Air

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

Evolving autonomous resupply and other capabilities could open up new and valuable tactical opportunities for the Army’s Black Hawk fleet.

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 14, 2024 12:41 PM EDT

Latest Articles

USS Chosen VLS resupply at sea test off San Diego.

Navy Just Reloaded A Vertical Launch System For The First Time While Underway At Sea

Having the ability to replenish surface combatants' vertical launch system cells while underway is seen as critical to sustaining a fight in the Pacific.

By Tyler Rogoway
Oct 12 3:50 PM EDT
The Dallison family leave their Anderson shelter to view the wreckage caused by a nearby bomb explosion the night before, January 1, 1940. Photo by Keystone Features/Getty Images.

Bunker Talk: Let’s Talk About All The Things We Did And Didn’t Cover This Week

The bunker is open!

By Tyler Rogoway
Oct 11 9:30 PM EDT
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

South Korea is not admitting responsibility for sending multiple waves of drones over the North Korean capital.

By Thomas Newdick
Oct 11 6:55 PM EDT
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

The new Stryker aims to offer the Army another layer of highly mobile lower-tier air defense capability to help rebuff drone attacks.

By Joseph Trevithick
Oct 11 6:19 PM EDT
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

The first of France’s Defense and Intervention Frigates is a new-generation multi-mission warship that features an inverted bow.

By Thomas Newdick
Oct 11 3:37 PM EDT
Search For Barrett .50 Caliber Sniper Rifle Replacement Halted By SOCOM

Search For Barrett .50 Caliber Sniper Rifle Replacement Halted By SOCOM

The Extreme Long Range Sniper Rifle was also being eyed as a replacement for .50 caliber Mk 15 bolt-action rifles in U.S. special operations inventory.

By Joseph Trevithick
Oct 11 12:53 PM EDT
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

The curious $13 million infusion of cash into the ARRW program comes amid continued questions about its future.

By Joseph Trevithick
Oct 10 7:34 PM EDT
Bolt-M drone

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

In the next six months the U.S. Marine Corps will start testing the advanced quadcopter loitering munition, designed to put easy-to-use aerial firepower into the infantry's hands.

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway
Oct 10 5:58 PM EDT
North Korea is wading deeper into the Ukraine war on behalf of Russia

North Korea Wading Deeper Into Russia’s War Against Ukraine

Ukraine Situation Report: North Korea is sending troops to assist Russia with attacks on Ukrainian cities while Ukraine strikes back against weapons storage areas.

By Howard Altman
Oct 10 4:22 PM EDT

Latest Videos
Captain of the USS Dwight D Eisenhower tells us what really went on during the ship's Red Sea combat cruise.

Carrier Captain In Combat: Our Video Interview With Christopher “Chowdah” Hill

By Tyler Rogoway
Sep 10 5:08 PM EDT
AC-130

The Future Of The AC-130 Gunship: Evolve Or Die

By Tyler Rogoway
Aug 31 7:05 PM EDT
Ukraine's F-16s arrived with self protection pods

F-16s Delivered To Ukraine With Advanced Countermeasure Pods For Self-Protection

By Tyler Rogoway
Aug 8 6:57 PM EDT

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Roadrunner Anduril
AUSA '24

Anduril’s Roadrunner Drone Hunting Drone Gets Expanded Order From Pentagon

The optionally reusable Roadrunner jet interceptor drone has been tested overseas in real world circumstances and now the DoD wants more.

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Oct 8, 2024 7:52 PM EDT

Israeli defense contractor Rafael says it has developed a new version of its combat-proven Trophy active protection system (APS) that is better able to defeat top-down attacks including drones.

Trophy Armored Vehicle Protection System Gains New Ability To Defeat Drones

By Joseph Trevithick
Oct 8 2:27 PM EDT
Mysterious M60 Machine Gun Contract Awarded By U.S. Army

Mysterious M60 Machine Gun Contract Awarded By U.S. Army

By Joseph Trevithick
Sep 30 5:16 PM EDT
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Air

Air

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

The close air support aircraft without a mission struggled to find a new home before the Test Pilot School stepped in.

