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An EA-18G Growler scored the types first ever air-to-air kill during a recently concluded deployment.

EA-18G Growler Scored Its First Air-To-Air Kill

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Jul 16, 2024
In a rare and impressive gathering, every airframe in the U.S. Coast Guard fleet converged at one location on 14 June 2024.

Every Coast Guard Aircraft Type Pictured Together In Rare ‘Family Photo’

By Oliver Parken
Posted on Jul 15, 2024
Two legendary U.S. nuclear bombers, their first flights separated by almost half a century, took to the skies over Missouri at the weekend. The formation flights by the U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bomber and the B-29 Doc — one of only two examples of the World War II-era bomber that are flying anywhere in the world — were, the service believes, the first time that these two legendary aircraft had flown together in this way.

B-2 Spirit Joined By B-29 Superfortress For Unprecedented Nuclear Bomber Heritage Flight

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Jul 15, 2024
The US Marine Corps is looking at new "buckshot-like" ammunition for its rifles, advanced optics, add-on jammers, and other new counter-drone capabilities for smaller units.

Shotgun Pellet-Like Rifle Ammo, Gun-Mounted Jammers On Marine Anti-Drone Wishlist

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Jul 15, 2024
Russia has, for the first time, published footage showing what it says is the carriage and launch of the guided, glide version of its huge FAB-3000 aerial bomb — a weapon that weighs over 6,600 pounds in its basic version. The weapon is among the more recently announced additions to the family of UMPK munitions, which add a pop-out wing kit and a guidance package to a range of existing freefall weapons, as you can read more about here.

Russia’s Giant 6,000lb Glide Bomb Seen Launched From Su-34 For First Time

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Jul 15, 2024
With one million FPV drones pledged to Ukraine by an international coalition, the need for pilots is only going to increase.

Ukraine’s FPV Drone Obstacle Course Teaches How To Chase Vehicles, Fly Into Windows

By Howard Altman
Posted on Jul 13, 2024
F-35 deliveries will resume with a limited TR-3 software load.

F-35 Deliveries Finally Cleared To Resume, New Jets Will Be Limited To Training

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Jul 12, 2024
A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B stealth fighter appears to have encountered some kind of problem at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan, forcing an emergency egress by the pilot.

F-35B Pilot Seen Leaping From Jet In Japan

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Jul 12, 2024
The US Air Force has revealed that development of a new relatively low-cost stand-off precision-guided munition is for Ukraine.

Air Force’s Cheap And Fast To Produce Long-Range Missile Is Being Built For Ukraine

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Jul 12, 2024
Northrop Grumman has offer a new and interesting look at its secretive XRQ-73 drone.

Our Best Look Yet At The XRQ-73 Hybrid-Electric Stealthy Flying Wing Drone

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway
Posted on Jul 10, 2024
Private aerospace firm Metrea has bought France's entire fleet of KC-135 tanker in a major new bet on contractor aerial refueling services.

All Of France’s KC-135 Tankers Bought By Private Aerial Refueling Company Metrea

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Jul 10, 2024
There is no official replacement for the F-22 Raptor, says the head of Air Combat Command. That could be another blow to the withering Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program.

Air Force Now Says It Has No Official F-22 Raptor Replacement

By Howard Altman
Posted on Jul 10, 2024
The Senate Armed Services Committee has directed the Pentagon to look into the possibility of transferring retired A-10 Warthog ground attack jets to Jordan.

Surplus A-10 Warthogs Could End Up In The Jordanian Air Force

By Joseph Trevithick
Updated on Jul 10, 2024
The transfer of F-16s from Denmark and The Netherlands to Ukraine is now underway, U.S., Danish and Dutch officials say.

Transfer Of F-16s To Ukraine Is Now Underway

By Howard Altman
Posted on Jul 10, 2024
Air Force special operations aviators are now training on AT-802U aircraft ahead of the arrival of their first OA-1K Sky warden light attack planes while questions grow about the program's future.

AT-802U Trainers Arrive To Prepare USAF Aviators For A Murky Light Attack Future

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Jul 9, 2024
A video has emerged showing a Greek warship knocking out a Houthi drone, in one of the latest such incidents in an ongoing campaign that has been waged by the Iranian-backed rebel group since last November, in the wake of the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. In this encounter, the Greek Navy frigate apparently used its 127mm main gun, reinforcing the utility of these weapons against drones, while the drone itself was seen adjusting its flight altitude to make it harder to intercept.

