Airborne Sensors (Page 2)

Posted on Sep 5, 2024

Alternatively known as the Y-9LG, the Y-8GX-12 is another ECM version based on the Y-8 Category III Platform. It was first identified in satellite imagery in late 2017. Surprisingly, considering its assumed role, the Y-8GX-12 has a ‘balance beam’ radar antenna above its fuselage, as found on the KJ-200 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft. It is believed, however, that the radar aboard the Y-8GX-12 is instead used for long-range jamming, using its powerful electronically scanned radar beams to suppress enemy radar signals.

Air

Our Best Look Yet At China’s New Standoff Electronic Warfare Plane Our Best Look Yet At China’s New Standoff Electronic Warfare Plane

Posted on Aug 30, 2024

Japan reports that a Chinese Y-9Z surveillance aircraft violated its airspace in what it says is the first time such an incident has taken place.

Air

Chinese Electronic Intelligence Plane Makes Unprecedented Incursion Into Japanese Airspace Chinese Electronic Intelligence Plane Makes Unprecedented Incursion Into Japanese Airspace

Posted on Aug 26, 2024

The U.S. Navy supercarrier USS Abraham Lincoln is heading toward the Middle East with an air wing that includes EA-18G Growlers equipped with new AN/ALQ-249(V)1 Next Generation Jammer-Mid Band (NGJ-MB) electronic warfare pods.

Air

EA-18G Growlers With New Jamming Pods Onboard Carrier Heading To Middle East EA-18G Growlers With New Jamming Pods Onboard Carrier Heading To Middle East

Posted on Aug 6, 2024

Lockheed Martin has unveiled a new version of its Sniper targeting pod with added networking capabilities primarily designed to enable new connectivity between fourth-generation fighters and stealthy F-35s, but which also offers the ability to create localized 'kill webs' with various assets in the air and on the ground.

Air

Networked Sniper Pod Will Let 4th-Generation Fighters Create ‘Kill Webs’ With F-35s Networked Sniper Pod Will Let 4th-Generation Fighters Create ‘Kill Webs’ With F-35s

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jul 26, 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.

Air

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

Posted on Jul 2, 2024

Testing at the Upside-Down Air Force, RADC

The Fascinating Story Of The USAF’s “Upside-Down Air Force” The Fascinating Story Of The USAF’s “Upside-Down Air Force”

By Oliver Parken

Posted on May 31, 2024

In a major new development for the Ukrainian military, Sweden is to donate it Saab 340 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft equipped with Erieye radar. The aircraft is being provided as part of Sweden’s biggest military aid package for Ukraine so far and they will bring an entirely new capability for the Ukrainian Air Force, providing much enhanced air and sea surveillance and working together with its forthcoming F-16 fighters.

Ukraine Getting Swedish Airborne Early Warning Radar Planes Is A Big Deal Ukraine Getting Swedish Airborne Early Warning Radar Planes Is A Big Deal

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on May 29, 2024

U-2's new radar is going to the Army's HADES surveillance jet.

Radar Developed For U-2 To Go On Army Intel-Gathering BizJets Radar Developed For U-2 To Go On Army Intel-Gathering BizJets

Posted on May 22, 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

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 Pentagon has provided new details about a sensor system called Gremlin that it is developed specifically to collect data on so-called unidentified anomalous phenomena, or UAPs.

DoD To Deploy ‘Gremlin’ Sensors To Collect Intel On Unidentified Flying Objects DoD To Deploy ‘Gremlin’ Sensors To Collect Intel On Unidentified Flying Objects

Posted on Mar 9, 2024

Declassified documents shine new light on an incident off the coast of Florida in January 2023 where an Air Force pilot says they saw something that looked like an "Apollo spacecraft."

Air

Air Force Pilot’s Bizarre Encounter With Capsule-Like Craft Off Florida Declassified Air Force Pilot’s Bizarre Encounter With Capsule-Like Craft Off Florida Declassified

Posted on Mar 7, 2024

Air

A-4 Aggressor Now Boasts Infrared Search And Track System A-4 Aggressor Now Boasts Infrared Search And Track System

Posted on Feb 27, 2024

LITENING LA Targeting pod Northrop Grumman

We Talk New Features On The LITENING Large Aperture Targeting Pod We Talk New Features On The LITENING Large Aperture Targeting Pod

By Tyler Rogoway, Jamie Hunter

Posted on Feb 16, 2024

Air

Low-Cost Infrared Search And Track System For Aircraft Unveiled By Anduril Low-Cost Infrared Search And Track System For Aircraft Unveiled By Anduril

Posted on Feb 8, 2024

The US government has approved the potential sale of aerostat-based surveillance systems to Poland.

Air

Poland’s Plan To Deploy Early Warning Radar Aerostats Moves Forward Poland’s Plan To Deploy Early Warning Radar Aerostats Moves Forward

Posted on Feb 8, 2024

USSOCOM is looking for companies that can provide AESA radars for its C-130 fleet.

