More from Joseph Trevithick (Page 4)

Posted on Feb 7, 2025

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.

Air

Iran’s Wacky Aircraft Carrier Has Entered Service Iran’s Wacky Aircraft Carrier Has Entered Service

Posted on Feb 6, 2025

The U.S. Air Force quietly fixed a problem with the integration of the 30,000-pound class GBU-57/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bomb onto the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber last year. As part of the integration work, the service also conducted an important test of a new "smart fuze" for the MOP to help improve the weapon's effectiveness, even when the exact depth and positioning of the buried target are not definitively known.

Air

Massive Ordnance Penetrator Bunker Buster Grows More Potent Massive Ordnance Penetrator Bunker Buster Grows More Potent

Updated on Feb 6, 2025

New information about serious and potentially dangerous deficiencies with the emergency ejection system on the U.S. Air Force's new T-7A Red Hawk jet trainer has been released.

Air

New Details About T-7A Red Hawk Jet Trainer Ejection System Woes Emerge New Details About T-7A Red Hawk Jet Trainer Ejection System Woes Emerge

Posted on Feb 5, 2025

Air

RC-135 Rivet Joint Surveillance Jet Just Flew Unprecedented Mission Off Mexico RC-135 Rivet Joint Surveillance Jet Just Flew Unprecedented Mission Off Mexico

Posted on Feb 4, 2025

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.

Air

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

Updated on Feb 4, 2025

A newly released U.S. Marine Aviation Plan shows the service is now looking at a successor to its MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotors actively enough to give it a name: the Next Generation Assault Support (NGAS) aircraft.

Air

Hunt For A MV-22 Osprey Successor For The Marines Has Begun Hunt For A MV-22 Osprey Successor For The Marines Has Begun

Posted on Feb 3, 2025

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.

Air

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

Posted on Feb 1, 2025

A relatively low-cost cruise missile that the U.S. Air Force is now developing could transform into an air-launched counter-drone weapon.

Air

Cheap Cruise Missile Program Set To Evolve Into Air-To-Air Drone Interceptor Cheap Cruise Missile Program Set To Evolve Into Air-To-Air Drone Interceptor

Updated on Jan 31, 2025

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.

Air

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

Posted on Jan 30, 2025

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

Air

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

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway, Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jan 30, 2025

U.S. Navy officials have laid out several priorities they say are key to ensuring the service's carrier air wings will be able to succeed in future conflicts, especially a high-end fight in the Pacific.

Air

Carrier Air Wing’s Key Priorities To Win In Future Pacific Fight Laid Out By Navy Carrier Air Wing’s Key Priorities To Win In Future Pacific Fight Laid Out By Navy

Posted on Jan 30, 2025

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.

Air

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

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jan 29, 2025

President Donald Trump has laid out a vision for a new Iron Dome air and missile defense system to shield the U.S. homeland, which directly hearkens back to the Reagan-era Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI).

Weaponizing Space Key To Trump’s Iron Dome Missile Defense Shield Vision Weaponizing Space Key To Trump’s Iron Dome Missile Defense Shield Vision

Posted on Jan 28, 2025

The U.S. Air Force has dramatically plussed-up contracts with General Electric and Pratt & Whitney, both of which now have a ceiling of $3.5 billion, to continue work on prototype next-generation jet engines.

Air

Billions For Next Generation Fighter Jet Engines Greenlit By Air Force Billions For Next Generation Fighter Jet Engines Greenlit By Air Force

Posted on Jan 28, 2025

Satellite imagery shows clear indications that Russia's increasingly anticipated withdrawal of forces from its Tartus naval base in Syria has finally started.

Russian Withdrawal From Prized Syrian Naval Base Now Underway Russian Withdrawal From Prized Syrian Naval Base Now Underway

Posted on Jan 27, 2025

The U.S. Air Force's XQ-67A drone is set to receive modifications and upgrades to demonstrate its ability to perform certain missions as part of a program called Demon Ape.