Greek Warship Guns-Down Houthi Drone In New Video

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Jul 9, 2024
Russia claims Ukraine plotted to steal one of its Tu-22M Backfire bombers.

Ukraine Situation Report: Plot To Steal A Tu-22M3 Backfire Thwarted Russia Claims

By Howard Altman
Posted on Jul 9, 2024
A clearer view of how the AIM-174B air-launched version of the SM-6 fits into the US Navy's larger arsenal is emerging.

AIM-174 Missile Brings Navy’s Future Counter-China Air Combat Strategy Into Focus

By Tyler Rogoway
Updated on Jul 9, 2024
The Ukrainian Air Force has, apparently for the first time, published a video showing in detail its U.S.-made HAWK surface-to-air missile system. As we have discussed in the past, the missile provides a useful boost to Ukraine’s middle-tier air and missile defense capacity and, according to the Ukrainian Air Force, has scored some notable ‘kills.’

First Inside Look At Ukraine’s HAWK Air Defense Systems

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Jul 8, 2024
The first weapon-ready plutonium pit for the future W81-! nuclear warhead has been produced.

Problem Plagued Sentinel ICBM Program Will Press Ahead Despite Nearly Doubling In Cost

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Jul 8, 2024
Ukraine’s unorthodox efforts to develop ways of defeating Russian drones have taken an apparent new turn, with the appearance of a light airplane carrying a sharpshooter to intercept uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs). At this stage, few details about the concept are available, but it’s notable that the aircraft in question — the Ukrainian-made Aeroprakt A-22 ultralight — is a type that we have seen in the past adapted as one-way attack drone, something you can read more about here.

Ultralight Drone Hunting Planes Now In Use In Ukraine

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Jul 8, 2024
The Department of Energy has recieved two new AW139 helicopters specially configured for nuclear detection missions.

AW139 Nuclear Detection Helicopters Join Department Of Energy Fleet, Replace Bell 412s

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Jul 8, 2024
The Pentagon has made a new announcement about the first forward-deployments of Air Force F-35As and F-15EXs to Japan, as well as changes to the Marine Corps' F-35B force in that country.

USAF F-35As To Be Based In Japan Replacing Wild Weasel F-16s

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Jul 3, 2024
The Navy's Training Air Wing 2 (TAW-2) has hit one million flight hours with the T-45 jet trainer as plans to replace that are have been delayed.

Navy Delays Jet Trainer Replacement As T-45 Wing Hits One Million Flight Hours

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Jul 3, 2024
In a bizarre turn of events, Chinese-made Wing Loong drones, apparently headed to Libya, have been seized by Italian authorities off the coast of southern Italy. The disassembled drones were in crates that were marked as containing parts for wind turbines, in what seems to have been an effort to evade a United Nations arms embargo imposed on Libya.

Chinese Wing Loong Drones Disguised As Wind Turbines Seized By Italy

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Jul 3, 2024
The air-launched version of the hugely versatile SM-6 missile, also known as the RIM-174, has appeared on U.S. Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters at the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise, the world’s largest international maritime exercise. We now also know the missiles are designated AIM-74B, indicating an air-to-air missile, although, as we have discussed in the past, the weapon also has the potential to strike high-priority ground targets, such as air defense sites, and warships, acting as a quasi-ballistic missile.

AIM-174 Super Hornet-Launched Variant Of SM-6 Missile Breaks Cover In Hawaii (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway
Updated on Jul 3, 2024
Kratos has developed a new launch trolley that allows its XQ-58 drones to take off from traditional runways.

XQ-58 Valkyrie Can Now Take Off From Runways Thanks To New Launch Trolly System

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Jul 3, 2024
MQ-9 with new electronic warfare pod

New Electronic Warfare Pod Turns Marine MQ-9 Reaper Into “A Black Hole”

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway
Posted on Jul 3, 2024
Russia has unveiled a counter-drone interceptor, a single-use drone with an explosive warhead that’s expressly designed to bring down the kinds of Ukrainian uncrewed aerial vehicles that have taken a steady toll of Russian troops and equipment on the battlefield. The Vogan-9SP counter-drone interceptor was developed by Russia’s Red Line company, seemingly a new entrant in the field.

Russia Jumps Into Purpose-Built Drone-Hunting Drone Weapons Space

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Jul 2, 2024
The US Army has put out a new request for information for compact sensors for use on high-altitude balloons underscoring its broader vision for using those capabilities in the future.

