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The F-15EX, the Air Force’s newest fighter aircraft, arrives to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida March 11. The aircraft will be the first Air Force aircraft to be tested and fielded from beginning to end through combined developmental and operational tests. The 40th Flight Test Squadron and the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron personnel are responsible for testing the aircraft. U.S. Air Force

F-15EX Nails Pentagon Test Campaign, Survivability Concerns Remain

The F-15EX has so far impressed in simulated combat, even against fifth-generation threats, although new enemy long-range missiles could prove a challenge.

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(Original Caption) 12/2/1962-Nebraska- New visiual display system designed to expediate command and control of Strategic Air Commands far flung retalitory forces in operation in the Commands' underground Control Center here.

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

It may not smell great, but it's a safe from what's going on above.

Beirut bunker buster CCTV on hezbollah bunker

Unprecedented New View Of BLU-109 Bunker Buster Strike That Killed Hezbollah’s Leadership

The video shows the moment the bunker busters struck, burrowing deep below the road and detonating with such force that the ground is lifted all around.

The Russians say they thwarted a plot to blow up FPV drone operators with explosive-laden goggles.

Explosive-Laden Goggles Sent To Russian FPV Drone Operators

Russia is searching for the perpetrators of a scheme designed to blow up the heads of FPV drones operators, or at least induce fear of their kit.

A video showing testing of the Chinese GL-6 hard-kill active protection system underscores how systems like this to provide a valuable additional layer of defense against uncrewed aerial threats, including highly maneuverable first-person view (FPV) kamikaze drones, something TWZ has previously explored in an in-depth feature.

Chinese Tank’s Active Protection System Seen Intercepting Drone-Fired Rocket Propelled Grenade

Testing of the GL-6 highlights the potential value of hard-kill active protection systems for defending tanks against drone attacks.

Tankers from the 33rd separate mechanized brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces fire with a Leopard 2A4 tank during a field training at an undisclosed location in Ukraine on October 27, 2024, amid the Russian invasion on Ukraine.

Germany Kicks Off Work On Leopard 3 Main Battle Tank

Enhanced firepower, protection, and mobility are all requirements as Germany begins to look for a successor to its Leopard 2 tanks.

Iran has finally shown a drone taking off and landing on – in the latter case with the help of arresting gear – the deck of the country's unusual new 'drone carrier,' the Shahid Bagheri. Newly emerged imagery also shows various drones and crewed helicopters on the flight deck, which has a ski jump at the bow end, including the appearance of 'drones' styled after the infamous Qaher 313.

Iran’s Wacky Aircraft Carrier Has Entered Service

Questions about the Shahid Bagheri's capabilities remain, especially with the reappearance of the infamous Qaher 313 in a new drone form.

Ukraine has launched a new offensive in Kursk, according to the Russian Defense Ministry and milbloggers.

Ukraine Launches New Offensive Push In Russia’s Kursk Region

While the objectives remain unclear at the moment, the move comes ahead of major meetings to discuss the future of the war.

Developed through a collaboration between NPS and Seatrec, the Persistent Smart Acoustic Profiler (PSAP) Voyager is pictured just after it is deployed in the Pacific off the coast of Kona, Hawaii, in November of 2024. The innovative, self-powered autonomous underwater drone represents a major breakthrough in the persistent collection of acoustic data in real-time. (Photo courtesy Tarry Rago)

Navy Develops Highly Persistent Undersea Hydrophone System Powered By Ocean Temperatures

The Persistent Smart Acoustic Profiler Voyager could make underwater listening cheaper, more flexible, and more persistent for the sea service.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave U.S. President Donald Trump a golden pager commemorating last September's Israeli attack on Hezbollah using thousands of exploding pagers and walkie-talkies.

Trump Receives Golden Pager Gift From Netanyahu

The strange-looking gift commemorates Israel’s attack on Hezbollah operatives last fall using thousands of explosive pagers and walkie-talkies.

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Ukraine has trillions in mineral resources that Donald Trump wants in exchange for U.S. arms. However, a good chunk of that land is held by Russia or too close to the front to mine.

Ukrainian Minerals For Arms Deal Complicated By Russian Control Of Key Territories

Ukraine Situation Report: More than half of the trillions of dollars in mineral resources is on land controlled by Russia.

US military going after cartels?

How Trump Could Use Military Force Against Cartels In Mexico

While using the U.S. military to directly attack the cartels would be unprecedented, there are potential options for doing so.

The U.S. Marine Corps transition to the VH-92A Patriot as its only helicopter for use in the "Marine One" role shuttling the president, the vice president, their families, and their closest advisors around at home and abroad, is still underway and now we know it won't be done till 2030, at the earliest.

VH-92 Patriot Fully Taking Over Marine One Duties Has Slipped To End Of Decade

After major delays, the VH-92 is stepping into the Marine One role more fully, but total transition will come seven years later than planned.

Maj. Garret Dover prepares to taxi in an F-35A of the 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron, a tenant unit at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., takes off on a test flight at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, Feb 17, 2016. Six operational test and evaluation F-35s and more than 85 Airmen of the 31st TES travelled to Mountain Home AFB to conduct the first simulated deployment test of the F-35A, specifically to execute three key initial operational capability mission sets: suppression of enemy air defenses, close air support and air interdiction.

Escalating Trade War Raises Questions Over Canada’s F-35 Future

Canada’s place in the F-35 program is under scrutiny once again, this time due to tit-for-tat tariffs with the United States.

