{"id":157763,"date":"2026-09-16T03:03:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-15T21:33:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=157763"},"modified":"2026-09-16T02:30:28","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T21:00:28","slug":"us-air-force-plans-new-weapons-to-defend-bases-from-attacks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/16\/us-air-force-plans-new-weapons-to-defend-bases-from-attacks\/","title":{"rendered":"Largest Air Force in the World Plans New Weapons to Defend Bases from Drone and Missile Attacks"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

ARLINGTON-<\/strong> The US Air Force<\/a> is moving to make base defense a core combat function as missiles and drones expose vulnerabilities at American installations. The plan calls for new point-defense weapons, a dedicated career field and faster acquisition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The issue has become more urgent after attacks involving US forces in the Middle East and repeated drone incursions at American bases. Jordan’s aviation network, including Royal Jordanian (RJ) and Queen Alia International Airport (AMM), operates separately from the military mission, while the main concern here is the protection of military installations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Army photo by Capt. Adan Cazarez (DVIDS)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Air Force Moves to Strengthen Base Defense<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The US Air Force is taking steps to build a stronger organic capability to defend its bases against missiles, drones and other aerial threats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The effort follows hard-learned lessons from recent combat and growing concern about future conflicts with heavily armed peer competitors such as China and Russia. The service has also faced increasing concern over the protection of installations inside the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach said the service can no longer assume that its bases will operate from a position of safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor decades, American air and space power has often operated from a position of sanctuary. Those days are over,\u201d Wilsbach said during a keynote address at the Air & Space Forces Air, Space and Cyber Symposium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said point defense must become a core element of air and space power rather than a secondary responsibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe can no longer treat point defense as a side hustle. We must make it a core function of air and space power,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The comments came as the Air Force works to improve its organic ability to defend air bases and has developed new doctrine to support that mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The conflict with Iran highlighted weaknesses in the US ability to provide effective and sustained air defense for overseas installations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

U.S. bases in the region sustained significant damage during Iranian attacks, raising questions about whether existing defenses can protect personnel, aircraft and infrastructure during prolonged missile and drone campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A fatal Iranian attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan in July illustrated the danger. Video from the incident showed several Iranian medium- to intermediate-range ballistic missiles striking the installation. At least 2 American servicemembers were killed and several others were injured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Video captures the moment that several Iranian medium to intermediate-range ballistic missiles struck Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan overnight, killing at least two and injuring several other American Servicemembers. pic.twitter.com\/cJz39E1LvP<\/a><\/p>— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) July 18, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>