More from Joseph Trevithick (Page 6)

The U.S. Army is looking at paragliders as a way to give conventional forces, especially airborne units, new options for getting around the battlefield and surveilling enemy forces.
Air

U.S. Army Has A Plan For Paragliding Paratroopers

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 20, 2024

A drone scare around the U.S. Air Force's Plant 42 in California, a major hub for advanced aerospace development work, including highly classified military programs, has led to revelations about a real wave of mysterious drone incursions in recent months.
Air

Palmdale UFO Scare Leads To Revelations About Mystery Drone Incursions Over Secretive Plant 42

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Aug 20, 2024

Next summer, U.S. Air Force units will deploy from bases in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and elsewhere across the United States to forward locations in the Western Pacific as part of a massive new air combat exercise.
Air

Air Force Units Will Flood The Western Pacific In Huge New Airpower Exercise Next Summer

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 19, 2024

A major fire, which may still be ongoing, has reportedly broken out on the former Soviet Kiev class aircraft carrier Minsk, which has been rotting away in a man-made lagoon just off a stretch of the Yangtze River in China for years now.
Around The Globe

Soviet Aircraft Carrier Turned Failed Chinese Tourist Attraction Is On Fire (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Aug 17, 2024

A Cessna Model 208B Grand Caravan converted into a cargo drone was among the participants in a recently concluded U.S. Air Force-led large force air combat exercise focused on preparing for a potential future conflict with China.
Air

Cessna Caravan Turned Into Cargo Drone Tested At China-Focused Airpower Exercise

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 16, 2024

The USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) is now the first U.S. Navy supercarrier to have a complete dedicated Unmanned Air Warfare Center (UAWC).
Air

Supercarrier USS George H.W. Bush Now Has First Of its Kind Drone Control Center

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 16, 2024

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is moving to buy non-lethal distraction devices to mount on small hand-launched drones.
Air

FBI Fielding Drones That Fire Off Deafening Bangs

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 15, 2024

The Ukrainian Air Force has released a video offering the best look to date of one of the country's MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters employing French-made AASM-250 Hammer precision-guided bombs.
Air

Best Look Yet At Ukrainian MiG-29 Releasing Hammer Rocket-Assisted Bombs

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 15, 2024

Air National Guard F-16 Viper fighters pretending to be enemy cruise missiles together with tiny JSX-2 microjets mimicking cruise missiles and drones replicated complex threat scenarios during a recent large-scale exercise.
Aggressors

F-16s Team With JSX-2 Microjets To Replicate Complex Cruise Missile And Drone Attacks

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 14, 2024

Secretive ultra-quiet special operations drones, now designated RQ-29s, that have been operating in the Middle East for years might now be headed for the Pacific.
Air

Super Quiet Special Operations Drones May Migrate To Pacific Theater

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 14, 2024

Russia has unveiled a new gunless version of its Pantsir air defense system it says is ideally suited to protecting critical infrastructure from drones using small short-range interceptors.
Around The Globe

Pantsir Packed With Drone-Intercepting Mini Missiles Unveiled By Russia

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 13, 2024

Chinese drone maker Tengden says it has conducted the first flight of a new cargo drone with a multi-metric-ton cargo capacity.
Air

Chinese Cargo Drone Capable Of Carrying Two Tons Has Flown

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 12, 2024

Tiny JSX-2 microjets able to act as surrogates for drones and cruise missile threats are supporting the Northern Strike 24-2 exercise.
Aggressors

Tiny Jets Masquerading As Cruise Missiles Featured In Michigan Airpower Exercise

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 9, 2024

US Navy F/A-18E Super Hornets brandishing full loads of nine air-to-air missiles have touched down at a base in Jordan ahead of expected Iranian attacks against Israel.
Air

F/A-18E Super Hornets Fully Loaded With Air-To-Air Missiles Arrive In Jordan

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 9, 2024

France will have sent Ukraine 600 Hammer bombs by the end of the year.
Air

Ukrainian MiG-29’s Special Pylon For Hammer Rocket-Boosted Bombs Emerges

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 8, 2024

Kratos, manufacturer of the XQ-58 Valkyrie, has confirmed that a new version of the drone is in the works that will feature built-in landing gear, which points to a larger derivative possibly with greater performance.
Air

