More from Thomas Newdick (Page 2)

A Ukrainian attack on the aircraft manufacturer Beriev’s facility in Taganrog in southwestern Russia overnight appears to have struck a unique laser testbed, the A-60.
A-50/A-100

Unique Russian A-60 Laser Testbed Jet Destroyed In Ukrainian Attack

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 25, 2025

FDI Frigate may end up in Sweden's Naval inventory.
Frigates

Swedish Navy To Acquire Frigates, Its Biggest Surface Combatants In Nearly 50 Years

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Nov 24, 2025

F-35B UK issues
F-35A

United Kingdom’s F-35 Program Slammed For Cost-Saving Blunders

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 24, 2025

German soldiers board a subway train during subterranean training in Berlin.
Armies

Soldiers Take To Berlin’s Subway Tunnels To Train For Defending The City From Below

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 21, 2025

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - NOVEMBER 21: Smoke rises after an Indian fighter jet crashed into a field while performing a demonstration flight during the Dubai Airshow in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on November 21, 2025.
Indian Air Force

Fatal Crash Of India’s Tejas Light Fighter Mars Dubai Airshow

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 21, 2025

‘Crew One,’ a three-man weapons load team, completes the first full external loadout with live munitions for the F-35A Lightening II May 3, 2019, at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates. F-35A Lightning IIs assigned to the 4th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron were configured in a full external live loadout of six GBU-49 small glide munitions and two AIM-9x Sidewinder missiles to execute an operation in Southwest Asia.
F-35A

Impact Of Selling F-35s To Saudi Arabia On The Region

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Nov 20, 2025

The Yantar, a notorious Russian spy ship, directed lasers at the crews of U.K. Royal Air Force aircraft in waters off the north of Scotland, the British government said today.
Royal Navy

Russian Spy Ship Targets Royal Air Force Jets With Laser

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 19, 2025

WARSAW, POLAND - NOVEMBER 17: (----EDITORIAL USE ONLY - MANDATORY CREDIT - THE CHANCELLERY OF THE PRIME MINISTER OF POLAND (KPRM) /X ACCOUNT/ HANDOUT' - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS----) Poland Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Polish Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski inspect the damaged railway tracks on the Warsaw-Lublin route in Poland on November 17, 2025. Damage caused overnight on the intercity Warsaw-Lublin rail line near the village of Mika was an act of sabotage, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk posted on US social media company X on Monday.
NATO

Polish Rail Sabotage Blamed On Russia

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 18, 2025

Boeing, Saab, and BAE Systems have teamed up to offer the T-7A Red Hawk advanced jet trainer to the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force. With a plan to build the jets in the United Kingdom, the partnership aims to deliver a successor to the Royal Air Force’s current fleet of BAE Systems Hawks from 2030.
T-7

T-7 Red Hawk Jet Trainer Offer To United Kingdom Includes Local Assembly

By Thomas Newdick

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

In its latest efforts to modernize its air force, Ukraine has signed a letter of intent to buy up to 100 Dassault Rafale multirole fighters from France over the next 10 years. Today’s agreement comes less than a month after Sweden and Ukraine unveiled a plan to export as many as 150 Gripen E fighters to Kyiv. While the Rafale is the most advanced combat aircraft so far included in Ukraine’s defense plans, there remain huge questions about whether the acquisition of one of these aircraft types, let alone two, is really feasible, especially in such numbers.
Rafale

Ukraine’s Questionable Plan To Buy Up To 100 Rafale Fighters

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 17, 2025

With the first example of Boeing’s F-47 sixth-generation stealth fighter for the U.S. Air Force now in production, a company official has highlighted how its prototyping effort allowed the program to move forward at a rapid pace. Winning the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program was “humbling,” said Steve Parker, president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space and Security. He added that the fact the F-47 is now in production is testament to “the maturity of our design and pedigree coming off the prototype.”
F-22

F-47 Program’s Accelerated Pace Made Possible By NGAD X-Plane Efforts

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 17, 2025

For the first time, Ukraine has presented footage that purportedly shows its extended-range Long Neptune cruise missile in action.
Land

