Tag: usaf

Air Force AI Targeting Tests Show Promise, Despite Hallucinations

The Air Force is on its third of a series of sprint exercises intended to show how artificial intelligence can supercharge human decision-making. And while officials are raving about the results, they also demonstrate that the algorithms can still propose bad or nonsensical options that need to be babysat.

Maj. Gen. Robert Claude, Space Force representative to the Air Force’s Advanced Battle Management Cross-Functional Team, said participating in the Decision Advantage Sprint for Human-Machine Teaming (DASH) series, led by his team, was an “eye-opening experience,” though it proved the limitations of AI processing as well.

The DASH-2 sprint, held at Shadow Operations Center-Nellis (SHOC-N), the USAF’s premier tactical command and control battle lab, outside of Las Vegas earlier this summer focused on a decision-intensive process: matching the right platform and weapon to a desired military target, Claude told The War Zone at the U.S. Air Force Association’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference. 

According to a release, six industry teams and one SHOC-N innovation team participated in the exercise, attacking the challenge of designing AI-enabled microservices that could help operators select a weapon to destroy an identified target. The kinds of targets identified in the scenario were not described. Developers watched human-only battle-management crews and designed their microservices based on their observed needs and processes. Finally, human-only teams went head to head in the weapon-matching exercise against human-machine teams.

In terms of generating courses of action – or COAs – the machines easily had it over their human counterparts on speed and quantity. 

“I think it was roughly eight seconds [for the algorithm] to generate COAs, as opposed to 16 minutes for the operators,” Claude said, adding that the machine generated 10 different COAs to the human team’s three.

But AI-generated slop continues to be a problem.

“While it’s much more timely and more COAs generated, they weren’t necessarily completely viable COAs,” Claude said. “So what is going to be important going forward is, while we’re getting faster results and we’re getting more results, there’s still going to have to be a human in the loop for the foreseeable future to make sure that, yes, it’s a viable COA, or just a little bit more of this to make a COA viable, to make decisions.”

Claude clarified in response to another question the kinds of mismatches the AI was creating. 

“If you’re trying to identify a targeting package with a particular weapon against a particular target, but it didn’t factor in, it’s an [infrared] target, or it’s an IR-sensor weapon, but it’s cloudy and [bad] weather conditions,” Claude said. “So that’s just as an example, those fine-tuned types of things that they found these COAs weren’t where they needed to be. But as we build this out, theoretically into the future … those sorts of things will be factored in.”

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For B-21, Quantity Is Its Most Critical Quality Top Bomber Officer Says

For all the new capabilities the B-21 Raider will bring as an individual aircraft, the U.S. Air Force’s top bomber officer says he is most excited about the sheer numbers of those aircraft that are set to enter service in the coming years. The Operation Midnight Hammer strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities underscored how vital existing B-2 stealth bombers are to U.S. national security, but also the inherent limitations imposed by how few of them were ever built.

Air Force Maj. Gen. Jason Armagost touched on the B-21 and related topics during an online talk that the Air & Space Forces Association’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies hosted today. Armagost is the commander of the Eighth Air Force, to which the Air Force’s current B-2, B-1, and B-52 bombers are all assigned, as well as the officer in charge of the Joint-Global Strike Operations Center (J-GSOC) at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana.

At present, the Air Force plans to acquire at least 100 B-21s, but senior U.S. military officials have been increasingly advocating for a fleet of 145 of the bombers. A single pre-production Raider is now in flight testing, with a second expected to join it soon. At least four other B-21s are in various stages of production, and a number of non-flying airframes are being used to support ongoing test work. The Raider is expected to eventually replace the Air Force’s current fleet of 19 B-2 bombers, as well as its more than 40 remaining B-1s.

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Air Force command pauses M18 pistol use after airman’s death at Wyoming base

The U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command has paused the use of a handgun following the death of a Security Forces airman at a base in Wyoming.

The use of the M18 pistol, a variant of another gun that has been the target of lawsuits over unintentional discharge allegations, was paused Monday “until further notice” following the “tragic incident” Sunday at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, the command said in a statement. Security Forces airmen at all command bases “will conduct 100% inspections of the M18 handguns to identify any immediate safety concerns,” it said.

The airman killed was Brayden Lovan, 21, of the 90th Security Forces Squadron, 90th Missile Wing at the base, where he began his first active-duty assignment in November 2023, base officials said Thursday.

Details of what happened are not being released pending an investigation, said Lt. Raegan Lockhart, public affairs officer for the 90th Missile Wing. How long the investigation might take isn’t known, Lockhart added.

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Air Force Investigating Whether Sig Sauer Pistol Was A Factor In Airman’s Death

The U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command is sidelining the M18 Modular Handgun System after the death of an Air Force Security Airman at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, on July 20.