Air

AESA Radars For AC-130J, MC-130J Sought By SOCOM AESA Radars For AC-130J, MC-130J Sought By SOCOM

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jan 27, 2024

As part of a £2.35 billion investment into upgrading Typhoon, a European Common Radar System (ECRS) Mark 2 Radar developed by Leonardo UK features a unique multi-functional array (MFA) which will allow Typhoon to simultaneously detect, identify, and track multiple targets in the air and on the ground plus perform electronic warfare tasks.

Air

British Eurofighter Finally Gets Advanced Swashplate AESA Radar British Eurofighter Finally Gets Advanced Swashplate AESA Radar

Posted on Jan 17, 2024

North Korea May Be Building An Early-Warning Radar Plane North Korea May Be Building An Early-Warning Radar Plane

Posted on Dec 15, 2023

M55 Spy Plane may be headed for Ukraine war operations

Soviet-Era M-55 Spy Plane May Be Headed To Support The War In Ukraine Soviet-Era M-55 Spy Plane May Be Headed To Support The War In Ukraine

Posted on Nov 21, 2023

Stealthy flying wing drones were a notable feature at a huge military parade in South Korea's capital Seoul on September 26, 2023.

Little Stealthy Flying Wing Drone Displayed By South Korea Little Stealthy Flying Wing Drone Displayed By South Korea

Posted on Sep 26, 2023

Air

This Is What The AH-64 Apache’s New Extended Rotor Mast Does This Is What The AH-64 Apache’s New Extended Rotor Mast Does

By Tyler Rogoway, Oliver Parken

Posted on Sep 7, 2023

Taiwan’s F-16s Cleared To Receive IRST Targeting Systems Taiwan’s F-16s Cleared To Receive IRST Targeting Systems

Posted on Aug 23, 2023

Pentagon Wants A Way To Capture High-Flying Spy Balloons Pentagon Wants A Way To Capture High-Flying Spy Balloons

Posted on Aug 8, 2023

Air

F/A-18’s Infrared Search And Track System Plagued By Delays F/A-18’s Infrared Search And Track System Plagued By Delays

Posted on Jun 9, 2023

Air

AC-130J Ghostrider Could Get Huge Upgrade From AESA Radar AC-130J Ghostrider Could Get Huge Upgrade From AESA Radar

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on May 15, 2023

Chinese Spaceplane Docked With Another Object Multiple Times Data Indicates Chinese Spaceplane Docked With Another Object Multiple Times Data Indicates

Posted on May 9, 2023

Air

Retirement Of MC-130H Speeds Up MC-130J Low-Flying Radar Upgrade Retirement Of MC-130H Speeds Up MC-130J Low-Flying Radar Upgrade

Posted on Apr 11, 2023

China’s Massive Fleet Of Radar Planes And The Strategy Behind It China’s Massive Fleet Of Radar Planes And The Strategy Behind It

By Thomas Newdick, Andreas Rupprecht

Posted on Apr 5, 2023

Air

Big Emphasis On ‘Spectral Warfare’ In Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance Plans Big Emphasis On ‘Spectral Warfare’ In Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance Plans

Posted on Mar 27, 2023

China Sees Balloon-Launched Drone Swarms In Its Future China Sees Balloon-Launched Drone Swarms In Its Future

Posted on Mar 2, 2023

Air

U-2 Pilot’s Selfie Flying Alongside Chinese Spy Balloon Leaks (Updated) U-2 Pilot’s Selfie Flying Alongside Chinese Spy Balloon Leaks (Updated)

Updated on Feb 21, 2023

Russia Also Has A Fleet Of Spy Balloons Russia Also Has A Fleet Of Spy Balloons

By Piotr Butowski

Updated on Feb 13, 2023

Land

The Army Has Axed Its Dash-8 Surveillance Planes The Army Has Axed Its Dash-8 Surveillance Planes

Posted on Feb 9, 2023

Air

Our First Look At Chinese Spy Balloon Debris Being Recovered Our First Look At Chinese Spy Balloon Debris Being Recovered

Posted on Feb 7, 2023

Why Shooting Down China’s Spy Balloon Over The U.S. Is More Complicated Than It Seems Why Shooting Down China’s Spy Balloon Over The U.S. Is More Complicated Than It Seems

By Emma Helfrich, Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Feb 4, 2023

Chinese Spy Balloon Reaches Missouri Chinese Spy Balloon Reaches Missouri

Posted on Feb 3, 2023

China’s Spy Balloon Over Montana Is Part Of A Larger, More Troubling Pattern China’s Spy Balloon Over Montana Is Part Of A Larger, More Troubling Pattern

Posted on Feb 3, 2023

Unique Sensor Setup Emerges On Turkey’s Stealthy New Fighter Unique Sensor Setup Emerges On Turkey’s Stealthy New Fighter

Posted on Jan 10, 2023

Air

RC-26 Condor Surveillance Planes Meet The End Of Their U.S. Military Career RC-26 Condor Surveillance Planes Meet The End Of Their U.S. Military Career

Posted on Jan 4, 2023

Air

F-35 Will Get New Radar Under Massive Upgrade Initiative (Updated) F-35 Will Get New Radar Under Massive Upgrade Initiative (Updated)