New XQ-58 Valkyrie Variant With Built-In Landing Gear To Fly Soon

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 8, 2024

A drone-hunting rifle-armed robot dog is being demonstrated at a US Army event dubbed Operation Hard Kill.
Armies

Robot Dog With Gun Turret For Hunting Aerial Drones Being Tested By Army

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 7, 2024

A brief video clip of a U.S. Navy E-2D Advanced Hawkeye linking up with an Air Force HC-130J tanker somewhere over in the Middle East calls attention to how this aircraft has become even more of a force multiplier with the added ability to refuel in flight.
Air

E-2D Refueling From HC-130 Over Middle East Highlights The Hawkeye’s Potential

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 7, 2024

An already massive hangar in northwestern China is now even bigger after receiving a 300-foot-long extension.
Air

China’s Gigantic Secretive Blimp Hangar Has Gotten Even Larger

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 6, 2024

The U.S. Navy supercarrier USS Abraham Lincoln is heading toward the Middle East with an air wing that includes EA-18G Growlers equipped with new AN/ALQ-249(V)1 Next Generation Jammer-Mid Band (NGJ-MB) electronic warfare pods.
Air

EA-18G Growlers With New Jamming Pods Onboard Carrier Heading To Middle East

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 6, 2024

The US Air Force says an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship has operated from a highway for the first time as part of the service's larger push to reduce its dependence on traditional runways. This is also comes amid questions about the future of the gunships in future high-end fights.
AC-130

AC-130J Ghostrider Gunship Has Operated From A Highway For The First Time

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 5, 2024

Video clips have emerged showing Chinese maritime special operations forces using multiple types of bird-like drones.
Air

Chinese Sea Dragon Commandos Show Off Drones That Look Just Like Birds

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 3, 2024

More NATO members are now 'read into' top-secret Special Access Programs (SAP) related to the Joint Strike Fighter as part of a broader push to improve information sharing and interoperability.
Air

More Top Secret F-35 Stealth Fighter Data Given To NATO Members

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 2, 2024

The Army has laid out a requirement for an AIM-120 AMRAAM-like interceptor that is the same general size as an AIM-9X SIdewinder for its Enduring Shield air defense system.
AIM-120 AMRAAM

Army Seeking AIM-9X-Sized Surface-To-Air Missile With AIM-120-Like Range

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 2, 2024

An US Air Force AC-130J Ghostrider gunship recently used its 30mm and 105mm to help sink a decommissioned amphibious warship during an exercise, which comes amid a larger discussion about the relevance of these aircraft in future higher-end operations.
AC-130

AC-130J Ghostrider Hammers Amphibious Warship During Rare Appearance At Sinking Exercise

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 1, 2024

The US Air Force's top officer in Europe has highlighted how kamikaze drones present threats, as well as opportunities, especially for smaller friendly countries that might not be able to afford higher-end capabilities.
Air

Long-Range Kamikaze Drones Offer ‘Cheap’ Strike Opportunities For U.S., Allies: USAF General

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 31, 2024

Ukrainians F-16s will immediately be able to get more out of stocks Western munitions that have already been deliverd, as well as other benefits.
AGM-88 High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM)

F-16s Will Let Ukraine Get More Out Of Western Munitions: USAF’s Top Officer In Europe

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 30, 2024

The US Army and US Navy recently "initiated" a test of a hypersonic weapon system, but the US military won't say whether or not it was a success or failure, or even if there was an actual launch at all.
Americas

Hypersonic Weapon Just Tested In Florida, Results Unclear

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Jul 30, 2024

The US Air Force says a program to explore low cost 'air vehicle' concepts that could be turned into cruise missiles or used for other purposes is as much about shaking up industrial base and supply chain status quos.
Air

Shaking Up U.S. Industrial Base Key To ‘Cheap’ Cruise Missile Program

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 29, 2024

A new picture offering the best look to date at a Ukrainian MiG-29 Fulcrum fighter armed with GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs has disclosed the use of a special pylon with a mysterious feature in front.
Air

First Look At Mystery Weapon Pylon Ukrainian MiG-29s Use To Carry Small Diameter Bombs

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 26, 2024

Lockheed Martin has unveiled a new version of its Sniper targeting pod with added networking capabilities primarily designed to enable new connectivity between fourth-generation fighters and stealthy F-35s, but which also offers the ability to create localized 'kill webs' with various assets in the air and on the ground.
Air

