Air Force Reflects on Year of Change and Continuity

The US Air Force looked back on 2025, a year marked by significant developments in air warfare, including the selection of Boeing for its Next Generation Air Dominance sixth-generation fighter. The Air Force also made progress on its Sentinel program, despite criticism, and moved ahead with closing Minuteman III silos. The Pentagon’s budget documents show $11.1 billion in savings, largely stemming from cost-cutting measures. Lockheed Martin proposes a new F-35 fuselage design to address radar ‘delays’. These developments reflect the Air Force’s priorities and challenges in the face of emerging threats and budget constraints. This article is based on a series of reports by Breaking Defense, including a special report on the F-47 program and a story on the Sentinel program’s progress. Breaking Defense is a leading source of news and analysis on the US defense industry.