By Thomas Newdick, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 9, 2024 6:06 PM EDT

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
Oct 9 4:05 PM EDT
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
Oct 9 2:25 PM EDT
Aurora Flight Sciences has released new renderings of an uncrewed fan-in-wing vertical take-off-and-landing capable demonstrator aircraft it is currently working on, as well as of a revised vision for a scaled-up stealthy cargo aircraft based on the same technology.

New Vision For Lift Fan Aircraft Family Grows From Special Operations X-Plane Program

By Joseph Trevithick
Oct 8 8:56 PM EDT
France has unveiled plans to develop a new uncrewed combat air vehicle (UCAV) that will complement the forthcoming Rafale F5 crewed fighter, as part of a new-look French Air and Space Force. The industrial side of the drone program will be headed up by Dassault Aviation, drawing upon its previous nEUROn UCAV demonstrator, which has already been used in trials with crewed combat aircraft.

Stealthy Uncrewed Combat Air Vehicle To Work Alongside Future French Rafale Fighters

By Thomas Newdick
Oct 8 2:46 PM EDT
View All in Air

Sea

A TV screen shows an image of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at a ceremony on September 6 to celebrate the launch of a newly built "tactical nuclear attack submarine" during a news program at the Yongsanl Railway Station. North Korea has launched a newly built "tactical nuclear attack submarine" capable of carrying out an underwater nuclear attack, with leader Kim Jong Un vowing to "further strengthen the state nuclear deterrence," the North's state media said on September 8. (
Sea

Signs Point To North Korea Building A Nuclear-Powered Submarine: South Korean Intel

A report from the South Korean military assesses that the new submarine under construction is North Korea’s biggest yet.

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 9, 2024 12:49 PM EDT

Recent photos of the first of the Type 076 landing helicopter dock (LHD) ships — known in the West as the Yulan class — under construction at the yard on Changxing Island in Shanghai reveal first one island superstructure added to the deck, followed by another, installed as of late last month.

China’s Monster Amphibious Assault Ship Has Twin Island Superstructures Optimized For Aviation Ops

By Thomas Newdick
Oct 7 7:49 PM EDT
The U.S. Navy expects its sixth-generation fighter to enter service in the 2030s, bringing with it the ability to operate alongside drones and fly missions at long ranges — capabilities seen as essential for future conflict with China, for example. The Navy’s ambitions, if realized, mean that the service may introduce its next-generation crewed fighter before the U.S. Air Force, which is now re-examining requirements for its new stealth combat jet, with the program on temporary hold.

Navy Making Final Selection For F/A-XX Stealth Fighter, Plans For 2030s Service Entry

By Thomas Newdick
Oct 3 7:49 PM EDT
Popping China's Anti-access bubble with the AIM-174

How The Navy’s New Very Long-Range AIM-174 Missile Could Pierce China’s Anti-Access Bubble

By Tyler Rogoway
Oct 3 6:05 PM EDT
Israel apparently conducted strikes on the Syrian coast this morning, with explosions reported in the vicinity of the Russian-operated Khmeimim Air Base, near the city of Latakia. At this stage, it’s unclear if the Russian airbase was actually hit, deliberately or otherwise. Either way, however the attacks represent a notable escalation in terms of Israel’s willingness to prosecute targets close to Russian interests in Syria.

Claims Swirl Around Israeli Strikes Very Near Russia’s Air Base In Syria

By Thomas Newdick
Oct 3 1:45 PM EDT
View All in Sea
Iran looks to have fielded a Chinese laser directed energy weapon capable of 'dazzling' drones or even destroying them in certain circumstances.
Land

Chinese Laser Anti-Drone System Spotted In Iran

By Joseph Trevithick
Oct 7 8:49 PM EDT

Clearer Picture Of Damage To Israeli Airbase From Iranian Ballistic Missiles Emerges

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway
Oct 4 7:29 PM EDT

Surreal Missile Battle In The Sky Seen In Astonishing Video Of Iran’s Ballistic Missile Barrage

By Tyler Rogoway
Oct 3 5:48 AM EDT
View all in Land
One of America's secretive X-37Bs is set to perform a series of maneuvers called aerobraking that will significantly change its orbit, which is said to be a first-of-its-kind event for the mini-space shuttle.
Space

