Topic: Military Aircraft Technology

F-22 safety questions remain despite Panetta's order

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta ordered the Air Force to take steps to address safety concerns surrounding the F-22 stealth fighter jet. But critics say his directive doesn't go far enough.

Why is the US considering F-16 sales to Taiwan?

Political shifts in China, Taiwan, and the US have revived the prospect of a US F-16 deal with Taiwan. 

How bravery on the ground won controller an Air Force Cross

Capt. Barry Crawford receives the rarely awarded Air Force Cross for coordinating airstrikes and medical evacuations while in the middle of a 14-hour Afghan firefight. 

Fatal helicopter crash underscores hazards of Marines' mission training (+video)

Thirteen Marines have died since October in serious aviation accidents during training, including seven killed late Wednesday when two helicopters collided in midair.

Seychelles becomes site of another US drone crash

Seychelles became the latest foreign country to see a US drone crash. The US Embassy says the drone was unarmed.

US considered missions to destroy RQ-170 Sentinel drone lost in Iran

The RQ-170 Sentinel drone lost over Iran is one of America's most valuable intelligence assets. It's unclear what brought it down - hostile fire or malfunction. Iran claims to have shot it down but has provided no photographs.

Newly released audio shows the shock, confusion of September 11, 2001

As 10-year commemorations of 9/11 get under way, the public now has access to a number of previously unreleased audio recordings from the morning of September 11, 2001.

Providing air defense for South Sudan not ideal, but best available option

While there are flaws with the idea of providing air defense capabilities to South Sudan, it may be the best option for protecting civilians, writes guest blogger David Sullivan from the ENOUGH advocacy group.

How bad was the cyber attack on Lockheed Martin?

Last week's cyber attack on top US weapons manufacturer Lockheed Martin shows that cyber espionage is evolving and could soon become more of a serious threat to governments and companies.

Stealth helicopter: Did SEALs have a secret weapon in bin Laden attack?

Stealth helicopter rumors erupt as experts say the helicopter scuttled by SEALs during the attack on Osama bin Laden doesn't look like any known chopper in the US fleet.

Epsilon security breach: 5 signs it's only the tip of the iceberg

This week millions of e-mail addresses were reported stolen from Epsilon, a firm that supplies e-mail marketing to BestBuy, Disney, and many others. Here are five more emerging targets for precision attacks:

How an MV-22 Osprey rescued a downed US pilot in Libya

Two MV-22s launched from the USS Kearsarge at 1:33 a.m. local time Tuesday morning. By 3 a.m., one of the Osprey had brought the downed pilot to the ship’s deck.

American F-15 crashes in Libya, a reminder of mission's potential costs

Two Britain-based F-15 pilots are safe after an 'equipment malfunction' causes their fighter jet to crash in northeast Libya while conducting a night-time strike on Qaddafi-regime air defenses.

With no-fly zone in Libya now, US-led coalition freer to attack

Missile attacks on Libyan air defenses have freed US jets to attack ground targets. But questions remain, including the use of human shields and the chance that Qaddafi might remain in power.

Rebels claim key Libyan city after assault from Qaddafi forces

While Qaddafi's forces attacked Ajdabiya, a key crossroads in the battle for control in eastern Libya, a rebel leader said today the city remains 'in the hands of the revolution.'

Japan earthquake: 5 ways the international community is helping

Japan has received offers of assistance from 14 international organizations and 102 countries (including a number of unexpected aid donors such as embattled Afghanistan and poverty-stricken Cambodia), according to the latest report from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Japan has accepted help, mostly in the form of search and rescue teams, from 15 countries. Here is an overview of some of the help pouring into Japan as it struggles to dig out from Friday’s 9.0-magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunami.

Who has the fastest warplane? Russia tests another supersonic T-50 fighter.

Russia today tested a second prototype of its Sukhoi T-50 fighter, a fifth-generation warplane that is said to be comparable to the US F-22 Raptor.