Posted on Jan 3, 2023

China Is Using Radar Reflector Balloons To Defend Critical Targets From Aerial Attack China Is Using Radar Reflector Balloons To Defend Critical Targets From Aerial Attack

By Emma Helfrich, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Dec 5, 2022

Air

F-5s Team With Avenger Drone, Bizjet In Air-To-Air Infrared Sensor Test F-5s Team With Avenger Drone, Bizjet In Air-To-Air Infrared Sensor Test

Posted on Dec 1, 2022

Tactical Air Support's F-5AT tests TacIRST

Private F-5 Aggressor Jet Flies With Built-In Infrared Search And Track System Private F-5 Aggressor Jet Flies With Built-In Infrared Search And Track System

By Emma Helfrich, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Oct 19, 2022

U.S. Central Command Eyes Solar Gliders, Blimps To Plug Surveillance Gap U.S. Central Command Eyes Solar Gliders, Blimps To Plug Surveillance Gap

By Howard Altman

Posted on Oct 10, 2022

Air

Officer Explains What New EC-37 Electronic Warfare Jets Can Do, Warns Program Is Underfunded Officer Explains What New EC-37 Electronic Warfare Jets Can Do, Warns Program Is Underfunded

Posted on Sep 19, 2022

Air

LITENING Targeting Pod Tested On F/A-18 Super Hornet For First Time LITENING Targeting Pod Tested On F/A-18 Super Hornet For First Time

Posted on Sep 8, 2022

China’s New Super Long-Endurance Drone Has Flown, Mirroring U.S. Efforts China’s New Super Long-Endurance Drone Has Flown, Mirroring U.S. Efforts

By Joseph Trevithick, Oliver Parken

Posted on Sep 7, 2022

Air

Our Best Look Yet At The Air Force’s EC-37B Compass Call Jamming Jet Our Best Look Yet At The Air Force’s EC-37B Compass Call Jamming Jet

Posted on Aug 19, 2022

Air

Global Hawk Has Left Beale Air Force Base For Good Global Hawk Has Left Beale Air Force Base For Good

Posted on Aug 11, 2022

Air

Keeping The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye On Top Into the 2040s Keeping The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye On Top Into the 2040s

By Howard Altman

Posted on Aug 5, 2022

Our First Clear Look At China’s KJ-600 Carrier-Based Radar Plane’s Nose Our First Clear Look At China’s KJ-600 Carrier-Based Radar Plane’s Nose

Posted on Jul 26, 2022

Air

Mysterious Pod Carried By Air Force Reaper Drone That Crashed In Romania Mysterious Pod Carried By Air Force Reaper Drone That Crashed In Romania

Posted on Jul 20, 2022

A Northrop Grumman AN/APG-83 radar installed on an F-16 Viper fighter jet.

Air

New Radars Are Giving Old Air Force F-16s Capabilities Like Never Before New Radars Are Giving Old Air Force F-16s Capabilities Like Never Before

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jul 15, 2022

Land

Army Black Hawk Spotted With New Sensor That Sees What Pilots Can’t Army Black Hawk Spotted With New Sensor That Sees What Pilots Can’t

By Dan Parsons

Posted on Jul 14, 2022

A US Air Force RC-135U Combat Sent electronic intelligence aircraft photographed at Kadena Air Base on the Japanese Island of Okinawa in 2009.

U.S. RC-135U Spy Plane Just Surveilled China’s Strategic Southern Coast U.S. RC-135U Spy Plane Just Surveilled China’s Strategic Southern Coast

By Brett Tingley and Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jun 6, 2022

Air

F-22 Raptor’s Future Upgrades Appear In Art Posted By Air Force General F-22 Raptor’s Future Upgrades Appear In Art Posted By Air Force General

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Apr 28, 2022

Air

Digital Shadow Will Insert Northrop Grumman’s CRJ Testbed Aircraft Into The Virtual Realm Digital Shadow Will Insert Northrop Grumman’s CRJ Testbed Aircraft Into The Virtual Realm

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Feb 23, 2022

Air

Bondo Gave The Secret Tacit Blue Demonstrator Jet Its Smooth Stealthy Skin Bondo Gave The Secret Tacit Blue Demonstrator Jet Its Smooth Stealthy Skin

Updated on Feb 21, 2022

This Is The Armada Of Spy Planes Tracking Russia’s Forces Surrounding Ukraine This Is The Armada Of Spy Planes Tracking Russia’s Forces Surrounding Ukraine

Updated on Feb 19, 2022

Russia Says Its New A-100 Jet Has Flown With Its Radar Turned On For The First Time Russia Says Its New A-100 Jet Has Flown With Its Radar Turned On For The First Time

Updated on Feb 11, 2022

Air

The Search To Replace The Air Force’s Geriatric E-3 Sentry Radar Jets Has Officially Begun (Updated) The Search To Replace The Air Force’s Geriatric E-3 Sentry Radar Jets Has Officially Begun (Updated)

Updated on Feb 9, 2022