Author Stephen Losey | Military Times

Stephen Losey

Senior Reporter

Stephen Losey is the air warfare reporter for Defense News. He previously covered leadership and personnel issues at Air Force Times, and the Pentagon, special operations and air warfare at Military.com. He has traveled to the Middle East to cover U.S. Air Force operations.

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US Air Force sees early 2030s rollout for revamped Sentinel nuclear missile

The LGM-35A ICBM program had its Milestone B status revoked during a Nunn-McCurdy review, but a new decision is expected by the end of 2026.

8 days ago

US Air Force buying more bunker-buster bombs after Iran nuclear strikes

The 30,000-pound guided bomb is designed to penetrate an estimated 200 feet through rock or other hard substances before destroying enemy labs or bunkers.

12 days ago

A U.S. Air Force flying crew chief assigned to the 40th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron touches the nose of a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft for good luck prior to boarding the aircraft for a mission supporting the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve, in U.S. Central Command on July 20, 2021. (Senior Airman Brennen Lege/Air Force photo)

Guard, Reserve would get 20 more C-130J transport aircraft under budget deal

The added C-130Js account for the bulk of the extra aircraft procurement spending lawmakers added to the administration's original budget request.

F-35 production decision won’t come until end of fiscal 2023 — at least

If the testing process were to slip further, "there's not a lot of leeway" to reach a decision on full-rate production by the end of fiscal 2023, Lt. Gen. Eric Fick said.

Jolly Green II rescue helicopter on track for operational tests this month

Sikorsky's HH-60W Jolly Green II has multiple improvements to make it safer in a crash and collect information on where the rescue needs to take place.

Modern design technique gives 60-year-old B-52s new lease on life

The B-52's current engines, which date back to the early 1960s, are soon reaching the end of their life spans and must be replaced.

First B-21 bomber enters ground testing, ‘on track for first flight’

Northrop Grumman now has six of the stealthy, next-generation aircraft in various stages of production.

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall speaks to attendees at the U.S. Space Force congressional birthday event in the Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C., Dec 2, 2021. (Andy Morataya/Air Force)

Kendall: Despite Russian invasion, China remains military’s top challenge

“Russia and other threats will not be discounted,” Kendall said. “But China ... will be our greatest strategic national security challenge.”

Here’s why a no-fly zone over Ukraine is off the table

“A no-fly zone would be a declaration of war in Putin’s mind," said John Venable of the Heritage Foundation.

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft assigned to the 34th Fighter Squadron receives fuel from a KC-10 Extender aircraft over Poland, Feb. 24, 2022. The F-35A aircraft affords NATO leaders the flexibility to project power and assert air dominance in highly contested environments. (Senior Airman Joseph Barron/Air Force)

US, NATO air forces mobilize as war comes to Europe

“The United States set the tone for this type of attack in 1991 in the opening hours of [Operation] Desert Storm,” Air Force Lt. Col. Tyson Wetzel said Wednesday. “It is a methodology that still works today.”

Congress urges ‘crushing’ sanctions, bolstered NATO defenses after Ukraine assault

“Vladimir Putin alone has chosen violence over reason,” said Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jack Reed.

How autonomous wingmen will help fighter pilots in the next war

“There’s enough technology in existence from programs that we’ve already conducted, it convinces me that’s not a crazy idea,” Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said.