Washington, May 22 (IANS) The US Air Force’s MQ-9 Reaper drones emerged as one of the most heavily used platforms during recent operations linked to Iran, senior Air Force officials told lawmakers this week, describing the unmanned aircraft as a critical force multiplier in combat missions across the Middle East.Speaking before Congressional committees this week, Air Force Chief of Staff General Kenneth Wilsbach said the MQ-9 had played a major operational role during Operation Epic Fury, underl…
Latest US Air Force News & Updates
Washington, May 22 (IANS) The US Air Force is rapidly accelerating development of autonomous combat aircraft designed to fight alongside manned fighter jets, as Pentagon leaders warned that future wars against adversaries like China would demand larger, cheaper and more survivable air fleets. Senior Air Force officials told lawmakers this week that Collaborative Combat Aircraft, or CCA, had become central to America’s future air combat strategy, marking one of the clearest signs yet of the Penta…
Washington, May 14 (IANS) Senior US Air Force officials told lawmakers that the rapidly evolving threat from China is forcing the Pentagon to reassess whether the planned fleet of 100 B-21 bombers will be enough, as Congress pressed the military on ageing aircraft, tanker vulnerabilities and drone threats.Testifying before the House Armed Services subcommittee on projection forces, Lieutenant General David Tabor said the Air Force now believes it may need more than the currently planned fleet of…
Washington, May 14 (IANS) A top US Air Force official warned lawmakers that autonomous fighter aircraft could eventually outperform human pilots, reflecting growing Pentagon concerns over the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence-driven warfare. “There will come a point where a robot fighter is better than a manned fighter,” Lieutenant General Christopher Niemi told a Senate Armed Services Subcommittee hearing on Airland on Wednesday (local time). “It would be a tragic shame if the Un…
Washington, May 14 (IANS) US Air Force officials have told lawmakers that they are urgently studying a successor to the MQ-9 Reaper drone after recent combat operations exposed both the platform’s battlefield value and its vulnerabilities, a development closely watched by India, which has purchased MQ-9B drones from the United States. Senior Air Force officials told lawmakers during a Senate Armed Services Subcommittee hearing on Wednesday (local time) that the changing nature of warfare in th…
Washington, April 21 (IANS) Chief of Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi held a meeting with the Commanding General of United States Army Pacific, General Ronald P Clark and senior officials in Honolulu with discussions focused on strengthening defence cooperation between the two countries and advancing a shared vision for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. As he arrived at the US military base in Hawaii, General Dwivedi was accorded a Guard of Honour at Fort Shafter and also undertook an …
Washington, April 11 (IANS) The US and India reaffirmed their strategic defence partnership during high-level talks between their air force chiefs, focusing on interoperability, training and regional deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, a media release said.US Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach hosted Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh for an official counterpart visit on April 8.Singh received a full honours arrival at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling and later held me…
Washington, April 7 (IANS) A massive US air operation involving more than 100 aircraft rescued two airmen stranded in Iran in one of the most complex combat search-and-rescue missions in recent years, President Donald Trump said.An F-15 fighter jet went down late Thursday during Operation Epic Fury, with both crew members ejecting over Iranian territory. One was located and rescued within hours. The second, injured and separated by miles, evaded capture for nearly two days before being extracted…
Washington, April 4 (IANS) A US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down over Iran, triggering a combat search-and-rescue operation, with one crew member rescued and another still missing.Both crew members ejected from the aircraft. One has been found alive, while efforts continue to locate the second, whose status remains unclear. The F-15E is a two-seat multirole fighter with a pilot and a weapons systems officer.In a separate incident the same day, a US Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II attack …
Bogota, March 24 (IANS) The death toll from a Colombian military aircraft crash in southern Colombia’s Putumayo region has risen to 66, with 57 others injured, local media reported, citing military sources.There were 114 passengers and 11 crew members on board the C-130 Hercules transport plane, Carlos Silva, commander of the Colombian Aerospace Force (FAC), said in a video posted by the FAC on X, adding that an investigative team has been sent to determine the causes of the crash, Xinhua news a…