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☆ Lockheed Martin's new compact hypersonic missile enables America's stealth fighters to engage targets at Mach 5 speeds
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-26 | by ( Alex Hollings | Sandboxx News | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

Hypersonic missiles are weapons that are capable of achieving sustained speeds in excess of Mach 5 while maneuvering. It is a true hypersonic weapon that operates and maneuvers in a high-altitude hypersonic regime," Paul Sudlow from Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control previously told Sandboxx News. AdvertisementAdding the Mako missile to America's stealth fightersA render of an F-35 equipped with Mako missiles. Designed in a 'digital engineering ecosystem'A render shows the Mako hypersonic missile in flight. Leon Neal/Getty ImagesOne of the biggest challenges facing the laundry list of hypersonic weapons in active development for the US military is cost.

Persons: —, Lockheed Martin, Mako, Paul Sudlow, Sudlow, Nano Calvo, Northrop Grumman, Rick Loy, Lockheed Martin's, Lockheed, Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin, Leon Neal Organizations: Service, Mako, Lockheed, US Air Force, US Navy, Business, Lockheed Martin Missiles, Control, Sandboxx, Air, Sandboxx News, EA, AIM, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Getty, US Air, Northrop, Naval News, Visitors, Defense Department, Congressional Locations: Mako, Lockheed Martin Europe, London

☆ Crew mistakes and inadequate safety standards led to the crash that destroyed a $450 million B-1B bomber, an Air Force probe found
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-25 | by ( Thomas Novelly | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

AdvertisementThe charred remains of the B-1B Lancer after it crashed near the runway of Ellsworth Air Force Base. US Air Force Aircraft Accident Investigation BoardThe four crew members all ejected, but two of them suffered injuries as a result. Both were medically treated and later released, according to Air Force Global Strike Command, which commissioned the crash investigation report. AdvertisementAircrew members prepare a B-1B Lancer for deployment at Ellsworth Air Force Base at night. An aircrew member directs a B-1B Lancer onto the runway at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota.

Persons: —, Military.com, Ellsworth, Jake Jacobsen, Erick Lord, Dylan Maher, JF Joseph Organizations: Service, Ellsworth Air Force Base, Business, Lancers, Dyess Air Force Base, US Air Force Aircraft, Air Force Global Strike Command, Lancer, Air Force Global, Command, US Air Force, Staff, Ellsworth Air Force, 34th Bomb Squadron, Operations Support Squadron, Marine Corps Locations: South Dakota, Abilene , Texas

☆ Russia pulled military aircraft from service because of poor quality parts: report
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-22 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Russia grounded five Il-76MD-90A aircraft due to poor-quality parts. The Russian air force's fleet of Il-76MD-90A aircraft has suffered significant attrition since 2022. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementRussia was forced to take five military aircraft out of service due to key parts being swapped out for poor-quality ones, according to local media reports. The issue affects the landing gear of Russia's Il-76MD-90A, a large modernized strategic aircraft designed for ferrying troops and military equipment.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Russia, Moscow

☆ See the XQ-67A combat drone's first flight as the US Air Force works to build its fleet of manned and AI-piloted aircraft
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-11 | by ( Hope Seck | Sandboxx News | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

It's been an eventful few months for the XQ-67A and the Air Force's efforts to create a fleet of low-cost, high-tech autonomy-capable aircraft that can network with and support manned fighters in the air. Air Force Research Laboratory/DVIDsThe new angles highlighted in the short video underscore the unique design of this prospective fighter jet teammate. The Air Force plans to fast-track production of the first 100 collaborative combat aircraft, delivering them to the fleet by 2029. AdvertisementThe Air Force hopes CCA won't just augment or modernize air warfare — but transform it entirely. Air Force Research Laboratory/DVIDsCCA, the paper's authors write, could help disrupt China's preferred way of fighting and deny the country an assured victory, if employed correctly to multiply capabilities.

