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
INDOPACOM Boss Stresses Value of, Risk to Air Superiority in the Pacific
Neither China nor the U.S. can achieve air superiority in the Pacific, but China is increasing it fighter capabilities in the region rapidly, the head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command told the Senate Armed Services Committee.
F-35 Office Seeks to Clarify $2.1 Trillion Cost Ahead of Budget Release
As the Trump administration puts the finishing touches on its 2026 defense budget, the F-35 Joint Program Office has issued a statement explaining what all is included in its $2.1 trillion, 94-year program cost estimate.
Could the Air Force Add More EA-37 Electronic Attack Jets to Its ‘Wish List’?
The industry team that builds the EA-37B Compass Call II is looking to extend production beyond the 10 airplanes in the program of record, possibly by including two jets on the Air Force's next Unfunded Priorities List.
NSA Director, an Air Force General, Fired with No Cause Stated
The Pentagon abruptly relieved Air Force Gen. Timothy D. Haugh, head of the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command, and his NSA civilian deputy, Wendy Noble, on April 3.
Caine: US Has Lost Electronic Warfare Skills, Needs to Enhance Training, Ranges
Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, nominee to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Defense Department needs to upgrade its electronic warfare capability and its EW training ranges; just as his predecessor said at his own confirmation ...
Caine Touts Unusual Experience for Chairman as Asset in ‘Unconventional Times’
President Donald Trump’s nominee for Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff touted his highly unusual background for the job as an asset and reaffirmed his commitment to stay apolitical during a confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on April 1.
Former Air Force Secretary Didn’t Include NGAD in His 2026 Budget Plan
Former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall wasn't planning to include the NGAD in the fiscal 2026 budget proposal, saying on a podcast that there were higher priorities. He and former Air Force acquisition executive Andrew Hunter also say the program is structured such that there ...
Strategy & Policy: New Undergraduate Pilot Training Program Targets 1,500 Pilots Annually
The Air Force is overhauling Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT), moving to a hybrid private/government instruction program that officials at Air Education and Training Command (AETC) expect will reduce overall course time while achieving, within two years, USAF’s elusive goal of...
Meink: Air Force ‘Probably’ Too Small, F-15Es Still Have Value
How long the F-15E Strike Eagle and other fourth-generation fighters can continue to provide value to the Air Force is one of the first things Troy Meink, nominated to be Secretary of the Air Force, will tackle, he said in his confirmation hearing. He acknowledged ...
Air Force Picked Boeing for NGAD Based on ‘Best Overall Value.’ Here’s What It Means
The Air Force picked Boeing as the NGAD winner based on "best overall value," not necessarily the lowest offered price, the service said.
Air Force Chief: How the New F-47 Will Improve on the F-22
The Air Force is promising upgrades in range, stealth, schedule, cost, and number of airframes for its Next-Generation Air Dominance fighter—newly christened the F-47—compared to the F-22 aircraft it is succeeding.
Air Force May Need to Extend the KC-135 Service Life: AMC Boss
The Air Force may need to extend the life of the KC-135 Stratotanker again if the pace of aerial tanker modernization remains static, Gen. John A. Lamontagne said.
Air Force, Navy Pitched Trump to Keep Their NGAD Programs Intact
The Air Force and Navy have briefed President Donald Trump on their respective Next-Generation Air Dominance programs, asking that the projects proceed largely as they now stand, government and industry sources told Air & Space Forces Magazine. It’s not clear whether the services came away ...
STRATCOM Chief: Air Force Needs 145 B-21s and More New Strategic Systems
The Air Force should buy 145 stealth B-21 bombers to cope with the increased threats to U.S. security since that program came into being, Gen. Anthony J. Cotton, head of U.S. Strategic Command, said. He also said the Air Force and the Navy should reconsider ...
Lockheed Get $122 Million for Gear to Accelerate JASSM and LRASM Production
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control received a $122.6 million installment on an ongoing contract to improve production of the AGM-158 JASSM/LRASM stealth missiles, the Pentagon announced March 14. The weapons have become the key standoff munitions for USAF’s combat air forces.