More from Joseph Trevithick (Page 5)

An unknown containerized launcher able to fire the same suite of artillery rockets and ballistic missiles as the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) and M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) seen at the U.S. Army’s Fort Bragg earlier this year has been identified.
MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS)

Mysterious Guided Rocket Launcher Disguised In A Shipping Container At Fort Bragg Identified

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 8, 2025

The U.S. Air Force is exploring new options to help with the development of improved fuzes for the 30,000-pound GBU-57/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bunker buster bomb.
B-2

New Fuzes For GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators Requested By USAF

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 7, 2025

F-22 Raptors Will Be First To Control ‘Fighter Drone’ Collaborative Combat Aircraft
Loyal Wingman

F-22 Raptors Will Be First To Control ‘Fighter Drone’ Collaborative Combat Aircraft

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jul 3, 2025

The U.S. Marine Corps' plans to sling Tomahawk cruise missiles from remotely operated 4x4 launcher vehicles have come to an end.
U.S. Army

Marines Axe Adoption Of Ground-Launched Tomahawk Cruise Missile

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 3, 2025

The U.S. Air Force's F-22 Raptor stealth fighters are set to get an array of new "viability" upgrades to help protect them from emerging threats and otherwise ensure their continued relevance in future conflicts.
F-22

New F-22 Upgrade Package To Keep The Jets Viable Laid Out

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 2, 2025

The U.S. Air Force has developed a means to launch small drones from its KC-135 aerial refueling tankers, and is now looking at adding that capability to the fleet.
KC-135

KC-135 Tankers Set To Get Drone Launchers

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jul 2, 2025

New pictures have emerged showing work being done on the Japan Self-Defense Forces' prototype electromagnetic railgun currently installed on the test warship JS Asuka.
Japan Maritime Self Defense Force

Railgun Installed On Japanese Warship Seen In New Photos

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 1, 2025

The U.S. Army wants to see if a startup founded three years ago by former SpaceX employees can deliver a lower-cost ground-launched missile, dubbed Blackbeard, capable of engaging targets hundreds of miles away at hypersonic speeds.
Precision Strike Missile (PrSM)

Blackbeard ‘Cheap’ Hypersonic Strike Missile Being Developed For U.S. Army (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 1, 2025

Plans To Finally Give F-35 External Fuel Tanks Emerge In New Air Force Budget (Updated)
F-35A

Plans To Finally Give F-35 External Fuel Tanks Emerge In New Air Force Budget (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 30, 2025

For the first time, at least publicly, the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force are seeking funds – nearly $670.5 million in total – to support procurement of AIM-260A Joint Advanced Tactical Missiles (JATM) for operational use in its latest annual budget request.
AIM-120 AMRAAM

AIM-260 Air-To-Air Missile Funding To Start Production Sought In New Budget

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 27, 2025

The Pentagon’s proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget fully commits to the U.S. Air Force's F-47 sixth-generation stealth fighter, while effectively shelving the U.S. Navy's plans for a next-generation carrier-based F/A-XX combat jet.
F-35

Pentagon “All In” On Air Force’s F-47, Puts Navy’s F/A-XX On Ice

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 27, 2025

The Pentagon has shared extensive new information about the use of 30,000-pound GBU-57/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bunker buster bombs in recent strikes on Iran, a mission it says was 15 years in the making.
B-2

Everything We Just Learned About The GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator Strikes On Iran

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jun 26, 2025

The U.S. Air Force's first combat employment of 30,000-pound GBU-57/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bunker buster bombs in recent strikes on Iranian nuclear sites draws new attention to work toward a successor.
B-2

GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator Successor In The Works

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 24, 2025

U.S. President Donald Trump said he has engineered a ceasefire between Israel and Iran.
Iran

Israel-Iran Ceasefire Is Now In Effect (Updated)

By Howard Altman, Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jun 24, 2025

Satellite imagery shows clear evidence that Iran took steps to seal off its nuclear enrichment facility at Fordow in the days leading up to the U.S. strikes, which would have helped shield it against a potential ground raid.
B-2

Iran’s Fordow Nuclear Site Likely Sealed Up Before B-2 Strikes

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jun 24, 2025

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Air Force Gen. Dan "Razin" Caine have now briefed TWZ and other reporters on the historic strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities last night, dubbed Operation Might Hammer.
B-2

B-2 Strikes On Iran: What We Know About Operation Midnight Hammer (Updated)

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway, Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jun 22, 2025

