More from Joseph Trevithick (Page 2)

A U.S. plane with a civilian-style outward appearance and the ability to launch munitions from within its fuselage carried out the first controversial strike on an alleged drug smuggling boat, according to multiple reports.
Air-To-Ground

Let’s Talk About The Mysterious “Civilian-Style” Plane Used To Strike A Drug Boat

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 14, 2026

A viral and as-yet totally unsubstantiated claim that U.S. forces used a mysterious "sonic weapon" that left security forces bleeding and stunned during the recent operation to capture Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro has been getting a ton of attention.
South America

Did A Mysterious “Sonic Weapon” Really Aid Delta Force In Capturing Maduro?

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 13, 2026

Kratos has confirmed to TWZ that the landing gear-equipped version of its XQ-58 Valkyrie drone being developed for the U.S. Marines will still be able to make rocket-assisted takeoffs from static launchers.
XQ-58

Marine XQ-58 Valkyries Will Launch Via Rockets Or Runways

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jan 9, 2026

The Marine Corps' pursuit of a fully missionized version of Kratos' stealthy XQ-58A Valkyrie drone has taken another step forward with a new announcement that Northrop Grumman is now aiding in the effort.
Drones

USMC XQ-58 Valkyrie Development Makes Leap Forward With New Contract (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 8, 2026

The Little Bird's small size and incredible transportability mean that it can appear from virtually anywhere, on land or at sea, and are among the capabilities that have long endeared the type to the U.S. Army’s elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR).
MH-6/AH-6

Night Stalker MH-6 Little Bird’s Ability To Appear Out Of Nowhere Highlighted In Tanker Raid

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jan 7, 2026

U.S. forces have secured the runaway Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera, a U.S. official has confirmed to TWZ.
Northern Europe

U.S. Forces Seize Fleeing Russian-Flagged Oil Tanker In North Atlantic (Updated)

By Howard Altman, Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jan 7, 2026

The U.S. Army has released the first images showing parts of the design of a very early prototype of the next-generation iteration of the Abrams tank, or M1E3.
M1 Abrams

Our First Glimpse At The M1E3 Abrams Next-Gen Tank Demonstrator

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 7, 2026

Despite parallels drawn between the two operations, one asset that featured prominently in the Bin Laden mission in 2011 that looks to have been notably absent in the force that descended on Caracas over the weekend is stealthy Black Hawk helicopters.
MH-60/AH-60

Why Stealth Black Hawks Weren’t Used For Maduro Capture Mission

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jan 6, 2026

Multiple video clips offer strong evidence that kamikaze drones were among the capabilities the U.S. military brought to bear during the operation to capture Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro over the weekend.
Loitering Munitions

Did The U.S. Use Kamikaze Drones To Strike Venezuela?

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jan 6, 2026

Maduro captured, U.S. to run Venezuela.
South America

U.S. Will Now “Run” Venezuela After Maduro Capture: Trump (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Jan 4, 2026

RQ-170 Sentinel Stealth Drone Supported Maduro Capture Mission
RQ-170

RQ-170 Sentinel Stealth Drone Supported Maduro Capture Mission

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 3, 2026

Evidence that the United States employed AGM-114 Hellfire or AGM-179A Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) missiles in a covert strike on a target in Venezuela has now emerged.
Q-9

Missile Fragments Add To Evidence MQ-9 Reaper Drone Carried Out Venezuela Strike

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 2, 2026

A picture has emerged that looks to show Iran's Mohajer-6 drone has entered service, at least on a limited level, with the Venezuelan military.
Iran

Iranian Strike-Surveillance Drones Are Now Operating In Venezuela

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jan 1, 2026

Over the past week or so, U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drones have been spotted carrying increasingly greater numbers of AGM-114 Hellfire missiles on sorties from Puerto Rico.
Q-9

MQ-9 Reapers Flying With Unusually Heavy Weapons Loads Over Caribbean

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 30, 2025

New imagery of Chinese catapult-capable low-observable combat drones, or possibly mockups thereof, together with some unusual trucks, may point to plans to launch them from the ground, as well as ships.
China

Is This China’s Truck-Mounted Electromagnetic Catapult?

