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Flight Test Boss Details How China Threat Is Rapidly Changing Operations At Edwards AFB

Flight Test Boss Details How China Threat Is Rapidly Changing Operations At Edwards AFB

By Jamie Hunter
Posted on Nov 13, 2024
The General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) Gray Eagle STOL drone has undertaken its first experimental operations from a warship, taking off from the deck of the South Korean amphibious assault ship Dokdo. Gray Eagle STOL — which we have discussed in depth in the past — incorporates technology first demonstrated on the company’s Mojave, which was specifically developed with the ability to perform short takeoffs and landings, including from rough fields, with minimal support. The latest development adds to the aviation-capable warships that the wider family of Q-1 lineage drones have now operated from.

Gray Eagle STOL Drone Flies From South Korean Amphibious Assault Ship

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Nov 13, 2024
Boeing is pushing ahead with plans for future upgrades to the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter. While the scope of what is tentatively known as the modernized Apache have been scaled back somewhat compared to how it once looked, the company is considering the lessons of the war in Ukraine as it seeks to optimize the AH-64 so that it can continue to serve the U.S. Army into the 2060s.

Boeing’s Plan For Modernized AH-64 Apaches Serving Into The 2060s

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Nov 13, 2024
U.S. Marine Corps F-35C Joint Strike Fighters took part in recent strikes on Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen, the Pentagon has disclosed.

F-35C Naval Joint Strike Fighters Fly Combat Missions Against Houthis In Yemen

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Nov 13, 2024
France will have sent Ukraine 600 Hammer bombs by the end of the year.

Ukraine Will Have Received 600 French Hammer Bombs By End Of Year

By Howard Altman
Posted on Nov 13, 2024
The W5000, the world's largest unmanned cargo plane, is shown at The 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, China, on November 12, 2024.

China’s New W5000 Cargo Drone Is The Biggest Yet

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Nov 12, 2024
KC-135 AI Copilot testing

KC-135 Tanker With Artificial Intelligence Copilot Set To Fly Next Year

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Nov 12, 2024
Chinese Hypersonic Boost-Glide Vehicle Concept That Launches Its Own Weapons Emerges

Chinese Hypersonic Boost-Glide Vehicle Concept That Launches Its Own Weapons Emerges

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Nov 11, 2024
Visitors view a model of the aviation industry J-35A stealth fighter jet at the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Expo in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, China, on November 10, 2024.

New Version Of Chinese PL-15 Air-To-Air Missile Tailored For Stealth Fighters Revealed

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Nov 11, 2024
In major policy shift, Biden administration is allowing U.S. contractors to work in Ukraine fixing and maintaining donated weapons.

U.S. Contractors Will Be Allowed To Fix F-16s, Patriots In Ukraine: Report

By Howard Altman
Posted on Nov 8, 2024
China’s mysterious CH-7 stealthy flying-wing drone seems to have reappeared, although with a notably different look to it and a very impressive size.

China’s Stealth CH-7 Long-Endurance Drone Emerges

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Nov 8, 2024
The U.S. Navy recently used a drone control system now being installed on all its supercarriers to operate an actual uncrewed aircraft, a General Atomics Avenger, for the first time.

MQ-20 Avenger First Drone Flown Using Navy’s Carrier-Based Control System

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Nov 8, 2024
Another long-serving U.S. military aircraft has completed its final operational deployment, with the return of the U.S. Navy’s EP-3E Aries II surveillance platform from the 5th Fleet area of operations. The countdown to the spy plane’s final retirement is now on, which will see its vital intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) mission handed over fully to the MQ-4C Triton high-altitude, long-endurance drone.

EP-3E Aries II Spy Plane Has Flown Its Last Operational Mission

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Nov 7, 2024
Israel will buy 25 F-15IA fighters, marking the first new Eagles that the country has acquired since November 1995, when it ordered F-15I Ra’am jets. This summer, Israel had been given U.S. approval to by as many as 50 F-15IAs, as well as upgrade its F-15Is. Whether more F-15s or upgrades are added, the current wars in the Middle East mean that further acquisitions of combat aircraft are likely.