Ukraine’s Long Neptune Cruise Missile Seen in Action For The First Time

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 14, 2025

The Dutch Ministry of Defense has announced that NATO nations have dropped their plan to buy Boeing E-7A Wedgetail as its next airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) platform. The decision comes after South Korea rejected the E-7 for its own AEW&C program and would appear to open the door to Saab’s rival GlobalEye, which France has already said it intends to buy.
E-3

E-7 Wedgetail Radar Jet Procurement Plans Axed By NATO

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 13, 2025

Recent imagery indicates that China is progressing work on a new aircraft carrier, its fourth, which is widely expected to introduce nuclear propulsion. The development comes just a week after the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) commissioned its first domestically produced carrier, the Fujian. Meanwhile, there are signs that Beijing may also still be working on at least one more conventionally powered carrier, too.
People's Liberation Army Navy (China)

Strong Evidence That China’s Next Carrier Will Be Nuclear Emerges In Shipyard Photo

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 12, 2025

A month after the emergence of satellite imagery that showed GJ-11 Sharp Sword stealthy flying-wing uncrewed combat air vehicles (UCAV) in an apparently semi-operational state, China has released the first air-to-air video of the drone. China also revealed that the official People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) name for the GJ-11 is Mysterious Dragon.
UCAVs

China’s Stealthy GJ-11 ‘Mysterious Dragon’ Soars Out Of The Shadows

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Nov 11, 2025

The planned delivery of three AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters to the Indian Army has taken an unusual turn. The Antonov Airlines An-124 cargo aircraft carrying the rotorcraft to India returned to the United States with the Apaches still onboard, with a Boeing spokesperson telling TWZ that it was looking into “logistical issues” that they said had interrupted the transportation.
An-124

AH-64 Apaches Make Mysterious Return To U.S. On Their Delivery Flight To India

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 10, 2025

Imagery has been published providing a rare look inside the weapons bays of one of the prototypes of Russia’s Su-57 Felon new-generation fighter. While internal weapons carriage is a key design feature of the Sukhoi jet, the main weapons bays, at least, haven’t been seen in such detail, with weapons loaded. The footage comes as Moscow embarks on another export drive for the Su-57, which has reportedly so far only been ordered by Algeria.
Su-57

Su-57 Felon Brandishes Its Loaded Weapons Bays For The First Time

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 10, 2025

The best images we’ve seen so far of the German Luftwaffe’s PEGASUS signals intelligence (SIGINT) aircraft reveal key details of the airframe adaptations made to the Bombardier Global 6000 bizjet platform it’s based on. The photos were shared with TWZ by @CorreaPhtgphy, who captured them earlier this year at Abilene, Texas.
Luftwaffe

Our Best Look At Germany’s New PEGASUS Surveillance Jet

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 7, 2025

The U.K. Royal Navy flagship, HMS Prince of Wales, is now carrying 24 F-35B fighters — the largest number to go aboard either of the U.K’s two aircraft carriers. This is a significant achievement for the British F-35 force, which has long faced questions about the feasibility of deploying a meaningful number of the short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) jets at sea — without U.S. Marine Corps aircraft making up the numbers.
Royal Navy

British Carrier Hosts Largest Number Of F-35Bs On A Ship Ever

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 7, 2025

Arc orbital supply capsule.
Launch Vehicles

Arc Orbital Supply Capsule Aims To Put Military Supplies Anywhere On Earth Within An Hour

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Nov 6, 2025

An Italian Air Force F-35 Lighting II arrives at an undisclosed location within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, June 30, 2024. The F-35A is an agile, versatile, high-performance, 9g capable multirole fighter that combines stealth, sensor fusion and unprecedented situational awareness. The ITAF stopped in CENTCOM as a part of Operation Indo-Pacific Jump (IPJ) 2024.
F-35A

F-35 Sale To Saudi Arabia Being Mulled By Trump Admin: Report

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 5, 2025

A group of men run on the tarmac during the opening ceremony of the European F-16 Training Center at the 86th Romanian Military Airbase in Fetesti, Romania, on November 13, 2023.
F-16

