Latest "Military aircraft" stories

Modern ‘shock and awe’ would be defined by aging jets, new tactics

“We need to be able to use a scalpel and not a meat ax,” said Harlan Ullman, the defense consultant credited with coining "shock and awe."

By Rachel S. Cohen

13 days ago

An F-35A Lightning II assigned to Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., prepares to be refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 161st Air Refueling Wing during a local sortie, Sept. 16, 2022. (Staff Sgt. James A. Richardson Jr./Air Force)

Pentagon lacks big picture for fighter jet procurement, watchdog says

The Pentagon plans to spend about $100 billion in the next five years to modernize its tactical aviation fleets.

By Rachel S. Cohen

3 months ago

Here’s all the military planes that keep falling short on readiness

About half of the aircraft studied never reached their annual readiness goal between fiscal 2011 and 2021, despite billions of dollars in investments.

By Rachel S. Cohen

4 months ago

Here’s what we know about F-35 ejection seat woes so far

Military officials won’t answer whether they’ve found the problem on any planes.

By Rachel S. Cohen and Stephen Losey

8 months ago

F-35 helmets that fix ‘green glow’ are on their way — but not to the Air Force

Aviators first reported green glow was an issue on the F-35 in 2012.

By Rachel S. Cohen

16 months ago

Draft showdown -- U.S. military aircraft: PODCAST

Defense Nerds podcast for Aug. 19: U.S. military aircraft fantasy draft

By Leo Shane III and Joe Gould

4 years ago