US Air Force – Page 8 – The Defense Post

Jan- 2026 -

21 January

Robots Step In as US Air Force Modernizes Aircraft Maintenance

Human technicians could soon be freed up for other tasks as the US turns to GrayMatter Robotics’ autonomous robotic system for aircraft repairs.

15 January

Air

A US Air Force Airman assigned to the 1st Special Operations Support Squadron Mission Sustainment Team watches as an MQ-9 Reaper prepares to land on an unprepared dirt surface

Rojoef Manuel

Trust Automation Secures $490M US Air Force Deal for Drones, C-UAS Systems

The US Air Force has awarded Trust Automation a contract worth up to $490 million to accelerate the development of unmanned and counter-unmanned aerial system capabilities.

13 January

Air

The F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter performs the first F-35C weapon separation by releasing the 500-pound inert Guided Bomb Unit (GBU) 12 over an Atlantic test range

Bea Castañeda

GBU-12 Paveway II: Inside the Laser-Guided Precision Bomb

Built to cut collateral damage and costs, the GBU‑12 Paveway II turns a standard bomb into a precision weapon. This guide explains how it works and why it matters.

7 January

Air

Rojoef Manuel

Textron Wins $41M Contract for US Air Force T-7A Maintenance Training Support

Textron Systems has secured a $41-million contract to support the US Air Force’s T-7A Advanced Pilot Training Program - Maintenance Training System.

7 January

Asia Pacific

Airman 1st Class Thomas Schoening, a Cyber Transport Systems airman, poses for a photograph in the server room at the 153d Airlift Wing, Wyoming Air National Guard Base, Cheyenne, Wyo., Nov. 1, 2019. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jon Alderman)

Rojoef Manuel

US Air Force Taps GDIT for Base Network Revamp in Pacific

General Dynamics Information Technology has signed a $131-million contract to support communication network upgrades across US Air Force installations.

6 January

Air

Akhsan Erido Elezhar

Keep Engines On: US Air Force Debuts R-20 Hot-Pit Refueling Tech

R-20 refueling is a next-gen hot-pit system that allows helicopters to stay powered during fueling, pumps up to 450 gallons per minute per hose, and draws from bulk bladders holding over 200,000 gallons.

Dec- 2025 -

29 December

Air

The U.S. Air Force announced, Dec. 22, the designation of YFQ-48A – seen here in an undated photo – as the Mission Design Series (MDS) for Northrop Grumman’s Project Talon, a semi-autonomous prototype aircraft. This designation marks a key step forward in the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. (U.S. Air Force photo courtesy of Northrop Grumman)

Rojoef Manuel

Northrop Grumman’s Talon Drone Gets ‘YFQ-48A’ US Air Force Designation

The US Air Force has designated Northrop Grumman’s Project Talon semi-autonomous system as the “YFQ-48A,” marking its formal entry into the service’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.

29 December

Air

Inder Singh Bisht

Boeing Wins $2-Billion Deal to Advance B-52 Engine Program

The US Air Force has awarded Boeing a $2.04-billion contract to advance the B-52 engine replacement program.

23 December

Air

Ethan M. Encarnacion

3D Printing Sends Broken F-15 Back to Action Within Hours

US Air Force and Marine Corps repair teams have joined forces to send a damaged F-15 back to flight status in just a few hours, far ahead of the original several-month timeline.

23 December

Americas