Networked Sniper Pod Will Let 4th-Generation Fighters Create ‘Kill Webs’ With F-35s

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jul 26, 2024

US Special Operations Command has been tasked to lead the so-called "left-of-launch" fight against drones before they can get airborne or maybe are even produced in the first place.
Air

Destroying Drones Before Launch Is Becoming A Major Mission For U.S. Special Operators

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 25, 2024

Chinese H-6-series aircraft have flown off the coast of Alaska for what appears to be the first time in an important show of force along with Russian Tu-95 Bear bombers.
Air

Chinese H-6 Missile Carrier Jets Appear For The First Time Off Alaska (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 25, 2024

The US Army is eyeing adding the SM-6 to its air and missile defense arsenal, in addition to work already being done to field it in the long-range strike role.
Armies

SM-6 Eyed As New Surface-To-Air Interceptor For The Army

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 24, 2024

The ballooning cost of the US Air Force's Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile program is one of the drivers behind uncertainly over the future of its sixth-generation combat jet effort, which could evolve into a fully uncrewed platform.
Air

Next Generation Air Dominance Fighter Uncertainty Tied To Sentinel ICBM Woes

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 24, 2024

A look at an AIM-174 air-launched version of the SM-6 missile with previously unseen markings under the wing of a Super Hornet aboard the USS Carl Vinson has emerged.
Air

AIM-174 Missile Seen On Super Hornet About To Launch From A Carrier For First Time

By Tyler Rogoway, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 23, 2024

General Atomics has revealed a new fifth member of its Gambit modular drone family that is carrier-capable and that could represent a step forward in a broader naval aviation vision for the United Kingdom and other countries.
Air

New Carrier-Based Version Of The Gambit Family Of Combat Drones Is In The Works

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 23, 2024

The US Secret Service is looking to buy new bolt-action sniper rifles.
Americas

Secret Service Wants New Sniper Rifles

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 22, 2024

Trump is proposing an Iron Dome air defense system for the US.
Americas

Trump’s Nebulous “Iron Dome” Pledge Actually Reflects Very Real Homeland Threats

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jul 22, 2024

The Arleigh Burke class destroyer USS Fitzgerald it participating in the biennial RIMPAC exercise with a new addition to its arsenal, stealthy Naval Strike Missiles.
Anti-Ship Cruise Missile

Navy Destroyer Modified With Naval Strike Missiles Sailing In RIMPAC Wargames

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 19, 2024

Satellite imagery shows curious activity, including a cluster of crane barges, at a prominent shipyard in China over a period of several days in June 2024.
Around The Globe

Odd Activity At Chinese Submarine Shipyard Draws Interest

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 18, 2024

Laser dazzlers could defend tanks from one-way attack drones.
Air

Laser Dazzlers For Defending Tanks Against Marauding Drones Are An Untapped Countermeasure

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jul 18, 2024

240416-N-HE057-1516 RED SEA (April 16, 2024) An F/A-18F Super Hornet, attached to the "Fighting Swordsmen" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 32, participates in an airborne change of command ceremony above the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) in the Red Sea, April 16. The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the Middle East region. (Official U.S. Navy photo)
Air

F/A-18F Super Hornet Pilot Is First U.S. Female Aviator To Shoot Down An Enemy Aerial Threat

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 17, 2024

New questions have emerged about the future of the F/A-XX Next Generation Fighter program, the budget for which a draft Senate defense bill would slash.
Air

Navy’s F/A-XX Next Generation Fighter Program Would Be Gutted Under Senate Defense Bill

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 16, 2024

An EA-18G Growler scored the types first ever air-to-air kill during a recently concluded deployment.
AIM-120 AMRAAM

EA-18G Growler Scored Its First Air-To-Air Kill

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 16, 2024

The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group expended 770 missiles and other munitions at Houthi targets over the course of a recently concluded nine-month deployment.
Around The Globe

770 Weapons Expended By Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group On Historic Red Sea Deployment

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 16, 2024

The US Marine Corps is looking at new "buckshot-like" ammunition for its rifles, advanced optics, add-on jammers, and other new counter-drone capabilities for smaller units.
Air

Shotgun Pellet-Like Rifle Ammo, Gun-Mounted Jammers On Marine Anti-Drone Wishlist

