Air Forces (Page 7)

Posted on May 15, 2024

Members of Congress are pushing to block the US Air Force from retiring more than half of its F-15E Strike Eagles.

Air

Move To Block F-15E Strike Eagle Cuts Being Made In Congress Move To Block F-15E Strike Eagle Cuts Being Made In Congress

Posted on May 14, 2024

T-6 Pilot Dies In Ejection Seat Accident T-6 Pilot Dies In Ejection Seat Accident

Posted on May 14, 2024

Recent imagery provides our best views so far of Russia’s modern Kh-38M air-to-ground missile, apparently employed in the war in Ukraine. Previously, various videos had been released showing airstrikes that purportedly involved Kh-38Ms, but new photos show, in some detail, the missile carried under the wing of Su-34 Fullback strike fighters, seemingly taking part in combat sorties.

Air

Our Best Look At Russia’s Kh-38 Missile Now Being Used In Ukraine Our Best Look At Russia’s Kh-38 Missile Now Being Used In Ukraine

Posted on May 14, 2024

Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works has released a new rendering of a stealth tanker concept amid uncertainty about the U.S. Air Force's future tanker plans.

Air

New Skunk Works Stealthy Tanker Concept Unveiled New Skunk Works Stealthy Tanker Concept Unveiled

Posted on May 13, 2024

A B-2 Spirit taxis at Whiteman Air Force Base

Air

Damaged B-2 Won’t Be Repaired, Fleet To Shrink To 19 Jets (Updated) Damaged B-2 Won’t Be Repaired, Fleet To Shrink To 19 Jets (Updated)

Posted on May 10, 2024

After an extraordinary career spanning more than 80 years of service, and plenty of wartime missions, the South African Air Force (SAAF) is preparing to retire its last C-47 Dakotas. The decision is yet to be formally announced by the SAAF but looks set to confirm the fate of the service’s Dakotas, which have now been grounded for around two years.

Air

South Africa’s C-47 Dakotas Set For Retirement After 80 Years Of Service South Africa’s C-47 Dakotas Set For Retirement After 80 Years Of Service

Posted on May 10, 2024

Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), which won the contract to build the U.S. Air Force’s highly specialized Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) aircraft last month, has acquired five Boeing 747-8s from Korean Air. The likelihood is that these will be converted as the successors to the Air Force’s aging 747-200-based E-4B Nightwatch ‘doomsday planes,’ although at this stage we still don’t know how many of the new SAOC aircraft will be fielded.

Air

Former Korean Air 747s Slated To Become USAF Doomsday Planes (Updated) Former Korean Air 747s Slated To Become USAF Doomsday Planes (Updated)

Posted on May 9, 2024

STRAIT OF SAN JUAN DE FUCA, Wash. (May 6, 2024) The Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Nebraska (SSBN 739) transits the Strait of San Juan de Fuca escorted by U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft and U.S. Coast Guard screening escort vessels. Joint operations, such as this one which involved the Air Force, Coast Guard, and Navy, ensure the U.S. military is ready to meet its security commitments at home and abroad including commitments to our allies and partners. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Gwendelyn Ohrazda/Released)

A-10 Warthogs Escorting A Ballistic Missile Submarine Is Certainly Different A-10 Warthogs Escorting A Ballistic Missile Submarine Is Certainly Different

Posted on May 9, 2024

KH-101s are now being fired at Ukraine with two warheads onboard.

Air

Russia Now Firing Kh-101 Cruise Missiles Modified With Two Warheads At Ukraine Russia Now Firing Kh-101 Cruise Missiles Modified With Two Warheads At Ukraine

Posted on May 8, 2024

Unmanned Long-Endurance Tactical Reconnaissance Aircraft crew chiefs, assigned within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, prep an ULTRA aircraft for taxi across the flightline before an early morning takeoff at an undisclosed location, May 7, 2024. ULTRA is an unmanned aerial system capable of flight times up to 80 hours, providing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities to combatant commanders, with a smaller operational footprint than other UAS in its class.

Air Force’s ULTRA Long-Endurance Glider-Like Drone Is Now Operating In The Middle East Air Force’s ULTRA Long-Endurance Glider-Like Drone Is Now Operating In The Middle East

By Joseph Trevithick, Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 8, 2024

The Air Force new 5,000-pound-class GBU-72/B bunker buster bomb could be a future addition to the B-2 bomber's arsenal.

