John A. Tirpak
John A. Tirpak is Editorial Director of Air & Space Forces Magazine, with more than 25 years at the publication and more than 34 years in defense journalism. He has written for Aviation Week & Space Technology, Aerospace Daily, and Jane’s, reporting from all 50 U.S. states and 25 countries. He has been recognized with awards for journalistic excellence from the Society of Professional Journalists, the Aviation and Space Writer’s Association, the Association of Business Publications International, and was the recipient of the 2018 Gill Robb Wilson Award in Arts and Letters from the Air & Space Forces Association. He has lectured at the National War College and did postgraduate research at the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum.
Recent stories by John A. Tirpak
Musk Revives F-35 Criticism, but Could It Actually Lead to Cuts Under Trump?
Elon Musk, a confidant of President-elect Trump, has a poor opinion of the F-35 fighter and thinks it should give way to new, uncrewed aircraft. As one of the heads of the unofficial Department of Government Efficiency, Musk's views could affect upcoming contracts and plans ...
Watchdog: Air Force Needs Timelines and Metrics for New Force Generation Model
The Government Accountability Office wants the Air Force to explain who will run bases when wings deploy under the service’s new force generation model along with several other unanswered questions, saying the concept is long on vision but short on details.
New Report: China Cuts Pilot Training Time, Aims to Modernize by 2030
The Chinese air force is accelerating some of its fighter pilot training but likely won't fully modernize until 2030. Tradition and the tempo of graduating aviation academy classes constrains pilot production.
Lockheed and F-35 Program Office Have Handshake Deal on Next Two Lots
The Joint Program Office and Lockheed Martin have struck a “handshake deal” on prices for Lots 18 and 19 of the F-35 fighter, but have not yet revealed them. The agreement is about a year overdue, and comes after a period where the company was ...
Northrop Grumman Delivers First SiAW Missile for Air Force Testing
The first Stand-in Attack Weapon, expected to be used in large numbers to clear a path through enemy air defenses, has been delivered for initial Air Force testing, Northrop Grumman announced. The missile is expected to be operational in just two years.
INDOPACOM Boss Not Worried About China ‘Playing Chicken’ in Pacific
Adm. Samuel Paparo doesn’t view 2027 as the inevitable date of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, and he thinks the U.S. can steer clear of war with Beijing caused by the People’s Republic “playing chicken” on the high seas.
Integration is the ‘Manhattan Project’ Facing Air Force Leaders
“Integration” will be the key to future Air Force success and will be the key to achieving war-winning advantage over adversaries in the future—if USAF can pull it off, senior USAF leaders said Nov. 13.
Air Force: First CCA Models Pass Critical Design Review as Future Plans Being Debated
Collaborative Combat Aircraft designs from Anduril and General Atomics passed their critical design reviews early in November, clearing the way for detailed production efforts to get underway, the Air Force said. How future versions will be upgraded is still under discussion.
Hegseth Tapped for Defense Secretary as Trump National Security Team Takes Shape
President-elect Donald Trump has said he will nominate Pete Hegseth, a Fox News personality, as Secretary of Defense for Trump's second term. The choice rounds out most of the national security selections for the new administration.
Skunk Works Uncrewed NGAS Concept Gets New Attention
An artist’s rendering of a Lockheed Martin Skunk Works concept for a potential stealthy and autonomous Next-Generation Air-refueling System (NGAS) aircraft is getting new attention after a repeat display at the recent Airlift/Tanker Association meeting.
What Could the Air Force Look Like Under a New Trump Administration?
What direction the Department of the Air Force will take in the second administration of President Donald Trump remains unclear, but observers expect a shift away from long-term, leap-ahead programs to “here and now” resourcing for readiness and platforms now in production like the F-35 ...
Kendall: ‘I Would Be Comfortable’ If USAF Took Over Air Base Defense from Army
Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said he'd be “comfortable’ with the service taking over the air base defense mission from the Army, provided it was given the resources and manpower to do so. The Army has been slow to devote the resources and attention needed ...
Kendall: USAF Can’t Afford Next-Gen Fighter, Tanker, and Wingman Drones All at Once
The Air Force cannot afford its three marquee air combat and mobility programs simultaneously, but should be given the resources to do so, Secretary Frank Kendall said.
Allvin Says CCA Will Be ‘Pathfinder’ for New Way of Acquisition: Design over Sustainment
The Air Force is looking to Collaborative Combat Aircraft to not only achieve affordable mass for air superiority, but as a model to shift acquisition emphasis from sustainment to design.
Lockheed Ups Pace of F-35 Deliveries to New High to Start Clearing Backlog
Lockheed Martin is making good on predictions that it can deliver F-35 fighter jets at a rate of 20 per month, helping clear a backlog created by a yearlong hold on deliveries that was lifted in mid-July.