DefenceTalkThe KC-46 acquisition cost estimate has declined by about 5.4 percent from $51.7 billion to $48.9 billion since February 2011 and the program is on track to meet performance goals. Most of the estimated cost decline is due to fewer than expected engineering changes and changes in military construction plans. The Air Force delayed the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/kc-46-tanker-aircraft-costs-drop-5-but-key-flight-capability-testing-lags-behind-63799/

DefenceTalkWhen one door closes at the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex regarding aviation modernization, that same door swings open for another opportunity. In the 562nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, maintainers have completed a complex avionics and weather radar modernization package, referred to as BLOCK 16, with the final C-17 Globemaster set to fly home this month. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-air-force-complete-c-17-avionics-weather-radar-upgrades-63582/

DefenceTalkJOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii: From Feb. 18 through 22, more than 95 U.S. military personnel and Defense Department civilians were among the thousands assembled from around the globe to participate in Aero India 2015, the region’s largest tradeshow. “The tradeshow allowed the U.S. to strengthen its ties with India while furthering military-to-military relationships,” said […]https://www.defencetalk.com/aero-india-15-showcases-india-us-partnership-63541/

DefenceTalke of the most visible symbols of the United States of America and the office of the president of the United States,” James said. “The Boeing 747-8 is the only aircraft manufactured in the United States (that), when fully missionized, meets the necessary capabilities established to execute the presidential support mission, while reflecting the office […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-air-force-identifies-boeing-747-8-platform-for-next-air-force-one-62304/

DefenceTalkEDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE: Four-year-old Steve Rainey sat on the hood of his father’s car at a local airshow watching the small airplanes and helicopters at the airport. When the Thunderbirds in their F-100s sped by, Rainey fell off the car, looked up at the sky and thought, “I’ve got to do that.” Jan. 22, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/f-22-pilot-reaches-1000-flight-hours-62306/

DefenceTalkThe Air Force’s ability to continue building partnerships to meet challenges of future warfare directly involves Airmen and Soldiers who are focused on building partnership capacity throughout the region. As the result of a bilateral agreement between the U.S. and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the U.S. Air Forces Central Command (AFCENT) Air Warfare Center […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-air-force-develops-interoperability-with-uae-61876/

DefenceTalkWhile the big news coming out of the Pentagon today was the closure of U.S. Air Force facilities at RAF Mildenhall, England, the Army will also consolidate or close several facilities in Europe. The Department of Defense announced changes to the U.S. military presence in Europe during a Jan. 8 press conference at the Pentagon. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-army-to-further-consolidate-footprint-in-europe-61855/

DefenceTalkThe U.S. Air Force has approved full rate production for Lockheed Martin’s (LMT) Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile – Extended Range (JASSM-ER). JASSM-ER successfully completed U.S. Air Force Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) flight testing in 2013. During IOT&E, the program had a 95 percent success rate, scoring 20 successes in 21 flights. Lots 11 […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-air-force-approves-full-rate-production-for-lockheed-martins-jassm-er-61167/

DefenceTalkThe U.S. Air Force has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC) a $354 million primarily firm-fixed-price contract to expand their RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aircraft system (UAS) fleet by three aircraft. Global Hawk operates multiple sensors simultaneously to gather intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) data. The new aircraft are Multi-INT models that carry sophisticated imaging and […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-air-force-expands-rq-4-global-hawk-fleet-60587/

DefenceTalkThe Air Force’s newest aerial target took a major step toward preparing warfighters downrange with a realistic fourth-generation replication of what they may face on the battlefield. The first unmanned QF-16 Viper struck down over the Gulf of Mexico Sept. 5, 2014, was part of a joint effort between the Test and Training Division at […]https://www.defencetalk.com/aerial-target-qf-16-takes-to-the-sky-60583/