Alert 5

U.S. Air Force and Boeing finalize $2.56 billion E-7A contract after tough negotiations

Posted on August 11, 2024August 11, 2024 by alert5

Following months of contentious negotiations marked by disagreements over pricing, the U.S. Air Force has reached a deal with Boeing for the development of two rapid prototype E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft. The contract, valued at $2.56 billion, represents a significant milestone for both parties, who have been working to finalize terms since an initial agreement was signed in 2023.

Image: Boeing
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Travis AFB to host final farewell for KC-10 Extender

Posted on August 10, 2024 by alert5

Travis Air Force Base is set to bid farewell to the KC-10 Extender with a two-day event on September 25-26, 2024, marking the end of an era in air-to-air refueling operations.

A 380th Air Expeditionary Wing KC-10 Extender launches from an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, Feb. 10, 2017. The KC-10s have contributed to Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve by offloading fuel to various Coalition aircraft working to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Tyler Woodward)

27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron to return to Japan after visiting Australia, Brunei, and the Philippines

Posted on August 9, 2024August 9, 2024 by alert5

A contingent of U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors and C-130 transport aircraft departed Brunei’s Rimba Air Force Base on August 8, marking the latest phase in an ongoing series of deployments across the Indo-Pacific region.

U.S. Air Force F-22A Raptors assigned to the 27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron taxi onto a runway during Exercise Pitch Black at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, July 17, 2024. This year’s iteration of Pitch Black is the largest in the exercise’s history, and the scale of cooperation will help maintain a region that is secure, open, prosperous, and resilient. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Spencer Tobler)

AUSMIN 2024: U.S.-Australia alliance bolsters regional defense capabilities

Posted on August 8, 2024August 8, 2024 by alert5

The 2024 Australia-U.S. Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) have yielded significant outcomes across multiple domains, reinforcing the allies’ commitment to Indo-Pacific security and global stability. Key points from the ministerial statement include enhanced force posture cooperation, advanced defense capabilities development, strengthened regional security integration, and joint efforts on climate action and economic resilience.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles participate in the 34th Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., Aug. 6, 2024. (DoD photo by Chad J. McNeeley)

U.S. and European NATO Allies revive Long-Range Missile Capabilities

Posted on August 8, 2024August 8, 2024 by alert5

Timothy Wright and Douglas Barrie from the Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) analyze the recent agreement between the United States and Germany to deploy American long-range conventional missiles to Europe. This decision, announced in July 2024, marks a significant shift in NATO’s approach to long-range strike capabilities.