Persons: Atomics Gray, It's, Atomics, Mike Atwood, Kratos, Frank Kendall, China's Organizations: Service, US Air Force, Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Air, Air Force, ASI, USAF, Air Force Research, and Space Forces Magazine, Cessna, CCA, Atomics, Marine Corps, Collaborative, Attritable Aircraft Technologies, The Air Force, Force, Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Locations: Atomics Gray Butte, Palmdale , CA, OBSS, China

☆ Tensions with Iran spotlight Israel's hidden nuclear arsenal
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-04 | by ( Paul Iddon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

AdvertisementBy invoking doomsday weapons, it was clear Katz was alluding to Israel's nuclear weapons arsenal — an arsenal over which neither he nor IAI have any command-and-control. There are eight countries in the world with declared nuclear arsenals, four of which — the United States, China, India, and Russia — have a complete nuclear triad. Israel's triad has some notable distinctions and limitations compared to those of the other four. "Israel's nuclear triad bears the hallmarks of a regional nuclear triad as seen in India and Pakistan, rather than seeking globe-spanning strike capability," Sebastien Roblin, a widely published military-aviation journalist, told Business Insider. "Israel's nuclear deterrent is not designed to ward off great powers like Russia or China, but rather regional powers like Egypt and Iran," Bohl told BI.

Persons: —, Yair Katz, Israel, Katz, Russia —, Sebastien Roblin, Roblin, Ryan Bohl, RANE, Bohl, Nir Ben, Yosef Organizations: Service, Business, Israel Aerospace Industries Workers ' Council, Iran's United Nations, IAI, Jericho, Israel Aerospace Industries, Dolphin, East, Facebook, Air Force's, Israel, US Air Force, IAF, nukes Locations: Israel, Lebanon, Iran, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, United States, China, India, Russia, Pakistan, North Africa, Egypt, Jericho

☆ Deadly Russian Su-34 bombers are sitting ducks for Ukraine's ATACMS. But it can't attack without US approval.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-30 | by ( Nathan Rennolds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Near the border of northeastern Ukraine, some of Russia's lethal Su-34 fighter jets sit in the open. The bombers have been used to pound Ukraine with regular barrages of glide bombs. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementNear the border with northeastern Ukraine, some of Russia's deadly Su-34 fighter bombers lie exposed on the tarmac of a military airfield as they await orders to carry out their next attack. Voronezh Malshevo airbase is a launching point for jets operated by the Russian Air Force's 47th Guards Bomber Aviation Regiment.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Russian Air Force's, Guards Bomber Aviation Regiment, Business Locations: Ukraine, Voronezh Malshevo, Kharkiv

☆ France's army chief says small drones will lose their battlefield advantage. But Ukraine likely won't be changing tack anytime soon.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-29 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewSmall aerial drones have dominated the battlefield in Ukraine, but according to French Army Chief of Staff Gen. Pierre Schill, they could soon lose their combat advantage. "The life of impunity of small, very simple drones over the battlefield is a snapshot in time," Schill said. ADRIAN DENNIS/ Getty ImagesThe use of drones will likely fluctuateFormer British Army officer Christopher Lincoln-Jones told Business Insider that the use of small drones in warfare would likely "ebb and flow." Greg Bagwell, the UK Royal Air Force's former Deputy Commander, told BI "there is some truth" to Schill's comments about the future of small drones in battle. Both sides are also pumping money into developing AI-powered drones that can bypass electronic warfare systems.

Persons: —, Pierre Schill, Schill, ADRIAN DENNIS, Getty, Christopher Lincoln, Jones, they're, Greg Bagwell, it's, Bagwell, Forbes Organizations: Service, French Army, Defense, Business, British Army, Royal Air, NATO, FPVs, Lincoln, Atlantic Council Locations: Ukraine, Paris, Lincoln, Russia

☆ Upgrades to keep the US military's oldest bombers — its B-52s — flying for a century are running into delays and rising costs, watchdog finds
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-21 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

AdvertisementThat's three years later than the Air Force planned to have the re-engined planes operating. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, arrives on the flightline August 4, 2023, as part of a Bomber Task Force mission at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The Air Force plans to keep the planes in service until 2050, almost 100 years after the first B-52 entered service. The Air Force continues to rely on the B-52s for long-range strategic bomber missions, even though they lack the speed of the B-1 Lancers and the stealth of the B-2 Spirits.