Israel Executes Long Awaited Buy Of F-15IA Advanced Eagle Fighters

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Nov 7, 2024
Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works advanced projects division has put forward a new vision for a stealthy pilot-optional aerial refueling tanker.

Skunk Works’ Latest Stealthy Tanker Concept Revealed

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Nov 7, 2024
A new large jet-powered Chinese armed drone said to have a 10-ton maximum takeoff weight, or a mockup thereof, has emerged, and the design looks to be at least configurable to be a swarm mothership.

New Heavyweight Chinese Jet Drone Looks To Be A Swarm Mothership

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Nov 6, 2024
J-15T fighter jet arrives in Zhuhai ahead of the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, or Airshow China 2024, on November 6, 2024 in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province of China. The 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition will be held in Zhuhai from November 12 to 17.

China’s J-15T Enhanced Carrier-Based Flanker Officially Unveiled

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Nov 6, 2024
The future outlook for the U.S. Air Force's top modernization efforts is even more uncertain after the service's civilian boss openly questioned the affordability of buying any combination of new stealth 'fighters,' advanced aerial refueling tankers, and highly autonomous drones.

Crisis Brewing Over Air Force’s Future Air Dominance Plans Which It Cannot Afford

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Nov 6, 2024
A U.S. Navy F/A-18F and F-35, both assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 9, fly over the Point Mugu Sea Range in Southern California with a U.S. Air Force F-15 during Gray Flag 2024 on Sept. 24, 2024. Gray Flag is an annual large-force test event that brings the joint force together to test and evaluate multi-domain systems in a maritime environment, ensuring our nation’s warfighters are equipped with effective, interoperable systems that will help them deter aggression, protect our nation’s prosperity and security, and return home safely to their families. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. Kory Hughs)

Navy Posts Its First AIM-174 Missile-Armed F/A-18F Super Hornet ‘Glamour Shots’

By Howard Altman
Updated on Nov 6, 2024
China’s J-35A Stealth Fighter Officially Breaks Cover

China’s J-35A Stealth Fighter Officially Breaks Cover

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway
Updated on Nov 5, 2024
European cargo aircraft targeted in suspected Russian plot.

Suspected Russian Airplane Sabotage Plot Sparks Call For NATO Action

By Howard Altman
Posted on Nov 5, 2024
The arrival of two Su-57 Felon prototypes for the upcoming Airshow China has provided a good look at details of the next-generation fighter, although the most interesting has been a first up-close view of its small wing-root weapons bays. At TWZ we have previous examined this feature as well as the air-to-air missiles that are understood to be accommodated in the bays. While long known about, the weapons bays had long remained something of a mystery.

We Finally Get A Clear Look At The Su-57 Felon’s Side Weapons Bays

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Nov 5, 2024
USMC F-35B

Final Conclusions On Bizarre Crash Of ‘Zombie’ F-35B That Flew Without A Pilot For 64 Miles Released

By Tyler Rogoway
Updated on Oct 31, 2024
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy, or PLAN has for the first time conducted dual-carrier operations in the South China Sea. The drills, involving the country’s first two in-service carriers, the Liaoning and Shandong, as well as at least 11 other vessels, also showcased the PLAN’s fast-growing air wing, with a flyby conducted by a dozen J-15 carrier-based multirole fighters. While clearly engineered for public consumption, the photo opportunity also points to the very rapid progress made by the PLAN in developing its aircraft carrier and wider blue-water capabilities.

Two New Versions Of China’s J-15 Carrier Fighter Now Appear To Be Operational

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Oct 31, 2024
The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has released a rare picture of an F-16I fighter armed with four Rampage missiles, an adaptation of a ground-launched precision-guided artillery rocket.

