The War Zone. Your daily source for military, defense, and geopolitics coverage.

While a multitude of law enforcement agents sprang into action after a shooter tried to storm a ballroom where President Donald Trump and others were attending the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner, one well-dressed and cool under pressure plainclothes agent went viral after whipping out a Heckler & Koch MP7. Secret Service

MP7 Personal Defense Weapon Just Went Viral In Hands Of Tailored-Suit Wearing Agent

The cool under pressure agent yanked the MP7 from a discreet backpack after a shooter tried to storm the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

Latest News

S-71
Russia

Russia’s Stealthy S-71K Air-Launched Missile Seen In New Detail

The missile aims to be a less expensive, but still survivable standoff weapon option that can be built in large numbers.

A MH-60S Sea Hawk, attached to the “Indians” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 6, soars above Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101) while conducting a vertical replenishment-at-sea alongside
Iran

Prospects Dimming On Iran-U.S. Deal To Open Strait, End War

Tehran has delivered a new offer to Washington that is unlikely to move the needle as blockade aims to cripple Iran’s oil infrastructure.

Recently uncovered wreckage of an Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM)reveals that Ukraine is employing the AIM-120C-8 version, a weapon that is close to the ‘top of the line’ for these missiles. Ukraine can employ AMRAAM from its F-16 fighters, as well as from the ground-based National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) air defense system.
AIM-120 AMRAAM

Evidence Of Ukraine Using AIM-120C-8 Missiles Emerges

Wreckage imagery indicates Ukraine is fielding near-top-tier AIM-120C-8s, which are employable via F-16s and NASAMS launchers.

On August 27, 1962, pilot Lt. Col. A. I. Shein took off in a single-seat Su-7B, with a live 244N nuclear bomb carried on the centerline station below the fuselage. He then headed for the Semipalatinsk test site on the Soviet steppe. Also known as “The Polygon,” the Semipalatinsk range was the main test site for Soviet nuclear weapons. It is in the Abai region, in what is now Kazakhstan.
Cold War

Rare Video Appears To Show A Soviet Su-7 Jet Dropping A Nuclear Bomb

During one very unusual Cold War drill, a Soviet Su-7 Fitter attack jet delivered a live tactical nuclear weapon in an end-to-end test.

Carrier Tracker As of April 26, 2026
Carrier Tracker

Carrier Tracker As of April 26, 2026

The U.S. now has three carrier strike groups in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility for the first time in more than two decades.

Airmen from the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing sit inside of a bunker during a base-wide exercise at an undisclosed location within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 24, 2024. The exercise assessed the responsiveness of Airmen and first responders during a simulated attack. (U.S. Air Force photo)
Bunker Talk

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

Another week!

A U.S. Marine Corps XQ-58A Valkyrie, highly autonomous, low-cost tactical unmanned air vehicle, conducts its second test flight with two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft assigned to 33rd Fighter Wing, 96th Test Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Feb. 23, 2023. The XQ-58A Valkyrie test flight and the data collected inform future requirements for the Marine Corps in a rapidly evolving security environment, while successfully fueling joint innovation and experimentation opportunities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. John McRell)
XQ-58

F-35s Quarterbacking Drones Seen As Gateway To USMC’s 6th Gen Fighter

Collaborative Combat Aircraft will “bridge” the Marines to a family of new capabilities that could include a new stealth fighter based on F/A-XX.

The U.S. Marine Corps has quietly axed the roll-on/roll-off Harvest Hawk armament kit for its KC-130J Hercules tanker/transport aircraft.
KC-130

KC-130J’s Hellfire Missile-Firing Harvest Hawk Kits Retired By Marines

Developed to turn USMC C-130s into close air support platforms during the Global War on Terror, Harvest Hawk’s relevance has waned.

U.S. Marine Corps legacy F/A-18C/D Hornets are in line to add air-to-air optimized versions of the 70mm Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) rocket to their arsenal.
Laser Guided Rockets

USMC’s Old F/A-18 Hornets To Get Drone Swatting Laser Guided Rockets

The combat-proven APKWS II laser-guided rocket’s use as a valuable low-cost air-to-air weapon continues to grow.

Saildrone specter launching a missile.
Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs)

Saildrone’s Missile-Toting Spectre Enters Navy’s Medium-Sized Unmanned Ship Competition

Saildrone has joined forces with defense juggernauts to supersize its proven vehicle concept and equip it with missiles and sub-hunting sensors.