Romania Just ‘Bought’ 18 F-16s For One Euro

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 4, 2025

Photoex with NH90 due to com-testing at sea outside Bodø.
Air Forces

Norway’s Sorry NH90 Helicopter Saga Finally Comes To An End

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 3, 2025

Russia has launched the first of its new Project 08951 class of nuclear-powered submarine, named Khabarovsk, which is intended to be armed with the Poseidon nuclear-powered, nuclear-tipped, ultra-long-endurance torpedo. At this stage, details of the new submarine remain scarce, but its completion, though long delayed, reflects the continued priority Moscow is assigning to strategic weapons systems, including novel ones without direct comparison.
Nuclear Guided Missile Submarines (SSGNs)

Russia’s New Nuclear Torpedo-Carrying Submarine Has Been Launched

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Nov 3, 2025

Russia has used its ground-launched 9M729 cruise missile to strike targets in Ukraine multiple times in recent months. This is the conclusion of Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and it also tallies with reports from independent analysts who have been tracking the use of the missile, the original deployment of which led to the United States walking away from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces, or INF, Treaty in 2019.
Russian Army

Russia’s Treaty-Busting Screwdriver Cruise Missile Used Against Ukraine: Officials

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 31, 2025

President Vladimir Putin says that Russia successfully tested one of its Poseidon nuclear-powered, nuclear-tipped, ultra-long-endurance torpedoes yesterday. The Russian leader’s revelation comes just two days after the announcement of a first long-range test for the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile, and is part of a wider pattern of recent nuclear signaling by the Kremlin.
Russian Navy

Powered Test Of Poseidon Nuclear Torpedo, Putin Claims

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 29, 2025

After a string of exotic stealthy combat jets, both crewed and uncrewed, the latest new Chinese military aircraft to break cover is somewhat different, but nonetheless interesting. The latest development concerns an advanced jet trainer, but one that clearly has considerable potential as a light combat aircraft, too.
People's Liberation Army Air Force (China)

New Chinese Advanced Training Jet Breaks Cover

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 28, 2025

Perhaps the most extraordinary-looking aircraft to have taken to the air in many years, the X-59 Quiet Supersonic Technology experimental test aircraft, or QueSST, has made its first flight.
Testbeds

X-59 Supersonic Test Jet Takes To The Air (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Oct 28, 2025

NATO member Lithuania today authorized the shooting down of balloons that cross the border from Russia’s ally Belarus, after as many as 66 balloons were spotted by Lithuanian radar overnight. The Lithuanian government has described the balloon incursion as a “hybrid attack” and has closed its border with Belarus — temporarily, to start with.
Baltic Sea

Lithuania Will Shoot Down Balloons Crossing Border From Belarus After Dozens Detected Overnight

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 27, 2025

Russia has said that it conducted the long-awaited test of its mysterious Burevestnik cruise missile last week, claiming that it flew for 8,700 miles. The missile, claimed to be nuclear-powered, is said to have remained in the air for around 15 hours. For the time being, we don’t know if those statements are factually accurate and, moreover, details about how the missile actually works remain very scarce. However, the claimed test has led to boasts about the missile’s performance from Russian President Vladimir Putin, while his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, called upon Putin to end the war in Ukraine “instead of testing missiles.”
Ground-Launched Nuclear Cruise Missile

Skyfall Nuclear-Powered Cruise Missile Long-Range Test Claimed By Russia

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 27, 2025

South Korea has launched its biggest and most ambitious submarine yet, the Jang Yeong-sil, as the first of the second batch of its locally designed and built KSS-III program.
Diesel-Electric Submarines

South Korea Has Launched Its Most Advanced Submarine Ever

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 23, 2025

We may well have seen the first evidence of a Russian glide bomb kit combined with a motor, providing these notorious weapons with a significant boost in range. The latest version of the weapon is reportedly designated UMPK-PD, in which the P suffix very likely denotes Dalniaya, for long range, and looks set to be another serious challenge for Ukraine’s air defenses.
Russian Air Force

Russia Is Now Launching Jet-Powered Glide Bombs At Ukraine

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 23, 2025

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (R) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky walk past a Gripen fighter jet after they delivered a joint press conference in Linkoping, Sweden, on October 22, 2025, after talks on Russia's ongoing of aggression against Ukraine and the countries' deepening defense cooperation. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on october 22 that Sweden and Ukraine had signed a letter of intent to develop air capabilities, which could see Ukraine buy up to 150 Gripen fighter jets.
Gripen