Air

XQ-67 Getting Overhauled With New Capabilities As Part Of Demon Ape Program XQ-67 Getting Overhauled With New Capabilities As Part Of Demon Ape Program

Posted on Jan 24, 2025

Air

F-35 AI-Enabled Drone Controller Capability Successfully Demonstrated F-35 AI-Enabled Drone Controller Capability Successfully Demonstrated

Posted on Jan 23, 2025

Air

F-22 Raptor To Get Distributed Infrared Search And Track System F-22 Raptor To Get Distributed Infrared Search And Track System

Posted on Jan 22, 2025

Air

Cheap Cruise Missile Paired With Affordable Seeker From Ship-Killing Smart Bomb Eyed By USAF Cheap Cruise Missile Paired With Affordable Seeker From Ship-Killing Smart Bomb Eyed By USAF

Posted on Jan 22, 2025

The U.S. Army is moving to establish a second production source for barrels for 155mm M777 towed howitzers in response to what it calls "unprecedented demand" from Ukraine.

Ukraine Is Burning Through 155mm M777 Howitzer Barrels So Fast The U.S. Army Can’t Keep Up Ukraine Is Burning Through 155mm M777 Howitzer Barrels So Fast The U.S. Army Can’t Keep Up

Posted on Jan 21, 2025

The U.S. Navy's use of expendable Nulka decoys in combat has highlighted the need to expand the ability of its ships to launch off-board decoying electronic attacks, including ones lasting tens of minutes or more.

Drones

Nulka Combat Use Shows Warships Need Longer-Lasting Electronic Warfare-Enabled Decoys Nulka Combat Use Shows Warships Need Longer-Lasting Electronic Warfare-Enabled Decoys

Posted on Jan 20, 2025

AGM-114 Hellfire

Littoral Combat Ship Can Now Rapidly Shoot Down Aerial Drones With Hellfire Missiles Littoral Combat Ship Can Now Rapidly Shoot Down Aerial Drones With Hellfire Missiles

Posted on Jan 17, 2025

Newly released pictures offer the first real look at the four new large launch tubes for firing Intermediate-Range Conventional Prompt Strike (IRCPS) hypersonic missiles now installed on the U.S. Navy's stealth destroyer USS Zumwalt.

Destroyers

First Look At Stealth Destroyer’s Hypersonic Missile Launchers First Look At Stealth Destroyer’s Hypersonic Missile Launchers

Posted on Jan 16, 2025

General Atomics has offered a look at a new air-to-surface missile it is developing.

Air

New Air-Launched Cruise Missile Teased By General Atomics New Air-Launched Cruise Missile Teased By General Atomics

Posted on Jan 15, 2025

An image has appeared showing a Chinese commercial roll-on/roll-off (RO/RO) ferry linked to a temporary pier via a barge with jack-up supports. This follows the emergence of satellite imagery showing multiple similar, but different jack-up barges in various stages of construction at a shipyard in southeastern China.

Amphibious Assault Ships

Chinese Barge Usable For Potential Taiwan Beach Landings Seen In Action In New Image Chinese Barge Usable For Potential Taiwan Beach Landings Seen In Action In New Image

Posted on Jan 15, 2025

Air

Air Force Predicts Enemy Anti-Air Missiles With 1,000-Mile Range By 2050 Air Force Predicts Enemy Anti-Air Missiles With 1,000-Mile Range By 2050

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 14, 2025

A greater focus on long range strike capabilities is among the alternatives the U.S. Air Force is considering to a costly new crewed sixth-generation stealth combat jet as part of its Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) family of systems. A lower-cost design focused primarily on acting as a 'quarterback' for Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones is also still on the table.

Air

$20 Billion Price Tag To Complete Development Of USAF’s Next Generation Fighter (Updated) $20 Billion Price Tag To Complete Development Of USAF’s Next Generation Fighter (Updated)

Posted on Jan 13, 2025

The second tranche of U.S. Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones could be between 20 to 30 percent more expensive per airframe than those in the first batch.