Air

B-2 Spirits Could Get New 5,000-Pound Bunker Busters B-2 Spirits Could Get New 5,000-Pound Bunker Busters

Posted on May 7, 2024

A US Air Force F-22 stealth fighter has suffered a mishap at an airport in Georgia today, May 6, 2024.

Air

F-22 Raptor Ends Up On Its Side During Air Guard Exercise (Updated) F-22 Raptor Ends Up On Its Side During Air Guard Exercise (Updated)

Posted on May 6, 2024

Air

JDAM-ER Winged Bombs With Seekers That Home In On GPS Jammers Headed To Ukraine JDAM-ER Winged Bombs With Seekers That Home In On GPS Jammers Headed To Ukraine

Posted on May 4, 2024

Air

Boeing Pitches F-15EX For Saudi Arabian Fighter Competition Boeing Pitches F-15EX For Saudi Arabian Fighter Competition

Posted on May 3, 2024

Footage has been published, apparently for the first time, showing a Chinese H-6 bomber dropping one of the shadowy air-launched ballistic missiles known by the designation 2PZD-21. The missile is part of a growing armory of Chinese aero-ballistic missiles and is widely understood to be a ‘carrier-killer’ weapon designed to be used as part of the country’s anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) strategy. However, many questions remain about the role of the weapon and its capabilities.

Air

China’s H-6K Bomber Seen Firing Air-Launched Ballistic Missile For First Time China’s H-6K Bomber Seen Firing Air-Launched Ballistic Missile For First Time

Posted on May 1, 2024

A 49th Wing F-16 Viper takes off Jan. 19, 2022, at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. Holloman is the Air Force’s premiere training base for F-16 Viper and MQ-9 Reaper aircrew. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Adrian Salazar)

F-16 Crashes Near Holloman Air Force Base In New Mexico (Updated) F-16 Crashes Near Holloman Air Force Base In New Mexico (Updated)

Posted on Apr 30, 2024

Poland’s Future F-35s Have Been Officially Named “Husarz” Poland’s Future F-35s Have Been Officially Named “Husarz”

Updated on Apr 30, 2024

Ukraine May Now Be Using WWI-Style Air Combat Tactics Against Drones Ukraine May Now Be Using WWI-Style Air Combat Tactics Against Drones

By Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 29, 2024

SAOC will replace the E-4B, now we have a better idea of what it will look like.

Air

E-4B Doomsday Plane Replacement Concept Art Has Some Interesting Features E-4B Doomsday Plane Replacement Concept Art Has Some Interesting Features

Posted on Apr 29, 2024

SNC has won the competition to deliver new Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) 'doomsday planes' to succeed the Air Force's E-4B Nightwatch jets.

Air

Job Of Building The Air Force’s Next Doomsday Planes Falls To Sierra Nevada Corp. (Updated) Job Of Building The Air Force’s Next Doomsday Planes Falls To Sierra Nevada Corp. (Updated)

Updated on Apr 28, 2024

General Atomics has now confirmed that its Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone design for the US Air Force is based on its XQ-67A.

Air

XQ-67 Confirmed To Be A Prototype For General Atomics’ Collaborative Combat Aircraft Design XQ-67 Confirmed To Be A Prototype For General Atomics’ Collaborative Combat Aircraft Design

Updated on Apr 26, 2024

The Ukrainian Air Force is using iPads, or similar tablets in the cockpits of its Soviet-era jets to enable rapid integration of modern Western air-to-ground weapons — something that TWZ predicted back in 2022. This has been confirmed by Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Dr. William LaPlante. While many questions remain about the tablet and how it works, there’s now more footage showing it fitted in cockpits.

Air

Ukrainian Fighter Jets “Using iPads” To Control Western Weapons Ukrainian Fighter Jets “Using iPads” To Control Western Weapons

Posted on Apr 25, 2024

Air

Eglin AFB Pilot Likely Saw A Lighting Balloon, Not A UFO Pentagon Concludes Eglin AFB Pilot Likely Saw A Lighting Balloon, Not A UFO Pentagon Concludes

By Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 25, 2024

The US Air Force has chosen Anduril and General Atomics to move ahead in Increment 1 of its Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone program.

Air

General Atomics, Anduril Move Ahead In Collaborative Combat Aircraft Drone Program (Updated) General Atomics, Anduril Move Ahead In Collaborative Combat Aircraft Drone Program (Updated)

Updated on Apr 24, 2024

Additional details about a breakthrough autonomous dogfight in September 2023 underscore significant challenges still to be addressed.

