Air Force(Page 2)

From supersonic fighter jets to big cargo planes, plus drones, spy planes, and more, these are the flying machines the military is launching into the sky.

Latest in Air Force

Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, aka Area 51, at sunset.

What we know about Area 51 What we know about Area 51

By Kelsey D. Atherton

AAROK is France’s bigger, newer take on the US’s Reaper drone AAROK is France’s bigger, newer take on the US’s Reaper drone

By Kelsey D. Atherton

nasa x-66a sustainable flight demonstrator

NASA’s ‘airliner of the future’ is now officially an X-plane NASA’s ‘airliner of the future’ is now officially an X-plane

What to know about the anti-air missiles the US is sending to Ukraine

What to know about the anti-air missiles the US is sending to Ukraine What to know about the anti-air missiles the US is sending to Ukraine

By Kelsey D. Atherton

The Chaparral drone could help the Air Force carry supplies, with less risk

The Chaparral drone could help the Air Force carry supplies, with less risk The Chaparral drone could help the Air Force carry supplies, with less risk

By Kelsey D. Atherton

angry kitten weapon

The Air Force’s ‘Angry Kitten’ has been jamming with drones and jets The Air Force’s ‘Angry Kitten’ has been jamming with drones and jets

By Kelsey D. Atherton

The Air Force used microwave energy to take down a drone swarm

The Air Force used microwave energy to take down a drone swarm The Air Force used microwave energy to take down a drone swarm

By Kelsey D. Atherton

f-22 and f-35 fighter jets fly in formation

What to expect from the US Air Force’s sixth-generation fighter jet What to expect from the US Air Force’s sixth-generation fighter jet

By Kelsey D. Atherton

A new NASA study will put people through a brain-shaking ride in the Kraken A new NASA study will put people through a brain-shaking ride in the Kraken

Watch a giant military drone land on a Wyoming highway

Watch a giant military drone land on a Wyoming highway Watch a giant military drone land on a Wyoming highway

By Kelsey D. Atherton

shock waves from supersonic jet

How fast is supersonic flight, and why does it create sonic booms? How fast is supersonic flight, and why does it create sonic booms?

an f-16 fighter jet in flight

With VENOM, the Air Force aims to test autonomy on combat F-16s With VENOM, the Air Force aims to test autonomy on combat F-16s

Why the Air Force wants 1,000 new combat drones

Why the Air Force wants 1,000 new combat drones Why the Air Force wants 1,000 new combat drones

By Kelsey D. Atherton

Rockets firing from the ground into a black sky with moons and flames. Illustrated.

These 3D printed engines can power space-bound rockets—or hypersonic weapons These 3D printed engines can power space-bound rockets—or hypersonic weapons

By Sarah Scoles

MQ-9 Reaper in flight

What to know about the MQ-9 Reaper, the drone the US just lost over the Black Sea What to know about the MQ-9 Reaper, the drone the US just lost over the Black Sea

By Kelsey D. Atherton

Why the US military plans to start making its own jet fuel

Why the US military plans to start making its own jet fuel Why the US military plans to start making its own jet fuel

Why the Space Force is testing out tech for small, high-flying satellites

Why the Space Force is testing out tech for small, high-flying satellites Why the Space Force is testing out tech for small, high-flying satellites

By Kelsey D. Atherton

U-2 spy plane balloon selfie

The real star of this aerial selfie isn’t the balloon—it’s the U-2 spy plane The real star of this aerial selfie isn’t the balloon—it’s the U-2 spy plane

Putin is backing away from New START—here’s what that nuclear treaty does

Putin is backing away from New START—here’s what that nuclear treaty does Putin is backing away from New START—here’s what that nuclear treaty does

By Kelsey D. Atherton

a modified F-16 in flight

Why DARPA put AI at the controls of a fighter jet Why DARPA put AI at the controls of a fighter jet

Biden says flying objects likely not ‘related to China’s spy balloon program’

Biden says flying objects likely not ‘related to China’s spy balloon program’ Biden says flying objects likely not ‘related to China’s spy balloon program’

By Kelsey D. Atherton

Spy balloons have been surveilling humans since 1794

Spy balloons have been surveilling humans since 1794 Spy balloons have been surveilling humans since 1794

By Kelsey D. Atherton

DARPA wants aircraft that can maneuver with a radically different method

DARPA wants aircraft that can maneuver with a radically different method DARPA wants aircraft that can maneuver with a radically different method

By Kelsey D. Atherton

Is the truth out there? Decoding the Pentagon’s latest UFO report.

