Austin Makes Surprise Visit to Ukraine with a Focus on Air Defense

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III huddled with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Oct. 21 and unveiled a $400 million military aid package to help sustain Ukrainian forces through a challenging winter. Air & Space Forces Magazine is traveling with Austin on the surprise trip to Ukraine, his fourth and likely last trip to the country as Pentagon chief.

Radar Sweep

A Week After China’s War Games, US and Canadian Warships Sail Through Taiwan Strait

The Associated Press

U.S. and Canadian warships sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Oct. 20, almost a week after China held massive war games around Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own territory. The destroyer USS Higgins and the Canadian frigate HMCS Vancouver made a “routine” transit of the Taiwan Strait meant to uphold the principle of freedom of navigation for all countries, read an Oct. 21 statement by the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet.

F-35s Still Missing Readiness Goals—Despite Rising Spending

Defense One

The F-35 program has failed to meet a key readiness metric for six straight years, despite a steady increase in spending to operate and maintain the aircraft, according to a new report from a government watchdog agency. The Pentagon spent more than $12 billion to operate and maintain the F-35 fleet from fiscal 2018 to 2023, according to the GAO.

Northrop Grumman Unveils Flying Data Center for Military Intelligence

SpaceNews

Defense contractor Northrop Grumman has demonstrated new technology that turns aircraft into a flying data center, processing real-time intelligence from satellites and drones to aid military operations. The system, called Deep Sensing and Targeting (DSAT), was showcased at a U.S. Army exercise last month, the company said Oct. 21.

Electronic Warfare: The Invisible Battlespace

Air & Space Forces Magazine

While it cannot be seen by the human eye, electronic warfare and its importance to the modern fight is clear. Learn more about how the Department of the Air Force is upgrading its EW capabilities, from in space to in flight, on orbit and onboard fighters.

Ukraine Should Lift Export Ban on Reconnaissance Drones, Vendor Says

Defense News

Ukraine may lift an export ban on drone systems to generate revenue for local companies, a move one manufacturer argues is overdue. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Kyiv has prohibited the export of military goods to other countries to guarantee that the Ukrainian armed forces are supplied with the equipment they need to continue defending their territory.

Army Plans Follow-Up to SATCOM Services Pilot for FY25

Breaking Defense

The U.S. Army is working on a follow-on contract vehicle for purchasing commercial satellite services before the end of fiscal 2025, following the success of a year-long pilot project wrapping up at the end of this month, service officials told Breaking Defense.

CSAF, CMSAF Complete INDOPACOM Trip to Reinforce Alliances, Partnerships

Air Force release

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David Flosi traveled across the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility to engage key allies and partners amidst a dynamic and evolving security environment Oct. 10-18. The trip also offered the senior leaders a firsthand look at the progress Airmen have made in reoptimizing the service for Great Power Competition.