Persons: —, Joshua J, Garcia, Nia Jacobs Organizations: Service, US Air, Business, Air Force, Royce, Pilots, 2nd Bomb, RAF Fairford, U.S . Air Force, Tech, Inside Defense, Department of Defense, 20th Expeditionary Bomb, Barksdale Air Force Base, Bomber Task Force, Andersen Air Force Base, The Air Force, Lancers Locations: United Kingdom, Louisiana, Guam, U.S, Arizona

☆ Satellite images show apparent mock-ups of US fifth-gen fighter jets and a runway with blast marks and craters in a Chinese desert
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-21 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewSatellite images show what appear to be mock-ups of fifth-generation US aircraft, among other aircraft, out in a Chinese desert. Satellite image from April 19, 2024, show Chinese mock-ups of US aircraft in the Taklamakan Desert. Scorch marks and craters are evident at one end of the apparent runway, and some of the aircraft mock-ups appear wrecked. Satellite image from June 28, 2021, show Chinese mock-ups of US aircraft in the Taklamakan Desert. AdvertisementA satellite image of an apparent US Arleigh Burke class destroyer in the Taklamakan Desert, photographed January 1, 2024.

Persons: —, Africk, BjTHpgEWQI, Gerald R, Arleigh Burke Organizations: Service, Business, Planet Labs PBC, . Planet, American Enterprise Institute, Air, PLA Air Force, . Planet Labs PBC, Planet Labs PBC China, Ford, Alxa League Locations: China, Taklamakan, Xinjiang

☆ The new Air Force One won't fly until 2026 — 3 years after the military Boeing 747 was supposed to first take flight
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-20 | by ( Taylor Rains | Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewBoeing and the Trump Administration struck a $3.9 billion deal in 2018 to replace the country's aging 747 presidential fleet with two new Air Force One planes. AdvertisementAt the time, the USAF provided a one-year buffer for the planes' delivery, pushing the second's delivery to as late as 2028. In 2022, the Wall Street Journal reported that continuing to fly the old fleet may cost taxpayers $390 million. The new VC-25B program, based on the 747-8i, will replace the Air Force's current VC-25A fleet.

Persons: —, Dave Calhoun Organizations: Service, Boeing, Trump Administration, Air Force, Breaking Defense, Business, USAF, Business Insider, Wall Street Journal, Air Force's, Department of Defense

☆ The US Air Force says the military's new dogfighting AI fighter jet pilot is making 'dramatic' advances from one test to the next
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-20 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Read previewLast month, two US Air Force fighter jets battled in the skies above California in an intense dogfight. AdvertisementCol. James Valpiani, Air Force Test Pilot School commandant, provides final points of instruction to Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall during his visit to Edwards Air Force, California, May 2. But throughout all of this, the AI pilot, named Hivemind, has been maturing quicker than expected. The X-62 Variable In-Flight Simulator Test Aircraft (VISTA) flies in the skies over Edwards Air Force Base, California, Aug. 26, 2022. Footage from the real-world test of a dogfight between an AI-controlled fighter and a manned fighter.

Persons: —, James Valpiani, Frank, Kendall, Valpiani, Frank Kendall, It's, Ryan Tseng, Tseng, Air Force Frank Kendall, James West Tseng, Ryan Hefron, Hefron, Kyle Brasier, Giancarlo Casem Organizations: Service, US Air Force, Air Force, Defense, Research, Business, An Air Force, Air, Edwards Air Force Base, U.S . Air Force, Edwards Air Base, United States Air Force, Edwards Air Force, DOD, DARPA, Shield, Aircraft, USAF, Israel Defense Forces, DoD Locations: California, Calif, China, Gaza

☆ Ukraine proves it can target the Russian air force's weakest link
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-16 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

AdvertisementBut these were pinprick attacks designed to embarrass the Kremlin and demonstrate that nowhere in Russia is safe from Ukrainian attack. The aircraft didn't appear to catch on fire, suggesting the damage wasn't catastrophic, perhaps to be expected from small drones with small warheads. The Akhtubinsk attack suggests that Russian electronic warfare capacity has sufficient breadth to cover the front, but not depth to protect the Russian interior. Much like Russia's vaunted T-14 Armata, the Su-57 has been conspicuous by its absence from the Ukraine war. AdvertisementEven with American-made F-16 fighters arriving soon, Ukraine's air force probably can't drive off Russian jets lobbing glide bombs from 50 miles behind Russian lines, safe behind ground-based air defenses.