Huge Gripen Fighter Order Letter Of Intent Signed By Ukraine

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 22, 2025

Germany is offering Canada to join its Type 212CD submarine program, alongside Norway, as part of a broader defense cooperation that would more closely align Berlin and Ottawa. Canada badly needs a replacement for its aging and troublesome Victoria class diesel-electric submarines, and, in turn, Germany is looking to procure potentially significant numbers of special-mission aircraft from Canada’s Bombardier.
Diesel-Electric Submarines

Submarine Partnership Pitched By Germany And Norway To Canada

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 22, 2025

jAS 39 E
Gripen

Gripen E Fighter Officially Joins The Swedish Air Force

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 21, 2025

Singapore today launched the first of its drone motherships, or Multi-Role Combat Vessels (MRCV). The largest and most complex ship in the Republic of Singapore Navy, the Victory is the first of a planned six of these vessels. These will replace the existing Victory class missile corvettes (MCV), which entered service in 1989, and will form the cornerstone of its fleet modernization effort.
Frigates

Singapore Launches Its Biggest And Most Capable Warship Ever

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 21, 2025

The Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV) recently awarded Saab with the contract, worth around $276 million and covering the period from 2025 to 2027. As well as the FMV, Saab will work with the Swedish Armed Forces, the Swedish Defense Research Agency, GKN Aerospace, and other industry partners.
Gripen

Sweden Pushes Ahead With Future Fighter Program

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Oct 20, 2025

With a steady drumbeat of reports raising the prospect of some kind of U.S. military intervention in Venezuela, it’s worth looking at what is potentially one of its most threatening weapons: the Russian-made Kh-31 air-to-surface missile. Known to NATO as the AS-17 Krypton, the ramjet-powered missile is available in both anti-radiation and anti-ship versions, with the ship-killer being the most relevant in this context.
Anti-Ship Cruise Missile

Venezuela’s Supersonic Anti-Ship Missiles Are A Real Threat To American Warships

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 20, 2025

A Russian strategic nuclear forces (SNF) officer inspects a launching tube in the launching center of intercontinental ballistic missiles 20 March 1992 in Drovjanaja, near Cita, in Siberia. The strategic nuclear forces of the Russian Federation consist of ground intercontinental ballistic missiles (IBM) stationary, and also mobile, earth and railway variants of basing, sea and aviation strategic nuclear arms.
Air

Soviets Tested ICBM Silo Defense System That Showered Incoming Warheads With Clouds Of Metal Darts

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 17, 2025

Iranian-made Shahed-136 'Kamikaze' drone flies over the sky of Kermanshah, Iran on March 7, 2024. Iran fired over 100 drones and ballistic missiles on Saturday, April 13, 2024, in retaliation to an attack on a building attached to the country's consular annex in Damascus that killed the guards, and two generals of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on April 01, 2024. Iran has blamed Israel for the attack on April 5, 2024 in Tehran.
Air

Army “Absolutely Needs” Drones Like Russia’s Shahed-136: 25th Infantry Division Commander

By Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Updated on Oct 16, 2025

The Association of the U.S. Army’s (AUSA) main annual symposium has seen some notable appearances by autonomous launchers, underscoring the service’s growing interest in this class of system. On show at the event were a new Family of Multi-Mission Autonomous Vehicles (FMAV) from Oshkosh Defense, as well as Raytheon’s DeepFires. Between them, these platforms can be armed with a wide variety of offensive and defensive weapons, also including Tomahawk cruise missiles and Patriot surface-to-air missiles.
AIM-9 Sidewinder

Autonomous Launchers Make Impact As Army Requirements Grow

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 15, 2025

The next stage in the evolution of the Gray Eagle Short Takeoff and Landing (GE STOL) drone sees General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) team up with South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace, for co-development and co-production of the uncrewed aircraft system, with work set to begin immediately. A demonstrator for the medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) drone has already operated from a South Korean assault ship, but the new partnership will see production of the Gray Eagle STOL for all customers taking place in South Korea.
Q-1

