More from Thomas Newdick (Page 11)

The United Kingdom has announced plans to build up to six new Multi Role Support Ships (MRSS), a new class of amphibious warfare vessels that will join an ambitious shipbuilding program that now includes a total of 28 warships and submarines. The new MRSS vessels will also accommodate drones, a growing area of interest for the U.K. Royal Navy.
Royal Navy

Royal Navy To Get Up To Six New Amphibious Warships

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 14, 2024

Recent imagery provides our best views so far of Russia’s modern Kh-38M air-to-ground missile, apparently employed in the war in Ukraine. Previously, various videos had been released showing airstrikes that purportedly involved Kh-38Ms, but new photos show, in some detail, the missile carried under the wing of Su-34 Fullback strike fighters, seemingly taking part in combat sorties.
Su-34

Our Best Look At Russia’s Kh-38 Missile Now Being Used In Ukraine

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 14, 2024

A Ukrainian self-propelled howitzer 2S1 Gvozdika drives past a damaged car on a road in the Vovchansk district, Kharkiv region, on May 12, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Thousands of people have been evacuated from border areas in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, as Russia kept up constant strikes on a key town as part of a cross-border offensive, officials said on May 12, 2024. The surprise Russian attack across Ukraine's northeastern border began on Friday, with troops making small advances in an area from where they had been pushed back nearly two years ago.
Russia

Ukraine Situation Report: “Fierce Battles” Rage In Kharkiv Region

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 13, 2024

Russian Artillery
Russia

Ukraine Situation Report: Russia Launches Offensive In Kharkiv Region

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 10, 2024

After an extraordinary career spanning more than 80 years of service, and plenty of wartime missions, the South African Air Force (SAAF) is preparing to retire its last C-47 Dakotas. The decision is yet to be formally announced by the SAAF but looks set to confirm the fate of the service’s Dakotas, which have now been grounded for around two years.
Air Forces

South Africa’s C-47 Dakotas Set For Retirement After 80 Years Of Service

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 10, 2024

Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), which won the contract to build the U.S. Air Force’s highly specialized Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) aircraft last month, has acquired five Boeing 747-8s from Korean Air. The likelihood is that these will be converted as the successors to the Air Force’s aging 747-200-based E-4B Nightwatch ‘doomsday planes,’ although at this stage we still don’t know how many of the new SAOC aircraft will be fielded.
E-4

Former Korean Air 747s Slated To Become USAF Doomsday Planes (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 9, 2024

KH-101s are now being fired at Ukraine with two warheads onboard.
Russian Air Force

Russia Now Firing Kh-101 Cruise Missiles Modified With Two Warheads At Ukraine

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 8, 2024

Unmanned Long-Endurance Tactical Reconnaissance Aircraft crew chiefs, assigned within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, prep an ULTRA aircraft for taxi across the flightline before an early morning takeoff at an undisclosed location, May 7, 2024. ULTRA is an unmanned aerial system capable of flight times up to 80 hours, providing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities to combatant commanders, with a smaller operational footprint than other UAS in its class.
UAE

Air Force’s ULTRA Long-Endurance Glider-Like Drone Is Now Operating In The Middle East

By Joseph Trevithick, Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 8, 2024

Super hornets now carrying nine air-to-air missiles
F/A-18E/F

Super Hornets Now Flying With Nine Air-To-Air Missiles To Counter Houthi Drones

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 7, 2024

Ukraine Situation Report: Half Of North Korean Missiles Used By Russia Failed, Kyiv Says
North Korea

Ukraine Situation Report: Half Of North Korean Missiles Used By Russia Failed, Kyiv Says

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 7, 2024

Iskander M Ukraine running low
Russia

Putin Orders Tactical Nuclear Drills In Response To Western “Threats”

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 7, 2024

In a most unusual development in the Black Sea ‘drone war,’ Ukraine appears to have begun arming uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), better known as drone boats, with heat-seeking air-to-air missiles. The adaptation seems to have been made to provide the USVs with protection against the Russian helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft that are increasingly being used to counter them, although many questions remain about how these newly added weapons are intended work.
Russia

