, targeting NATO's NGRC and South Korea. The company is looking for international buyers for X2, following the Army cancelling FARA and the FLRAA loss.

Exercise BAMBOO EAGLE 25-1 has kicked off in earnest off the coast of Southern California. Several aircraft are taking part, including a UK Royal Air Force MRTT as COPPER57. Not shown are the multitude of fighter aircraft. https://buff.ly/4gBmLo8

Trump says he has directed Musk to review Pentagon spending. So that will mean the head of SpaceX will be reviewing spending that goes to its competitors. We've seen some in industry getting ahead of this with open letters trying to get on DOGE's good side (L3Harris, GA for example)

Yesterday: White House orders the cancellation of all Politico Pro subscriptions. Today: Solicitations emerging for "an online congressional news subscription-based service that provides comprehensive, nonpartisan coverage of Congressional activities." 🤔 sam.gov/opp/b73c127f...

DOD awards $11.8m for socks "system." Dude, they are just socks. Not everything has to be a "system." Surprised it doesn't say that the socks contribute to lethality.