Vanessa Montalbano

Vanessa Montalbano joined Inside Defense as an Air Force reporter in January 2024. She previously reported on climate change and energy politics for The Climate 202 newsletter at The Washington Post.

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Archived Articles
Daily News | September 29, 2025

Lockheed Martin and the Pentagon have inked a more-than-$12.5 billion contract for F-35 Lots 18 and 19, according to a Defense Department announcement today. (UPDATED)

Daily News | September 25, 2025

NATIONAL HARBOR, MD -- Within the last year, the Air Force has asked industry to submit both small- and medium-thrust-class engine proposals to potentially power the next increment of the service's Collaborative Combat Aircraft program and other unmanned aerial systems, a Honeywell executive told Inside Defense.

Daily News | September 24, 2025

NATIONAL HARBOR, MD -- The Air Force will narrow a large pool of vendors to develop airframe design analysis for the second increment of Collaborative Combat Aircraft within the next few months, top program officials said today.

The Insider | September 24, 2025

NATIONAL HARBOR, MD -- Engine-maker Pratt & Whitney has completed critical testing on its small turbofan engine series for potential use on the Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft, the company announced today, proving current production engines can provide more thrust on unmanned platforms than previously thought.

Daily News | September 23, 2025

NATIONAL HARBOR, MD -- The Air Force is sorting through a subsequent cost refinement study for its Next Generation Air-Refueling System after an initial analysis of alternatives resulted in "some really rough costs," according to a top service official.

Daily News | September 22, 2025

NATIONAL HARBOR, MD -- Anduril Industries' YFQ-44A Collaborative Combat Aircraft will likely fly for the first time in the middle of October, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said today.

Daily News | September 22, 2025

NATIONAL HARBOR, MD -- Boeing has started to assemble the Air Force's first F-47 Next Generation Air Dominance fighter jet, service Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin said this morning.

Daily News | September 22, 2025

The Air Force Research Laboratory is testing ways to introduce new AI and gaming technologies into air operations planning, with its APEX GEAR prototype already shortening decision-making timelines and developing more thorough combat schemes.

The Insider | September 22, 2025

Engine-maker Pratt & Whitney is developing a new family of engines intended to power munitions and the Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft, spanning a thrust class of 500 to 1,800 pounds, the company announced today.

Daily News | September 19, 2025

The Air Force would need to either close or change the mission of seven active-duty fighter units to fully recapitalize the entire Air National Guard fighter fleet -- a move that would cost more than $30 billion -- according to a report obtained by Inside Defense.

Daily News | September 16, 2025

An AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile was shot off an F-22 Raptor to its longest range to date in testing, according to a company news release.

Daily News | September 11, 2025

ROLLING MEADOWS, IL -- As Northrop Grumman sees the Pentagon refocus itself on homeland defense, the company expects to enter low-rate initial production and to begin a production contract next summer for its long-awaited, modernized F-16 Fighting Falcon electronic warfare package.

Daily News | September 9, 2025

The advanced propulsion industrial base can handle two separate supply chains to produce an engine for both the Air Force's F-47 sixth-generation fighter jet and the Navy's F/A-XX, according to a senior GE Aerospace executive.

The Insider | September 8, 2025

Defense firm Applied Research Associates will design and build a prototype for the Air Force's Next Generation Penetrator bomb, the company and the service announced over the weekend.

Daily News | August 28, 2025

The Air Force is considering a depot partnership with the United Arab Emirates' Advanced Military Maintenance Repair and Overhaul Center, a top service official said today.

The Insider | August 27, 2025

General Atomics' YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft prototype flew for the first time today, the Air Force announced, inching the service closer to teaming its manned platforms with fighter drones.

Daily News | August 27, 2025

A second B-21 Raider nuclear bomber will likely fly before the end of 2025, Lt. Gen. Andrew Gebara, the Air Force's deputy chief of staff for strategic deterrence and nuclear integration, said this morning.

Daily News | August 26, 2025

The Air Force has awarded software firm Reliable Robotics a $17.4 million contract to automate cargo logistics, the company announced today.

Daily News | August 22, 2025

The Air Force is asking industry to provide input about the airframe for the Next Generation Air-Refueling System as the service considers whether to pursue the program at all or simply add enhancements to the existing tanker fleet.

Daily News | August 22, 2025

The Air Force is changing its exterior color requirements for the VC-25B presidential airlift replacement platform, Inside Defense has learned, likely switching back to the Trump administration's preferred red, white and dark blue.

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