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B-52 Achieves Key Milestones for Engine, Radar Modernization

Thursday, September 24th, 2026

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —

The U.S. Air Force marked major progress in the long-term modernization of the B-52 strategic bomber fleet in 2026 with two critical acquisition decisions: Milestone B approval on June 1 for the B-52J Commercial Engine Replacement Program, allowing the engine upgrade to move into development, and Milestone C approval on Aug. 21 for the B-52 Radar Modernization Program, authorizing radar upgrades to begin production.

Together, these milestones advance upgrades that will keep the aircraft operationally relevant through 2050 and beyond as a cornerstone of the Nuclear Triad and the nation’s long-range strike capability.

“These back-to-back milestones reflect the maturity of both programs and the strong partnership between the B-52 Program Office, Boeing, Rolls-Royce and Raytheon,” said Brig. Gen. Timothy Spaulding, portfolio acquisition executive for Bombers and Director of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Bombers Directorate. “These programs are delivering the propulsion reliability, sensor capability and electrical power needed to keep this legendary bomber viable, lethal, and supportable well into the future.”

Program Office leaders describe B-52 modernization as essential to the future capability of the Air Force. The effort is organized around four functions: aviate, navigate, communicate and eliminate.

Aviate: new propulsion and subsystems
CERP replaces the B-52’s original TF33 engines with commercial-derivative Rolls-Royce F130 engines and modernizes critical supporting subsystems, including hydraulic pumps, cockpit displays, flight systems and generators that increase electrical power capacity.

The June 1 Milestone B decision established the program’s first official Acquisition Program Baseline and authorized entry into the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase. Total acquisition cost was established at $20.2 billion, which includes funding for research, development, test and evaluation, procurement, and military construction. Of the $20.2 billion, $2.6 billion has been spent since 2018.

The baseline reflects a realistic, data-driven service cost position that accounts for the complexity of integrating new systems onto a 70-year-old airframe.

The program has made significant progress retiring technical risk. Early wind-tunnel testing identified inlet airflow distortion; engineers redesigned the nacelle and inlet, validated the solution through extensive testing, and completed the critical design review with Boeing and Rolls-Royce in May 2026. Ongoing engine testing continues.

“CERP is a critical investment in the enduring credibility and capability of the B-52 force,” said William Bailey, performing the duties of the assistant secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics. “By establishing a stable cost and schedule foundation, we are positioning the B-52 to provide reliable, long-range strike and deterrence capacity for decades to come.”

Two dedicated test aircraft, currently flying operational missions after recent depot maintenance, are scheduled to enter modification at Boeing’s San Antonio facility — in the coming months. These jets will receive both CERP and RMP modifications concurrently.

Navigate: modern AESA radar
RMP replaces the 1980s-era APQ-166 analog radar with the APQ-188, a military-off-the-shelf Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar that is a cousin of the F-15 and F/A-18 radars.

The Aug. 21 Milestone C decision authorized Low-Rate Initial Production. The same day, the program awarded LRIP contracts to Raytheon Technologies for the radars and to Boeing for aircraft integration kits – beginning with Lot 1 of four kits. The five-lot production plan will deliver a total of 74 kits while maintaining production stability and affordability.

The program retired integration risks and proved hardware maturity through ground testing of its initial software build. A comprehensive Production Readiness Review completed in June 2026 assessed the system could be built reliably and was ready for initial production.

Communicate and eliminate
Beyond propulsion and radar, the B-52 enterprise continues work on survivable nuclear command-and-control communications, including Extremely High Frequency terminals, and conventional beyond-line-of-sight capabilities such as Hybrid SATCOM. Weapons integration efforts include the latest variants of the Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile and Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile, while the B-52 continues to serve as a test platform for hypersonic weapons.

Strong bones
The structural integrity of the B-52 remains one of the aircraft’s greatest strengths. As part of the Milestone B activities for the CERP, the program office conducted detailed structural assessments across the fleet to ensure the airframe could safely support new engines, increased electrical power generation and decades of continued operations.

These assessments confirmed that the B-52’s airframe – originally designed in the late 1940s and built into the early 1960s – retains substantial structural life. Analyses project the airframes will have sufficient fatigue life to support operations well into the 2050s and beyond.