Is the truth out there? Decoding the Pentagon’s latest UFO report. Is the truth out there? Decoding the Pentagon’s latest UFO report.

By Kelsey D. Atherton

SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket launch with Space Force payload

SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy launches have been a slow burn—for an interesting reason SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy launches have been a slow burn—for an interesting reason

A look at the new B-21 Raider—and the stealth bomber that preceded it

A look at the new B-21 Raider—and the stealth bomber that preceded it A look at the new B-21 Raider—and the stealth bomber that preceded it

By Kelsey D. Atherton

The Mayhem drone will aim to collect intelligence at hypersonic speeds

The Mayhem drone will aim to collect intelligence at hypersonic speeds The Mayhem drone will aim to collect intelligence at hypersonic speeds

By Kelsey D. Atherton

the B-21 raider bomber

Our first look at the Air Force’s new B-21 stealth bomber was just a careful teaser Our first look at the Air Force’s new B-21 stealth bomber was just a careful teaser

Meet a maintainer keeping the F-35 ‘flying computer’ in top shape

Meet a maintainer keeping the F-35 ‘flying computer’ in top shape Meet a maintainer keeping the F-35 ‘flying computer’ in top shape

By David Roza/Task & Purpose

This mysterious Space Force plane has been in orbit for 900 days

This mysterious Space Force plane has been in orbit for 900 days This mysterious Space Force plane has been in orbit for 900 days

By Nicholas Slayton / Task & Purpose

This US Space Force telescope in Australia will keep tabs on unusual satellite activity

This US Space Force telescope in Australia will keep tabs on unusual satellite activity This US Space Force telescope in Australia will keep tabs on unusual satellite activity

By Kelsey D. Atherton

The Navy’s robot pilots could one day outnumber its human ones

The Navy’s robot pilots could one day outnumber its human ones The Navy’s robot pilots could one day outnumber its human ones

By Kelsey D. Atherton

Watch the Air Force sink a ship very quickly

Watch the Air Force sink a ship very quickly Watch the Air Force sink a ship very quickly

By Kelsey D. Atherton

Watch this sleek electric plane ace its high-speed ground test

Watch this sleek electric plane ace its high-speed ground test Watch this sleek electric plane ace its high-speed ground test

Air Company and US Air Force's SAF test flight.

Sustainable jet fuel is taking off with commercial airlines Sustainable jet fuel is taking off with commercial airlines

By Charlotte Hu

A guide to the Gambit family of military drones and their unique jobs

A guide to the Gambit family of military drones and their unique jobs A guide to the Gambit family of military drones and their unique jobs

By Kelsey D. Atherton

A Boeing drone flying in Australia.

Ghost Bat drones could fly alongside the next generation of Air Force fighter jets Ghost Bat drones could fly alongside the next generation of Air Force fighter jets

By Kelsey D. Atherton

How a ‘digital twin’ of an Apache helicopter could help keep these old birds flying

How a ‘digital twin’ of an Apache helicopter could help keep these old birds flying How a ‘digital twin’ of an Apache helicopter could help keep these old birds flying

The Air Force wants to start using its ‘Angry Kitten’ system in combat

The Air Force wants to start using its ‘Angry Kitten’ system in combat The Air Force wants to start using its ‘Angry Kitten’ system in combat

By Kelsey D. Atherton

Move over, autopilot: This AI can avoid other planes

Move over, autopilot: This AI can avoid other planes Move over, autopilot: This AI can avoid other planes

US special forces will soon get support from a rugged new aircraft

US special forces will soon get support from a rugged new aircraft US special forces will soon get support from a rugged new aircraft

By Kelsey D. Atherton

With 18 rotors, the Hexa aircraft has room for just one passenger

With 18 rotors, the Hexa aircraft has room for just one passenger With 18 rotors, the Hexa aircraft has room for just one passenger

