Bombers(Page 2)

Latest in Bombers

China’s H-20 Stealth Bomber Unlikely To ‘Debut’ Until 2030s, According To U.S. Intel
Air

China’s H-20 Stealth Bomber Unlikely To ‘Debut’ Until 2030s, According To U.S. Intel

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 18, 2024

F-35 CCA under trump admin
Air

Former Trump Acting SECDEF Talks About The Future Of Big Ticket Defense Programs

By Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 6, 2024

Gen. Bussiere said the number and speed of delivery of the B-21 is a “valid discussion” to have “based on the age of the B-1 and B-2” and the advancing strategic capabilities of Russia and China.
Air

B-21 Raider Numbers Could Be Boosted With Existing Production Capacity

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 6, 2024

Mystery drones have flown over USAF bases in the UK for an eighth day.
Air

Drone Incursions Over USAF Bases In UK Enter Second Week

By Howard Altman

Updated on Nov 27, 2024

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

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

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 26, 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.
Air

B-21 Raider Fleet Size Under Review

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 24, 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.
Air

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

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 18, 2024

B-2 MOP Yemen iran
Air

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

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Oct 17, 2024

An Air Force B-52H Stratofortress was recently spotted rocking day-glo orange highlights.
Air

B-52 Emerges In Striking Retro Orange Paint Scheme

By Howard Altman

Updated on Oct 1, 2024

The U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman have expanded testing of the B-21 thanks to two ground test articles, which are being used to evaluate the bomber's core construction and the time it takes before certain parts break. The tempo of flight testing of the initial pre-production Raider is also growing, with the jet now sometimes taking to the skies twice a week.
Air

B-21 Ground Test Airframes Join Flying Pre-Production Raider

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 19, 2024

The U.S. Air Force has released new video footage of its first pre-production B-21 Raider stealth bomber undergoing flight testing.
Air

New Look At B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber Flight Testing Released

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 18, 2024

A B-1B Lancer assigned to the 419th Flight Test Squadron conducts flight tests on the Load Adaptable Modular pylon in the skies over California, Feb. 15.
Air

B-1B Tests New Pylon That Could Drastically Increase Its Weapons Carriage Capabilities

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Aug 6, 2024

Chinese H-6-series aircraft have flown off the coast of Alaska for what appears to be the first time in an important show of force along with Russian Tu-95 Bear bombers.
Air

Chinese H-6 Missile Carrier Jets Appear For The First Time Off Alaska (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 25, 2024

Recently retired Lancer Rage takes to the skies above Davis–Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona
Air

B-1B Named Rage Brought Out Of Mothballs To Fly Once Again (Updated)

By Oliver Parken

Posted on Jul 20, 2024

B-2 sprit taking off.
Air

B-2 Stealth Bomber’s Latest Upgrade Is Here

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Jul 17, 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.
Air

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

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 15, 2024

Russia claims Ukraine plotted to steal one of its Tu-22M Backfire bombers.
Air

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

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jul 9, 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.
Air

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

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jun 26, 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.
Air

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

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 21, 2024

USAF B-52 in flight
Air

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

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jun 18, 2024

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

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

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Jun 14, 2024

B-2/B-21 comparison
Air

B-21, B-2 Comparison Image Shows Just How Weird The Raider’s Windows Really Are

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on May 23, 2024

B-21 raider first air-to-air image
Air

First Aerial View Of B-21 Raider Offers New Insights

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on May 22, 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)

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 10, 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

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 7, 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

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 1, 2024

H-20_CONCEPT_ART_PLAAF
Air

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

By Thomas Newdick

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

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 23, 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

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

By Oliver Parken

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

By Tyler Rogoway, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 18, 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

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 8, 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

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Mar 28, 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

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Mar 19, 2024

There are growing signs that an unprecedented AGM-183A hypersonic missile test staged from Guam is imminent.
Air

Unprecedented U.S. Hypersonic Weapon Test In West Pacific Appears Imminent

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Mar 4, 2024

The Air Force has very publicly shown pictures of a live AGM-183A hypersonic missile under the wing of a B-52H bomber on Guam despite previously announcing plans to end program.
Air

B-52 Armed With Hypersonic Missile Makes Appearance In Guam

By Joseph Trevithick, Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 1, 2024

A B-52 bomber made an emergency landing at Minot Air Force Base on January 23, 2024, due to an engine fire. The fire was subsequently put out an the crew of the aircraft was unharmed in the mishap.
Air

B-52 Stratofortress Damaged After Engine Fire

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 27, 2024

Putin flies aboard a TU-160 Blackjack
Air

Putin Flies Aboard Tu-160M Blackjack Strategic Bomber

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 22, 2024

World war two aircraft: B-17G Fortresses of the 381st Bomb Group in flight, Summer 1944.
Air