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

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

The bunker will protect you from what's outside… but it won't protect you from what's INSIDE!

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has banned virtually all helicopter flights around Reagan National Airport and parts of the surrounding Potomac River. This comes in the tragic collision of a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines CRJ700 airliner above the river on Tuesday night.

Nearly All Helicopter Traffic Around Reagan National Airport Has Been Shut Down

The new helicopter flight restrictions come as the investigation into the tragic incident over the Potomac is set to enter a new phase.

Ukrainian Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR) disputes claims that North Korean troops have fled the front lines in Kursk.

Ukraine’s Intel Chief Disputes Claim That North Koreans Have Fled The Russian Front

Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov told us that 8,000 North Koreans are still fighting on the front lines in Kursk, but at a reduced capacity.

An F-35C LIGHTNING II takes off from Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) during training with Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), Jan. 22, 2022. Operating as part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, units assigned to Carl Vinson and Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Groups, America and Essex Amphibious Ready Groups, alongside JMSDF, are conducting training to preserve and protect a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Intelligence Specialist 1st Class Jeremy Faller)

How Life Aboard A Navy Aircraft Carrier Changed When High-Speed Internet Arrived

USS Abraham Lincoln spearheaded efforts to bring high-speed internet to sailors underway and now we're learning more about its tactical and social impacts.

12th Army Aviation Battalion UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters fly in formation over the Potomac River in Washington to help kick off the 39th Annual Army Ten-Miler, Oct. 8, 2023. The role of the 12th Aviation Battalion is to conduct air movement and engineer technical rescue operations for senior leaders of the Army, Department of Defense, and U.S. Government while maintaining a continuous alert posture in support of the Joint Task Force - National Capital Region to sustain a rapid response, readiness, and support force capability. The Army Ten-Miler, the world's third largest 10-mile road race, promotes the Army, builds esprit de corps, supports Army fitness goals, and enhances community relations. (U.S. Army photo by Bernardo Fuller)

Ex-Military Helicopter Pilots Explain The Challenges Of Flying Over The Capital

We spoke with highly-experienced helicopter pilots who have operated over Washington, D.C., to get their thoughts on the tragic mid-air collision.

The crew of a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter involved in a mid-air collision over the Potomac River last night were training for what is known as a continuity of government mission.

Mid-Air Collision Shines Light On Doomsday Plans For Nation’s Capital

The Army UH-60 Black Hawk that collided with an airliner was assigned to a specialized unit with a continuity of government mission.

Several investigations are underway into a mid-air collision that killed 67 people.

“Elevation Issue” With UH-60 That Collided With CRJ700 Over Potomac Being Investigated: SECDEF

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Black Hawk was manned by "a fairly experienced crew" conducting nighttime continuity of government training.

A caucasian uniformed pilot in the cockpit of a small, modern private single engine propeller aircraft landing at night with runway lights visible.

Here’s What Air Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems Can And Can’t Do

While the Traffic Collision Avoidance System, or TCAS, was introduced as a backup to help prevent mid-air collisions, it has its limitations.

A commercial airliner collided with a Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River.

Chilling Air Traffic Control Audio From H-60 Collision With CRJ700 Over Potomac River (Updated)

Air traffic at Ronald Reagan National Airport has been halted while rescuers are on the scene looking for survivors.

200702-N-SB299-1015 SAN DIEGO (July 2, 2020) The guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) arrives at its homeport of Naval Base San Diego following more than two years of restoration and modernization at Huntington Ingalls Industries - Ingalls Shipbuilding Division's Pascagoula, Mississippi shipyard. The ship was damaged during a 2017 collision that claimed the lives of seven Sailors. While in San Diego, the crew will complete extensive training and certifications through Basic, Advanced, and Integrated phases of training. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alex Millar/Released)

Destroyer Has Become First U.S. Navy Ship To Deploy Artificial Intelligence System

The destroyer USS Fitzgerald embarked an AI-enabled monitoring system that helps the crew spot maintenance needs before they metastasize into bigger problems.

A U.S. Army UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter has completed initial ground runs with two of the new T901 Improved Turbine Engines. Developed under the Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP), the T901 was planned to power the now-canceled Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) but will instead now make its way into the UH-60 and the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter.

UH-60 Black Hawk Begins Ground Tests With Far More Powerful T901 Engines

The Improved Turbine Engine has powered a Black Hawk for the first time and is also due to be installed in AH-64 attack helicopters.

U.S. Air Force F-16 Vipers have been using 70mm laser-guided rockets to down Houthi drones during operations in and around the Red Sea in the past year.

F-16s Have Been Using Laser-Guided Rockets To Shoot Down Houthi Drones

Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System rockets now officially have a combat-proven air-to-air capability that could be valuable beyond the Red Sea.

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The Freedom-class littoral combat ship USS Sioux City (LCS 11), homeported at Naval Station Mayport, Jacksonville, Fla., arrives at the Marathi NATO Pier Complex in Souda Bay, Greece, to undergo scheduled preventative maintenance in May 2022..

Navy Finally Sends Littoral Combat Ship To Middle East

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X-32’s Test Pilot On Why It Lost To What Became The F-35

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Check Out The Crazy Radar That Lies Beneath The MC-130H Combat Talon II’s Gonzo Nose

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There’s A Place Where Helicopters Fly On High-Wires And Get Pummeled By Missiles

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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.

 

From its early beginnings to the present day, TWZ’s purpose remains the same.

 

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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