The Air Force is planning to use over 1,000 drones in future air warfare. Its leader will also fly in a plane operated by artificial intelligence.
Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said he will fly in one of the converted F-16s to see how well the AI-controlled plane works.
“I will have a pilot with me who will be watching while the autonomous technology works,” Kendall told the Senate Appropriations Committee defense panel members. “Hopefully, neither of us will have to fly the airplane. ”
The use of drones in war has grown fast, and now they are one of the main weapons used in combat. Drones are a big problem every day in Ukraine and in the Middle East. In Ukraine, regular people are being attacked by Russian drones, but they are also making drones to film Russian locations. In the Middle East, groups supported by Iran have been using advanced drones in the air, sea, and underwater to attack US bases and ships in the Red Sea.
The Air Force started making plans for its team of fighting planes, called CCAs, a few years ago. They imagine a situation where one pilot can control many AI-powered drones, also known as “loyal wingmen. ”
The company won’t say what the drones will look like, whether they will be big or small. Kendall wants to watch a test flight of a converted F-16 so he can see the technology for future planes.
The fleet is being made to be ready for future fights, including a possible war with China. China has improved its ability to stop other countries from getting close to its territory by using better weapons like air defense systems. This makes it dangerous for other countries to send people too close to China. Drone planes could help the military get past enemy defenses and support missions like watching and blocking signals in the future.
The Air Force asked for $559 million in the 2025 budget to keep working on the future CCA air system.
“The aircraft was originally supposed to be used for air defense, but it has the capability to do other tasks,” Kendall said.
The drone fleet is also expected to cost less than making new manned jets, Kendall said. The goal is to make each one cost about $20 million, which is much less than what an F-35 fighter costs now.
Tag: Air Force
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Air Force Secretary to be piloted by AI-operated fighter plane in test of military’s future
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India unveils Air Force pilots for historic Gaganyaan space flight
India has revealed the identities of four Air Force pilots who have been selected for the country’s inaugural space flight, part of the upcoming Gaganyaan mission set for the following year.The mission’s objective is to transport three astronauts to an orbit 400 km above Earth and bring them back safely after a three-day journey.
India’s space agency, Isro, has been conducting various tests in preparation for the mission, including a successful crew escape test in October.Following this achievement, Isro announced plans for a test flight involving a robot in 2024, paving the way for human astronauts to embark on a space journey in 2025.
At a ceremony held at the Isro center in Thiruvananthapuram, the four selected astronaut-designates from the Indian Air Force were introduced: Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap, and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla.
During the event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Isro chief S Somanath presented the astronauts with badges adorned with golden wings, symbolizing their accomplishment.
Prime Minister Modi commended them as “India’s pride” and emphasized their role in carrying the aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians into space.
The selected officers underwent rigorous physical and psychological tests before being chosen and have completed 13 months of intensive training in Russia.
A video showcased their fitness routines, including gym workouts, swimming, and yoga.
Isro also unveiled Vyommitra, a female humanoid set to journey into space later in the year. The Gaganyaan Mission marks India’s first human space flight program, with substantial preparations underway across various Isro centers.
The project, named after the Sanskrit word for a craft or vehicle to the sky, comes with a cost of 90 billion rupees ($1 billion). If successful, India will join the elite group of nations—Soviet Union, the US, and China—that have sent humans into space.
Despite its delayed entry into human spaceflight compared to other nations, India has made significant strides in space exploration, achieving a historic landing near the Moon’s south pole in August 2023 and launching Aditya-L1, the country’s first observation mission to the Sun.
India has also announced ambitious plans for the future, including establishing a space station by 2035 and sending an astronaut to the Moon by 2040. -
Air Force man in Washington DC, sets himself on fire in front of Israeli embassy
An individual from the US Air Force suffered severe injuries after setting himself ablaze in front of the Israeli embassy in Washington.
The Secret Service officers put out the fire and then took the man to the hospital because he had serious injuries. This all happened on Sunday afternoon.
The US Air Force said a person who is currently serving in the military was involved in the situation, but they have not said who it is.
The police, Secret Service, and other officials are looking into the matter.
The man went on Twitch and told everyone that he is a member of the Air Force.
Before he set himself on fire, he said he didn’t want to be a part of genocide anymore. He also shouted “Free Palestine” while he was burning.