At least two separate groups of B-2 Spirit stealth bombers are currently heading westward across the Pacific Ocean, but their exact final destination is currently unclear.
B-2

B-2 Bombers Head West Across Pacific Amidst Iran Crisis

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jun 21, 2025

Residents of the Tucson, Arizona area were startled earlier this week by a group of helicopters, including at least one Russian-made Mi-17 Hip, making very low nighttime flights as part of what turned out to be a U.S. military exercise.
Mi8/Mi-17

Secretive Russian-Made Mi-17 Helicopter Makes Unusual Appearance In Tucson

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 20, 2025

Iran fired at least one ballistic missile with a warhead containing multiple submunitions as part of a particularly destructive barrage on Israel earlier today.
Land-Based Ballistic Missile Defense

Iran Just Used Ballistic Missiles With Cluster Warheads To Strike Israel

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 19, 2025

MQ-28 Ghost Bat drones have demonstrated their ability to engage an aerial target while under the direction of the crew of a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft.
MQ-28

MQ-28 Ghost Bats Controlled From E-7 Wedgetail In Loyal Wingman Test

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 19, 2025

As Israel's campaign of strikes on Iran continues, a question emerges about whether some level of additional action may be required on the ground to meet the stated goal of preventing the regime in Tehran from being able to acquire nuclear weapons.
Iran Nuclear Crisis

Loose Nukes In Iran Is A Scenario U.S. Special Operators Have Been Training For

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 18, 2025

Iran's primary presidential plane and two other government airliners have touched down in the Omani capital Muscat.
Iran

Iranian Government Aircraft Make Mysterious Dash To Oman

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jun 18, 2025

The U.S. Navy is sending the supercarrier USS Nimitz and the rest of its strike group to the Middle East amid a new buildup of forces in the region ostensibly for defensive purposes, U.S. officials have told TWZ.
KC-135

Major U.S. Middle East-Focused Buildup Confirmed (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 16, 2025

Dramatic footage is emerging online as Iran has begun launching a huge ballistic missile barrage against Israel as part of its retaliatory strikes.
Iran

Iran Strikes Back (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jun 13, 2025

Israel strikes Iran's nuclear program.
Israeli Air Force

Israel Launches Operation Rising Lion To Destroy Iran’s Nuclear Program (Updated)

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway, Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jun 13, 2025

North Korea’s Partially Sunk Frigate Has Already Been Ceremoniously Relaunched
North Korea

North Korea’s Partially Sunk Frigate Has Already Been Ceremoniously Relaunched

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 12, 2025

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has called into question the viability of using the C-130J Hercules cargo aircraft as the basis for a new plane, called the E-130J, to support the U.S. Navy's Take Charge And Move Out (TACAMO) mission.
C-130

Choice Of C-130 For New Navy ‘Doomsday Plane’ Questioned In Watchdog Report

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jun 12, 2025

A Prediator-B drone, most likely operated by Customs and Border Protection, flew deep into Mexico on Wednesday.
Q-9

Department Of Homeland Security Predator B Drones Are Orbiting Over Los Angeles

By Howard Altman, Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jun 11, 2025

The proven and in-production E-7 Wedgetail, based on the Boeing 737 and serving with multiple allies, was supposed to bridge the gap between the E-3's retirement and pushing the mission to space-based distributed satellite constellations. Now, if the administration gets its wish, that won't happen. The E-7 will be cancelled and the Navy's E-2D Hawkeye will step in to fill the gap.
E-2

E-2 Hawkeye Replaces USAF E-3 Sentry, E-7 Cancelled In New Budget

By Tyler Rogoway, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 11, 2025

Navy Secretary John Phelan announced he was ending the Constellation class frigate program.
U.S. Navy

Troubled Constellation Frigate Is Now At Least 759 Metric Tons Overweight

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 11, 2025

A containerized launcher designed to fire the same suite of artillery rockets and ballistic missiles as the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) and M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) has appeared at the U.S. Army's Fort Bragg in North Carolina.
MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS)

Mysterious Shipping Container Rocket Launcher Spotted At Trump’s Visit To Fort Bragg

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 11, 2025

U.S. President Donald Trump has been presented with a broad array of potential military options against Iran should ongoing nuclear negotiations with that country fail.
Iran

Growing Fears of Massive Strikes On Iran As Nuclear Negotiations Sputter

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 10, 2025

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) says it has developed upgrades for a family of modular, rapidly deployable protective structures to improve their ability to shield against drone attacks.
China