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 15, 2024

The Army says it hopes to begin fielding a new air and missile defense system based around an 155mm cannon firing hypervelocity projectiles by the end of the decade.
Anti-Aircraft Artillery (AAA)

Railgun Ammo-Firing Air Defense Artillery Cannon Plans Laid Out By Army

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 12, 2024

The US Air Force has revealed that development of a new relatively low-cost stand-off precision-guided munition is for Ukraine.
Air

Air Force’s Cheap And Fast To Produce Long-Range Missile Is Being Built For Ukraine

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 12, 2024

The Senate Armed Services Committee has directed the US Navy to look at other missile-armed ship options in response to major delays with the Constellation class frigate program.
Americas

Navy To Explore Arming Other Ships With Missiles Amid Constellation Frigate Woes

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 11, 2024

Private aerospace firm Metrea has bought France's entire fleet of KC-135 tanker in a major new bet on contractor aerial refueling services.
Air

All Of France’s KC-135 Tankers Bought By Private Aerial Refueling Company Metrea

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 10, 2024

The Senate Armed Services Committee has directed the Pentagon to look into the possibility of transferring retired A-10 Warthog ground attack jets to Jordan.
A-10

Surplus A-10 Warthogs Could End Up In The Jordanian Air Force

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jul 10, 2024

The latest episode of Jay Leno's Garage features the "Beast" presidential limousine used to transport the President of the United States.
Americas

What We Just Learned About The “Beast” Presidential Limousine From Jay Leno’s Garage

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jul 10, 2024

Air Force special operations aviators are now training on AT-802U aircraft ahead of the arrival of their first OA-1K Sky warden light attack planes while questions grow about the program's future.
Air

AT-802U Trainers Arrive To Prepare USAF Aviators For A Murky Light Attack Future

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 9, 2024

The first weapon-ready plutonium pit for the future W81-! nuclear warhead has been produced.
Air

Problem Plagued Sentinel ICBM Program Will Press Ahead Despite Nearly Doubling In Cost

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 8, 2024

The Department of Energy has recieved two new AW139 helicopters specially configured for nuclear detection missions.
Air

AW139 Nuclear Detection Helicopters Join Department Of Energy Fleet, Replace Bell 412s

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 8, 2024

The Pentagon has made a new announcement about the first forward-deployments of Air Force F-35As and F-15EXs to Japan, as well as changes to the Marine Corps' F-35B force in that country.
Air

USAF F-35As To Be Based In Japan Replacing Wild Weasel F-16s

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 3, 2024

The Navy's Training Air Wing 2 (TAW-2) has hit one million flight hours with the T-45 jet trainer as plans to replace that are have been delayed.
Air

Navy Delays Jet Trainer Replacement As T-45 Wing Hits One Million Flight Hours

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 3, 2024

Kratos has developed a new launch trolley that allows its XQ-58 drones to take off from traditional runways.
Air

XQ-58 Valkyrie Can Now Take Off From Runways Thanks To New Launch Trolly System

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 3, 2024

The US Army has put out a new request for information for compact sensors for use on high-altitude balloons underscoring its broader vision for using those capabilities in the future.
Air

Army’s High-Flying Balloon Surveillance Vision Grows With Call For New Radars, Other Sensors

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 2, 2024

The US Air Force is taking a second look at the crewed sixth-generation stealth combat jet it is developing under the Next Generation Air Dominance initiative to see where costs could be cut, even at the cost of losing certain capabilities.
Air

Next Generation Air Dominance Fighter’s Future Increasingly Uncertain

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 2, 2024

Anduril and General Atomics have shared new details about progress and challenges, including on production and autonomy issues, as part of the Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.
Air

Construction Of First Collaborative Combat Aircraft Drone Has Begun At General Atomics

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 1, 2024

The US Air Force's Air Mobility Command has outlined a critical need to give its fleets new counter-drone defenses they can use wherever they go.
Air

Built-In Counter-Drone Defenses Sought For Air Force Transports, Tankers

By Eric Tegler, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 29, 2024

The US Army's elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment has been testing Arctic and desert camouflage options on top of a now well-known multi-tone blue scheme.
160th SOAR "Nightstalkers"

160th SOAR Night Stalkers Testing Arctic, Desert Vinyl Camo Wraps As Global Missions Evolve

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 28, 2024