Aerospace Group:

Air Force

Musk “Needs to Learn A Little Bit More” About Operator Needs, Kendall Says

Frank Wolfe

Thursday, December 19th, 2024

SHARE:

Musk “Needs to Learn A Little Bit More” About Operator Needs, Kendall Says

Israeli Air Force personnel await the launch of F-35I Adirs during a Red Flag exercise at Nellis AFB, Nev. on March 16, 2023 (U.S. Air Force Photo)

While top Trump advisor Elon Musk has suggested a near-term end to manned fighter aircraft, such as the F-35, and their replacement by artificial intelligence-enabled drones, former and current DoD officials have said that is unrealistic and that unmanned combat fleets are not ready for prime time. The U.S. Air Force is the military service that is perhaps the farthest down the unmanned road under Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall's more than two-year Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) effort. "I was…

Unmanned Systems

In Response To Flag Concerns, DoD Looks To Reduce Drone Prices, As Order for 30,000 Looms

The Pentagon is bargain shopping for Group 1 drones, as other countries, including Ukraine and China, have taken advantage of consumer electronics-level prices to bolster their stables. “In last spring’s […]

Pentagon

Amid Questions On Weapons Stockpiles, Caine Says U.S. Has ‘Sufficient’ Munitions For Iran Operation

Pentagon leaders on Wednesday sought to quell concerns over the rate at which the U.S. is employing critical munitions in its military strike campaign against Iran, with lawmakers also pressing […]

Congress

SASC Leaders Criticize Trump’s Defense Strategy, Press Colby On Policy Shifts

Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) leadership on Tuesday criticized the Trump administration’s new National Defense Strategy (NDS) and pressed the Pentagon’s top policy official to explain the document’s priorities. SASC […]

Congress

Wicker Wants Legislation On DoD’s Equity Investments In Minerals Supply Chain

Legislation regarding equity investments by the Defense Department in critical mineral supply chains is needed to strengthen the larger defense industrial base and demonstrate to the “free market” that the […]