Ukrainian Drone Boats Now Armed With Adapted Air-To-Air Missiles

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 6, 2024

Boeing Pitches F-15EX For Saudi Arabian Fighter Competition
F-15

Boeing Pitches F-15EX For Saudi Arabian Fighter Competition

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 3, 2024

Ukraine will be allowed to use U.K.-donated Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missiles in Russia, according to the Guardian.
Russia

Ukraine Situation Report: U.K. Says Its Donated Weapons Can Be Used To Hit Targets In Russia

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 3, 2024

The Marines' ACV is getting a big 30mm cannon.
Armored Vehicles

Marines Poised To Get Their 30mm Cannon-Armed Amphibious Combat Vehicle

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 2, 2024

Footage has been published, apparently for the first time, showing a Chinese H-6 bomber dropping one of the shadowy air-launched ballistic missiles known by the designation 2PZD-21. The missile is part of a growing armory of Chinese aero-ballistic missiles and is widely understood to be a ‘carrier-killer’ weapon designed to be used as part of the country’s anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) strategy. However, many questions remain about the role of the weapon and its capabilities.
H-6 Bomber

China’s H-6K Bomber Seen Firing Air-Launched Ballistic Missile For First Time

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 1, 2024

Marines Osprey
MV-22

How The Marines Plan To Fly The MV-22 Osprey Into The 2060s

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 30, 2024

The Kaman Corporation has announced the first flight of its KARGO UAV, a rotary-wing drone intended for autonomous, expeditionary resupply. The design is aimed for the U.S. Marine Corps, for which Kaman previously developed the K-MAX unmanned helicopter. The KARGO UAV is now competing in the Marines’ Medium Autonomous Resupply Vehicle — Expeditionary Logistics (MARV-EL) program, with a winner due to be selected this summer.
Helicopters

Kaman’s Kargo Logistics Drone For The Marines Now In Flight Test

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 30, 2024

Ukraine is losing ground as it awaits for badly needed ammunition.
Russia

Ukraine Situation Report: Frontline Defenses Deteriorating Under Russian Pressure

By Howard Altman, Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 29, 2024

Yak52 engages orlan drone
Russia

Ukraine May Now Be Using WWI-Style Air Combat Tactics Against Drones

By Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 29, 2024

China’s latest aircraft carrier, the Fujian, appears poised to leave port to begin its first at-sea trials. The development comes soon after five aircraft mockups appeared on the deck of the flattop, as you can read about here. Once the Fujian goes to sea, it will mark a hugely important step in the development of China’s naval aviation, with the carrier being the first of its kind to be fully locally designed and also its first to launch aircraft via catapults rather than by a ‘ski jump’ takeoff ramp.
People's Liberation Army Navy (China)

China’s New Aircraft Carrier Pulls Away From Its Pier Ahead Of Sea Trials

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 29, 2024

M1 Abrams Ukraine
Russia

Ukraine Situation Report: M1 Abrams Tanks Withdrawn From The Fight, Officials Say

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 26, 2024

The Ukrainian Air Force is using iPads, or similar tablets in the cockpits of its Soviet-era jets to enable rapid integration of modern Western air-to-ground weapons — something that TWZ predicted back in 2022. This has been confirmed by Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Dr. William LaPlante. While many questions remain about the tablet and how it works, there’s now more footage showing it fitted in cockpits.
MiG-29

Ukrainian Fighter Jets “Using iPads” To Control Western Weapons

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 25, 2024

The CTM-290 missile, which is launched from the Homar-K multiple launch rocket system (MLRS), based on a Polish-built truck chassis, is indicative of a widening military relationship between Poland and South Korea. In recent years, this has also seen the East European country buy light combat aircraft, tanks, and self-propelled artillery from Seoul.
MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS)

Poland’s New South Korean-Built ATACMS-Like Ballistic Missile Seen Firing For The First Time

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 25, 2024

Ukraine will receive Paveway IV precision-guided bombs as part of the latest package of weapons being supplied by the United Kingdom to assist in the war with Russia. At this stage it’s unclear which aircraft will be armed with the dual-mode Paveway bombs, but the move ensures the United Kingdom remains very much at the forefront of delivering advanced and novel military equipment to Ukraine.
Russia