A special team that handles bombs was sent to the area because they were worried about a strange vehicle that might be related to the person.
This was later said to be not dangerous after they didn’t find any harmful things.
A spokeswoman for the embassy said that no embassy staff members were hurt in the incident.
The Israeli foreign ministry said that embassy staff did not know the man.
This has happened before when someone set themselves on fire in front of an Israeli embassy in the US.
In December, someone protesting burned themselves in front of the Israeli consulate in Georgia.
The police said the protester used gasoline, and they found a Palestinian flag at the place where it happened. -
It might take 48 hours to save the workers trapped in an Indian tunnel
This image, captured on November 15, 2023, depicts a segment of the road tunnel under construction that collapsed in the Uttarkashi district of India’s Uttarakhand state.
On November 15, Indian rescuers reported dispatching medicine to 40 trapped men as the arduous efforts to free them entered the fourth day. (Photo by AFP)
Indian rescue teams cautioned on Friday that it might take an additional two days of debris removal before they can access 40 workers who have been trapped in a collapsed tunnel for nearly a week.
Since Sunday morning, excavators have been diligently clearing rubble to establish an escape route for the workers following the collapse of a section of the tunnel they were constructing in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand.
The ongoing falling debris has hampered rescue operations, slowing progress.
Facing issues with an earth-boring drill, the Air Force took action on Wednesday by airlifting a second drilling machine via a C-130 Hercules military plane. The enormous drill bit extended much of the length of the aircraft’s cargo hold.
Engineers are working to advance a steel pipe approximately 90 centimeters (almost three feet) wide through the debris, creating a passage wide enough for the trapped men to navigate.
As of Thursday night, only 18 meters (60 feet) of the pipe had been inserted into the debris with the assistance of the new machine.
“If the work continues at this rate, it will take another 40-48 hours to rescue the workers,” rescue leader Deepak Patil said Friday morning.
As rescuers work against the clock to save the trapped men, India has sought advice from the Thai company that successfully rescued children from a flooded cave in 2018, along with consulting engineering experts specializing in soil and rock mechanics at the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute.
Communication with the trapped men has been maintained through the use of radios.
Essential supplies, including food, water, oxygen, and medicine, have been delivered to the stranded workers through a six-inch-wide (15-centimeter) pipe.
While there are no official details about the men’s condition, local media reports suggest that some are experiencing symptoms such as vomiting, headaches, anxiety, and stomach problems.
A six-bed field hospital has been established outside the site, with ambulances ready to transfer serious cases to a proper hospital.
The 4.5-kilometer (2.7-mile) tunnel, designed to link the towns of Silkyara and Dandalgaon, connecting Uttarkashi and Yamunotri—two of the holiest Hindu shrines—was under construction when the incident occurred.
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Air Force Headquarters throw send-off party for NSS personnel
On Friday, September 29, 2023, a grand farewell celebration was organized for the 2022/2023 National Service Scheme (NSS) personnel who had dedicated a year of their service at the Air Force Headquarters (AFHQ).
The event took place at the Air Force Officers’ Mess, marking the successful completion of their service tenure.
The occasion was brimming with heartfelt conversations and interactions, providing an opportunity for these service personnel to engage with officers, airmen, and defense civilian staff.
Amidst the joyous moments, the National Service Personnel took a moment to express their gratitude to the Command and all Air Force personnel for their invaluable guidance, mentorship, and advice throughout their service.
These service personnel highlighted that the knowledge and experience gained during their service had not only enriched their lives but had also instilled in them a strong sense of discipline.
They recognized that this discipline would serve them well as they ventured into the job market, where they aimed to make meaningful contributions to national development.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), AVM Bekoe, made a brief appearance during the event, engaging with the Service Personnel and extending his well-wishes.
In a speech delivered on behalf of the CAS by Air Commodore Eric Yirenkyi, the Chief Staff Officer at Air Force Headquarters, he commended the service personnel for their dedication and hard work. He encouraged them to leverage the skills they had acquired to excel in their future endeavors.
Air Commodore Yirenkyi further advised the service personnel to remain proactive in updating their skills, recognizing the importance of staying relevant in the ever-evolving job market.
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Two military aircraft collide in midair
Two pilots were killed in an Italian midair collision, which was captured on horrifying video.