General Atomics’ Gray Eagle STOL Drone Will Be Made In Korea

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 14, 2025

A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II flies a presence patrol over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Feb. 26, 2025. The U.S. Air Force is globally postured to protect and defend the freedom of coalition allies and regional partners within the CENTCOM AOR to maintain peace and stability.
A-10

A-10 Warthog Appears To Have Become A Drone Killer

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 13, 2025

Boeing CxR collaborative tiltrotor drone.
AH-64

Boeing Launches New Family Of Tiltrotor Combat Drones

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 13, 2025

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Oyashio-class submarine JS Mocishio transits with ships assigned to Rim of the Pacific 2010 combined task force as part of a photo exercise noerth of Hawaii. RIMPAC, the world’s largest multinational maritime exercise is a biennial event which allows participating nations to work together to build trust and enhance partnerships needed to improve maritime security.
Diesel-Electric Submarines

Japan Will Arm Its Submarines With Long-Range Cruise Missiles

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 9, 2025

VAMPIRE Live Fire 2025
AH-64

Entire Family Of VAMPIRE Counter-Drone Systems Unveiled

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 9, 2025

Two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs, assigned to the F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team, fly in formation prior to conducting air-to-air refueling over Utah, July 1, 2025. The F-35A Lightning II is the Air Force’s most advanced multirole fighter, capable of conducting both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
F-35A

Time Is Running Out For Canada’s Fighter Decision

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 8, 2025

The U.S. Department of Defense may finally be ready to choose which company will develop and build the U.S. Navy’s F/A-XX next-generation carrier-based fighter. A report from Reuters today states that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth personally gave the green light for the selection last Friday. However, this is not the first time that there have been reports that this decision was imminent, as you can read about here.
F/A-XX

Navy F/A-XX Stealth Fighter Selection Imminent: Reports

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 7, 2025

An employee holds a miniature of a 70mm rocket during a visit to the Thales production site in Herstal, on October, 3 2025. The company has also inaugurated a new ammunition production line at this site. Production has increased fivefold in recent years to meet the needs of the armed forces. (Photo by VIRGINIE LEFOUR / Belga / AFP) / Belgium OUT (Photo by VIRGINIE LEFOUR/Belga/AFP via Getty Images)
Laser Guided Rockets

Thales Anti-Drone Rockets Now Being Used In Ukraine

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 7, 2025

Sikorsky has announced a whole family of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drones, all using a tail-sitting design powered by twin proprotors. While the company has previously showcased and tested this ‘rotor blown wing’ configuration, the new Nomad family includes much larger aircraft, all the way up to a size broadly equivalent to the S-70 Black Hawk medium-lift helicopter and intended for a variety of naval and land-based missions.
Air

Sikorsky Unveils Nomad Family Of Scalable VTOL Drones

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 6, 2025

A Venezuelan Army truck carrying Russian missile launchers takes part in a military parade during celebrations for the Independence Day, in Caracas on July 5, 2025. (
Air

Status Of Venezuela’s Air Defense Capabilities

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 3, 2025

Reports indicate that the United States has agreed to provide Ukraine with targeting intelligence for its long-range missile strikes against Russian energy infrastructure. For many months now, Ukraine has been waging a campaign to degrade Russia’s oil industry, depriving it of critical resources for its offensive in Ukraine as well as revenue from energy exports.
Air

U.S. To Give Ukraine Intel For Attacks On Critical Energy Targets In Russia: Reports

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 2, 2025

A LC-130 "Skibird" assigned to the 109th Airlift Wing, New York Air National Guard, operates in Antarctica in 2022.
C-130

Funds Shifted To Develop New LC-130J “Ski Bird” Polar Airlifters

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 1, 2025

South Korea has selected an L3Harris Global 6500 bizjet-based solution for its new airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft. As we discussed at the time, Seoul launched its search for a new plane back in 2020, to bolster its current fleet of four Boeing E-737s, South Korean versions of the E-7 Wedgetail that has been selected by the U.S. Air Force and NATO, among other customers. Reports from earlier this year suggested that Boeing had already been eliminated or dropped out of the new South Korean competition, something that the company appeared to deny.
Airborne Radar

