Why Lockheed Martin's $2 trillion F-35 program is so expensive

Tech Insider : Business, Technology
F-35 flying in the air
Lockheed Martin's F-35 is one of the most advanced aircraft ever designed. Buying and keeping them flying for decades is estimated to cost the US government $2 trillion.

Leon Neal/Getty Images

'Long live the Warthog:' The US military decided it isn't yet ready to give up the A-10 after its fights in Iran

Tech Insider : Business, Style
A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II fires flares as it departs from aerial refueling with a KC-135 Stratotanker over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Sept. 23, 2025.
An A-10 operating in the Middle East.

US Air Force photo

Epic Fury bombers made 18 round-trip flights from the US to strike Iran, each spending more than 30 hours in the air

Tech Insider : Business, Style
A U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit aircraft departs Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, during Exercise Global Thunder 26, Oct. 26, 2025.
B-2 Spirit stealth bombers carried out strikes in Iran.

US Air Force photo

Iran shoots down US Air Force A-10 Warthog in a firefight during fighter jet rescue mission

Tech Insider : Business, Style

A US Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II was shot down in Iran while attempting to rescue crew members from the downed F-15 Strike Eagle fighter jet. According to US officials, the pilot safely ejected over friendly territory and was unharmed.

The F-15E Strike Eagle, shot down over Iran, is one of the Air Force's fastest, most versatile jets. Take a closer look.

Tech Insider : Business
An F-15E Strike Eagle prepares to land in the Middle East.
A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft prepares to land at a base in the Middle East, Jan. 18, 2026. The F-15E Strike Eagle is a dual-role fighter designed to perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions at low altitude, day or night and in all weather.

U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jonah Bliss

A US military refueling aircraft went down in Iraq, killing all six crew members

Tech Insider : Business
A US Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker performs an in-flight refuel for two F-22 Raptor jets during an exercise over the Pacific Ocean on Jan. 16, 2026.
A US Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker performs an in-flight refuel for two F-22 Raptor jets during an exercise over the Pacific Ocean on Jan. 16, 2026.

U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Mary Greenwood

There's only one B-2 stealth bomber on display in the world. Here's where I saw it.

Tech Insider : Business, Technology
A B-2 bomber on display in a museum.
A wider look at the B-2.

Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

How the Air Force trains for crashes in enemy territory

Tech Insider : Business, Style

Air Force Survival School at Fairchild Air Force Base trains aircrew for the moment they could become isolated behind enemy lines or stranded in hostile environments after a crash.

Inside the restoration hangar where the National Air and Space Museum repairs and preserves historic aircraft for display

Tech Insider : Business
A McDonnell F-4S Phantom II in the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar.
A McDonnell F-4S Phantom II in the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar at the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia.

Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

Trump says the US shut off the lights in Venezuela's capital using 'certain expertise.' Here's how it may have done it.

Tech Insider : Business, Environment, Technology
A figure in a helmet stands in front of a fighter jet with lights on at night time
A US Air Force F-22 Raptor parks after the US's military actions in Venezuela.

U.S. Air Force Photo

Subscribe to us-air-force