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Dec 30, 2025

The U.S. Navy has confirmed to TWZ that construction of the first two Trump class "battleships" is not expected to start until the early 2030s.
U.S. Navy

Trump Class Battleship Construction Won’t Begin Until 2030s

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 23, 2025

President Donald Trump has rolled out plans for new Trump class warships for the U.S. Navy.
U.S. Navy

What We Know About The Trump Class “Battleship”

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Dec 23, 2025

The U.S. Navy has confirmed to TWZ that the armament package for its first "flight" of its new FF(X) frigates will not include a built-in Vertical Launch System (VLS).
U.S. Navy

Navy’s New Frigate Will Not Have A Vertical Launch System For Missiles

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 22, 2025

The U.S. Air Force has formally designated Northrop Grumman’s Project Talon drone as the YFQ-48A and described it as a "strong contender" to be part of its future Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) fleets.
Drones

YFQ-48A ‘Fighter Drone’ Designation Given To Northrop Grumman’s Talon By USAF

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 22, 2025

The Navy is eyeing distributed construction to help speed up delivery of the FF(X) frigates.
U.S. Navy

This Will Be The Navy’s New FF(X) Frigate

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 19, 2025

The U.S. Navy personnel in the Middle East have test-launched a Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System (LUCAS) long-range kamikaze drone from the Independence class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) USS Santa Barbara.
Unmanned

Littoral Combat Ship Launches Shahed-136 Kamikaze Drone Clone

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Dec 18, 2025

The first full deployment of the U.S. Army's new Sentinel A4 air defense radar will be in the area around Washington, D.C., also known as the National Capital Region (NCR).
U.S. Army

Army’s New Sentinel A4 Radar’s First Full Deployment Will Be Defending Nation’s Capital

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 17, 2025

The U.S. Air Force has confirmed it is buying two Boeing 747-8 airliners from German flag carrier Lufthansa.
Civil Aviation

USAF Buying Lufthansa 747s To Serve As Future Air Force One Trainers, Spare Parts Sources

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 17, 2025

Satellite imagery is now available showing the aftermath of a Ukrainian attack yesterday on a Russian Navy Improved Kilo class diesel-electric submarine in the Black Sea naval stronghold of Novorossiysk.
Ukraine

Aftermath Of Ukraine’s Underwater Drone Attack On Russian Submarine Seen In Satellite Imagery

By Thomas Newdick, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 16, 2025

A 737 Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) with a luxurious VVIP interior has re-emerged unexpectedly tied to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), as evidenced by a large departmental seal in the main cabin.
U.S. Homeland

Mystery Surrounds Luxury 737 That Appears To Be Flying For Department Of Homeland Security

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Dec 16, 2025

A combination of new interceptors and launchers is set to give the Patriot surface-to-air missile system an "over-the-shoulder" engagement capability, the U.S. Army has disclosed.
MIM-104 Patriot

New Patriot Interceptors To Allow For “Over-The-Shoulder” Shots At Passing Targets

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 15, 2025

The U.S. Navy says it is aiming to have the first of a new class of frigates based on an existing American design "in the water" by 2028 following the cancelation of the Constellation class program.
U.S. Navy

U.S. Navy Now Wants A New Frigate And Fast

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 12, 2025

China's heavyweight jet-powered Jiutian drone, said to have a maximum takeoff weight of around 17.6 tons (16 metric tons), has flown.
Unmanned

China’s High-Flying Swarm Mothership Drone Has Flown

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 11, 2025

Crew Optional Designs Could Be Barred By Law From Navy’s Drone Ship Program
U.S. Navy

Crew Optional Designs Could Be Barred By Law From Navy’s Drone Ship Program

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 11, 2025

A contingent of six U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler electronic warfare jets, roughly a full squadron, is now forward-deployed at the former Naval Station Roosevelt Roads in Puerto Rico.
EA-18G

EA-18G Growlers Deploying To Puerto Rico An Indicator Of What’s To Come (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Dec 10, 2025

Online flight tracking data shows that a pair of U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets flew right into the center of the Gulf of Venezuela earlier today, and stayed there for some 40 minutes.
EA-18G

F/A-18 Super Hornets Were Just Tracked Flying Deep Inside The Gulf Of Venezuela (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 9, 2025

