US Air Force • Page 17 of 108

Dec- 2025 -

29 December

Drones - Latest News, Features & Expert Opinion

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)

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

Inder Singh Bisht

USAF Orders Second Production Lot of Joint Strike Missiles for F-35 Fleet

The US Air Force has awarded Kongsberg a $240.9-million contract to produce the second production lot of the Joint Strike Missile.

22 December

Technology

Staff Sgt. Kelli Alvarez, the supply non-commissioned officer in charge of the 819th Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers, provides medical aid to Staff Sgt. Marina Miller, an independent duty medical technician assigned to the 819th RED HORSE Squadron, during a field training exercise Oct. 8, 2025, at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. Airmen performed perimeter checks, accountability and medical aid in response to a simulated chemical attack. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jack Rodriguez Escamilla)

Rojoef Manuel

From Days to Seconds: AI Streamlines Pilot Readiness for US Air Force

The DHA CDAO team competed against 50 other teams with an AI-driven solution to automate aeromedical clearance for US Air Force pilots — a crucial step in getting pilots back on duty after medical issues or injuries.

18 December

Americas

Staff Writer With AFP

US Deploys Troops to Ecuador for Anti-Drugs Operation

The United States announced Wednesday a temporary deployment of Air Force personnel to Ecuador to combat drug trafficking in one of Latin America's biggest narcotics smuggling hubs.

17 December

Arms

A GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition is prepared to be secured in the bomb bay of a B-52H Stratofortress

Bea Castañeda

GBU-38 JDAM: Inside the Kit That Revolutionized Airstrike Accuracy

This guide covers how the GBU‑38 Joint Direct Attack Munition delivers reliable, all‑weather GPS precision in a compact, low‑collateral strike weapon.

16 December

Air

Concept of a Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) aircraft

Rojoef Manuel

L3Harris to Integrate Comms for US Air Force’s $13B Doomsday Program

L3Harris Technologies has signed a subcontract to deliver support services for the US Air Force’s Survivable Airborne Operations Center program.

15 December

Air

U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, board an MV-22B Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, during Service Level Training Exercise 4-25 at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, Aug. 13, 2025. SLTE 4-25 is designed to be a challenging, realistic training environment that produces combat-ready forces capable of operating as an integrated Marine Air-Ground Task Force across all domains of military operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alexis Ibarra)

Rojoef Manuel

V-22 Osprey Faces Growing Safety Risks After Deadly Crashes, Reports Find

The US has identified longstanding safety, maintenance, and oversight failures in the V-22 Osprey program after fatal crashes have killed 20 service members since 2022.

12 December

Asia Pacific

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force paratroopers with the 1st Airborne Brigade and descend after jumping from a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron during the Japanese-American Friendship Festival 2024 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 19, 2024. The JGSDF 1st Airborne brigade conducted HALO and static-line jump demonstration to show their capabilities during the festival. The festival is aimed at increasing bilateral relationships between U.S. and Japanese communities and allows people to see U.S. and Japanese military capabilities first-hand. (U.S. Air Force photo by Yasuo Osakabe)

Rojoef Manuel

US Parachute Mishap in Japan Sparks Protests After Debris Falls Near Kids’ Center

Japanese officials protested after parts of a US military parachute were discovered at a children’s activity center in Fussa, a city bordering Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo.

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