Via Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post | Comments Off on B-52 Achieves Key Milestones for Engine, Radar Modernization

62d AW Pioneers First sUAS Training for C-17 Inspections in AMC

Sunday, September 20th, 2026

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. —

62d Maintenance Group personnel completed a four-day, hands-on training program on the Skydio X10D small unmanned aircraft system at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Sept. 3, 2026. The training, which is the first of its kind in Air Mobility Command, included classroom instruction and practical applications of the system, introducing new, timely and safe capabilities into routine maintenance operations.

The 62d Airlift Wing is the first unit within AMC to fully implement a dedicated sUAS training and qualification program for maintenance inspections on the C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. The program is designed to be a streamlined, standardized course that can be easily replicated throughout AMC, and used as a base for further sUAS implementation.

The 62d MXG employs the Skydio X10D sUAS to conduct exterior and elevated visual inspections on the wing’s fleet of C-17s. The initiative aims to significantly reduce inspection timelines while reducing safety hazards associated with personnel conducting visual assessments.

“As a crew chief, I’m out on the line working on the C-17, which is a huge aircraft,” said Staff Sgt. Marcuscio McCampbell, 62d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief. “Being able to use the drone to perform duties like upper wing inspections, that normally take much longer, saves us time and helps the maintainers of tomorrow.”

Implementation of the X10D is not a new concept; the sUAS has already been fielded for aircraft maintenance inspections across the Department of the Air Force. Furthermore, Skydio liaisons to the Air Force introduced the system to Team McChord in 2025, demonstrating its ability to complete C-17 inspections in approximately 40 minutes. Now, the 62d MXG has a standardized training program that qualifies maintainers for C-17 inspections with the system.

“Drone technologies are expanding fast,” said Tech. Sgt. Austen Russell, 62d MXG maintenance qualification training program instructor. “I think it’s good for us to learn about them and autonomous operations, that way we’re not sending our people into harm’s way. We’re saving our people time and eliminating risks.”

Decreasing inspection times and removing excess dangers for personnel with the sUAS program increases the wing’s operational agility and accelerates crew readiness, especially in austere or expeditionary environments where specialized ground equipment may be unavailable. By utilizing the high-resolution cameras and thermal sensors equipped on the X10D, maintainers can rapidly assess entire aircraft in detail from safe ground positions.

“Having people that are qualified on using this technology is going to be a steppingstone,” said McCampbell. “We can start using drones for all types of things, it’s not necessarily just going to be aircraft maintenance.”

As the lead unit implementing sUAS maintenance training within AMC, the 62d AW is establishing standardized qualification models, flightline operating procedures, and safety protocol to serve as a scalable model across the larger mobility force. The 62d MXG is setting the standard, utilizing innovative technology to accelerate aircraft turnaround times and project rapid global mobility more efficiently.

By Airman 1st Class Frederick Barnes, 62d Airlift Wing

Posted in Air Force, Drone, Guest Post, MRO | No Comments »

Happy 79th Birthday US Air Force

Friday, September 18th, 2026

Posted in Air Force | No Comments »

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, US Special Operations Forces Co-Host Bilateral Engagement to Align Capabilities

Wednesday, September 16th, 2026

CAMP KISARAZU, Japan —

U.S. service members assigned to Air Force Special Operations Command and U.S. Special Operations Command Pacific, alongside the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, conducted a bilateral engagement at Camp Kisarazu, Japan, Aug. 24-28, 2026, reinforcing the enduring alliance between the U.S. and Japan.

The five-day event centered on interoperability and collaborative capabilities. It consisted of briefings, discussions and working groups focused on air-to-ground integration and humanitarian assistance and disaster response in a joint environment. By synchronizing on these capabilities, U.S. special operations forces and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force aim to ensure effective collaboration during both crisis response and sustained regional operations.

“This engagement is a critical step in building our partnership,” said Brig. Gen. Clay Freeman, AFSOC deputy commander. “By integrating our air-to-ground capabilities and aligning our disaster response frameworks today, we ensure that the U.S. and Japan can respond instantly and cohesively to any crisis in the Pacific. Upcoming international seminars will further solidify this foundation, turning shared concepts into enduring regional security.”

The engagement also served as the foundation for a Building Partner Aviation Capacity Seminar, which will be co-hosted in Japan at a later date. Together, these events will provide AFSOC and U.S. Special Operations Command with a unique platform to facilitate communication with key regional allies in the Pacific Command region.

Col. Matthew Taylor, 353rd Special Operations Wing deputy commander, was a senior mentor throughout the bilateral engagement. In this role, he guided and advised working groups through joint planning and problem-solving frameworks to address PACOM-specific challenges in communications, logistics, and command and control.