According to reports, two military aircraft collided while participating in a “pre-planned training flight” with four other aircraft.
The pilots involved passed away right away.
One jet came down in a field, and the other crashed into a car in a neighborhood close to Rome.
Video of the wreckage, between Longarina and via delle Margherite, shows flames spreading through the street.
One plane landed on a car in a residential area in Rome – sparking a huge fire The crash took place at 11.50am and is being investigated.
RomaToday reports the planes were both U-208 military aircraft who were carrying out ‘manoeuvres in the sky above the suburbs of Rome.’
A resident, Simone, told the publication: ‘I saw them crash before my eyes.
‘There were four planes. One lost its wing behind and started spinning on itself until it crashed and caught fire. It seemed they were doing formation tests.
The second plane landed in a field in Guidonia Both pilots died instantly in the collision ‘It was over my head and I heard the engine stalling after a bang.’
Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s newly elected Prime Minister who came to power in October, paid tribute to the pilots who lost their lives in the tragedy.
She said in a statement: ‘The news of the death of the two air force pilots in the plane crash in Guidonia fills us with sadness.
‘On behalf of the Government, I express my deepest condolences and my closeness to the families, colleagues of the 60th Wing and the entire Air Force corps. Our prayers go out to them.’
Hundreds of firefighters and military personnel rushed to the scene of both planes.
Rescue teams have been pictured assessing the damage.
The U-208 ultralight aircraft can carry up to four passengers, plus the pilot, and have a top speed of up to 177 mph.
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All about the Back woman founder behind Nike’s new Air Force
In 2004, Jennifer Ford from Houston made history as the first Black woman to own a sneaker retail store in America when she opened Premium Goods. The launch of Premium Goods came as an extension of her friend’s original store in Brooklyn.
Ford’s retail store became known for some of the hottest kicks and was well-received in Houston. “It’s about being with other people who enjoy the same thing as me and [building] a community,” Ford told Vogue.
Fast forward to 2023, the Houston native is partnering with sneaker giant and longtime supporter Nike to introduce a new Air Force 1. According to Vogue, the design was entirely done by Ford, who wanted to try the craft since her early 20s.
“There’s this artistic part of me that I never get the time to use or develop,” said Ford. “I knew I was fully capable, but now seeing this creation I made, I know I can do it. It’s every sneaker owner’s dream.”
The sneaker design features quilted sides inspired by her favorite purses and a beaded iteration of the signature Nike swoosh. What is more, the collection features two sets of black and beige AF1s named after Ford’s daughter Sophia and niece Bella.
A metal rose also holds the laces, which Ford uses to represent a generational family name. The shoes’ accents are a love letter to Black women who continue to inspire her success, Vogue said.
Houston told hypebeast.com that her affinity for sneakers started when she was a little girl. She grew up wearing Air Jordans in junior high and high school. “When I went off to college, I switched to Air Maxes. I grew to love them as well, and would wear them into the ground,” she recalled.
Ford didn’t have a relationship with Air Force 1 until she opened Premium Goods. This was because it didn’t feel like the most inviting style for female sneakerheads, she said. “The colors that were available in my size back then didn’t really do it for me either,” she noted.
Prior to opening Premium Goods, Ford was working in high-end retail and jewelry in the early 2000s. Starting a sneaker retail store did not come easy for her. She described the first few years as very “tough”. All the same, she knew there were other people like her who wanted access to more than just the standard sneakers one could find in any city.
Ford hit success after she got on NikeTalk and began promoting the store, and it just spread like wildfire. “Guys would come in with their girlfriends to get Air Force 1s or Jordans, and we made sure that we’d always have an extended size run so there’d be something for both of them,” she told Hypebeast. “Even something as simple as extended sizing wasn’t common at the time, but my team and I would do that and also ensure that we were ordering women’s shoes instead of just kids’ shoes that fit women.”
“Women don’t want a kids Air Max 95 with no forefoot Air. They want the real thing, just like the guys do. We always made sure we had a proper selection, and that attention to detail built a lot of trust with our community.”
Source: face2faceafrica
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Air Force unveils newest stealth bomber aircraft
The Air Force on Friday unveiled its newest stealth bomber aircraft, the B-21 Raider, in Palmdale, California. Built by Northrop Grumman, the bomber was named in honor of the “courageous spirit” of airmen who carried out the surprise World War II Doolittle Raid.