The U.S. Navy has shared details about what looks to be a previously undisclosed effort to rapidly arm ships in two carrier strike groups with radar-guided Longbow Hellfire missiles to protect against drones.
AGM-114 Hellfire

Navy Rushing To Arm Carrier Strike Groups With Hellfire Missiles

The Navy is pushing more counter-drone hard-kill capabilities to its fleet as it comes to terms with the growing threat of one-way attack drones.

191028-N-LQ653-1278 PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct. 28, 2019) Henry J. Kaiser-class underway replenishment oiler USNS Yukon (T-AO-202, front, makes its approach to commercial tanker MT Empire State as the two ships prepare to conduct a consolidated loading. The evolution provided the Military Sealift Command (MSC) Pacific Commander the opportunity to exercise a training opportunity at sea with the two ships. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Patrick W. Menah Jr./Released)
Iran

Iranian Attacks Change Way Navy Refuels Its Ships In Middle East

The Navy created a commercial “tanker treadmill” to top off its oilers out at sea, offering lessons that could have larger impacts on operations in the future.

Ukraine is air-launching its SHahed-136 interceptor drones now.
Ukraine

Ukraine’s Drone-Hunting An-28 Turboprop Is Now Launching Interceptor Drones

The latest evolution of Ukraine’s rugged An-28 Cash turboprop counter-drone platform combines interceptor drones and Minigun armament.

Jolly Green IIs will be poised to spirit senior U.S. officials and lawmakers to safety at a moment's notice to ensure the federal government can continue to function even in the event of a nuclear attack or a similarly serious contingency.
HH-60

HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopters To Take On Doomsday Evacuation Role In The Nation’s Capital

The Jolly Green IIs will be modified for VIP airlift and continuity of government ops, replacing aging UH-1N Twin Hueys in these roles.

After heavy structural modifications in Waco, Texas, NASA's 777 aircraft returns to Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia.
NASA

NASA’s 777 Flying Laboratory Touches Down At Langley

NASA’s largest research aircraft will take over from the agency’s iconic DC-8, with a first test campaign planned for 2027.

U.S. efforts to prevent Iranian mining of the Strait of Hormuz are underway says the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Iran

U.S. Efforts To Prevent Iranian Mine Laying In Strait Of Hormuz Underway

Another U.S. delegation is headed to Pakistan to try to restart negotiations as a third carrier strike group arrives in the region.

President Trump ordered the Navy to blow up Iranian mine-laying boats and said U.S. demining efforts were underway in the Strait of Hormuz
Iran

Trump Puts Out Kill Order On Iran’s Small Boats (Updated)

Trump also said he is going to “triple” demining efforts in the Strait, although it is unclear what, if any, of these activities are currently happening at all.

Iran has ramped up attacks on Strait of Hormuz shipping.
Iran

Iran Ramps Up Attacks On Ships In The Strait Of Hormuz After Trump Ceasefire Extension (Updated)

With Iran refusing to commit to peace talks, the future of the ceasefire remains in doubt.

More Latest News

The Navy's top leadership says they are working hard to avoid serious issues that have plagued previous shipbuilding efforts when it comes to the Trump class "battleship" program.
U.S. Navy

Everything New We Just Learned About The Trump Class Battleship Program

We are getting a clearer idea of how the Navy thinks it can use these ships, which have an estimated cost of $17B per vessel.

A new, longer-range version of the Rapidly Adaptable Affordable Cruise Missile (RAACM) has been unveiled by CoAspire at the Sea-Air-Space 2026 exposition near Washington, D.C. The development comes just days after the U.S. Air Force launched market research for its Family of Affordable Mass Missiles — Beyond Adversary’s Reach (FAMM-BAR), reflecting the service’s interest in low-cost, long-range strike weapons.
Air-To-Ground

New Low-Cost Cruise Missile Features Tomahawk-Like Range

With a range of over 1,000 nautical miles, the RAACM-ER cruise missile aims to go far while costing less.

MH-60S pilot gives tour of his Seahawk helicopter.

U.S. Navy MH-60S Pilot Talks Multi-Mission Roles During Tour Of The Seahawk

Branded Content: The MH-60S is a true U.S. Navy workhorse, from executing ship replenishment to mine hunting to anti-surface warfare.