“Integration with our Japanese partners is both a tactical and a strategic imperative,” said Taylor. “This engagement allows the 353rd Special Operations Wing and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force to move beyond broad concepts and focus directly on the mechanics of Air-to-Ground Integration. Our goal is to maximize interoperability during bi-lateral activities to support both nations’ security interests—now and into the future.”

Representatives from the JGSDF highlighted that the exchange successfully strengthened tactical coordination, paving the way for more integrated operations during future bilateral missions.

“This exchange event allowed us to enhance our mutual understanding and build a strong foundation of trust,” said Maj. Gen. Yoshichika Ito, 1st Helicopter Brigade commander. “Building on this momentum, we look forward to further strengthening our partnership and working together to contribute to regional stability and security.”

The collaboration in Japan supports ongoing cooperation within the U.S.-Japan alliance, demonstrating a shared commitment to regional security and mutual defense capabilities.

Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, International, SOF | No Comments »

Simplesense and Digital Force Technologies, Announce First Air Force Deployment of Counter Drone System Integrated into Installation Resilience Operations

Tuesday, September 15th, 2026

National Harbor, MD — September 14, 2026 — Simplesense, Inc and Digital Force Technologies, LLC (DFT) today announced a $3.4M award to integrate DFT’s SeraphimOS™ sensor fusion platform into the Installation Resilience Operations Command & Control (IROC) prototype at an Air Force Installation.

The primary objective of this award is to strengthen and enhance the installation security and base defense posture of military installations, proving rapid integration is possible and further reducing the speed to integrate at future installations. The project will consolidate fragmented sensor feeds—including video, sensor, radar, and intrusion detection—into a unified dashboard designed to significantly reduce operator cognitive load and accelerate the Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act (OODA) loop, delivering near-term operational value to the installation’s Base Defense Operations Center (BDOC).

Installation infrastructure rarely fails all at once and almost never stays inside one squadron. When operational data is fragmented across separate operational pictures, preventable issues escalate before anyone sees them coming — a silent threat to mission readiness. Simplesense’s Resilience Core™ unlocks the power of that data to drive early awareness, giving installation leaders and their teams one trusted view of critical mission support conditions. The solution is currently deployed with a contract underway to expand to five additional Air Force, Space Force, and Army installations, surfacing emerging risks before they cause mission-degradation.

DFT’s SeraphimOS™ fuses data from multiple sensors, autonomously assesses threats, and delivers localized alerts to operators in disconnected and degraded environments. The platform simplifies complex information streams, reduces cognitive burden, and enables faster, more confident decision-making across mission sets — from counter-UAS and base defense to man-portable surveillance and vehicle-mounted sensing.

“Our adversaries can out maneuver the U.S. simply by more quickly adapting the latest technology. The DoW’s investment in companies like Simplesense and DFT keeps the U.S. competitive at the cutting edge, instead of a decade behind.” said Eric Kanagy, CEO of Simplesense.

“By integrating SeraphimOS™ into military installations, we’re proving how counter-UAS and other critical sensor data can be rapidly unified to give operators a clearer picture of threats and enable faster, more informed decisions. Just as importantly, we’re establishing a repeatable approach that can scale across Air Force installations.” said Justin MacLaurin, President and CEO of Digital Force Technologies.

Posted in Air Force, C-UAS, Press Release | No Comments »

US Air Force Seeks Ground-Based, Medium-Caliber Gun Weapon System To Protect Assets

Thursday, September 10th, 2026

In a Request For Information issued to industry earlier this week, the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), C3BM Directorate, Wright Patterson Force Base (WPAFB), Ohio is conducting market research seeking vendor interest for a Ground-Based, Medium-Caliber Gun Weapon System. This means a 20mm to 50mm weapon with ammunition and sensors.

Raid Hunter is Northrop Grumman’s 50mm Gun-Based Air Defense (GBAD) system.

They are looking for a weapon that fires affordable munitions, enables defense against air and missile threats with an initial focus on subsonic cruise missiles (CM) and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) (groups 1-5) to provide persistent defense in support of United States Air Force assets.