This Is What It Took To Defend A B-17 Bomber

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 31, 2024

B-21's first flight
Air

B-21 Raider Now In Production Just Two Months After First Flight

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 23, 2024

Flight testing of the B-21 Raider at Edwards Air Force Base in California is now underway.
Air

B-21 Raider Flight Testing Now Underway

By Howard Altman, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 17, 2024

B-1 crash at Ellsworth
Air

B-1B Bomber’s Crash Landing Path Seen In Satellite Image

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 9, 2024

We now have our first look at the B-1B bomber that crashed at Ellsworth Air Force Base on January 4, 2023.
Air

Crashed B-1B Bomber Carcass Visible At South Dakota Base

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 5, 2024

B-1B Ellsworth mishap
Air

B-1B Bomber Crashes In South Dakota

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jan 5, 2024

The Air Force is intersted in modified underwing pylons to help ensure its B-52H bombers can carry as many future hypersonic cruise missiles as possible.
Air

B-52 Needs New Pylons To Carry Max Load Of Hypersonic Missiles

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 28, 2023

The B61-12 nuclear bomb is now officially in the U.S. stockpile and approved for employment from the B-2A Spirit stealth bomber.
Air

B-2 Spirit Now Operational With New B61-12 Nuclear Bombs

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 28, 2023

B-21 raider T-shirt
Air

Celebrate B-21 Raider’s First Flight With This Ghostly T-Shirt

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Nov 27, 2023

B-21 first flight
Air

B-21 Raider’s First Flight: What We Learned

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Nov 10, 2023

B-21 has flown for the first time
Air

B-21 Raider Has Flown For The First Time (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick, Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Nov 10, 2023

B-1B Bone
Air

B-1B Bombers Just Made Historic Visit To Turkey

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 31, 2023

A People’s Republic of China J-11 pilot executed an unsafe intercept of a U.S. Air Force B-52 aircraft, which was lawfully conducting routine operations over the South China Sea in international airspace.
News & Features

Chinese Flanker’s “Unsafe” Intercept Seen From B-52’s Sniper Pod

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 26, 2023

The US Air Force has confirmed that its first pre-production B-21 Raider stealth bomber is undergoing taxi testing ahead of its first flight.
Air

B-21 Raider Has Begun Taxi Tests

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 25, 2023

A US Air Force B-52 bomber was seen flying in East Asia recently sporting white-colored wing tips and we now know the reason why.
Air

Here’s Why Some B-52s Have White Wing Tips

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 24, 2023

A B-52 is set to land in South Korea sometime this week.
Air

B-52 To Make Very Rare Landing In South Korea This Week

By Howard Altman

Posted on Oct 17, 2023

Tu-95 Engels Decoy
Air

Tu-95 Decoys Are Being Painted On Russian Air Base’s Apron

By Stetson Payne

Posted on Sep 30, 2023

For the very beginning, the B-21 Raider stealth bomber program has been about much more than only the bomber itself.
Air

B-21 ‘Family Of Systems’ Details Emerge, Engine Test Runs Start

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 12, 2023

B-21 Raider Side View
Air

B-21 Raider Seen Like Never Before In New Images

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Sep 12, 2023

The Air Force says it is still considering employing its future Collaborative Combat Aircraft drones alongside B-21 bombers, and that the uncrewed aircraft might also serve as tankers and airlifters.
Air

B-21 Raider Could Use Collaborative Drones Meant For Fighters

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 6, 2023

Russian Engels Bombers Tires
News & Features

Russia Is Using Tires To Protect Its Bombers From Aerial Attack

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Sep 4, 2023

Satellite images show a Russian Tu-23M Backfire bomber was destroyed in a Ukrainian drone attack deep inside Russia
Air

Destroyed Tu-22M Seen At Now Empty Russian Airbase

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Aug 22, 2023

Tu-22 Russia drone strike
Air

Tu-22 Backfire Destroyed In Drone Strike Deep Inside Russia

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Aug 20, 2023

B-2 Spirit bomber pictured over the JPARC
Air

B-2 Flies Mock Strike Mission From Iceland To Alaska

By Oliver Parken

Posted on Aug 19, 2023

Douglas Skypirate
Air

The Colossal Skypirate Was A Beast Of A Carrier Aircraft Design

By Oliver Parken

Posted on Jul 31, 2023

Northrop Grumman says its "on track" for a B-21 Raider stealth bomber first flight in 2023 after the initial example was successfully "powered on."
Air

B-21 Raider’s First Flight Still Set For 2023 After ‘Power On’ Milestone

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 28, 2023