Army’s High-Flying Balloon Surveillance Vision Grows With Call For New Radars, Other Sensors

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Jul 2, 2024
Israeli AH-64 helicopter gunship pilots have provided an extensive account of their operations during the surprise attack on the country by Hamas militants last October 7. Their accounts — provided to the Israeli media — give a rare insight into the Israeli Air Force’s immediate response to the first invasion of Israeli territory since 1948.

Israeli AH-64 Apache Commanders Describe Brutal Reality Of October 7 Missions

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Jul 2, 2024
The US Air Force is taking a second look at the crewed sixth-generation stealth combat jet it is developing under the Next Generation Air Dominance initiative to see where costs could be cut, even at the cost of losing certain capabilities.

Next Generation Air Dominance Fighter’s Future Increasingly Uncertain

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Jul 2, 2024
Billionaire Jared Isaacman Is going to fly a Tornado F2A.

Tornado F2 Set To Become Most Advanced Flying Fighter In A Private Individual’s Hands

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Jul 1, 2024
Anduril and General Atomics have shared new details about progress and challenges, including on production and autonomy issues, as part of the Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.

Construction Of First Collaborative Combat Aircraft Drone Has Begun At General Atomics

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Jul 1, 2024
A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle from Royal Air Force Lakenheath's 494th Fighter Squadron returns to formation after receiving fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker from the Fairchild Air Force Base's 92nd Aerial Refueling Squadron, over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 2, 2024. The U.S. Air Force is globally postured to protect and defend freedom of coalition allies and regional partners within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to maintain peace and stability across the region.

Flying The F-15E Strike Eagle In Air-To-Air Combat, From Dogfighting To Drone Hunting

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Jul 1, 2024
Piggyback bomber at a Nazi airfield In WWII.

Recalling The Nazis’ Bizarre Piggyback Bombers 80 Years After They Went To War

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Jun 30, 2024
The US Air Force's Air Mobility Command has outlined a critical need to give its fleets new counter-drone defenses they can use wherever they go.

Built-In Counter-Drone Defenses Sought For Air Force Transports, Tankers

By Eric Tegler, Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Jun 29, 2024
The US Army's elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment has been testing Arctic and desert camouflage options on top of a now well-known multi-tone blue scheme.

160th SOAR Night Stalkers Testing Arctic, Desert Vinyl Camo Wraps As Global Missions Evolve

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Jun 28, 2024
A video has emerged showing a Ukrainian MiG-29 toss-bombing a munition, a critical tactic that helps limit the exposure of the launching platform to enemy defenses.

Watch A Ukrainian MiG-29 Toss A Bomb Across The Front Lines

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Jun 28, 2024
AI reading side numbers on carrier jets.

Using AI To Read Aircraft Identification Numbers On Navy Carrier Decks In Testing

By Eric Tegler
Posted on Jun 26, 2024
Pacific Defender 24 will see European AirPower head to the Pacific.

European Air Power Teams Up For Pacific Mega Deployment

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Jun 26, 2024
Leonardo's AW609 tiltrotor has completed a series of shipboard trials aboard the Italian carrier ITS Cavour, a major milestone in the aircraft's development.

AW609 Tiltrotor Has Flown From Italy’s Aircraft Carrier Cavour

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Jun 26, 2024
Congress is pressing ahead with legislation that would compel the Air Force to restore nuclear capability to its entire fleet of B-52 bombers after the likely sunset of an armed control deal with Russia.

What It Will Take To Make The Entire B-52 Fleet Nuclear-Capable

By Joseph Trevithick
Updated on Jun 26, 2024
A USAF F-15EX Eagle II armed with 12 AIM-120 AMRAAMs.

F-15EX Testers Are Now Preparing The Eagle II For Rapidly Adapting To New Missions

By Jamie Hunter
Posted on Jun 25, 2024
The Ohio class nuclear ballistic missile submarine USS Tennessee, the Ticonderoga class cruiser USS Normandy, an E-6B Mercury 'doomsday plane,' and a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft recently took part in an unusual show of force in the Norwegian Sea.

U.S. Ballistic Missile Submarine, ‘Doomsday Plane’ Take Part In Rare Show Of Force Off Norway

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Jun 25, 2024
A propeller-driven Yak-52 primary training aircraft has appeared with an impressive collection of kill marks displayed on its fuselage; seemingly confirmation of its success having been impressed into service as a drone-killer. While we reported on a series of previous videos showing the use of Soviet-era Yak-52s to attack Russian drones, the latest evidence suggests that the unorthodox solution could be becoming a more important part of Ukraine’s multilayered air defenses.