A U.S. Air Force F-15EX Eagle II assigned to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, releases flares over the Gulf Coast, April 3, 2026. The 96th Test Wing and 53rd Wing perform developmental and operational test series on the platform including next-generation survivability, radars, sensors and networking capabilities.
F-15

F-15EX Buy Was Just Doubled By The USAF, Which Makes Perfect Sense

While it is initially replacing the F-15C, more F-15EXs will provide a ready successor to aging F-15E Strike Eagles and possibly other types.

The Navy has been taking a deep look at the design and capabilities, and associated costs, of the Ford class as compared to the older Nimitz class.
U.S. Navy

Ford Class Review Puts Navy’s Future Carrier Plans Into Question

The review includes comparing the Ford class to the Nimitz class and seeing what has been gained or lost operationally.

Leonardo DRS’s Plan To Counter Drones For The U.S. Navy

Leonardo DRS’s Plan To Counter Drones For The U.S. Navy

Branded Content: Maritime-Mission Equipment Package (M-MEP) is designed to protect seaborne assets from attack drones.

When the USS Spruance fired its 5-inch deck gun at an Iranian cargo ship, it was the first time a Navy ship used its deck gun on another vessel since 1988.
Iran

USS Spruance Blasting A Ship With Its Deck Gun Is A First In Nearly Four Decades

The Navy hasn’t struck another ship in anger with its deck gun since 1988.

Sea Guardian can carry many payloads and fly at low altitudes in most any weather.

MQ-9B SeaGuardian Ready For Teaming With P-8 Poseidon

Branded Content: General Atomics has developed the MQ-9B as an all-round maritime patrol drone and a companion to the P-8.

Northrop Grumman CEO Kathy Warden says she is confident in her company's ability to deliver next-generation carrier-based fighters to the U.S. Navy if it is selected as the winner of the F/A-XX competition.
F-47

Northrop Defends Ability To Build F/A-XX 6th Gen Naval Fighters If Selected

The Navy’s top officer said yesterday that an unnamed contractor “really can’t deliver” on F/A-XX “in the timeframe we need it.”

F/A-XX Northrop Grumman
F/A-XX

F/A-XX Next Gen Naval Fighter Concept Video Emerges From Northrop Grumman

We see a lot more of Northrop Grumman’s F/A-XX tailless naval fighter concept in the new video, including some interesting features.

Spruance fires on iranian ship
Iran

Iran Peace Talks Hanging By A Thread After Tumultuous Weekend Near The Strait (Updated)

Trump said peace talks are on while Iranians say they aren’t after both the U.S. and Iran fired on vessels over the weekend.

SNC Gives Details Of Its Clean-Sheet Freedom Trainer Offering To The U.S. Navy

SNC Gives Details Of Its Clean-Sheet Freedom Trainer Offering To The U.S. Navy

Branded Content: New trainer designed as a “no-compromise” solution that aims to save significant money for U.S. Navy aviator training.

Armed Black Hawk is shown off with new wings and weapons.
H-60

The H-60 Black Hawk Gunship Evolves With New Wings And Weapons

We get a close-up look and tour of the next armed H-60 Black Hawk evolution.

F/A-XX Stealth Fighter Selection To Finally Come By August: Navy’s Top Admiral
F/A-XX

F/A-XX Stealth Fighter Selection To Finally Come By August: Navy’s Top Admiral

After being stalled in procurement purgatory, the Navy is set to move forward with its carrier-based 6th generation fighter.

TWZ’s weekly carrier tracker monitoring America’s flattop fleet, including deployed Carrier Strike Groups (CSG) and Amphibious Ready Groups (ARG), using publicly available open-source information.
Carrier Tracker

Carrier Tracker As of April 20, 2026

Second American carrier strike group enters Central Command area of responsibility, third en route.

A Navy F/A-18 carries the new Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) Long Range (LR) variant during a test event in early April off the coast of California (U.S. Navy photo/released)
F/A-18E/F

Jet-Powered JDAM Tested From Navy Super Hornet

F/A-18s have trialed the JDAM-LR, a powered evolution of the JDAM that offers a relatively cheap cruise missile-like standoff strike capability.

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Must Read Features

Here’s What This Panoramic Windowed Room Does On American Aircraft Carriers
U.S. Navy

Here’s What This Panoramic Windowed Room Does On American Aircraft Carriers

F-15

This Is What It Looks Like When You Get Intercepted By An F-15C Eagle

Cold War

The Soviet Union’s Burya Cruise Missile Was A Little-Known Cold War Monster

CH-47

The “Birth” Of A Chinook Is The Weirdest Helicopter Display You Will Ever See

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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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