The service is still gathering information for a “road map” on further upgrades and possible new investment for the Minuteman III ICBM to extend the fleet to 2030, the commander of 20th Air Force said during a Capitol Hill speech...

The pilot’s delayed ability to recover his test F-22 from a high-G maneuver due to his near loss of consciousness and lack of situational awareness ultimately led to the aircraft crashing and the pilot’s death during a flight test on March 25 at Edwards AFB, Calif., Air Force Materiel Command said today in releasing the findings of its accident investigation report. After a recovery attempt failed, Lockheed Martin test pilot, David Cooley, ejected from the aircraft, but sustained fatal, blunt force trauma due to the speed of the aircraft and windblast, the AIB found. The F-22 was destroyed upon impact, resulting in $155 million in total damage, including $140 for the aircraft and $15 million for property restoration and the cost of damage to other equipment. The AIB concluded that the F-22, which was assigned to the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards, was functioning normally and that “there were no design or airworthiness issues that would impact the safe operation of the F-22 fleet.” According to the findings, Cooley had completed two of three planned high-G maneuver tests successfully. It was during his third test run that he appeared to have been subjected to increased physiological stressors due to the high Gs. “The loss of Mr. Cooley is tragic and keenly felt by everyone who knew him,” said Maj. Gen. David Eidsaune, AFMC’s director of air, space, and information operations, who led the AIB. He added, “Our thoughts and prayers continue to include the Cooley family.” (AFMC release ) (AIB report)

A showdown with the Senate is now looming after the House’s approval yesterday of its version of the Fiscal 2010 defense appropriation bill that includes $560 million for the F136 engine, the competing powerplant to Pratt & Whitney’s F135 for...

The House’s version of the Fiscal 2010 defense appropriations bill, approved overwhelmingly by the chamber yesterday, contains no funding for additional F-22 Raptors beyond 187 airframes. The move is one more step in securing a victory for the White House...

Today, the first C-130 transport destined for depot work under the Air Force’s new high-velocity maintenance process is scheduled to arrive at Warner-Robins Air Logistics Center on the grounds of Robins AFB, Ga. It is the first of three C-130s...

As the Air Force grapples with its long-assailed requirements and acquisition process, the service should consider returning to a more streamlined approach that would better insulate programs from cost overruns and long development cycles, two Air Force acquisition officers told...

B-52H bombers currently stationed at Andersen AFB, Guam, completed 10 sorties to Australian training ranges and executed practice bomb runs while participating in Talisman Saber 2009, a US-Australian military exercise, earlier this month. “Our purpose was to demonstrate what we...

Raytheon announced Wednesday that it has completed a series of captive-carry flight tests of the bomb design that it is offering to the Air Force in the small diameter bomb increment II competition. The company said these tests, which took...

CMSgt. James Lucas, 48th Fighter Wing command chief at RAF Lakenheath, Britain, received a Bronze Star Medal for his actions during a deployment to Joint Base Balad, Iraq, as superintendent of the 732nd Air Expeditionary Group. Col. Jay Silveria, 48th...

Air Sorties in War on Terrorism, Southwest AsiaJuly 27-28, 2009 Sortie Type OIF OEF OIF/OEF Total YTD ISR 43 48 91 8,781 CAS/Armed Recon 92 103 195 19,956 Airlift 78 78 27,209 Air refueling 103 103 9,640 Total 467 65,586...