To effectively assess and compare air defense weapon system performance, there are fifteen critical baseline operational and technical parameters that must be analyzed in unison. These key metrics begin with the system’s Salvo Probability of Kill (Pk) evaluated against both Cruise Missiles (CM) and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Groups 1-5 at maximum range and altitude, ensuring robust lethality against diverse modern threats. The physical footprint of the engagement envelope is defined by its Effective Slant Range and Elevation Coverage, while the capacity for sustained operations is dictated by Magazine Depth and the system’s ability to execute Raid Handling against saturating attacks. Furthermore, modern multi-domain operations require seamless Integrated Sensor Capability, deep C2 System Integration, and broad System Interoperability across joint networks. From an efficiency and sustainment standpoint, the system must balance its Cost Per Engagement and Manpower requirements, supported by a reliable Built-in-Test (BIT) framework for rapid diagnostics. Finally, tactical utility is rounded out by the platform’s overall Transportability, stringent Weapon Safety protocols, and its comprehensive Multi-Domain Engagement Capability to counter threats across various operational environments.

Fifteen Baseline Requirements:

Salvo Probability of Kill (Pk) vs CM at max range and altitude
Salvo Probability of Kill (Pk) vs UAS Groups 1-5 at max range and altitude
Effective Slant Range
Elevation Coverage
Magazine Depth
Raid Handling
Integrated Sensor Capability
C2 System Integration
System Interoperability
Cost Per Engagement
Manpower
Built-in-Test (BIT)
Transportability
Weapon Safety
Multi-Domain Engagement Capability

When designing and evaluating next-generation defense systems, the development team must navigate critical trade-offs across three primary Trade Space Attributes to balance lethality, situational awareness, and operational flexibility. First, the system must optimize Munition Performance versus Munition Cost and Gun Capability, ensuring that the interceptor’s velocity, maneuverability, and terminal effects are maximized without driving the cost-per-engagement to unsustainable levels or exceeding the physical constraints of the host platform. Second, developers must carefully select the Organic Sensor Capability and Phenomenology—integrating the right mix of radar, electro-optical, infrared, or radio-frequency sensors—to ensure reliable target acquisition and tracking across varying weather conditions, environments, and countermeasure scenarios. Finally, the entire architecture must remain Rapidly Deployable, maintaining a lightweight, modular, and transportable footprint that can be swiftly projected into austere theater environments to meet emergent threats.

Trade Space Attributes:

Munition Performance vs. Munition Cost/Gun Capability
Organic Sensor Capability and Phenomenology
Rapidly Deployable

Industry has until 09 OCTOBER 2026, 1700, EST to respond. Late responses may not be reviewed.

As the Air Force considers fielding more and more sophisticated air defense systems such as this and the Common Ground Based Launcher it appears that the promise of a new careerfield to wield them is likely. It also indicates that they are looking beyond just drones and are considering a more robust air defense capability.

Posted in Air Force, C-UAS, weapons | 2 Comments »

A First in 60 years: JB Andrews Stands Up New Helicopter Squadron

Sunday, September 6th, 2026

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. (AFNS) —

Joint Base Andrews activated the 5th Helicopter Squadron Aug. 27, marking the installation’s first U.S. Air Force helicopter squadron activation in 60 years.

The squadron stands up at a time when the base anticipates accepting the HH-60W Jolly Green II to execute Andrews’ 24/7 operations. The 5th HS will do so alongside the 1st Helicopter Squadron, which was the Air Force’s only rotary-wing unit in the National Capital Region for six decades until now.

“The vision is very straightforward,” said Lt. Col. Jonathan Bonilla, who assumed command as the first 5th HS commander. “We aim to rapidly and safely integrate the HH-60W into the missions here in the National Capital Region and establish a premier rotary-wing organization that supports our nation’s most critical missions, without any pause in operations.”

Transitioning to the HH-60W will modernize the fleet and ensure sustainable operations with a modern airframe that meets current and future requirements. The HH-60W’s increased speed, range and carrying capacity will better deliver safe operations for U.S. senior leaders, service members and the communities around the region.

In the next few years, the 5th HS will train aircrew and maintainers, establish operational and maintenance processes, and receive new aircraft as it prepares to execute the national security mission within the National Capital Region. Throughout the transition, the 1st HS will continue providing immediate-response capability and support daily operations with the UH-1N airframe.

“The Huey has been part of this mission and this community for generations,” said Col. Kevin Geoffroy, 316th Operations Group commander and an HH-60W pilot. “Today, we are standing up the 5th Helicopter Squadron — a unit that inherits a proud, storied legacy. We will honor that legacy by delivering excellence as we modernize our fleet at Joint Base Andrews for the future.”

