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
Northrop Touts Value of Digital Engineering as It Announces First Flight of Model 437
The Northrop Grumman/Scaled Composites Model 437 Vanguard made its first flight Aug. 29. The rapid-prototype jet, which may be aimed at the Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft Increment II program, demonstrates the maturity of the company's "digital ecosystem," Northrop said.
Lockheed Delivers ‘More Robust’ Software for New F-35s—But Not Full TR-3 Yet
Lockheed Martin is delivering F-35 Tech Refresh 3 software which will allow pilots to train on more of their jets' advanced capabilities; an improvement over those delivered just a few weeks ago. But the software is still less than it should be, and the company ...
Study Contracts for CCA Engines Will Help Air Force Explore the ‘Art of the Possible’
The Air Force will soon award study contracts for prototype engines to power Collaborative Combat Aircraft. But the service insists it is leaving the door open to a wide range of options and thrust classes.
McConnell Returns to Operations After Show-Stopping Storm
McConnell Air Force Base has recovered and injuries are few after a violent storm raked the flightline ahead of a large airshow on Aug. 25. Surprisingly little damage was inflicted on the 80 or so static display operational and historic aircraft on display.
As F-15C Presence on Kadena Winds Down, F-15EX Program Ramps Up
Four of the last F-15Cs stationed at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan flew back to the U.S. for retirement or reassignment on Aug. 24. As the F-15C/D presence winds down, its replacement, the F-15EX, is spooling up, with new aircraft added and a declaration of ...
In a First, USAF RQ-4 Global Hawk to Operate from UK
An RQ-4 Global Hawk has landed in the U.K. for the first time, as it begins a deployment of undisclosed duration to conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations from RAF Fairford and practice Agile Combat Employment.
Northrop Finishes Round of Flight Tests on New Sensor That Can Do Radar, Comms, and EW
Northrop Grumman has wrapped up initial flight tests with its EMRIS multi-function sensor system, which could be applied to "crewed or uncrewed" platforms, the company said. The tests were flown on an unidentified government aircraft and demonstrated rapid software reconfiguration in-flight.
Three B-2 Bombers Land in Australia for First Rotation There in Two Years
Three Air Force B-2 stealth bombers arrived at Royal Australian Air Force Base Amberley on Aug. 16 to begin a Bomber Task Force deployment expected to last two or three weeks. The aircraft will conduct exercises with the RAAF and likely other nations in the ...
New F-22 Sensors Could Help Extend the Raptor’s Service Life
New, classified sensors for the F-22 are being tested successfully, a service official said, making the Raptor's 2030 retirement increasingly less likely.
Lack of Parts Hurting C-5 Mission Capable Rate Even After $10 Billion in Upgrades
A recent $10 billion fleetwide upgrade to the Air Force's largest aircraft, the C-5M Galaxy, has not resulted in a higher mission capable rate—the huge airlifter was at 46 percent in 2023, down from 52 percent in 2022. Officials say the struggles are mostly due ...
Anduril Unveils Plans for Huge ‘Arsenal’ Factory to Build Autonomous Weapons Like CCA
Anduril Industries announced it is planning futuristic factories that will build weapons the way disruptive startups like SpaceX and Tesla have built rockets and cars. The company has raised $1.5 billion for the facilities, which will focus on low-cost autonomous systems, including Collaborative Combat Aircraft.
Air Force Tries Out New Pylon on B-1, Transforming Bomber into ‘Hypersonic Testbed’
The Air Force has started using a new Boeing pylon—the Load Adaptable Modular (LAM) pylon—which should help streamline testing new weapons, particularly hypersonic weapons, as other kinds of testing consume B-52 test assets.
Multiple Air Force Bases Move Aircraft Out of Tropical Storm Debby’s Way
Air Force units from Florida through the Carolinas moved their aircraft out of harm’s way Aug. 4 and 5, hoping to avoid the wind and especially flood waters expected with Tropical Storm Debby, which is expected to dump as much as 30 inches of rain ...
Boeing Loses $900 Million on Defense and Space Programs as Company Taps New CEO
Boeing’s board of directors has named Robert “Kelly” Ortberg, the new chief executive officer of the embattled aerospace giant, the company announced July 31. Since early this year, the company has suffered a rash of accidents and high-visibility quality problems. Meanwhile, losses continue to pile ...
Air Force ‘Taking a Pause’ on NGAD, Kendall Says
The Air Force will "pause" the Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program while it evaluates whether it meets the Air Force’s needs and budgetary requirements, Secretary Frank Kendall said July 30. The advanced fighter was originally supposed to enter service around 2030.