Israeli F-16I Shown Loaded-Up With Four Rampage Stand-Off Missiles (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Oct 30, 2024
Taiwan is lining up to become the next customer for the combat-proven National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System or NASAMS air defense system, after the United States approved its sale to the country.

Battle-Proven NASAMS Air Defense Systems Approved For Taiwan

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Oct 30, 2024
The commander of NORAD and NORTHCOM talked about the Langley Air Force Base drone incursion and what the military could do about it.

Here’s What NORAD’s Commander Just Told Us About The Langley AFB Drone Incursions

By Howard Altman
Posted on Oct 30, 2024
The Kremlin-appointed Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has vowed to avenge a Ukrainian drone attack that struck a military training facility in Chechnya. The raid, which appears to be the first of its kind to hit the southern Russian republic, is one of the longest-range drone strikes that Ukraine has attempted. The target was special forces training center, but the attack also has significant symbolic value, due to Kadyrov’s vocal support for the Russian war in Ukraine.

Ukraine Strikes Chechnya With Long-Range Drones For The First Time

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Oct 29, 2024
A Russian-made, S-300 missile system drives in front of the officials' stand during a military parade marking the annual Iranian National Army Day in Tehran, on April 18, 2019. - Iran's President Hassan Rouhani called on Middle East states on April 18 to "drive back Zionism", in an Army Day tirade against the Islamic republic's archfoe Israel. Speaking flanked by top general as troops paraded in a show of might, Rouhani also sought to reassure the region that the weaponry on display was for defensive purposes and not a threat.

Israeli Strikes Knocked Out All Of Iran’s S-300 Air Defense Systems: Officials

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Oct 28, 2024
A total of 44 U.S. Army helicopters suffered various degrees of damage during a burst of extreme weather at Fort Carson in Colorado earlier this year.

Dozens Of AH-64, UH-60, and CH-47 Helicopters Were Damaged In Storm At Colorado Army Base

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Oct 28, 2024
IAF strikes Iran

Israel’s Reprisal Strike Carefully Calculated, Unclear If Jets Ever Flew Over Iran

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway
Posted on Oct 26, 2024
B-21 Taking On Some Of NGAD Fighter’s Missions On The Table Air Force Says

B-21 Taking On Some Of NGAD Fighter’s Missions On The Table Air Force Says

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Oct 26, 2024
NATO Flexes With Simultaneous Nuclear Strike And Naval Warfare Exercises

NATO Flexes With Simultaneous Nuclear Strike And Naval Warfare Exercises

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Oct 25, 2024
We have now gotten our first look at the Ghost Shark extra-large autonomous undersea vehicle (XL-AUV) underwater thanks to the Autonomous Warrior 2024 maritime autonomous capabilities demonstration in Australia.

Our First Look At The Ghost Shark Uncrewed Submarine Underwater

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Oct 25, 2024
A TAURUS (Target Adaptive Unitary and dispensor Robotic Ubiquity System) KEPD 350 air-launched cruise missile, is on display during the press presentation at the International Aerospace Exhibition (ILA) in Schoenefeld, near Berlin, on June 3, 2024. The Aerospace Exhibition on aerospace industry, including aviation, space and defence, takes place at Schoenefeld Airport near Berlin and runs from June 5 to 9, 2024.

Germany Plans To Buy Advanced New Taurus Cruise Missiles: Report

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Oct 25, 2024
The expected size of the U.S. Air Force's B-21 Raider fleet could change as part of an ongoing force structure review, according to the bomber's manufacturer Northrop Grumman.

B-21 Raider Fleet Size Under Review

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Oct 24, 2024
Poland has taken the next step in the modernization of its air force, with U.S. approval given for a major upgrade of its fleet of F-16 fighters. The program will bring the jets to the F-16V standard and also suggests new weapons may be introduced, too. The Viper Midlife Upgrade is announced as Poland awaits F-35 stealth fighters and considers buying F-15EX multirole fighters, while making significant investments in its armed forces across the board, to meet the threat from Russia.