South Korea Has Chosen Its Next Airborne Early Warning Radar Jet

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Sep 30, 2025

apan Maritime Self-Defense Force guided missile destroyer JS Chokai (DDG 176) steams in close formation as one of 40 ships and submarines representing 13 international partner nations during Rim of the Pacific 2016. Twenty-six nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft, and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 30 to Aug. 4, in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2016 is the 25th exercise in the series that began in 1971.
Air

First Japanese Destroyer Heads To U.S. For Tomahawk Missile Modifications

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Sep 30, 2025

USAF eyes large flying wing arsenal ship.
F-47

Flying Wing Arsenal Plane Packed With Air-To-Air Missiles Eyed By USAF: Report

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Sep 29, 2025

For the Beacon program, Northrop Grumman has adapted the Model 437 Vanguard, adding digitally engineered wings and modifications for optionally autonomous flight. The first flight was achieved with a test pilot in the cockpit.
Loyal Wingman

Scaled Composites’ Model 437 Vanguard Jet Is Now Flying As An AI Testbed

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Sep 27, 2025

India’s then-controversial decision to buy the MiG-21 ushered in an era in which Soviet (and latterly Russian) fighters were dominant in the Indian Air Force, a situation that continues to this day. While India buying arms from Moscow is now well established, the Fishbed helped kick off this trend. The delta-winged fighter was selected in favor of Western designs to revamp the Indian Air Force. A key driver was the need to field a fighter that would challenge the F-104 Starfighter that the Pakistan Air Force was then operating.
MiG-21

India’s Iconic MiG-21 Blasts Off Into Retirement

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Sep 26, 2025

German defense startup Helsing has unveiled a new uncrewed combat air vehicle (UCAV), the CA-1 Europa. The company is targeting a first flight in 2027 for the UCAV, which looks very similar to the MQ-28 Ghost Bat. Boeing’s Australian subsidiary developed Ghost Bat first as a ‘loyal wingman’ drone for the Royal Australian Air Force, under the Airpower Teaming System. The U.S. Air Force has also now acquired at least one example ostensibly to support research and development and test and evaluation efforts.
MQ-28

Helsing’s CA-1 Drone Is An MQ-28 Ghost Bat Lookalike

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Sep 25, 2025

India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), the country’s main military research and development agency, announced the successful test firing of an Agni-Prime from a rail-based mobile launcher system, on September 24. The test, which the DRDO says involved a “full operational scenario,” was carried out at an undisclosed site in the country in collaboration with India’s Strategic Forces Command (SFC).
India-Pakistan Nuclear Standoff

India Just Launched A Ballistic Missile From A Train

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Sep 25, 2025

The U.S. military was totally unaware of the unprecedented Israeli airstrike on a Hamas compound in Doha, Qatar, earlier this month, one of its senior leaders has confirmed. In the aftermath of the raid, there had been questions as to why the various highly advanced air defense systems and sensors, both American and Qatari, that would normally provide prior alert to an impending attack on Qatar had apparently not functioned as expected. Now we have a better understanding of what happened, from a U.S. perspective.
Air-Launched Ballistic Missiles

New Info On How U.S. Military Was Caught Off Guard By Israeli Strike On Qatar

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 24, 2025

Leidos has raised the possibility of eventually integrating its Black Arrow, also known as the Small Cruise Missile, in the MQ-9 Reaper drone and the OA-1K Skyraider II light attack aircraft. The roughly 200-pound munition has, so far, been tested from C-130 variants but offers the kinds of capabilities that U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is increasingly looking at harnessing.
Q-9

Tiny Black Arrow Cruise Missile Demonstrates A Whopping 400-Mile Range

By Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Updated on Sep 24, 2025

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Matthew Olde, the F-15 director of programs and operations at Defense Contract Management Agency Boeing St. Louis, exits an F-15EX Eagle II aircraft at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan, June 11, 2025. Olde brought the aircraft to the base as part of a site activation task force visit, one of the initial steps to ensure that when both the F-15EX and KC-46 Pegasus missions arrive at Selfridge ANGB, the 127th Wing will be fully prepared with the right infrastructure, personnel, and support to stand them up and operate them effectively.
Air

New APG-82(V)X Radar For F-15EX Announced By Raytheon

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Sep 23, 2025