US Air Force (USAF)

XQ-58A damaged following third flight

The Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie experimental unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) completed its third flight as part of the Low Cost Attritable Strike Demonstration (LCASD) programme, but a landing mishap has damaged the aircraft.

V-22 Osprey surpasses 500,000 flight hours

The Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey family has surpassed a major operational milestone, having logged more than 500,000 flight hours.

USAF reactivates 420th Flight Test Squadron for B-21

The US Air Force (USAF) has reactivated the 420th Flight Test Squadron (FLTS) at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB), California, following a ceremony held on October 4.

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Nighthawk Lives On! - EXCLUSIVE Video

The jet black F-117 Nighthawk — clandestine hero of 'Desert Storm' — was officially retired in 2008. This incredible video proves that some of these aircraft still remain in service today.

‘Bleed Blue!’

Combat Aircraft Editor, Jamie Hunter, visits RAF Lakenheath for an exclusive behind the scenes look at the 492nd Fighter Squadron.

USAF orders more KC-46A tankers

The US Air Force (USAF) has furthered its order of Boeing KC-46A Pegasus tanker aircraft, with 15 more aircraft being contracted.

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Planes, Names and Noses: KC-135s of the 100th ARW

The link between the wartime 100th Bomb Group and its current successor, the 100th Air Refueling Wing has been reinforced by the adoption of wartime nose art. Bob Archer describes how the current KC-135 tankers pay tribute to the B-17s of the ‘Bloody Hundredth.’

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Wolverine on the Light Attack trail...

The USAF’s Light Attack Experiment continues to evaluate whether a new, low-cost, close air support platform might help reduce the burden on front line fighter squadrons. For the Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine, it now involves initial sale of the aircraft and further progression towards a long-held ambition of success on this stage.

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Pima's USAF Lockheed EC-121T Warning Star - Restoring a classic

One of the Pima Air & Space Museum’s most outstanding exhibits, a Lockheed EC-121T Warning Star, has undergone restoration. Joe Copalman examines the career of this stunning aircraft.

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When Viggens saved an SR-71 Blackbird

Known for it’s blistering speed, the SR-71 was considered almost untouchable during its service career. Paul F Crickmore details an occasion when an example of the Blackbird almost fell into Soviet hands.