Air Force Archives - Page 21 of 2533

U.S. Air Force taps Geopressured Geothermal for base energy resilience

Posted on September 26, 2024September 26, 2024 by alert5

The U.S. Air Force is exploring geopressured geothermal systems (GGS) as a potential solution for energy resilience at its installations. In a move that could reshape base power generation, the flying branch has awarded a $1.9 million contract to Sage Geosystems for a demonstration project in Texas.

Continue reading “U.S. Air Force taps Geopressured Geothermal for base energy resilience”

New Chinese fighter to debut at Zhuhai Airshow 2024

Posted on September 25, 2024September 25, 2024 by alert5

China is poised to unveil a new fighter jet at the upcoming Zhuhai Airshow, marking another milestone in Beijing’s rapidly advancing military aviation program. The 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, slated for November 12-17, promises to be a showcase of the country’s latest aerospace muscle.

Stang, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Continue reading “New Chinese fighter to debut at Zhuhai Airshow 2024”

U.S. Air Force unveils new app for rapid airfield assessments

Posted on September 21, 2024September 20, 2024 by alert5

The U.S. Air Force has unveiled a cutting-edge mobile application designed to streamline airfield assessments for aircraft operations in austere environments. Developed by the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing Innovation Team at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, this new tool promises to enhance the speed and accuracy of determining whether an airfield can safely accommodate aircraft such as the C-130 Hercules or C-17 Globemaster III. The innovation marks a significant step forward for agile combat employment.

Members of the 435 Contingency Response Squadron Survey Team records data collected during a Landing Zone Assessment using the Project ARC mobile application. Developed by the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing Innovation Team, the new mobile application is designed to streamline the process of assessing and certifying airfields for aircraft landings, particularly in austere environments—enhancing efficiency, reducing human error, and providing real-time data to support rapid decision-making in the field. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo)

Continue reading “U.S. Air Force unveils new app for rapid airfield assessments”

New structure for USAF: Combat, Base, and Institutional Wings

Posted on September 20, 2024 by alert5

The United States Air Force is set to implement a major restructuring of its forces, fundamentally changing how it organizes and deploys its personnel and resources. Beginning in summer 2025, the Air Force will transition to a new system of Combat Wings, Air Base Wings, and Institutional Wings, aimed at enhancing readiness and operational efficiency.

An F-16 Viper assigned to the 8th Fighter Squadrons flies over Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, June 6, 2024. The squadron’s new flagship honors the F-117 Nighthawk, which was flown by the 8th FS for over 25 years. (Courtesy photo)

Hawgsmoke 2024: A-10 Thunderbolt II’s Swan Song

Posted on September 19, 2024September 19, 2024 by alert5

In the sun-baked skies over Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, the distinctive silhouette of the A-10 Thunderbolt II once again dominated the horizon. From Sept. 11-15, the base played host to Hawgsmoke, a competition that has become a revered tradition in the A-10 community. This year’s event, possibly the last of its kind, served as both a testament to the Warthog’s enduring capabilities and a poignant farewell to an aircraft that has defined close air support for over four decades.