A press release from the 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs office on F.E. Warren provided no details of the incident. The Air Force Office of Special Investigations has the case, and no details will be released at this time to protect the integrity of the investigation, according to the press release.

The compact M18 and its full-size counterpart, the M17, are the military and law enforcement variants of the Sig Sauer P320. The Army selected Sig designs for the Modular Handgun System in 2017. All branches of the U.S. military subsequently adopted the pistols as their standard sidearms.

A statement from the Air Force Global Strike Command at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, said the M18 was pulled from service after the Wyoming incident. Air Force Security Forces for the Global Strike Command will carry the M4 rifle while all M18s in service will be inspected “to identify any immediate safety concerns.”

A Sig Sauer spokesman told The Epoch Times the company has reached out to the Air Force and is ready to assist the investigation.

“Our hearts are with the service members and families impacted by the recent reported event at the F.E. Warren Air Force Base. We have offered assistance to the U.S. Military as they investigate the incident and remain willing to help in furtherance of their ongoing investigation,” Phil Strader, vice president for consumer affairs, wrote to The Epoch Times.

Global Strike Command spokesman Charles “Moose” Hoffman said it was too early to release details on the Wyoming incident.

“Out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the safety and security of our personnel, the pause will remain in place pending the completion of comprehensive investigations by the Air Force,” Hoffman wrote in an email to The Epoch Times.

The pistol has been dogged for years by claims that it is prone to unintentional discharge if handled or bumped, without the trigger being pulled.

At least 80 people have been injured since 2014,  and several lawsuits have been filed. In 2021, the U.S. District Court for Eastern Pennsylvania dismissed a claim by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent that his P320 discharged while in its holster, wounding him.

The court ruled that the plaintiff failed to prove the pistol was flawed after the court rejected his expert witnesses.

The plaintiff has appealed that decision.

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Military pilot on no-fly list after probe into faith conversations ends without charges, lawyer says

A Catholic Air Force pilot remains on the military branch’s no-fly list, despite an official probe having failed to substantiate allegations he talked about his faith in an inappropriate way with fellow airmen, his lawyer says.

The pilot, Capt. Forrest Doss, of the 6th Airlift Squadron, at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, has served in the Air Force since 2018 and is now an instructor pilot and aircraft commander.

Despite no violations having apparently been found, Doss received an official letter admonishing him for comments that created a “hostile work environment” and that also directed him to get counseling to avoid future problems.

According to the Air Force’s June 17 Letter of Counseling, Doss, in late June 2024 and early January 2025, at various locations around the world, “made inappropriate and unprofessional comments towards members of the 6th Airlift Squadron during the critical phases of aircraft operation.”

LOC – Capt Doss_Redacted.pdf

“It is your responsibility to act in a professional manner and create a safe environment to successfully execute the mission,” the letter states. “This includes refraining from discussing potentially charged topics.

“Intentionally or not, your conduct created a hostile work environment for members of your crew. Moving forward, I expect you to deliberately consider your comments and refrain from discussion that could be uncomfortable for your teammates. Your conduct is unacceptable and further deviation may result in more severe action.”

The letter doesn’t state what Doss said that was found to be “inappropriate and unprofessional.”

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and the Air Force didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.

“The LOC turns it into an equivalent of a [Uniform Code of Military Justice] violation for answering questions truthfully about what his church teaches,” R. Davis Younts, Doss’ lawyer, told Just the News last Monday.

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Air Force DOGEs $10 Billion in Wasteful Spending

Donald Trump’s Air Force Secretary collaborated with the Department of Government Efficiency to slash a staggering $10 billion in wasteful and unnecessary spending.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth praised Air Force Secretary Troy Meink in a video revealing the DOGE results. Meink and DOGE “secured more than $10 billion in savings. They’re cutting waste and working with vendors to reduce contract spending,” Hegseth said. “So I want to commend you, Mr. Secretary, and the entire Air Force team for being relentless in rooting out excess.”

The $10 billion in cuts make the Air Force exceptional among the branches for saving taxpayers money, Hegseth emphasized. “The Air Force can now claim the top two spots on the DOGE savings podium,” he joked. “I don’t know where this podium is. I’m told that [it’s] somewhere, maybe the basement in the Pentagon, but we’re going to dust it off.” 

Humor aside, Hegseth repeated that the Air Force “claims the top two spots, symbolizing their commitment to leadership and to you the taxpayer. So thank you, Mr. Secretary, for being an example of stewardship, and we appreciate your dedication to President Trump’s mission of peace through strength, outstanding work.”