Poland’s F-16s Cleared For Major Upgrades

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Oct 24, 2024
The U.S. Navy is asking for new ideas about how to increase the unrefueled range of its F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters and EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft.

New Ways To Stretch F/A-18 Super Hornet’s Range Sought By Navy

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Oct 23, 2024
The spy plane at the center of one of the most notorious post-Cold War Today air incidents, a U.S. Navy EP-3E Aries II, has arrived at the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona, for future public display. The EP-3E’s journey to get to the museum has been a long one, starting with the dramatic collision with a Chinese fighter in the so-called Hainan Island incident in 2001.

EP-3E Aries II Spy Plane That Collided With Chinese Fighter Is Going On Display

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Oct 23, 2024
German Navy P-8

German P-8s To Fly From U.K. To Help Counter Russian Submarine Threat

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Oct 23, 2024
The existence of a top-secret Israeli drone, referred to as RA-01 and used for covert missions, has emerged from an unauthorized disclosure of U.S. intelligence documents which have now been posted all over social media.

The Existence Of Israel’s Secret Stealth Drone Should Come As No Surprise

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Oct 22, 2024
As if it didn’t have a distinctive enough look already, Boeing’s remarkable 757 Flying Test Bed — better known as “The Catfish” due to its unique and highly modified nose profile — has got some striking new colors. The red, white, and blue scheme is a direct reference to the livery this very same aircraft originally wore, as the prototype for the 757 family.

Boeing’s 757 ‘Catfish’ Flying F-22 Avionics Testbed Emerges With Retro Look

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Oct 22, 2024
BF-19, Lt Cdr Nicholas Baker RN, Flight 633, Test 808, Arrival JS KAGA for beginning of DT Sea Trails, 20 October 2024

Japan Expands Carrier Capabilities With F-35B, Drones Could Be Next

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Oct 22, 2024
Smarter MQ-1C Gray Eagle Is Getting Mojave’s Short Field Capabilities

Smarter MQ-1C Gray Eagle Is Getting Mojave’s Short Field Capabilities

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Oct 21, 2024
A B-2 Spirit from the 509th Bomb Wing, 13th Bomb Squadron Whiteman Air Force Base, Miss., prepares to be refueled by a KC-135R Stratotanker from the 434th Air Refueling Wing at Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind. during a nighttime aerial refueling mission.

Questions Linger Over Australia’s Role In B-2 Spirit Strikes On Yemen

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Oct 18, 2024
A CH-47 Chinook from B Co "Big Windy," 1-214th General Support Aviation Battalion lifts a 173rd Airborne Brigade tactical vehicle during Saber Junction 20 at Grafenwöhr Training on Aug. 5.

Army Confirms It’s Exploring Requirements For A New Heavy-Lift Helicopter To Replace Chinook

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Oct 17, 2024
The secretive Phoenix Ghost kamikaze drone developed by the U.S. Air Force to support Ukraine in its ongoing fight against Russia, has finally emerged from the shadows.

Secretive Phoenix Ghost Kamikaze Drones Rushed To Ukraine Finally Come Out Of The Shadows

By Thomas Newdick, Rachel S. Cohen, Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Oct 17, 2024
B-2 MOP Yemen iran

B-2 Spirits Just Sent A Very Ominous Message To Iran

By Tyler Rogoway
Updated on Oct 17, 2024
The U.S. Army's Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) tiltrotor is shaping up to be significantly different from the V-280 Valor from which it is derived, from its drive train to its fuselage design to the configuration of the seats inside the main cabin.

Army’s Future Vertical Lift Tiltrotor Will Differ Significantly From V-280 Valor It’s Based On

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Oct 16, 2024
P550 aerovironment drone can fly 5 hours on a single charge.