Air

Next Big Challenge For AI Dogfighting Is Keeping Track Of Enemies Up Close Next Big Challenge For AI Dogfighting Is Keeping Track Of Enemies Up Close

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Apr 24, 2024

South Korean F-4E launches an AGM-142 'Pop-eye' missile

F-4 Phantoms Conduct Final Popeye Missile Firing Before South Korea Bids Them Farewell F-4 Phantoms Conduct Final Popeye Missile Firing Before South Korea Bids Them Farewell

Updated on Apr 23, 2024

Air

China’s H-20 Stealth Bomber “Not Really” A Concern: U.S. Official China’s H-20 Stealth Bomber “Not Really” A Concern: U.S. Official

Posted on Apr 23, 2024

A picture has emerged purportedly showing a Chinese H-6 bomber carrying a large mystery payload underneath its fuselage.

Air

Black Mystery Craft Spotted Slung Under Chinese H-6 Bomber Black Mystery Craft Spotted Slung Under Chinese H-6 Bomber

Posted on Apr 23, 2024

Air

Mystery Weapon Appears In Iraqi Field After Israeli Strike (Updated) Mystery Weapon Appears In Iraqi Field After Israeli Strike (Updated)

Updated on Apr 20, 2024

Major Damage At Russian Airbase In Crimea After Ukrainian Attack Major Damage At Russian Airbase In Crimea After Ukrainian Attack

Posted on Apr 19, 2024

Ukraine has claimed that it shot down a Russian Tu-22M3 Backfire-C bomber that crashed today in the Stavropol region in southern Russia. If that’s the case, it would be an unprecedented event, with Ukraine never having previously destroyed a Tu-22M3 — or any other Russian long-range bomber — in the air.

Air

Russian Tu-22M3 Backfire Shot Down With S-200 Missile: Ukraine’s Spy Chief Russian Tu-22M3 Backfire Shot Down With S-200 Missile: Ukraine’s Spy Chief

By Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 19, 2024

B-2 Spirit stealth bombers assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing taxi on the runway at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, April 15, 2024. Team Whiteman executed a mass fly-off of 12 B-2s to cap off the annual Spirit Vigilance exercise. Routine training ensures that Airmen are always ready to execute global strike operations… anytime, anywhere. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Hailey Farrell)

Air

Majority Of The B-2 Spirit Fleet Took To The Skies In A Mass Launch Majority Of The B-2 Spirit Fleet Took To The Skies In A Mass Launch

Posted on Apr 18, 2024

B-21 raider production still capped at 100 units as USAF looks at what could come next.

Air

Air Force Looking At Options Beyond The B-21 Raider Is Absolutely Necessary Air Force Looking At Options Beyond The B-21 Raider Is Absolutely Necessary

By Tyler Rogoway, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 18, 2024

Air

F-15E Strike Eagle’s Defense Of Israel Bolsters The Case For F-15EX F-15E Strike Eagle’s Defense Of Israel Bolsters The Case For F-15EX

Posted on Apr 17, 2024

The US Air Force's unique X-62A test jet participating in a breakthrough dogfight last year while a fully autonomous mode against a crewed F-16.

Air

AI Is Now Dogfighting With Fighter Pilots In The Air AI Is Now Dogfighting With Fighter Pilots In The Air

Posted on Apr 17, 2024

Newly-painted Kazakhstan Air Force A400M pre-delivery

Air

Paint Job On Kazakhstan’s New A400M Looks Like A ‘Soviet’ Plane In A Bond Film Paint Job On Kazakhstan’s New A400M Looks Like A ‘Soviet’ Plane In A Bond Film

Posted on Apr 15, 2024

Recently released pictures of a Bahraini Block 70 F-16D Viper undergoing testing in the United States show what one of these jets might look like one an actual combat mission.

Air

Our First Look At An Armed-Up Block 70 F-16 Viper Our First Look At An Armed-Up Block 70 F-16 Viper

Posted on Apr 12, 2024

Lockheed Martin has unveiled a new hypersonic missile, the Mako, which it is pitching to the U.S. Navy and Air Force and which it says will potentially also be able to arm submarines and surface warships. The weapon, which was originally developed for the Air Force’s Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW) program reflects growing interest in more affordable hypersonic strike weapons, smaller than cruise missiles but offering standoff range and very rapid response.