Dual-Mode Paveway IV Guided Bombs Headed To Ukraine

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 24, 2024

H-20_CONCEPT_ART_PLAAF
J-20

China’s H-20 Stealth Bomber “Not Really” A Concern: U.S. Official

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 23, 2024

Poland F-16 nuclear weapons
Eastern Europe

Ukraine Situation Report: Poland “Ready” To Host Nuclear Weapons

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 22, 2024

Dramatic footage has emerged of the destruction of the huge TV tower in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, in the northeast of the country. The city, Ukraine’s second largest, has come under fierce air attack in recent weeks, while the TV tower was subject to another Russian attack, earlier in the conflict, after which it was repaired.
Russia

Russian Strike Topples Kharkiv TV Tower

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 22, 2024

Major Damage At Russian Airbase In Crimea After Ukrainian Attack
Russia

Major Damage At Russian Airbase In Crimea After Ukrainian Attack

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 19, 2024

Ukraine has claimed that it shot down a Russian Tu-22M3 Backfire-C bomber that crashed today in the Stavropol region in southern Russia. If that’s the case, it would be an unprecedented event, with Ukraine never having previously destroyed a Tu-22M3 — or any other Russian long-range bomber — in the air.
Tu-22

Russian Tu-22M3 Backfire Shot Down With S-200 Missile: Ukraine’s Spy Chief

By Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 19, 2024

Ghost Shark is being jointly developed and funded by a partnership between Defence and Anduril Australia, and will become Mission Zero (0) for the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA).
Royal Australian Navy

Australia’s Ghost Shark Uncrewed Submarine Breaks Cover

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 18, 2024

Photos and videos, as well as satellite sensor imagery, suggest that Ukrainian forces have once again struck the Russian airbase at Dzhankoi, in the northern part of occupied Crimea. Reportedly, the attack last night, which seems to have involved a ballistic missile strike, led to the damage or destruction of several of Russia’s prized S-400 and S-300 air defense systems.
Russia

Ukraine Situation Report: Russian Air Defense Systems Struck In Crimea

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 17, 2024

An Israeli Air Force F-15I in its shelter armed with air-to-air missiles.
Iran

Intel From Saudi Arabia, UAE Helped Defend Israel Against Iranian Attack: Report

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 15, 2024

The French Navy frigate Alsace has returned from its operational deployment to the Red Sea, with its commander describing what he says is an unprecedented degree of threat against shipping from Houthi drone and missile attacks. The words of Captain Jérôme Henry highlight the challenge being faced in the Red Sea since October last year and also raise questions about the wider readiness of European navies involved in Aspides — the European Union’s naval task force created to protect commercial shipping in the region.
French Navy

French Frigate Captain Describes Frenetic Red Sea Combat

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 12, 2024

Kharkiv power plant destroyed
Russia

Ukraine Situation Report: Kyiv’s Biggest Power Plant Destroyed

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 12, 2024

Lockheed Martin has unveiled a new hypersonic missile, the Mako, which it is pitching to the U.S. Navy and Air Force and which it says will potentially also be able to arm submarines and surface warships. The weapon, which was originally developed for the Air Force’s Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW) program reflects growing interest in more affordable hypersonic strike weapons, smaller than cruise missiles but offering standoff range and very rapid response.
F-35

The Lowdown On Lockheed’s Newly Revealed Mako Hypersonic Missile

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 11, 2024

MQ-25 with LRASM missiles
MQ-25

MQ-25 Stingray Tanker Drone Armed With Stealthy Anti-Ship Missiles Makes Perfect Sense

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Apr 10, 2024

Serbia is poised to sign a deal to buy Dassault Rafale multirole fighters, the country’s president confirmed today, saying that “concrete agreements” had been made to purchase of 12 of the jets. The move, should it happen, would mark a major break for Serbia, which has long had a close military relationship with Russia and traditionally has operated significant quantities of Russian-supplied equipment.
Rafale

