US Air Force – Page 15 – The Defense Post

Aug- 2025 -

13 August

US Firm Builds Chinese HQ-22 Air Defense System Replica for USAF

US defense contractor Torch Technologies is producing a batch of China’s HQ-22 surface-to-air missile system full-scale replicas for US Air Force (USAF) training purposes.

8 August

Americas

Ethan M. Encarnacion

Tesla Cybertrucks Could Be Headed to Pentagon, but Only as Missile Targets

The US military is reportedly looking to buy vehicles to use as targets for munitions training, and its eyes are set on getting the high-end Tesla Cybertruck.

4 August

Americas

Ethan M. Encarnacion

Northrop to Equip US Forces With Advanced Mission Planning Tech for Multi-Domain Ops

Northrop Grumman is building out the next wave of mission planning systems for the US Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, with a $180 million contract focused on smarter, faster operations across domains.

1 August

Americas

Rendered photo of the stage two rocket motor. Photo: Northrop Grumman

Giulia Bernacchi

Northrop, US Air Force Conduct Initial Test of Sentinel’s Second-Stage Motor

Northrop Grumman and the US Air Force completed the first qualification test of the stage-two solid rocket motor for the Sentinel missile.

1 August

Americas

Christine Casimiro

Lockheed, Raytheon Awarded Nearly $8 Billion to Supply Missiles for US Allies

The US Air Force has awarded Lockheed Martin and Raytheon contracts totaling approximately $7.8 billion for the procurement of three types of precision-guided missiles under foreign military sales agreements with allied countries.

Jul- 2025 -

30 July

Americas

Christine Casimiro

US Nuclear Weapons Return to UK After 2008 Withdrawal: Reports

The US has reportedly transferred several B61-12 thermonuclear gravity bombs to the UK, more than 15 years after withdrawing them from British soil in 2008.

25 July

Air

An MC-130J taxis out for its first flight with new aerodynamic Finlets attached to the aircraft at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

Giulia Bernacchi

US Air Force Tests Aerodynamic Enhancements on MC-130J Aircraft

The US Air Force is testing new aerodynamic devices called finlets on MC-130J aircraft to evaluate their impact on drag reduction and fuel efficiency.

24 July

Americas

Airman Mia Marquez, 802nd Security Forces Ssquadron installation access controller, fires an M18 handgun at paper targets while U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Justin Hains, 802nd Security Forces Squadron noncommissioned-officer-in-charge of training, observes the firing range while during sustainment firing training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, April 9, 2024. Students participate in this training to better understand the weapons systems while also completing drills that require different firing positions to maintain proficiency and develop their firearms skills. (U.S. Air Force photo by Brian Boisvert)

Rojoef Manuel

US Air Force Freezes M18 Pistol Use After Deadly Accident

The US Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) is temporarily suspending use of the Sig Sauer M18 handgun after a fatality involving the weapon at Francie E. Warren AFB in Wyoming.

24 July

Americas

U.S. Airmen participate in the Shadow Operations Center-Nellis Experiment 3 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, June 13, 2025. Experiment participants were challenged to use human-machine teaming to deliver decision advantage in scenarios marked by complexity, speed, and uncertainty. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jennifer Nesbitt)

Rojoef Manuel

US Air Force Tests AI to Shrink the Kill Chain

The US Air Force has tested an AI system designed to help warfighters make faster decisions on which threats to engage first in active combat zones.

23 July

Air

Christine Casimiro

US Plans First Extended Deployment of MQ-9 Reaper Drones to South Korea

The US Air Force is planning to deploy MQ-9 Reaper drones to South Korea for a three-month rotation, marking its first extended presence on the Korean Peninsula.

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