Persons: Justin Bronk, Bronk, Su, Michael Peck Organizations: Service, Russian Air Force, Kyiv, Royal United Services Institute, Russian, NATO, West, Stealth, Defense, Foreign Policy, Rutgers Univ, Twitter, LinkedIn Locations: Russia, British, Ukraine, Ukrainian, Volgograd, Stalingrad, Russian, Forbes

☆ D-Day was the largest amphibious invasion in history — and likely the last. Here's why.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-06 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

D-Day is more than the largest amphibious invasion in history. The US Navy now aims for enough amphibious capacity to land just two Marine brigades on a hostile shore. Universal History Archive/UIG via Getty ImagesIn World War II, the best way to stop an amphibious invasion was before the first troops stepped onto the beach. If the defender's navy and air force could destroy or turn back an invasion fleet, the landing would never take place. An enemy that has these can threaten the invasion armada and the landing force it launches as it chugs to the beach.

Persons: Ryan, Hitler, Michael Peck Organizations: Service, US Army, British Army, Navy, Royal Navy, Royal Canadian Air Force's, Hornet, Allies, US Navy, US Air Force, 82nd Airborne, US Troops, Getty, Luftwaffe, Allied, Spy, Argentine Air Force, Russian Navy, Helicopters, U.S . Navy, Defense, Foreign Policy, Rutgers Univ, Twitter, LinkedIn Locations: Normandy, Europe, Britain, Omaha, Russo, Ukraine, Soviet, Pacific, Sicily, Salerno, Anzio, Omaha Beach, Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, Ukrainian, Bikini, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Forbes

☆ The US Air Force's newest stealth bomber offers hope amid America's shrinking bomber fleet
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Mackenzie Eaglen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Read previewThe loss of a B-2 Spirit bomber due to fire and its subsequent retirement highlights the fragility of the US Air Force's bomber fleet. A US Air Force airman poses in front of a B-2 Spirit at Whiteman Air Force Base Missouri. Pictures From History/Universal Images Group via Getty ImagesThe B-21 Raider bomber is criticalThere is a silver lining to America's bomber fleet decline in the B-21 Raider. US Air Force photoWashington must recognize the strategic failure of a small and antiquated bomber fleet. Facilitating the on-time deployment of the next generation bomber cannot come too soon in order to restore the size and strength of America's bomber fleet.

Persons: —, Sheila deVera, Sadie Colbert, Austin McIntosh, America's Organizations: Service, US Air Force's, Raider, Business, Joint Base Elmendorf, Richardson , Alaska . US Air Force, Pentagon, Air Force's, US Air Force, Whiteman Air Force Base Missouri, Staff, Air Force, Air, Ship Missiles, Ellsworth Air Force Base, Senior, US Air Force Boeing, Getty, White, Congress Locations: Richardson , Alaska, United States, South Dakota, Vietnam, Palmdale , California

☆ New pictures of the US Air Force's newest stealth bomber — the B-21 Raider — just dropped as flight testing continues
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The US Air Force just released more photos of the B-21 Raider, its newest stealth bomber. The long-range aircraft is working through flight testing in California. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementThe US Air Force on Wednesday published more photos of its newest stealth bomber, the B-21 Raider, as the penetrating strike aircraft continues to work through flight testing. The photos, captured in January and April, show the sleek-looking new bomber in the middle of its testing — consisting of ground testing, taxiing, and flight operations — at California's Edwards Air Force Base.