Growing Drone Threats Lead To Army Modular Shelter Kit Improvements

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 9, 2025

A new image appearing to show China’s ‘J-36’ 6th generation tactical jet parked on the ground has emerged online. If legitimate, this would be the best front view of the aircraft to date, notably providing clear proof of the canopy design and further confirmation of a side-by-side seating arrangement.
J-36

This Could Be Our Best View Yet Of China’s J-36 Very Heavy Stealth Tactical Jet

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jun 6, 2025

Open feuding between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, until recently close friends and political allies, has shone a particular light on how heavily reliant the U.S. government, and America's armed forces especially, has become on SpaceX.
Early Warning/DSP/SBIRS

This Is How U.S. National Security Has Become Dependent On SpaceX

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Jun 6, 2025

The U.S. Navy has quietly awarded Northrop Grumman a contract to strip useful parts from an ex-Royal Air Force (RAF) E-3D Sentry airborne early warning and control aircraft before disposing of it.
E-3

Plan To Turn Ex-RAF E-3 AWACS Into E-6B ‘Doomsday’ Jet Trainer Abandoned By Navy

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 5, 2025

The U.S. Air Force says it has tested a modified 500-pound-class GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition, or JDAM, optimized for use as an anti-ship munition as part of its Quicksink program.
F-15

Smaller Version Of Quicksink Ship-Killing Smart Bomb Tested By USAF

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 4, 2025

Disruptor aircraft company Otto Aviation is aiming to achieve first flight with what could potentially be a revolutionary high-efficiency business jet-type aircraft with a tear-drop-shaped fuselage called the Phantom 3500 by the end of the decade, if not within the next two years or so.
Air

Otto Aviation’s Phantom 3500 Aims To Massively Disrupt Private Jet Market

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 3, 2025

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite imagery that TWZ has exclusively obtained from ICEYE points to multiple Russian Tu-95 Bear bombers having been damaged or destroyed at Belaya Air Base.
A-50/A-100

Latest On Russian Aircraft Loss Assessments From Ukrainian Drone Strikes

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 3, 2025

Hardened aircraft shelters are up for debate as Russia experienced a major attack from Ukrainian drones.
Unmanned

Mass Drone Attack On Exposed Russian Bombers Puts Spotlight On Hardened Aircraft Shelter Debate

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jun 3, 2025

We now have a picture showing a U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle down-range in the Middle East with an air-to-air loadout that includes six seven-shot 70mm rocket pods, as well as four AIM-9X and four AIM-120 missiles.
F-15

F-15E Armed With Drone Killing Laser-Guided Rockets Appears In Middle East

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 30, 2025

Pilot-optional F-35 Joint Strike Fighters could be coming in the future as Lockheed Martin looks for ways to ensure the jets remain relevant for decades to come.
F-16

What We Just Learned A More Advanced “Ferrari” F-35 Could Include

By Thomas Newdick, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 30, 2025

The U.S. Army says it is on schedule to retire the last of its turboprop-powered intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft by the end of this year.
Airborne Radar

Army To Retire All Of Its Turboprop Surveillance Planes By The End Of The Year

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 29, 2025

Lockheed Martin has shared new details about its QuadStar surface-to-air missile, which is taking part in the U.S. Army competition to replace the venerable Stinger.
FIM-92 Stinger

Everything We Learned About Lockheed’s QuadStar Missile Aimed At Replacing FIM-92 Stingers

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 28, 2025

The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory has awarded General Atomics a contract for work on what is described as a "hybrid-electric propulsion ducted fan next-generation intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance/strike unmanned aerial system," or GHOST.
Avenger

Hybrid-Electric GHOST Strike-Recon Drone In The Works For USAF

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 28, 2025

In January, the U.S. military moved to halt work on the new AN/TPY-6 radar, one of seven key elements of the huge new air and missile defense architecture taking shape on Guam, and its current status is now unclear.
MIM-104 Patriot

Uncertainty Over AN/TPY-6 Guam Missile Defense Radar Emerges

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 27, 2025

Adding APKWS II to the F-15E's arsenal is an unsurprising development that would turn the Strike Eagle into a counter-drone and counter-cruise missile arsenal ship.
F-15

F-15E Spotted Packing Big Laser-Guided Rocket Arsenal Ideal For Drone Hunting

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 23, 2025

The U.S. Marine Corps is buying a pair of new medium landing craft from Australia-headquartered firm Birdon to help the service continue to refine its new expeditionary and distributed concepts of operations.
U.S. Navy