France’s Rafale Is Set To Be Serbia’s Next Fighter

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 9, 2024

A missile is launched from the Sa'ar 6-class corvette during the series of live-fire tests of the naval version of its Iron Dome missile-defense system, called "C-Dome"at sea on February 21, 2022.
Israeli Navy

Israel’s Ship-Based Iron Dome Just Got Its First Combat Kill

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 9, 2024

B-1B Lancer aircraft nicknamed “Lancelot,” touches down at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, Feb. 8, 2024. “Lancelot” is being regenerated to the active bomber fleet after previously being retired to the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona. Photo was redacted for security purposes.
B-1

B-1B ‘Lancelot’ Is Being Resurrected For Active Service

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 8, 2024

A T-72 tank modified with counter-drone electronic warfare jamming systems.
Ukraine

Ukraine Situation Report: Russian Anti-Drone Electronic Warfare Tank Captured

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 8, 2024

AMX retired
Attack

Italy Says Arrivederci To Its Little AMX Attack Jets

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 5, 2024

Ukrainian officials claimed on Friday that the drone strike targeting the Morozovsk airbase in Russia had killed or injured 20 members of personnel.
Russia

Ukraine Situation Report: Claims Swirl Around Drone Attack On Russian Fighter-Bomber Base

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 5, 2024

The Royal Danish Navy’s recent woes are continuing, with the service today having declared a missile failure aboard one of its frigates, the Niels Juel, at a harbor in the Baltic Sea. As well forcing the closure of Denmark’s most important strait connecting the Baltic Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, the incident comes one day after the sacking of the head of the Danish Armed Forces, amid the fallout of weapons failures aboard another of its frigates, which was protecting Red Sea shipping against Houthi attacks.
R/UGM-84 Harpoon

Harpoon Missile Malfunction On Danish Frigate Closes Part Of Baltic Strait

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 4, 2024

The long-running question of whether Israel will finally buy a new batch of F-15 Eagle multirole fighters looks like it might be answered sooner rather than later. The latest reports out of Washington indicate that the Biden administration is now considering whether or not to move ahead with a deal, which would likely involve as many as 50 examples of the F-15IA — an Israel-specific variant of the F-15EX.
F-15

F-15 Sale To Israel Reportedly Ready To Close, Will Gaza Change That?

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 3, 2024

A US-made F-16 fighter lands on the run way at the eastern Hualien air force base on January 23, 2013. The Taiwan air force demonstrated their combat skills at the Hualien air base during an annual training before the coming lunar new year.
F-16

Multiple Taiwanese F-16s Damaged In Powerful Earthquake

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 3, 2024

The U.S. military is gearing up for the forthcoming retirement of another iconic aircraft type, with the last pilots now having graduated onto the AV-8B Harrier II attack jet. As we have explained in the past, the U.S. Marine Corps is pressing ahead with plans to remove the vertical/short takeoff and landing (VSTOL) aircraft from its inventory before the end of 2026, with this latest development a highly symbolic one within this process.
Harrier

Last Marine Harrier Pilots Complete Training As AV-8B’s End Draws Near

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 2, 2024

Less than a month after we got our first glimpse inside the Russian factory where license production of the Iranian Shahed-series one-way attack drone is taking place, a Ukrainian drone attack appears to have targeted the facility.
Russia

Russia’s Shahed-136 Factory Attacked By Light Plane Converted Into A Drone

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 2, 2024

A video has emerged showing a disastrous Russian assault on the Avdiivka front, which took place at the weekend, reportedly leaving 20 of the Kremlin’s armored vehicles destroyed. While we have seen other large-scale Russian armored assaults, various accounts suggest this might be the biggest of its kind of the conflict so far, spearheaded by a column of 48 Russian armored vehicles.
Russia

Ukraine Situation Report: Russian Armor Massacre At Avdiivka

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 1, 2024

India’s homegrown Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) has had a tortuous development path, but investment in the program is starting to show dividends, with the first flight of the Tejas Mk 1A, a much-improved version of the jet. The Tejas Mk 1A is set to be built in considerably greater numbers than the initial Mk 1 version and, more importantly, brings a host of advanced new features.
Indian Air Force