Air

Second Batch Of Air Force CCA Drones Could Be 20 To 30 Percent Pricier Than The First Second Batch Of Air Force CCA Drones Could Be 20 To 30 Percent Pricier Than The First

Posted on Jan 10, 2025

The U.S. Navy's Ohio class guided missile submarine USS Michigan made notable use of uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUV) in the course of operations between October 2022 and January 2024 it has emerged. During that time, the boat and its crew completed at least three secretive "national security" missions, as well as ones involving special operations forces, "in hostile and challenging environments."

Ohio Class Guided Missile Submarine Deployed Underwater Drones On Award Winning Secret Missions Ohio Class Guided Missile Submarine Deployed Underwater Drones On Award Winning Secret Missions

AGM-158 Joint Air-To-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM)

Posted on Jan 9, 2025

The arsenals of the U.S. Air Force's F-15E Strike Eagle and F-15EX Eagle II combat jets look set to grow with the addition of stealthy AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASM).

Stealthy AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles To Arm F-15EX, F-15E Stealthy AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles To Arm F-15EX, F-15E

Updated on Jan 9, 2025

A new independent report says that U.S. airbases have been left worryingly vulnerable, especially in the Indo-Pacific region, by a lack of investment in new hardened aircraft shelters, or even unhardened ones.

Air

Lack Of Hardened Aircraft Shelters Leaves U.S. Airbases Vulnerable To China New Report Warns Lack Of Hardened Aircraft Shelters Leaves U.S. Airbases Vulnerable To China New Report Warns

Posted on Jan 8, 2025

More new variants of the B61 nuclear gravity bomb could be on the horizon for the U.S. military.

Air

Hints At More B61 Nuclear Bomb Variants In The U.S. Military’s Future Hints At More B61 Nuclear Bomb Variants In The U.S. Military’s Future

Posted on Jan 7, 2025

A recent satellite image shows what looks to be yet another fighter-esque airframe or test article at Shenyang's main plant in the city of the same name in China.

Air

Tailless Fighter-Like Airframe Appears At Chinese Jet Manufacturer Shenyang’s Main Plant Tailless Fighter-Like Airframe Appears At Chinese Jet Manufacturer Shenyang’s Main Plant

Posted on Jan 7, 2025

The U.S. Navy is now officially using "Murder Hornet" to refer to F/A-18E/F fighters armed with five AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and four AIM-9X Sidewinder.

AIM-120 AMRAAM

Murder Hornet Nickname For F/A-18s Equipped With Nine Air-To-Air Missiles Now Official Murder Hornet Nickname For F/A-18s Equipped With Nine Air-To-Air Missiles Now Official

Posted on Jan 6, 2025

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has reportedly acquired a version of the 6.8x51mm M250 light machine gun that Sig Sauer developed for the U.S. Army, but chambered to fire the NATO-standard 7.62x51mm round.

Israel Buys 7.62x51mm Version Of U.S. Army’s New Sig Sauer M250 Light Machine Gun: Report Israel Buys 7.62x51mm Version Of U.S. Army’s New Sig Sauer M250 Light Machine Gun: Report

Posted on Jan 3, 2025

Chinese Underwater Sea Glider Drone Caught By Fisherman In The Philippines Chinese Underwater Sea Glider Drone Caught By Fisherman In The Philippines

Posted on Jan 2, 2025

The U.S. Air Force sent at least 39 A-10s to the boneyard at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona this year, more than double the number of Warthogs it sent into mothballs in 2023.

A-10

39 A-10 Warthogs Went To The Boneyard This Year, More Than Double Over Prior Year 39 A-10 Warthogs Went To The Boneyard This Year, More Than Double Over Prior Year

Posted on Dec 31, 2024

Air

Signs Russian Fighter Jets Still At Syrian Base, Top Rebel Leader Pushes Back On Total Exit For Moscow Signs Russian Fighter Jets Still At Syrian Base, Top Rebel Leader Pushes Back On Total Exit For Moscow

Posted on Dec 30, 2024

Pictures have emerged of what looks to be the first known example of a new Chinese airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft based on the four-engine Y-20 cargo plane commonly referred to as the KJ-3000.