By Kelsey D. Atherton

The B-21 bomber won’t need a drone escort, thank you very much

The B-21 bomber won’t need a drone escort, thank you very much The B-21 bomber won’t need a drone escort, thank you very much

By Kelsey D. Atherton

A short history of US hypersonic weapons testing

A short history of US hypersonic weapons testing A short history of US hypersonic weapons testing

By Kelsey D. Atherton

The Air Force plans to test an AI copilot on its cargo planes

The Air Force plans to test an AI copilot on its cargo planes The Air Force plans to test an AI copilot on its cargo planes

By Kelsey D. Atherton

The military is testing a weapon that aims to destroy electronics, not buildings

The military is testing a weapon that aims to destroy electronics, not buildings The military is testing a weapon that aims to destroy electronics, not buildings

By Kelsey D. Atherton

Next generation Air Force pilot helmet on a gray background

Check out the Air Force’s breezy, flashy new helmets Check out the Air Force’s breezy, flashy new helmets

By David Roza/Task & Purpose

A new Air Force weapon just successfully reached Mach 5

A new Air Force weapon just successfully reached Mach 5 A new Air Force weapon just successfully reached Mach 5

By Kelsey D. Atherton

A photo of the Air Force fighting wildfires.

Why fighting wildfires is so dangerous for Air Force pilots Why fighting wildfires is so dangerous for Air Force pilots

By David Roza/Task & Purpose

Trucks with lasers and robotic arms will help the Air Force handle bombs

Trucks with lasers and robotic arms will help the Air Force handle bombs Trucks with lasers and robotic arms will help the Air Force handle bombs

By Kelsey D. Atherton

How AI could help new Air Force pilots avoid costly mistakes

How AI could help new Air Force pilots avoid costly mistakes How AI could help new Air Force pilots avoid costly mistakes

By Kelsey D. Atherton

an air taxi in flight

The Air Force just soared past an electric aircraft milestone The Air Force just soared past an electric aircraft milestone

an F-22 fighter jet

The Air Force wants to modernize air refueling, but it’s been a bumpy ride The Air Force wants to modernize air refueling, but it’s been a bumpy ride

an electric plane on the ground

Why the Air Force is interested in this little electric plane Why the Air Force is interested in this little electric plane

By Kelsey D. Atherton

Why the Air Force wants to put lidar on robot dogs

Why the Air Force wants to put lidar on robot dogs Why the Air Force wants to put lidar on robot dogs

By Kelsey D. Atherton

Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bomber silhouetted next to a full moon

Google Earth caught a $2 billion stealth bomber on candid camera Google Earth caught a $2 billion stealth bomber on candid camera

By David Roza/Task & Purpose

These gliding drones could deliver supplies from Air Force planes to the battlefield

These gliding drones could deliver supplies from Air Force planes to the battlefield These gliding drones could deliver supplies from Air Force planes to the battlefield

By Kelsey D. Atherton

The Air Force’s next jet drone will be a new robot wingman

The Air Force’s next jet drone will be a new robot wingman The Air Force’s next jet drone will be a new robot wingman

By Kelsey D. Atherton

a pilot flying an aircraft while wearing an AR display

Fighter pilots, meet your AR adversaries Fighter pilots, meet your AR adversaries

a military weapon call the active denial system

The US military wants force fields that could stop nuclear missiles The US military wants force fields that could stop nuclear missiles

By Kelsey D. Atherton

I flew in an F-16 with the Air Force and oh boy did it go poorly

I flew in an F-16 with the Air Force and oh boy did it go poorly I flew in an F-16 with the Air Force and oh boy did it go poorly

Skyborg’s latest AI drone test is a preview of the future of air combat

Skyborg’s latest AI drone test is a preview of the future of air combat Skyborg’s latest AI drone test is a preview of the future of air combat

DARPA’s Gremlin drones could be reloaded while airborne

DARPA’s Gremlin drones could be reloaded while airborne DARPA’s Gremlin drones could be reloaded while airborne

By Kelsey D. Atherton

The future of the Air Force is fighter pilots leading drone swarms into battle

The future of the Air Force is fighter pilots leading drone swarms into battle The future of the Air Force is fighter pilots leading drone swarms into battle

By Kelsey D. Atherton