This New Beach Landing Vessel Is Being Bought By The Marines

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 22, 2025

The head of the U.S. Navy Reserve says that acquiring new C-130J Hercules aircraft is a top priority, particularly because of the critical organic aerial refueling capacity they could provide in a future Pacific fight.
KC-130

Buying KC-130Js Key To Navy’s Ability To Fight In Pacific: Reserve Boss

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 21, 2025

The U.S. Air Force is now actively exploring what it would take to turn an already heavily-modified 747-8i airliner from Qatar into a platform that can meet extremely stringent requirements to serve in the Air Force One role.
Air Force One

Plans To Modify Qatari 747 Into Air Force One Now Being Drawn Up By USAF

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 20, 2025

We now have our first look at an actual prototype of General Atomics' YFQ-42A 'fighter drone.'
Loyal Wingman

Our First Look At The YFQ-42 ‘Fighter Drone’ Collaborative Combat Aircraft

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on May 19, 2025

The first production example of the new B61-13 nuclear bomb has been completed roughly a year ahead of schedule, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
B-2

Far More Powerful B61-13 Guided Nuclear Bomb Variant Joins U.S. Stockpile

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 19, 2025

F-15s deploy to Diego Garcia to protect B-52s.
F-15

F-15s Deploy To Protect Diego Garcia

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway, Howard Altman

Updated on May 17, 2025

Northrop Grumman has released a brief video clip showing an individual shooting a new futuristic 25mm precision grenade launcher it has been working on together with gunmaker Colt.
Rocket And Grenade Launchers

Futuristic Grenade Launcher From Colt And Northrop Grumman Seen Being Fired For First Time

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 16, 2025

The U.S. Army's Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) tiltrotors will be designated MV-75s, the service announced today at the Army Aviation Association of America's annual Mission Solutions Summit.
FLRAA

MV-75 Official Designation Given To Future U.S. Army Tiltrotor Assault Aircraft (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 14, 2025

F-35 was nearly downed by Houthi air defenses.
F-16

How The Houthis’ Rickety Air Defenses Threaten Even The F-35

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on May 14, 2025

General Atomics Long shot drone.
Loyal Wingman

Air-Launched ‘Fighter Drone’ Collaborative Combat Aircraft Being Eyed By Air Force

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on May 13, 2025

KC-130T Hercules tanker/transports belonging to the U.S. Navy's Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 30 (VX-30), the “Bloodhounds,” are gaining the ability to link up to the Starlink satellite constellation to help with long-range missile and other test work out in the Pacific.
KC-130

Starlink-Equipped Navy C-130s Offer Communication Boost For Pacific Missile Tests

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 12, 2025

Chinese-Made PL-15 Air-To-Air Missile Components Came Down Intact Inside India
Air-To-Air

Chinese-Made PL-15 Air-To-Air Missile Components Came Down Intact Inside India

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on May 9, 2025

Two new drone designs, Apollo and Athena, are in development at Kratos with a particular focus on collaborative operations with other crewed and uncrewed aircraft, and an eye toward sales in Europe.
Loyal Wingman

Two Secretive Loyal Wingman Drones Aimed At European Market In Development From Kratos

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on May 9, 2025

The U.S. Army has incorporated special operations-specific requirements into the design of its Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) tiltrotor, which has led to an unspecified increase in gross weight.
160th SOAR "Nightstalkers"

Army’s Future Tiltrotor Gets Heavier So It Can Rapidly Convert Into Special Ops Variant

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 9, 2025

Satellite imagery indicates that there are now 10 U.S. heavy bombers – six stealthy B-2s and four B-52s – on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.
B-2

B-52s Join B-2s On Diego Garcia,10 Bombers Now At Indian Ocean Island

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on May 8, 2025

A U.S. Air Force AC-130J Ghostrider flies over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Jan. 31, 2025. Designed for close air support, air interdiction and armed reconnaissance, the AC-130J provides CENTCOM forces an expeditionary, direct-fire platform with 30mm and 105mm cannons. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gerald R. Willis)
AC-130

Harpoon Anti-Ship Missile-Armed AC-130J Gunships Could Be On The Horizon

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 8, 2025

Stealthy Special Operations Speedboats Are Getting Kamikaze Drone Launchers
Loitering Munitions

Stealthy Special Operations Speedboats Are Getting Kamikaze Drone Launchers

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on May 7, 2025