Aerovironment’s New P550 Flies Five Hours On A Charge, Drops Two-Pound Guided Bombs

By Rachel S. Cohen
Posted on Oct 16, 2024
Shield AI Firejet artwork

Shield AI Looks To Unleash Its Hivemind Autonomy Software On Multiple Platforms

By Jamie Hunter
Updated on Oct 16, 2024
V280 valor long range assaults

Army Already Preparing For V-280 Valor To Dramatically Transform Air Assaults

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Oct 15, 2024
China has revealed a new tiltrotor drone concept, the Zhang Ying UR6000, that has clear military potential, despite initially being pitched for civilian missions.

China’s Large Tiltrotor Drone Breaks Cover

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Oct 15, 2024
A new miniature electronic warfare jammer that is small and relatively low-cost enough to be a payload on loyal wingman-type drones and even expandable loitering munitions has hit the market from defense contractor Leonardo.

BriteStorm Miniature Electronic Warfare System Can Allow Small Drones To Create Big Ghost Formations

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Oct 14, 2024
Trash-carrying balloons launched across the border by North Korea are seen floating in the sky above Seoul on October 4, 2024. Relations between the two Koreas are at one of their lowest points in years, with Pyongyang ramping up weapons tests and bombarding the South with balloons carrying rubbish, and Seoul suspending a military deal and resuming propaganda broadcasts in response.

North Korea Sending GPS-Equipped Balloons Across The Border

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Oct 14, 2024
Experimental Fly-By-Wire UH-60M Black Hawk To Become Autonomy Testbed

Experimental Fly-By-Wire UH-60M Black Hawk To Become Autonomy Testbed

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Oct 14, 2024
North Korea accused South Korea on Friday of sending drones to scatter a "huge number" of anti-North leaflets over its capital Pyongyang, in what it called a political and military provocation that could lead to armed conflict.

Drones Penetrate North Korean Air Defenses To Drop Propaganda Leaflets On Pyongyang

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Oct 11, 2024
A new counter-drone focused variant of the 8x8 Stryker light armored vehicle armed with a laser directed energy weapon, laser-guided 70mm rockets, a 30mm automatic cannon, radars and other sensors has broken cover.

Counter-Drone Stryker Armored Vehicle Armed With Lasers, Rockets, Guns Unveiled

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Oct 11, 2024
The Amiral Ronarc’h (hull number D 660) officially started sea trials earlier this week, setting sail from the Naval Group’s Lorient shipyard, in Brittany, northern France, on October 7.

France’s Radical-Looking New Frigate Has Gone To Sea

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Oct 11, 2024
The US Air Force's Chief Scientist reportedly described the AGM-183A missile as the service's "most mature" hypersonic weapon, prompting new questions about whether that program's future.

ARRW Hypersonic Missile Program Gets New Funding Despite Signs Of Cancellation

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Oct 10, 2024
Bolt-M drone

Bolt-M Aims To Make Kamikaze Drone Attacks More User Friendly, Effective

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway
Posted on Oct 10, 2024
Orphaned A-29 Super Tucano Attack Planes Join USAF Test Pilot School Fleet

Orphaned A-29 Super Tucano Attack Planes Join USAF Test Pilot School Fleet

By Thomas Newdick, Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Oct 9, 2024
U.S. Air Force officials at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia are looking at installing anti-drone nets to help protect F-22 Raptor stealth fighters on the flightline.

Protective Nets To Shield F-22s Eyed For Airbase Swarmed By Mystery Drones

By Joseph Trevithick
Updated on Oct 9, 2024
Aerial photo taken of MacDill Air Force Base on January 29, 2021. MacDill AFB includes 28 associate units from all brances of service to include U.S. Central Command, U.S. Special Operations Command and the 927th Air Refueling Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tiffany Emery)

Hurricane Milton Could Be Sum Of All Weather Fears For MacDill Air Force Base

By Howard Altman
Posted on Oct 9, 2024