Persons: — Organizations: US Air Force, Pentagon, Service, Edwards Air Force Base, Business Locations: California

☆ Take a look at the 'Mighty Dragon,' China's $120 million stealth fighter meant to rival the US Air Force's fifth-gen jets
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Marielle Descalsota | Lauren Frias | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The Chinese jet has drawn comparisons to the F-35 since the jets were locked in military encounters in 2020. The Chengdu J-20 and the Lockheed Martin F-35. Ju Zhenhua/Xinhua/Getty Images; rancho_runner/iStock /Getty Images PlusThe F-35 jet was introduced to the US military in July 2015. There are three variants of the jet: the conventional takeoff and landing F-35A, the short takeoff and vertical landing F-35B, and the carrier-based F-35C. Lockheed Martin touts the F-35 as the "most advanced fighter jet in the world," with very low observable stealth, advanced sensors, information fusion, and network connectivity.

Persons: Lockheed Martin, Ju Zhenhua, Kenneth Wilsbach, Wilsbach Organizations: Lockheed, Getty, US Air Force, China Morning Post, US Pacific Air Forces Locations: Chengdu, Xinhua, East

☆ US Air Force's F-22 Raptors lost to German Eurofighters in mock dogfights, but the verdict on the superior jet isn't as simple
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Alex Hollings | Sandboxx News | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +29 min

German Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets fly during a media day. Piroschka van de Wouw/ReutersDespite their generational differences, the F-22 Raptor and Eurofighter Typhoon actually have a number of things in common. A German air force Eurofighter Typhoon taxis toward the runway at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska before departing for a combat-training mission, June 11, 2012. So what's the verdict between the F-22 Raptor and Eurofighter Typhoon? A composite image showing a German air force Eurofighter Typhoon jet and a US Air Force F-22 Raptor.

Persons: …, Valerie R, David Cenciotti's, Piroschka van de Wouw, it's, Randy Gordon, Sam Eckholm, doesn't, Rich Wells, Thomas Wiegold, John P, Michael Holzworth, It's, Marc Gruene, haven't, Gruene, isn't, Jens Stoltenberg, Bernd Wüstneck, Eurofighters, Chris Jung, That's, Eric Wicklund, Erich Hartmann, He's, Alex Muller, Andreas Pfeiffer, who's, Thomas Bergeson, Wade Tolliver, we're, Dirk Smith, Mike, Bertie Simmonds, Micheal Jordan, Chesty Puller Organizations: Service, EA, German Eurofighter Typhoons, Business, Eurofighter, Spangdahlem Air Base, US Air Force, Tactical Air Force, America's Raptors, BFM, Germany's Eurofighter, Farnborough, Air, Germany's, German Air Force Eurofighter, Reuters, Typhoon, MIT, RAF, Breaking Defense, AIM, Air Force, Staff, Raptors, Eielson Air Force Base, Tech, Germany's Air Force, Combat Aircraft, TVC, Raptor, NATO, Tactical Air, Getty, Typhoons, Seoul International Aerospace, Defense, Eurofighters, 4th, US Navy, KC, Red Flag, Navy SEAL, ISIS, Qaeda, Flag, FS, Eurofighter Typhoon Locations: Germany, Alaska, Red, Estonia, Vietnam, Flag Alaska, gun's, American

☆ Air Force Secretary says it was 'roughly an even fight' between an AI-controlled F-16 and a highly trained human fighter pilot
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Alex Hollings | Sandboxx News | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The X-62 Variable In-Flight Simulator Test Aircraft (VISTA) flies upside down in the skies over Edwards Air Force Base. Related storiesIn other words, the Air Force Secretary currently places the branch's F-16-piloting AI as roughly comparable in dogfighting skill to some of the nation's most experienced and capable aviators. The X-62 VISTA flies in the skies above Edwards Air Force Base. US Air Force photo by Richard GonzalesKendall rode in the front seat of the Air Force's heavily modified X-62 VISTA — a Block 30 F-16D that has previously incorporated technology, including multi-axis thrust-vector control, not found on any of the Air Force's operational Vipers. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall, aboard the X-62 VISTA, takes off from the runway at Edwards Air Force Base.

