Lockheed Martin delivered a record 191 F-35s in 2025, the highest annual total in the program's history, as more countries move to expand or introduce the fifth-generation jet into their air forces. The company reports that annual production is now running at a pace around five times higher than any other allied fighter currently in production.
The US military is quietly reviving airfields first carved out of jungle and coral during World War 2 to counter potential threats from China. The effort, driven by the Agile Combat Employment doctrine, aims to create a network of smaller, far-flung locations where US aircraft can operate from, reducing vulnerability in a war defined by long-range precision weapons.
The US Air Force has awarded a $835.6 million contract to US Aviation Academy for early-stage pilot training under the Initial Pilot Training program. The agreement runs through December 2035 and will cover foundational flight instruction to US and international military pilot candidates.
A US Air Force RQ-170 Sentinel was reportedly deployed as part of Operation Absolute Resolve, which resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026. According to General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, months of intelligence preparation led to the successful mission.
Breaking Defense reports that China will likely dominate defense headlines in 2026, with tensions simmering in the South China Sea and around Taiwan. Japan may see an increased PLAN presence, while Russia joins Chinese forces.
Breaking Defense reports that the Air Force has made significant progress in its drone wingman program, with first flights completed for prototype drones. The Collaborative Combat Aircraft program aims to develop unmanned systems capable of augmenting military forces.
The Air Force is rethinking its cyber strategy in response to the growing threat of contested networks. According to Breaking Defense, the service is focusing on Zero Trust and network resilience, as well as exploring offensive cyber operations and acquisition reform.
The Air Force awarded Boeing the Next Generation Air Dominance sixth-generation fighter contract, citing the need to counter new threats posed by China. The selection comes after a year marked by significant changes in the Air Force's leadership and priorities.
The US Air Force has announced the acquisition of two additional Boeing 747-8 aircraft for approximately $400 million. The purchase supports training and sustainment for the future presidential airlift fleet as delays continue to push back delivery of the next-generation Air Force One aircraft.
A second near midair collision involving a US Air Force aerial refueling tanker was reported near Venezuelan airspace on December 13, 2025. The incident occurred when a Falcon 900EX business jet flying from Aruba to Miami encountered the tanker without an active transponder.
The US Air Force is procuring two additional Boeing-made 747 jets from Lufthansa to support the VC-25B presidential airlift program. The aircraft will be used for training and spares, with delivery expected early next year.
Gen. John Lamontagne has been nominated by President Trump to serve as the next Air Force vice chief of staff, following a series of personnel changes within the military.
The US Air Force expects to receive its first modernized Air Force One aircraft in mid-2028, roughly two-and-a-half years later than initially forecast. The program's revised timeline comes after Boeing secured a deal personally mediated by President Trump in 2018 and faced numerous challenges, including COVID-19 disruptions and workforce woes.
A JetBlue flight from Curaçao to New York narrowly avoided a mid-air collision with a US Air Force tanker shortly after takeoff, according to Flightradar24. The incident took place on December 12, 2025, when the aircraft was climbing to 34,000 feet.
The US Air Force has admitted that President Trump's Air Force One delivery will be delayed by another year, with the first aircraft now expected to arrive in mid-2028. Despite previous delays, Boeing aims to deliver the new aircraft in 2027.
The US Air Force is reviving the Looking Glass mission, which was previously assigned to the Navy's E-6B Mercury. According to an industry notice, the new program aims to recapitalize missions currently executed on the E-6B.
The US Air Force has awarded SNC the SAOC recapitalization contract, marking a significant departure from traditional practices. SNC's focus on open architectures and government-owned technical data has enabled it to deliver the program ahead of schedule.