Air

The Lowdown On Lockheed’s Newly Revealed Mako Hypersonic Missile The Lowdown On Lockheed’s Newly Revealed Mako Hypersonic Missile

Posted on Apr 11, 2024

B-1B Lancer aircraft nicknamed “Lancelot,” touches down at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, Feb. 8, 2024. “Lancelot” is being regenerated to the active bomber fleet after previously being retired to the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona. Photo was redacted for security purposes.

Air

B-1B ‘Lancelot’ Is Being Resurrected For Active Service B-1B ‘Lancelot’ Is Being Resurrected For Active Service

Posted on Apr 8, 2024

No Major Damage Seen At Russian Air Base After Drone Attack No Major Damage Seen At Russian Air Base After Drone Attack

Posted on Apr 6, 2024

Naha Air Base temporarily moves its F-15s in light of a tsunami warning

Air

Japan’s Tsunami-Fleeing F-15s Took To The Road Japan’s Tsunami-Fleeing F-15s Took To The Road

Posted on Apr 5, 2024

F-16s from Eielson AFB now 18th Fighter Interceptor Squadron.

Air

F-16 Aggressor Squadron In Alaska Becomes Unique Air Defense Unit F-16 Aggressor Squadron In Alaska Becomes Unique Air Defense Unit

Posted on Apr 4, 2024

The long-running question of whether Israel will finally buy a new batch of F-15 Eagle multirole fighters looks like it might be answered sooner rather than later. The latest reports out of Washington indicate that the Biden administration is now considering whether or not to move ahead with a deal, which would likely involve as many as 50 examples of the F-15IA — an Israel-specific variant of the F-15EX.

Air

F-15 Sale To Israel Reportedly Ready To Close, Will Gaza Change That? F-15 Sale To Israel Reportedly Ready To Close, Will Gaza Change That?

Posted on Apr 3, 2024

A US-made F-16 fighter lands on the run way at the eastern Hualien air force base on January 23, 2013. The Taiwan air force demonstrated their combat skills at the Hualien air base during an annual training before the coming lunar new year.

Air

Multiple Taiwanese F-16s Damaged In Powerful Earthquake Multiple Taiwanese F-16s Damaged In Powerful Earthquake

Posted on Apr 3, 2024

The USAF wants $1.5B in spare parts it doesn't have in its budget.

Air

Hundreds Of Air Force Aircraft Risk Grounding Without Extra $1.5B Spare Parts Infusion Hundreds Of Air Force Aircraft Risk Grounding Without Extra $1.5B Spare Parts Infusion

Posted on Mar 28, 2024

India’s homegrown Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) has had a tortuous development path, but investment in the program is starting to show dividends, with the first flight of the Tejas Mk 1A, a much-improved version of the jet. The Tejas Mk 1A is set to be built in considerably greater numbers than the initial Mk 1 version and, more importantly, brings a host of advanced new features.

Air

Much Is Riding On India’s Upgraded Tejas Light Fighter After Its First Flight Much Is Riding On India’s Upgraded Tejas Light Fighter After Its First Flight

Updated on Mar 28, 2024

Boeing has announced plans to establish a new production facility for the MQ-28 Ghost Bat drone in Australia.

Air

Boeing’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat Getting Facility To Ramp-Up Production In Australia Boeing’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat Getting Facility To Ramp-Up Production In Australia

Posted on Mar 28, 2024

Cold War-era Ladoga APV pictured by a FPV drone

Ultra-Rare Russian Armored VIP Escape Vehicle Spotted In Ukraine Ultra-Rare Russian Armored VIP Escape Vehicle Spotted In Ukraine

Posted on Mar 28, 2024

Danish Air Force F-16 takes off in Monte Real Air Force Base during Real Thaw 2018 exercise on February 06, 2018 in Monte Real, Portugal. Real Thaw 2018 (RT18) is a Portuguese Air Force led live-fly exercise to evaluate and certify their operational capability being conducted at Monte Real Air Force from January 29 to February 09. The tenth edition of RT18 features 35 aircraft and 1500 personnel from the Portuguese Air Force, Army and Navy and military forces from Denmark, France, Netherlands, Spain, the United States of America and NATO.