Persons: Frank Kendall, Kendall, Kyle Brasier, Richard Gonzales Kendall, Air Force Frank Kendall, Madeline Guadarrama, we're Organizations: Service, Air Force, Air, Business, Aircraft, Edwards Air Force Base, US Air Force, Air Force's, School, VISTA, Delta Force, Ministry of Ungentlemanly Locations: Washington ,

☆ The US Air Force is teaching AI to navigate aircraft in case GPS gets taken out in a future fight
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

In a future war, electronic warfare and anti-satellite weapons could leave the US military without GPS, a critical tool for navigation and targeting. That challenge has prompted the US Air Force to experiment with using artificial intelligence as an alternative navigation method. Related storiesA potential solution being developed by the US Air Force instead relies on AI for navigating in GPS-denied environments. The potential for AI to be used as an alternative to GPS navigation speaks to the growing concern around GPS denial in a future fight. AdvertisementAI creates new opportunities, and the Air Force's navigation alternative isn't the only project looking into how to integrate AI into military systems.

Persons: Col, Garry Floyd, Floyd Organizations: Service, GPS, US Air Force, Business, Department of Air Force, MIT, Intelligence, Associated Press, Air Force, AP, Pentagon, Air Locations: China, Russia, Ukraine, Geneva

☆ Amid pomp and propaganda, Russia holds Victory Day military parade as war rumbles on
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Russian President Vladimir Putin watches a military parade on Victory Day, which marks the 77th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two, in Red Square in central Moscow, Russia May 9, 2022. Mikhail Metzel | Sputnik | ReutersRussia kicked off its 79th "Victory Day" military parade on Thursday as the war with Ukraine rumbles on into a third year. Russian paratroopers march during the Victory Day Red Square Parade on May 9, 2023 in Moscow, Russia. He said participants in the "special military operation" — code for the Russian war against Ukraine — are also marching this year. The Yars ballistic missiles take part in a rehearsal of the Victory Day parade in Moscow, Russia, May 7, 2022.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Mikhail Metzel, Suvorov, Sergei Shoigu, Ukraine —, Bai Xueqi, Alexander Lukashenko, Anatolii STEPANOV, ANATOLII STEPANOV, Stepanov Organizations: Nazi, Sputnik, Reuters, Kremlin, Getty, Youth Army, Russian Defense, Ukraine, Russian Air, Xinhua News Agency, West, NATO, Afp Locations: Nazi Germany, Red, Moscow, Russia, Reuters Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Cuba, North Korea, Iran, China, Kostyantynivka, Donetsk, AFP

☆ AI-powered fighter jet kept up with a human pilot during the Air Force's historic experimental dogfight
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-04 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Read previewThe US Air Force conducted a historic test flight on Thursday of its AI-powered X-62A VISTA autonomous warplane. The flight over Edwards Air Force Base, for which Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall sat in the cockpit, ran through several combat exercises and aerial battle scenarios, per The Associated Press. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Related storiesWhile humanitarian groups have expressed deep concern about putting life-and-death decisions in the hands of an AI-powered craft, Kendall stressed that AI is already restructuring global warfare strategies whether we like it or not. AdvertisementThe Air Force did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Persons: —, Frank Kendall, Kendall Organizations: Service, US Air Force, Edwards Air Force Base, Air Force, Associated Press, Business, AP, Force

☆ Ukraine is building underground stores and bunkers to protect F-16s as the jets' arrival moves closer
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Ukraine is preparing ways to protect its F-16s while at base, its air force said. AdvertisementUkraine's air force said it is preparing for the arrival of F-16s by building underground stores and bunkers at its bases. The Associated Press has reported that Ukraine may use Western air bases when it gets F-16s because the jets require high-standard runways and protective hangars. But the air force's update suggests that Ukraine plans on keeping at least some F-16s in Ukraine during periods when they are not flying. Russian President Vladimir Putin warned last month that Western air bases that host F-16s for Ukraine would be "legitimate" targets for his armed forces.