The sixth-generation aircraft is expected to help the Air Force “penetrate the toughest defenses for precision strikes anywhere in the world,” Northrop Grumman’s press release said. Six bombers are currently in “various stages of final assembly” in California, according to the release.
The event on Friday was even more significant given that it marked the first time in more than 30 years a new US bomber has been publicly unveiled since the B-2 Spirit was presented in 1988. While the US originally planned to have a fleet of 132 B-2s, just 21 were ultimately purchased.
The release of the new bomber comes amid heightened tensions between the US and both China and Russia. Just days ago, the Pentagon released its annual report on China, which said the country has doubled its number of nuclear warheads in a fraction of the time the US expected it to.
By 2035, the report said, China could have roughly 1,500 nuclear warheads – an “accelerated expansion” of its stockpile, a senior defense official told CNN.
The B-21 was designed with that competition in mind. Northrop Grumman’s rundown of the new bomber’s abilities said that while adversaries “continue to invest in and develop advanced weapons,” the B-21 will allow the US to penetrate enemy air defense and hit targets “anywhere in the world.”
“America’s defense will always be rooted in deterring conflict. So, we are again making it plain to any potential foe: the risk and the cost of aggression far outweigh any conceivable gains,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said during the unveiling ceremony Friday. “This is deterrence the American way.”
While Friday marked the “first time the world’s first sixth-generation aircraft (was) seen by the public,” Northrop Grumman said, airmen and aircraft enthusiasts alike will have to wait until next year to actually see one in the air.
The first B-21 flight is expected to happen in 2023, Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek said, though she emphasized that the timing of the first flight “will be data and event, not date, driven.”
The Air Force previously said that the new nuclear-capable stealth bomber, which has the ability to carry both nuclear and conventional weapons and which will fall under the Air Force’s Global Strike Command, will be “the backbone of the future Air Force bomber force,” designed in a way that is ripe for future modernization efforts.
The service named Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, as the home of the B-21 and home to the aircraft’s training program. Each aircraft was anticipated to cost $550 million when the price was set in 2010; after adjusting for inflation this year, Stefanek said, the cost of each aircraft, including training materials, support equipment and other components of the bomber, is $692 million. The Air Force plans to purchase at least 100 of the stealth bombers.
“Even the most sophisticated air defense systems will struggle to detect the B-21 in the sky,” Austin said at the unveiling.
The B-21 has been built with long-term sustainability and maintainability in mind, Northrop Grumman said in the release. It has also been designed to be rapidly upgraded when future threats demand it – a process that can often be slowed down by bureaucratic red tape and delayed timelines when it comes to older military aircraft and vehicles.
The bomber won’t undergo “block upgrades,” according to Northrop Grumman, which is a method of periodically upgrading parts of a system. Instead, the company said new “technology, capabilities and weapons will be seamlessly incorporated” through software upgrades.
“This will ensure the B-21 Raider can continuously meet the evolving threat head on for decades to come,” the company said.
The name “Raider” was submitted by airmen with the 337th Test and Evaluation Squadron out of Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, and beat out more than 2,000 other suggestions. It refers to the April 1942 Doolittle Raid, during which 80 airmen flew a retaliatory mission to bomb Japan just months after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Led by then-Lt. Col. James “Jimmy” Doolittle, the airmen flew roughly 650 miles to Japan, bombing military installations, storage facilities and factories, according to the Air Force. But because of limited fuel, they knew it was unlikely they’d make it back to safety as planned.
Instead, the pilots and crew “ditched at sea, bailed out, or crash-landed in China,” according to the National Museum of the US Air Force, many reaching safety with the help of Chinese citizens. According to the museum, as many as a quarter of a million Chinese citizens were later executed by the Japanese as punishment for assisting the Americans.
Former Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James announced the new bomber’s name in 2016 alongside one of the airmen who flew on that World War II mission, retired Lt. Col. Richard Cole, who died in 2019.
“We wanted [to] ensure the aircraft had a strong name airmen could take pride in, especially those who will have the opportunity to fly and maintain the B-21,” Lt. Col. Jaime Hernandez, commander of the 337th, said in 2016. “We also wanted to take an element of our history into account, and the story of the Doolittle Raiders embodies just that.”