Yak-52 Kill Marks Hint At Success In Ukraine’s Drone War

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Jun 25, 2024
A secretive stealthy drone being developed under the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's Series Hybrid Electric Propulsion AiRcraft (SHEPARD) Demonstration program has now been designated the XRQ-73.

Shadowy XRQ-73 Hybrid-Electric Stealthy Flying Wing Drone Emerges

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Jun 24, 2024
The Ka-29 Helix-B helicopter was downed during a massive, multi-domain, Ukrainian drone attack

Russian Navy Ka-29 Assault Helicopter Downed Amid Massive Ukrainian Drone Attack

By Howard Altman
Posted on Jun 21, 2024
A claim has emerged that Russia has begun using 3,000-kilogram (6,600-pound) class FAB-3000 M54 bombs with pop-out wing kits against targets in Ukraine.

Is This Our First Look At Russia’s New Monster Glide Bomb Striking Ukraine?

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Jun 21, 2024
AIM-120 being loaded into a NASAMS launcher

U.S. Diverting Missiles From Foreign Customers To Ukraine Could Have Repercussions Beyond Air Defense

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway
Posted on Jun 21, 2024
A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B stealth fighter has begun wearing some decidedly non-standard markings, very likely the most flamboyant we’ve seen on the Joint Strike Fighter so far. The upper fuselage and top surfaces of the wing the F-35B in question, operated by Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242, “Bats,” is emblazoned with a stylized motif showing the night-flying mammal, and has recently been captured by photographers at its base, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan’s Yamaguchi prefecture.

F-35B Dons Huge Bat Insignia On Its Back

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Jun 20, 2024
MH-6s belonging to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment are now flying with a multi-tone blue camouflage scheme that looks intended primarily for use in maritime operations.

Blue Camouflage MH-6 Little Birds Point To Night Stalkers’ Pacific Pivot

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Jun 20, 2024
Ukraine is ramping up its attacks on Russian ISR drones to reduce their situational awareness.

Ukraine Situation Report: Drone-On-Drone Aerial Engagements Ramp-Up

By Howard Altman
Posted on Jun 19, 2024
The US government has approved potential sales of Switchblade 300 and ALTIUS 600M loitering munitions to Taiwan.

Sale Of Over 1,000 Kamikaze Drones To Taiwan Points To Grand “Hellscape” Counter-China Plans

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Jun 19, 2024
Sweden has retired its long-serving SAAB 105 trainer.

Sweden’s Unique Little Saab 105 Jet Retired After 57 Years

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Jun 19, 2024
A new report from the Government Accountability Office raises questions and concerns about the Air Force's push to retire 32 Block 20 F-22 Raptors.

Ditching Older F-22s Risks Creating Capability Gaps, New Costs

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Jun 19, 2024
F-15EX has been put through its paces by testers in Eglin AFB to prepare it for service.

How USAF Testers Are Working To Field The F-15EX Fast

By Jamie Hunter
Posted on Jun 18, 2024
NH90 special forces helicopter has entered flight testing.

NH90 Special Operations Helicopter Begins Flight Testing

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Jun 18, 2024
Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornets will be used to launch prototypes of the US Air Force's Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile.

Australian F/A-18F Super Hornets To Test Launch U.S. Air Force’s Hypersonic Cruise Missiles

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Jun 18, 2024
USAF B-52 in flight

B-52s With New Rolls Royce Engines Won’t Fly Operational Missions Until 2033

By Joseph Trevithick
Updated on Jun 18, 2024
German defense contractor Rheinmetall is pitching a containerized launcher for use with Hero family loitering munitions.

Shipping Container Launcher Packing 126 Kamikaze Drones Hits The Market

By Joseph Trevithick
Updated on Jun 17, 2024
A pair of apparent mockups of the Chinese GJ-11 Sharp Sword uncrewed combat air vehicle (UCAV) have emerged at a site just over a mile from where the country is building the first of its new monster Type 076 amphibious assault ships.

Mockups Of China’s Sharp Sword Stealth Drone Appear Near New Supersized Amphibious Warship

By Joseph Trevithick
Updated on Jun 14, 2024
B-52 Future Stratofortress: The Upgrades That Will Transform The B-52H Into The B-52J

B-52 Future Stratofortress: The Upgrades That Will Transform The B-52H Into The B-52J

By Tyler Rogoway
Updated on Jun 14, 2024
These before and after satellite images from Planet labs shows that Russian Su-34 Fullbacks may have been damaged in a Ukrainian drone attack.

Ukraine Strikes Blow To Russian Su-34 Fullback Base

By Howard Altman
Updated on Jun 14, 2024