Meink returned Hegseth’s compliments and agreed that ensuring wise use of taxpayer dollars “is critical to national security and maintaining your lethality.” What an unusual perspective from a federal official. Usually, bureaucrats can’t wait to find more reasons to spend money they don’t really have. “Over the past six months, we’ve looked at 500 contracts, 50 business systems realizing more than $10 billion in savings,” he added.

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Air Force Confirms Drone Swarms Over Wright-Patterson AFB Led to Airspace Shutdown; Videos and Reports Released

Newly released Air Force records confirm that Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) in Ohio experienced multiple drone incursions in mid-December 2024, prompting the temporary shutdown of military airspace and a large-scale security response. The disclosure, made through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to The Black Vault, includes incident reports, sworn witness statements, law enforcement documentation, and supporting video footage—all now public for the first time.

The base, one of the most prominent and historically significant in the U.S. Air Force system, initiated emergency procedures on December 13, 2024, after security forces reported observing several unmanned aerial systems (UAS) operating in restricted airspace.

Initial sightings occurred at 10:08 p.m., when patrols near the Hot Cargo Pads spotted a drone hovering in the area and heading toward the West Ramp of the installation. The object was described as “black, with four (4) propellers, was roughly 6 inches in size, and had alternating red and green lights.” It was later seen flying over Fire Station #2 at about 20 feet off the ground.

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“Troops Could Vanish Like Squid”: New Bio-Inspired Camo Lets US Soldiers Evade Sight And High-Tech Sensors Instantly

The fusion of biology and technology continues to break new ground, as seen in a remarkable project funded by DARPA and the Air Force. By leveraging the natural abilities of cephalopods, particularly the squid, researchers are developing advanced camouflage technology for military applications.

This bio-inspired innovation promises to revolutionize how soldiers hide in plain sight, adapting to various environments by mimicking the squid’s adaptive skin. Such breakthroughs not only highlight the potential of bioinspired materials but also reinforce the crucial role of interdisciplinary research in defense and technology.

The Science Behind Squid-Inspired Camouflage

At the heart of this innovative research is the study of squid skin, particularly the light-reflecting cells known as iridophores. Researchers at the University of California, Irvine, in collaboration with the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, have delved into the unique cellular structures of the longfin inshore squid. These iridophores contain tightly coiled columns of a protein called reflectin. These proteins act like natural Bragg reflectors, enabling the squid to change colors rapidly and efficiently.

Through advanced imaging techniques such as holotomography, scientists have captured detailed three-dimensional views of these cells, revealing how the columns of reflectin twist and organize themselves to manipulate light. This ability allows the squid to transition from being transparent to displaying vibrant colors, a mechanism that could be pivotal in developing materials that mimic these changes for military use.

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U.S. Air Force Halts Musk’s SpaceX Rocket Project on Pacific Atoll After Leftist Activists Raise Alarm Over Seabirds

The U.S. Air Force has scrapped its plans to test hypersonic rocket cargo deliveries using Elon Musk’s SpaceX rockets from the remote Johnston Atoll in the Pacific Ocean—all to protect a few seabird nests.

The decision, first reported by Stars and Stripes, comes just weeks after Reuters ran a story quoting so-called “experts” who raised concerns that the high-speed delivery project could disturb nesting tropical birds on the uninhabited atoll.

The Air Force had intended to use the atoll—an uninhabited U.S. territory located 800 miles southwest of Hawaii—as a launch and landing site for experimental rocket systems capable of delivering 100 tons of cargo anywhere on Earth in under 90 minutes.

The implications for battlefield logistics and humanitarian aid were monumental. But that vision has now been grounded.

Why? Because a handful of environmentalists raised concerns over the nesting patterns of tropical birds on the atoll.

A petition opposing the program gathered fewer than 4,000 signatures. In response, the Air Force initially promised an environmental review. Now, they’re outright exploring new locations.

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FOIA Crack Opens: ‘Mosul Orb’ UFO Video Finally Goes Public

A four-second clip of the ‘Mosul Orb’ Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) has finally surfaced after investigative journalist Dustin Slaughter won a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against the U.S. Air Force (USAF) and its National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC).

In 2023, journalists Jeremy Corbell and George Knapp released a still image from the four-second video, showing the UAP above the northern Iraqi city of Mosul in 2016, reportedly from a CIA spy plane.

The video was filmed at 9:47 am Coordinated Universal Time on 16 April 2016, according to its timestamp.

During an appearance on Jeremy Corbell and George Knapp’s WEAPONIZED podcast, Slaughter said his 2023 FOIA filing hadn’t singled out the Mosul Orb; instead, he’d submitted a broad request for any UAP-related videos.

After what he described as stonewalling by the USAF and NASIC, Slaughter and his legal team filed suit in 2024.

The footage captures a mysterious sphere gliding right-to-left above Mosul’s rooftops. 

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