Congress has taken a new step toward blocking the Pentagon from axing the acquisition of new E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft.
E-7

E-7 Wedgetail Radar Jet Program Cancellation Reversal Advances In Congress

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 9, 2025

The House Armed Services Committee has advanced a new draft of the annual defense policy bill that includes full funding for the U.S. Navy’s F/A-XX next-generation carrier-based combat jet program.
F/A-XX

In Limbo F/A-XX Naval Fighter Gets ‘Full Funding’ Nod From Congress, But There’s A Catch (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 8, 2025

The U.S. Navy has chosen the LST-100 from Dutch shipbuilder Damen to be the basis of a new class of Medium Landing Ships, or LSMs.
U.S. Navy

This Will Be The Navy’s New Medium Landing Ship

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 5, 2025

APKWS are now flying on Ukraine's F-16s.
Laser Guided Rockets

Ukrainian F-16s Appear To Be Armed With Laser-Guided Rockets In New Photos

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Dec 5, 2025

Northrop Grumman has unveiled their new CCA.
Drones

Talon Emerges From The Shadows (Updated)

By Tyler Rogoway, Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Dec 4, 2025

US is deploying Shahed-136 clones to the Middle East.
Unmanned

U.S. Deploys Shahed-136 Clones To Middle East As A Warning To Iran

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Updated on Dec 3, 2025

Russia has fielded a new version of the Shahed-136 kamikaze drone armed with a single R-60 air-to-air missile.
Air-To-Air

Russian Shahed-136 Kamikaze Drones Now Armed With Air-To-Air Missiles

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 1, 2025

The U.S. Air Force says it estimates a fleet of Next Generation Airlift (NGAL) aircraft will be flying operational missions by the 2040-2041 timeframe.
C-17

C-17 Will Fly Until 80 Years Old Under New USAF Airlifter Strategy

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 21, 2025

Each of the U.S. Air Force's Special Operations Command's (AFSOC) new OA-1K Skyraider II light attack aircraft has a somewhat unexpected feature in its cockpit.
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

OA-1K Skyraider II Has Off-The-Shelf Rifle Sight Mounted In Its Cockpit

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 21, 2025

Russian officials claim that a prototype of the Sukhoi Su-75 Checkmate fighter could be in flight testing by early next year.
Fighters

Russia Insists Su-75 Checkmate Fighter Will Fly Next Year

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 20, 2025

The Utah Air National Guard demonstrated new capabilities that expand the KC-135 aerial refueling tanker's ability to also act as an airborne communications and data-sharing node during major exercises in the Pacific earlier this year.
KC-135

KC-135 Refueling Pods Have Been Converted Into Flying Communication Nodes

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 20, 2025

Russia’s Sukhoi Su-57 Felon is benefiting from lessons learned in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, according to the head of the country's state-run defense conglomerate Rostec.
Su-57

Su-57 With New Upgrade Options, Russia Claims First Foreign Delivery Has Already Occurred

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 19, 2025

Images show that a large tiltrotor drone called the R6000, being developed by United Aircraft in China, has now entered flight testing.
Future Vertical Lift

China’s Large R6000 Uncrewed Tiltrotor Is Now In Flight Testing

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 18, 2025

Boeing says its MQ-28 Ghost Bat drone is on track for its first live-fire weapons shot, which will be of an AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM), next month.
Loyal Wingman

MQ-28 Ghost Bat To Fire AIM-120 Missile In First Live Weapons Test Next Month

By Joseph Trevithick, Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 18, 2025

An MQ-20 Avenger drone flew a mock mission at the direction of a pilot in an F-22 Raptor during a demonstration earlier this year, General Atomics has disclosed.
Loyal Wingman

F-22 Pilot Controls MQ-20 Drone From The Cockpit In Mock Combat Mission

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 17, 2025

Israel's stocks of AIM-9M Sidewinder air-to-air missiles are now more effective against long-range kamikaze drones like Iran's Shahed-136, thanks to changes to their seekers, according to a new report.
Israeli Air Force

Israel Modified AIM-9M Sidewinder Missile Seekers To Better Target Drones: Report