Much Is Riding On India’s Upgraded Tejas Light Fighter After Its First Flight

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Mar 28, 2024

Danish Air Force F-16 takes off in Monte Real Air Force Base during Real Thaw 2018 exercise on February 06, 2018 in Monte Real, Portugal. Real Thaw 2018 (RT18) is a Portuguese Air Force led live-fly exercise to evaluate and certify their operational capability being conducted at Monte Real Air Force from January 29 to February 09. The tenth edition of RT18 features 35 aircraft and 1500 personnel from the Portuguese Air Force, Army and Navy and military forces from Denmark, France, Netherlands, Spain, the United States of America and NATO.
F-16

F-16 Looks Like The Endgame To Argentina’s Epic Fighter Saga

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 27, 2024

Greek F-16s
F-16

Greece Plans To Sell F-16s, Mirages To Rationalize Its Fighter Inventory

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 26, 2024

Japan Wants T-7 Red Hawk As Its Next Trainer: Report
T-7

Japan Wants T-7 Red Hawk As Its Next Trainer: Report

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 26, 2024

Ukrainian attack on Crimea Sevastopol landing ship Black Sea Fleet
Russia

Ukraine Situation Report: Claims Swirl Around Strikes On Landing Ships In Crimea

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Mar 25, 2024

Emergency services vehicles are seen outside the burning Crocus City Hall concert hall following the shooting incident in Krasnogorsk, outside Moscow, on March 22, 2024. Gunmen opened fire at a concert hall in a Moscow suburb on March 22, 2024 leaving dead and wounded before a major fire spread through the building, Moscow's mayor and Russian news agencies reported.
Russia

Ukraine Situation Report: Kyiv Denies Any Involvement In Terror Attack Near Moscow

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 22, 2024

Ukraine's biggest dam was struck.
Russia

Russia’s Reprisal Attack On Ukraine’s Energy Infrastructure Was The Biggest Yet

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 22, 2024

China's new Z-21 heavy attack helicopter
Helicopters

China’s New Heavy Attack Helicopter Spotted For The First Time (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 21, 2024

Drones that can fly to their targets low to the ground and while being jammed would be a big help to Ukraine.
Russia

Automated Terminal Attack Capability Appears To Be Making Its Way Into Ukraine’s FPV Drones

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Mar 21, 2024

A German Mk 88A Super Lynx helicopter piloted by German military service members flies over the Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) while participating in exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2020 in the Baltic Sea, June 8, 2020. BALTOPS is the premier annual maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic Region, marking the 49th year of one of the largest exercises in Northern Europe enhancing flexibility and interoperability among allied and partner nations.
Red Sea

German Navy Helicopter Destroys Houthi Drone Boat

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 21, 2024

A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II sits on the flightline at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., March 3, 2023. The A-10 is assigned to the A-10C Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team, which is one of four single-ship demonstration teams within Air Combat Command, who travel across the United States, as well as internationally, to highlight the combat capabilities of the A-10 and the U.S. Air Force.
A-10

A-10 Demo Team Announces Its Final Year As The Warthog’s End Draws Near

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 21, 2024

KF-21 Refueling for the first time from a tanker
Republic of Korea Air Force

South Korea’s KF-21 Next Generation Fighter Begins Tanker Trials

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 19, 2024

Russia now wants a 'buffer zone' between it and Ukraine.
Russia

Ukraine Situation Report: Putin Now Talking About Creating A “Buffer Zone”

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 18, 2024

The Netherlands will buy four new conventionally powered submarines from France, to replace its Cold War-era Walrus class and to contribute to a new-look defense posture in which long-range conventional strike capabilities are given new importance.
Diesel-Electric Submarines

Dutch Choose French Design For New Tomahawk-Armed Submarines

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 15, 2024

Mig-29s are now flying with French hammer guided bombs in Ukraine.
MiG-29

Ukraine’s MiG-29s Are Now Carrying French ‘Hammer’ Rocket-Assisted Bombs

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 15, 2024