Air

F-16 Looks Like The Endgame To Argentina’s Epic Fighter Saga F-16 Looks Like The Endgame To Argentina’s Epic Fighter Saga

Posted on Mar 27, 2024

Air

Greece Plans To Sell F-16s, Mirages To Rationalize Its Fighter Inventory Greece Plans To Sell F-16s, Mirages To Rationalize Its Fighter Inventory

Posted on Mar 26, 2024

Air

Japan Wants T-7 Red Hawk As Its Next Trainer: Report Japan Wants T-7 Red Hawk As Its Next Trainer: Report

Posted on Mar 26, 2024

U.S. Air Force TU-2s Dragon Lady 1078 flies to U.S. Air Force Plant 42, Palmdale, California, where it will undergo normal Program Depot-level Maintenance (PDM) and be painted black, after almost three years of maintenance at Beale Air Force Base, California, Feb. 29, 2024. Aircraft 1078 was involved in an accident in 2021 that left it unable to move to Plant 42, and after passing low flight and high flight tests, was able to fly to Palmdale where Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Detachment 4 will oversee Lockheed Martin’s PDM of aircraft 1078. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexis Pentzer

Air

TU-2S Dragon Lady Resurrected For The Twilight Of The Spy Plane’s Service TU-2S Dragon Lady Resurrected For The Twilight Of The Spy Plane’s Service

Posted on Mar 25, 2024

Supersonic testbed XB-1 on its first flight, March 22, 2024

Air

Boom’s XB-1 Supersonic Test Jet Takes To The Skies Boom’s XB-1 Supersonic Test Jet Takes To The Skies

Posted on Mar 23, 2024

Air

F-22 Spotted With New Stealth Wing Tanks, Infrared Sensor Pods F-22 Spotted With New Stealth Wing Tanks, Infrared Sensor Pods

By Tyler Rogoway, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Mar 22, 2024

The F-35 Joint Program Office says the internal gun on the A variant of the Joint Strike Fighter is now effective after years of accuracy and other problems.

Air

F-35A’s Beleaguered 25mm Cannon Is Finally “Effective” F-35A’s Beleaguered 25mm Cannon Is Finally “Effective”

Posted on Mar 22, 2024

A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II sits on the flightline at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., March 3, 2023. The A-10 is assigned to the A-10C Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team, which is one of four single-ship demonstration teams within Air Combat Command, who travel across the United States, as well as internationally, to highlight the combat capabilities of the A-10 and the U.S. Air Force.

Air

A-10 Demo Team Announces Its Final Year As The Warthog’s End Draws Near A-10 Demo Team Announces Its Final Year As The Warthog’s End Draws Near

Posted on Mar 21, 2024

Satellite image of the air base at Mihail Kogălniceanu, pictured on December 18, 2023

Romanian Airfield’s Transformation Into A Giant NATO Base Is Underway Romanian Airfield’s Transformation Into A Giant NATO Base Is Underway

Posted on Mar 20, 2024

The Air Force has conducted an unprecedented test launch of a live AGM-183A ARRW hypersonic missile in the Western Pacific, sending signals to China and elsewhere in the region amid uncertainty about this particular program's future.

Air

Unprecedented U.S. Hypersonic Weapons Test From Guam Has Occurred Unprecedented U.S. Hypersonic Weapons Test From Guam Has Occurred

Posted on Mar 19, 2024

KF-21 Refueling for the first time from a tanker

Air

South Korea’s KF-21 Next Generation Fighter Begins Tanker Trials South Korea’s KF-21 Next Generation Fighter Begins Tanker Trials

Posted on Mar 19, 2024

The US Air Force no longer plans to flight test a laser directed energy weapon on an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship.

Air

AC-130 Gunship’s Laser Weapon Cancelled, 105mm Howitzer May Be Removed AC-130 Gunship’s Laser Weapon Cancelled, 105mm Howitzer May Be Removed

Posted on Mar 19, 2024

The US Air Force has confirmed a spate of drone incursions occurred at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia in December 2023.

Air

Mysterious Drones Swarmed Langley AFB For Weeks Mysterious Drones Swarmed Langley AFB For Weeks

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Mar 15, 2024

Mig-29s are now flying with French hammer guided bombs in Ukraine.

Air

Ukraine’s MiG-29s Are Now Carrying French ‘Hammer’ Rocket-Assisted Bombs Ukraine’s MiG-29s Are Now Carrying French ‘Hammer’ Rocket-Assisted Bombs