Secretive X-37B Spaceplane To Use Aerobraking Maneuvers To Rapidly Change Orbit

By Joseph Trevithick
Oct 10 1:08 PM EDT

Link 16 Coverage From Space, Laser Communications Relays Make Major Advances

By Thomas Newdick
Sep 17 6:27 PM EDT

U.S. To Track Moving Air And Ground Targets Via Space By 2030, But Aircraft Will Still Play A Part

By Thomas Newdick
Sep 4 8:24 PM EDT
View all in Space
Recreation of early nuclear age plutonium pit
Nuclear

First Plutonium Pit For Nuclear Warhead Produced In The U.S. In 35 Years Is Now “Weapon-Ready”

By Howard Altman
Oct 4 1:13 PM EDT

First Chinese ICBM Test Into The Pacific In Decades Is A Big Deal (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick
Sep 25 5:16 PM EDT

Israeli Commando Raid In Syria Sends A Message To Iran That Its Underground Bases Are Not Untouchable

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway, Joseph Trevithick
Sep 12 9:28 PM EDT
View all in Nuclear
KOSTYANTYNIVKA, UKRAINE - OCTOBER 5: Ukrainian servicemen examine the wreckage of a downed Russian aircraft, likely a Sukhoi S-70 "stealth" heavy unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), which crashed in a residential area, setting a house on fire on October 5, 2024 in Kostyantynivka, Ukraine.
Unmanned

Russia’s S-70 Hunter Drone Was Armed When Shot Down By Friendly Fighter Over Ukraine

By Thomas Newdick
Oct 7 2:30 PM EDT

Why Did Russia Just Shoot Down Its Own Fighter-Sized S-70 Hunter Drone Over Ukraine?

By Tyler Rogoway
Oct 5 4:01 PM EDT

AH-64 Apaches Practice Shooting Down Drones With Hellfire Missiles In Saudi Arabia

By Tyler Rogoway
Oct 3 12:55 AM EDT
View all in Unmanned

More Latest News

A French Mirage 2000 prepares to receive fuel from a U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J Super Hercules assigned to the Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 (VMGR 252) over Djibouti Dec. 14, 2022. The refueling unit is deployed from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, and supports the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa by providing aerial refueling, airdrop and rescue capabilities to the area of operations.

France Confirms Upgraded Mirage 2000s Heading To Ukraine In Early 2025

Donated Dassault Mirage 2000s fighters will be joining the Ukrainian Air Force's F-16s in the new year.

By Thomas Newdick
Oct 8 1:10 PM EDT
Israel marks the first anniversary of Hamas' infamous terrorist attacks last year, which touched off what the country's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has now described as a "war of resurrection."

Israel Expands Ground Operation In Lebanon As World Braces For Retaliation Against Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his country is now in a "war of resurrection" heightening fears of a broader regional conflict.

By Joseph Trevithick
Oct 7 1:29 PM EDT
A Swiss soldier inside an atomic bomb shelter in Switzerland. (Photo by �� Vittoriano Rastelli/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)

Bunker Talk: Let’s Talk About All The Things We Did And Didn’t Cover This Week

Come one, come all.

By Tyler Rogoway
Oct 4 9:30 PM EDT
Ukraine is now using dragon drones to attack Russian bunkers and tanks.

Ukraine Now Using Dragon Drones To Burn Russian Bunkers, Tanks

Initially used to attack Russians hiding in treelines and trenches, Ukraine's thermite-spewing Dragon drones are taking on new targets.

By Howard Altman
Oct 4 8:43 PM EDT
Solo turk jet display F-16 close call

Watch Turkey’s ‘Solo Turk’ F-16 Demo Jet’s Close Call During A Recent Airshow

The Solo Turk demo jet appears to have got much too close to the ground for comfort during a recent airshow display.

By Thomas Newdick
Oct 4 2:25 PM EDT
Iran oil production targeted by Israel

Iranian Oil Tankers Bolting From Major Export Island Ahead Of Possible Israeli Strikes

Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf, which handles 90% of Iran's oil exports, is high on the list of retaliatory targets Israel may strike.

By Howard Altman
Oct 3 4:51 PM EDT
The world is bracing for Israel's response to Tuesday's massive Iranian ballistic missile barrage.