The phased transition is designed to maintain the 1st HS’ immediate-response mission while Airmen establish the new squadron to train aircrew and maintainers and progressively bring HH-60Ws into service at JBA. The two squadrons will operate in parallel as the 5th HS progresses toward full operational capacity, which the Air Force anticipates will occur in 2030.

Once the 5th HS has transitioned fully to the new airframe and can safely and sustainably execute the missions, the 1st HS will then begin transitioning from the historic UH-1N to the HH-60W platform. Its replacement will bring a platform with greater capacity for the demanding conditions of the mission, including enhanced navigation, secure communications, weather capability and personnel recovery.

Since 1969, the 1st HS has supported its no-fail mission of immediate-response contingency operations in support of vital national security requirements while maintaining a rigorous training schedule to ensure readiness over the decades, and has flown the UH-1N since 1971, with three of the Hueys that flew in the Vietnam War still flying today.

As the nation approaches the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the 1st HS’s response remains a notable part of its history. Following the attack, the Airmen immediately responded to provide support to U.S. senior leaders.

“Our 24/7 mission continues while we prepare the next generation of Airmen and aircraft to continue the legacy of excellence,” said Lt. Col. Zachary Minner, 1st HS commander. “The incredible professionals of the 1st Helicopter Squadron are ready to respond whenever the National Capital Region needs us.”

The HH-60W represents a significant modernization of capability, including updated communications, navigation, weather, sensor and survivability systems. The aircraft is suited to support civil search and rescue, medical evacuation, disaster response, humanitarian assistance and rescue command-and-control missions.

“Our priority is to maintain uninterrupted mission support and ensure the safety of our aircrew, senior leaders, and neighbors, while preparing the next generation of Airmen for future operations,” Bonilla said. “The Airmen here have carried out this mission for more than half a century. We stand on the shoulders of giants, and the 5th HS is the next evolution of Airmen who time and time again deliver exactly what our nation asks of the military in a crisis or contingency.”

In a time-honored tradition, the 5th HS gains its heraldry from the 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron, which was operational from 1944 to 1956. When Lt. Wilton Bowman, a YR-5 pilot assigned to the 5th ERS, flew the unusual machine past Andrews to a nearby air show in 1946, Airmen dubbed it a “whirling oddity.” Eighty years later, the 5th Helicopter Squadron is carrying that legacy into a new era of rotary-wing operations.

As the 5th HS activates, its Airmen will turn a historic “whirling oddity” into a modern chapter of rotary-wing readiness. The unit’s task extends beyond receiving a new helicopter: it will train Airmen, expand capability to meet future challenges, and lead the way in modernizing a legacy fleet to execute the Air Force’s vital national security mission.

Senior Airman Gabriel Jones

316th Wing Public Affairs

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New App Aims to Unify Military Fitness Training Across Branches

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2026

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) —

A newly developed fitness app is giving service members across the Department of War a single tool to build training programs tailored to their fitness test requirements at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Aug. 11.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Zachary Hicks, a family medicine physician and emergency medical services medical director at Yokota Air Base, developed the app to turn fitness requirements into actionable training guidance that service members can use to improve or maintain their readiness. The app goes beyond information and offers actionable guidance that members can use to improve or maintain their fitness. It also assesses a member’s current level, builds a starting program and adjusts over time, with an emphasis on improving weaker areas.

“There are apps for individual branches but none that unify them into one app, and this was something I wanted to solve,” Hicks said.

The idea traces back four years, when Hicks set out to create a more organized, actionable approach to fitness preparation. When updated fitness standards were released this year, he said it was time to build a solution.

“If you are doing well and you want to do great, then this app will help you,” Hicks said. “If you are doing great and wish to maintain that greatness, then this app will help you retain your fitness.”

The app has continued to expand since its development. Its most recent update added guidance for pregnancy and postpartum exercise, and Hicks is now developing nutrition guidance as the next addition.

To ensure the app aligned with official standards, Hicks transcribed each scoring calculator directly from service-specific scoring charts. He also built the training guidance using publicly available military resources, including the Air Force’s Warfighter Fitness Playbook.

“I did not feel the need to reinvent the wheel, but simply made it more accessible,” he said. For Hicks, the app’s purpose is simple: give every member, regardless of branch or starting point, a clear path to becoming stronger, more prepared and ready to reach their next fitness milestone.

By Senior Airman Tallon Bratton

374th Airlift Wing

Posted in Air Force, Department of War, Guest Post, Warrior Athlete | Comments Off on New App Aims to Unify Military Fitness Training Across Branches