DefenceTalkAir Force Global Strike Command took delivery of a significantly enhanced Boeing B-52H Stratofortress in a ceremony here, April 25. The B-52H spent the previous 10 months at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., being refitted with the Combat Network Communications Technology, or CONECT, upgrade. This modification is designed to greatly improve the aircraft’s utility in […]https://www.defencetalk.com/usaf-gets-first-upgraded-b-52h-bomber-59455/

DefenceTalkAir Force Secretary Deborah Lee James outlined April 30 the service’s progress in leveraging the talent and capabilities of the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve within the total force concept. James, along with Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, testified at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. A […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-air-force-secretary-reports-on-total-force-balance-59459/

DefenceTalkThe Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s F-22 Division is on-track to complete installation of the Automatic Back-up Oxygen System, or ABOS, in the Air Force’s F-22 Raptor combat fleet by December 2014. In January 2012, following a series of incidents in which a number of F-22 pilots experienced physiological symptoms in flight, the Air […]https://www.defencetalk.com/installation-of-backup-oxygen-system-in-f-22-combat-fleet-continues-59308/

DefenceTalkA US Air Force research team is in the process of beta-testing Google Glass headsets for possible utilization in battlefield scenarios. The BATMAN evaluation group at the US Air Force’s 711th Human Performance Wing is a highly-distinguished military research and development faction. According to VentureBeat, that unit is interested in Google Glass for its ability […]https://www.defencetalk.com/usaf-researchers-test-google-glass-for-combat-intelligence-missions-59296/

DefenceTalkThe F-35 Lightning II will enhance combat capabilities, project U.S. power and deter potential adversaries, Air Force officials told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee’s subcommittee on tactical air and land forces in a hearing on tactical aircraft programs there, April 8. “The F-35 will form the backbone of U.S. air combat superiority for […]https://www.defencetalk.com/f-35-on-time-to-replace-previous-tactical-aircraft-59292/

DefenceTalkTwo B-52 Stratofortresses from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., and two B-2 Spirit bombers from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., recently flew non-stop from their home stations to training ranges in Hawaii to exercise the president’s credible and flexible military options to meet national security obligations to the U.S. and its allies. Part of the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/usaf-bombers-train-on-long-range-capabilities-59238/

DefenceTalkA Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) satellite built by Lockheed Martin was successfully launched today at 7:46 a.m. from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. atop an Atlas V rocket. Lockheed Martin confirmed signal acquisition shortly after launch. DMSP-19 is the fourth Block 5D-3 version to be launched, and Lockheed Martin has produced more than 40 […]https://www.defencetalk.com/usaf-satellite-launched-today-will-improve-weather-prediction-59226/

DefenceTalkThe top three acquisition priorities for the Air Force are the KC-46A aerial tanker, the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter and the Long Range Strike Bomber, officials told members of Congress during a hearing of House Armed Services Committee’s subcommittee on seapower and projections forces, April 2. “On any given day, the Air Force’s mobility aircraft […]https://www.defencetalk.com/air-force-leaders-insist-new-tanker-is-key-to-airpower-59224/

DefenceTalkLUKE AIR FORCE BASE: Escorted by two F-16 fighting Falcons, Luke Air Force Base’s first F-35 Lightning II arrived a little after 11 a.m. March 10, from the Lockheed Martin factory in Fort Worth, Texas. “This is a day that has been a long time coming,” Col. John Hanna, the 56th Operations Group commander, said […]https://www.defencetalk.com/first-f-35-lightning-ii-arrives-at-luke-afb-59005/

DefenceTalkTRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, Kyrgyzstan: The Transit Center’s final aerial refueling mission over Afghanistan landed here Feb. 24, completing the end of an era. After six hours of traveling, refueling A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, and F-16 Fighting Falcons, the KC-135 Stratotanker touched down to a fanfare of saluting Airmen. Col. Mike Seiler, the 376th Expeditionary Operations […]https://www.defencetalk.com/manas-kc-135s-complete-final-mission-leave-kyrgyzstan-58895/