As of Feb. 22, Air Combat Command has 63 F-16s with cracked bulkheads, noted ACC boss Gen. John Corley. Fortunately, even though some of these Vipers are grounded, the problem is not as severe as it is for the F-15s that have defective longerons. The difference, he explained, is that ACC’s analysis predicts that an F-16’s cracked bulkhead does not create a structural “single point failure” that will lead to a catastrophic failure. Nonetheless, the problem needs to be fixed as the F-16s go through depot, and the number of affected fighters, which changes constantly, has been trending upwards.
The Space Force will have one of its satellites refueled for the first time ever next summer, potentially the first step toward a future where satellites can maneuver like aircraft in the sky or ships on the sea to dodge threats and hold adversaries at risk.