World Braces For Israel’s Retaliation To Iran’s Ballistic Missile Barrage

Israel has vowed to strike back after Iran's missile barrage and signs point to its response being far more significant than the one last April.

By Howard Altman
Oct 2 7:12 PM EDT
The U.S. Navy said it successfully intercepted several Iranian missiles headed to Israel.

U.S. Navy Destroyers “Successfully Engaged” Iranian Ballistic Missiles On Their Way To Israel

Arleigh Burke class destroyers USS Cole and USS Bulkeley took down multiple Iranian missiles from their stations in the Mediterranean.

By Howard Altman
Oct 2 2:01 PM EDT
The Washington Times first disclosed on July 16, 2004, that China had developed a new Yuan-class conventionally powered submarine in secret.

Chinese Submarine That Sunk Had Exotic Hybrid Nuclear Powerplant: Report

New details are coming to light about China’s Type 041 Zhou class submarine and its experimental propulsion system.

By Thomas Newdick
Oct 2 1:38 PM EDT
An Air Force B-52H Stratofortress was recently spotted rocking day-glo orange highlights.

B-52 Emerges In Striking Retro Orange Paint Scheme

The jet was painted to pay homage to the days when earlier B-52 variants served as test motherships for X-15 rocket planes.

By Howard Altman
Oct 1 6:40 PM EDT
Ballistic missile attack from Iran on israel

Iranian Ballistic Missiles Rain Down On Israel (Updated)

Iran has launched a large number of ballistic missiles at Israeli targets with significant numbers of projectiles seen careening into the ground in Israel.

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway, Howard Altman
Oct 1 5:15 PM EDT
Russian troops have pushed deeper into the Donetsk region town of Vuhledar.

Russian Pushes Deeper Into Key City In Eastern Ukraine

Ukraine Situation Report: The city of Vuhledar is a key bulwark and fully losing it could allow Russia to gobble up more territory.

By Howard Altman
Oct 1 3:27 PM EDT
Israel’s “limited” ground campaign in Lebanon has entered its second day, now named Operation Northern Arrows. The area around the border in southern Lebanon has been subject to heavy artillery shelling, while the Israeli Air Force (IAF) has again struck targets in Beirut, the Lebanese capital.

Israel Waits For Possible Iranian Strikes As Commando Raids Into Lebanon Continue

Operation Northern Arrows, the Israeli ground campaign in Lebanon, entered its second day, with U.S. officials warning of an imminent Iranian response.

By Thomas Newdick
Oct 1 12:38 PM EDT
Israeli soldiers work on the maintenance of tanks deployed in the Upper Galilee region of northern Israel near the border with Lebanon on September 29, 2024. Israel said on September 29 that it was carrying out new air raids against "dozens" of Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, after killing the Iran-backed group's leader, Hassan Nasrallah. Israel has also raised the prospect of a ground operation against Hezbollah, prompting widespread international concern.

Israeli Ground Operation In Lebanon Has Begun

After months of increased fighting with Hezbollah, including recently crippling its communications and decapitating its leadership, Israel pushes into Lebanon.

By Thomas Newdick
Sep 30 11:11 PM EDT
KC-707 IAF remote vision system

Israeli 707 Tanker’s Secretive Remote Vision System Revealed In Long-Range Yemen Raid

The Israeli Air Force's geriatric Boeing 707 tankers played a key role in its longest-range strike mission in decades.

By Thomas Newdick
Sep 30 3:33 PM EDT
Russia is training on using helicopters to launch FPV drones to attack Ukrainian sea drones.

Russia Training To Launch FPV Drones From Helicopters To Counter Sea Drones

Deploying and controlling FPV drones from helicopters would be highly beneficial, allowing for rapid response with very flexible and inexpensive guided weapons.

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway
Sep 30 2:49 PM EDT

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The War Zone — also known by the shorthand TWZ — has become an essential resource for the defense industry, the national security community, and the interested public at large since it was launched in 2016.

 

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The site stands at the nexus of military technology, strategy, and foreign policy. As a full-spectrum defense news and analysis website, TWZ covers the air, sea, land, space, and cyber domains of warfare, with an infusion of geopolitical context and technological analysis to offer readers deeper, yet easy-to-consume, insights than what they will find anywhere else….

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