Air

China’s New Domestically Developed Y-20 Airborne Early Warning Jet Spotted China’s New Domestically Developed Y-20 Airborne Early Warning Jet Spotted

Posted on Dec 27, 2024

China has held a launch ceremony for its first super-sized Type 076 amphibious assault ship, now named Sichuan, but the vessel does not look to have gone into the water yet. Chinese Internet capture via X

Amphibious Assault Ships

China’s Monster Type 076 Amphibious Assault Ship Seen Like Never Before At Launch Ceremony China’s Monster Type 076 Amphibious Assault Ship Seen Like Never Before At Launch Ceremony

Posted on Dec 27, 2024

Russian forces have begun using improvised counter-drone buggies each armed with a weapon made up of 24 barrels that fire shotgun-like ammunition, as well as six AK-series infantry rifles on a single mount.

Air

Anti-Drone Weapon With 24 Barrels Firing Buckshot-Like Rounds Emerges On Russian Buggies Anti-Drone Weapon With 24 Barrels Firing Buckshot-Like Rounds Emerges On Russian Buggies

Posted on Dec 26, 2024

The construction of the first Polar Security Cutter (PSC) heavy icebreaker for the U.S. Coast Guard is now formally proceeding. Though the milestone is important, it also underscores the PSC program's already massive delays.

New Coast Guard Heavy Icebreaker Construction Finally Underway New Coast Guard Heavy Icebreaker Construction Finally Underway

Posted on Dec 24, 2024

Air

F/A-18F Was Shot Down By Friendly Fire As Jets Were About To Land On The Carrier F/A-18F Was Shot Down By Friendly Fire As Jets Were About To Land On The Carrier

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Dec 24, 2024

The U.S. Army says it is planning to award a sole-source contract to BAE Systems to produce a prototype self-propelled 155mm howitzer for use as a novel air defense system.

Air

Railgun Ammo-Firing 155mm Air Defense Cannon Set To Be Awarded To BAE Systems Railgun Ammo-Firing 155mm Air Defense Cannon Set To Be Awarded To BAE Systems

Posted on Dec 24, 2024

A U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet was conducting a refueling mission over the Red Sea when it was downed in a friendly fire incident this past weekend.

Air

F/A-18F Shot Down By Friendly Cruiser Was In The Middle Of A Refueling Mission F/A-18F Shot Down By Friendly Cruiser Was In The Middle Of A Refueling Mission

By Joseph Trevithick, Geoff Ziezulewicz, Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 23, 2024

Recent satellite imagery of Belbek Air Base, near Sevastopol in Russian-occupied Crimea, shows new hardened aircraft shelters and additional construction to help shield aircraft from drone attacks and other indirect fire.

Air

Russia’s Belbek Air Base In Crimea Is Getting Hardened Aircraft Shelters Russia’s Belbek Air Base In Crimea Is Getting Hardened Aircraft Shelters

By Thomas Newdick, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 20, 2024

Substantial differences in the designs of the B and C variants of the F-35 mean that they each require variant-specific 25mm gun pods.

Air

F-35B And F-35C Use Different 25mm Gun Pods Unique To Each Variant F-35B And F-35C Use Different 25mm Gun Pods Unique To Each Variant

Posted on Dec 20, 2024

In the face of post-Cold War drawdowns, the U.S. Air Force pushed ahead with buying the famously expensive F-22 Raptor stealth fighter in part because of a perhaps unexpected reason: concerns about Syrian air defenses.

Air

Syria’s Air Defenses Helped Make The F-22A Raptor A Reality Syria’s Air Defenses Helped Make The F-22A Raptor A Reality

Posted on Dec 20, 2024

Russian President Vladimir Putin insisted today that his country is still exploring its options for retaining a pair of bases in Syria that have uniquely strategic value following the fall of longtime ally Bashar Al Assad.