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Nov 15, 2025

China's first super-sized Type 076 amphibious assault ship, the Sichuan, has left port for its first sea trials.
People's Liberation Army Navy (China)

China’s Type 076 Supersized Amphibious Assault Ship Heads To Sea On Its Maiden Voyage

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 14, 2025

French authorities have provided the first real look at the latest version of the Air-Sol Moyenne Portee (ASMP; or Medium-Range Air-to-Surface) ramjet-powered, nuclear-armed cruise missile.
Rafale

France’s New Nuclear-Armed Supersonic Cruise Missile Seen Clearly For The First Time

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 13, 2025

Japan’s Acquisition Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) has offered the first look at damage to a target ship after it was hit by projectiles fired from a prototype electromagnetic railgun in testing earlier this year.
Naval Gun Systems

Railgun Damage To Japanese Target Ship Seen For The First Time

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 13, 2025

Anduril Unveils Omen Hybrid-Electric Vertical Takeoff And Landing Drone
Unmanned

Anduril Unveils Omen Hybrid-Electric Vertical Takeoff And Landing Drone

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Nov 13, 2025

Current and future operators of A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft could use them to shoot down incoming drones, according to manufacturer Embraer.
Light Air Support

A-29 Super Tucano Light Attack Aircraft Being Pitched As Drone Hunter

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 12, 2025

Videos show a Turkish Air Force C-130E Hercules cargo plane falling in multiple pieces from the sky earlier today.
C-130

Detached Wings From Doomed Turkish C-130 Seen Spiraling Into The Ground (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 11, 2025

The U.S. Air Force has put out a new call for concepts for a future anti-air missile that costs no more than $500,000 and that could be built at a rate of at least 1,000 per year.
U.S. Air Force

USAF’s New Low-Cost Anti-Air Missile Program Aims For $500K Target Price

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 10, 2025

The U.S. Army has set a goal of buying one million new drones of all types over the next two to three years.
Unmanned

Army Sets Out To Buy A Million Drones By 2028

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 8, 2025

China has now formally commissioned its first catapult-equipped aircraft carrier, the Fujian, into service.
People's Liberation Army Navy (China)

China Commissions Newest Aircraft Carrier With Its Electromagnetic Catapults Front And Center

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 7, 2025

A key aspect of the Trump administration's Golden Dome missile defense initiative is ensuring America's ability to launch retaliatory nuclear strikes, the nominee to become the next head of U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM) has stressed.
Nuclear Policy

Golden Dome Missile Shield Key To Ensuring Nuclear Second Strike Capability: U.S. Admiral

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 6, 2025

General Atomics' Gambit family of drones, with its common modular core ‘chassis’ concept, now has a sixth member optimized for air-to-surface missions, such as attacking hostile air defenses or enemy ships.
Unmanned

Strike Variant Joins Gambit Family Of Autonomous Air Combat Drones

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 6, 2025

Chinese drone test ship seen in action.
People's Liberation Army Navy (China)

Chinese ‘Mini Drone Carrier’ Seen Being Used As Test Ship

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 5, 2025

B-21 with a single pilot on board.
B-21

Single Pilot B-21 Raider Operations Hint At Advanced AI Capabilities

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Nov 5, 2025

We now have the first known commercial satellite imagery of the two Chinese sixth-generation stealth fighter designs that emerged nearly a year ago.
Fighters

China’s New Tailless Stealth Fighters Both Appear At Secretive Test Base

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Nov 4, 2025

Anduril’s YFQ-44 Fury ‘Fighter’ Drone Has Flown (Updated)
Loyal Wingman

Anduril’s YFQ-44 Fury ‘Fighter’ Drone Has Flown (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Oct 31, 2025

President Donald Trump has come out in support of a future fleet of South Korean nuclear-powered submarines.
Nuclear Attack Submarines (SSNs)

South Korea’s Nuclear Submarine Ambitions Take Major Step Forward

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 31, 2025

For the first time, Sikorsky's optionally-piloted UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter performed parachute drops, hovered on its own while sling loads were attached, and flew a simulated medical evacuation mission at the direction of an untrained individual onboard.
H-60

Pilot-Optional UH-60 Black Hawk Put To The Test In U.S. Military Exercise

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 30, 2025