Persons: —, Ilya Yevlash, Yevlash, Vladimir Putin, Jake Epstein Organizations: Service, Air Force, Ukrainian Armed Forces, RBC, Russia, Military, Associated Press Locations: Ukraine, Russia

☆ Palmer Luckey's start-up Anduril just proved it can challenge legacy defense contractors and win
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Polly Thompson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Anduril has just been selected as one of two vendors for a major US air force contract. AdvertisementAnduril Industries, the defense tech startup run by Palmer Luckey, has just been awarded a major contract by the US Air Force, beating out legacy names like Boeing and Lockheed Martin. The Air Force hopes to eventually buy at least 1,000 CAA systems at a cost of $30 million per drone. "I'm confident we're going to deliver on budget and on schedule some really sick AI-powered fighter jets," he added. And the demand is there for them if they can make it: venture capitalists have put more than $100 billion into defense tech since 2021, according to PitchBook data.

Persons: Anduril, Northrup Grumman, Palmer Luckey, —, Lockheed Martin, Atomics, General Atomics Organizations: Boeing, Lockheed, Service, Anduril Industries, US Air Force, Aircraft, Air, Air Force, CAA, Combat Aircraft, CNBC Locations: Anduril, United States of America, …, China, Silicon Valley

☆ The Pentagon is 'not really' worried about China's new H-20 stealth bomber, defense official says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Ella Sherman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A US defense official downplayed the threat of China's new Xi'an H-20 bomber. AdvertisementChina's new bomber, the Xi'an H-20, is intended to rival America's new stealth bomber, but a US defense official told reporters on Monday it's "not really" a concern. A B-2 Spirit takes off for Red Flag-Nellis 24-1 training at Nellis Air Force Base on Jan. 16. A former US Air Force commander said previously that it wasn't "anything to lose a lot of sleep over." The Pentagon unveiled a new stealth bomber in 2022 that is currently in production and will eventually replace B-1 and B-2 fleets.

Persons: —, it's, William Lewis, It's, Wang Wei, David Swanson, Northrop Grumman Organizations: Service, Breaking Defense, Flag, Nellis, Nellis Air Force Base, US Air Force, Liberation Army Air Force, Hong, Hong Kong Commercial Daily, China Aviation Industry Corporation, Northrop, Air Force, United States Air, REUTERS, Pentagon Locations: Xi'an, Jan, China, Hong Kong, Palmdale , California, U.S

☆ China's latest supersonic spy drone looks a lot like the Lockheed D-21 that crashed there in 1971
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Benjamin Brimelow | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

The aircraft, shaped like a dart and painted black, was a D-21 supersonic reconnaissance drone. Ultimately unsuccessful, the drone would be relegated to the annals of aviation history if not for the appearance of a strikingly similar Chinese drone unveiled at a recent military parade. AdvertisementThis is what we know about the high-flying Chinese spy drone and the D-21 upon which it could be based. High altitude, high speedLockheed's solution was to create an unmanned high-altitude high-speed reconnaissance aircraft with similar capabilities as the A-12, but much smaller. A WZ-8 reconnaissance drone is on display at the 13th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition on September 28, 2021 in Zhuhai, China.

Persons: —, Francis Gary Powers, Dwight Eisenhower, Marquardt, Bill, Ray Torrick, Chen Xiao, Benjamin Brimelow Organizations: Service, Air Force, 4200th Support Squadron, Andersen Air Force Base, Business, Lockheed Corporation, Soviet, White House, CIA, Central Intelligence Agency, Lockheed's, Works, Redesignated, Navy, US Air Force, Chinese Aviation Museum, Davis, Monthan Air Force Base, 13th China International Aviation, Aerospace, US National Geospatial - Intelligence Agency, 29th Air Regiment, People's Liberation Army Air Force's 10th Bomber, Global Affairs, Fletcher School of Law, Diplomacy, Modern, Institute Locations: Guam, China, Soviet Union, Soviet, Yunnan, Beijing, Tucson , Arizona, United States, Zhuhai, People's Republic of China, Liuan, Korean, Taiwan, Pacific, West

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