Africa

Putin Claims No Final Decision Yet On Russia’s Bases In Syria Despite Withdrawals Putin Claims No Final Decision Yet On Russia’s Bases In Syria Despite Withdrawals

Posted on Dec 19, 2024

Air

Navy’s Future E-130J TACAMO ‘Doomsday Plane’ Seen In New Rendering Navy’s Future E-130J TACAMO ‘Doomsday Plane’ Seen In New Rendering

Posted on Dec 19, 2024

Air

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

Posted on Dec 18, 2024

New satellite imagery shows the continued withdrawal of Russian forces from its Khmeimim Air Base in Syria. Russia is also massing units at its Tartus naval base in the country, which also points to plans for their impending departure.

Air

Satellite Imagery Shows Ramp-Up In Russian Forces Massing At Bases In Syria For Withdrawal Satellite Imagery Shows Ramp-Up In Russian Forces Massing At Bases In Syria For Withdrawal

Posted on Dec 17, 2024

A new targeted strike involving the use of the secretive AGM-114R9X Hellfire missile, which features an array of pop-out sword-like blades rather than a traditional high-explosive warhead, looks to have occurred in northwestern Syria.

AGM-114 Hellfire

Secretive Bladed AGM-114R9X Hellfire Missile Looks To Have Reemerged In New Syria Strike Secretive Bladed AGM-114R9X Hellfire Missile Looks To Have Reemerged In New Syria Strike

Posted on Dec 17, 2024

There is growing, but still circumstantial evidence that a Syrian Airlines Il-76 Candid cargo plane currently at Russia's Khmeimim Air Base in Syria is one that appeared to go missing in the final chaotic moments of Bashar Al Assad's regime.

Air

The Mystery Of The Syrian IL-76 Cargo Jet That Went Missing As Assad Fled The Mystery Of The Syrian IL-76 Cargo Jet That Went Missing As Assad Fled

Posted on Dec 17, 2024

A video and pictures have emerged showing testing of Chinese high-flying and high-speed uncrewed air vehicles related to a design called MD-22, including aerial releases from a TB-001 drone and a high-altitude balloon.

Air

China Launches Hypersonic Test Planes From Drones, Balloons China Launches Hypersonic Test Planes From Drones, Balloons

Posted on Dec 16, 2024

Air

Russian Forces Appear To Be Pulling Out Of Prized Syrian Air Base Russian Forces Appear To Be Pulling Out Of Prized Syrian Air Base

Posted on Dec 13, 2024

The U.S. Army has finally test-fired its Dark Eagle hypersonic missile from its trailer-based launcher after attempting to do so for some two years.

Army’s Dark Eagle Hypersonic Missile Finally Blasts Out Of Its Launcher Army’s Dark Eagle Hypersonic Missile Finally Blasts Out Of Its Launcher

Posted on Dec 13, 2024

Federal, state, and local authorities have not been able to corroborate any claimed visual sightings of mysterious drones in the skies over New Jersey, according to a top White House spokesperson.

Air

None Of The New Jersey Visual Drone Sightings Have Been Corroborated: White House None Of The New Jersey Visual Drone Sightings Have Been Corroborated: White House

Updated on Dec 13, 2024

Apparent drones spotted in the skies over New Jersey, some as big as six feet across, look to be operating in a coordinated manner not consistent with hobbyists, according to state and local officials.

Air

Drones Over New Jersey Show Signs Of Coordination, Elude Helicopters: State Officials Drones Over New Jersey Show Signs Of Coordination, Elude Helicopters: State Officials

Posted on Dec 12, 2024

Any plans the Air Force might have for new hardened aircraft shelters or other physical defenses at bases are prominently absent from a new infrastructure modernization strategy rolled out today.

Air

Plans For New Hardened Aircraft Shelters Notably Absent From New USAF Base Modernization Strategy Plans For New Hardened Aircraft Shelters Notably Absent From New USAF Base Modernization Strategy

Posted on Dec 12, 2024

he U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy could soon be tasked with exploring whether extending the range of existing AIM-120 and AIM-9 air-to-air missiles is one path to help right-size stocks of those weapons.

AIM-120 AMRAAM

Extended Range AIM-120s, AIM-9s Eyed To Meet Future Air-to-Air Missile Demands Extended Range AIM-120s, AIM-9s Eyed To Meet Future Air-to-Air Missile Demands