More from Thomas Newdick (Page 2)

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer prepares to taxi prior to takeoff in support of Operation Epic Fury, March 6, 2026.
Iran

Questions Loom Over Iran Ceasefire

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Apr 8, 2026

B-2 Spirit about to head out on mission over Iran.
Iran

Trump Agrees To Ceasefire With Iran

By Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Updated on Apr 8, 2026

President Donald Trump and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine provided new details about the risky missions to rescue the crew of an F-15E Strike Eagle shot down over Iran.
Iran

Everything We Now Know About The Operation To Rescue The F-15E WSO (Updated)

By Howard Altman, Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 7, 2026

B-52 epic fury mission.
Iran

Iran Rejects Ceasefire Deal (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 6, 2026

Iran claims it shot down a fighter over Iran showing wreckage on an F-15E.
F-15

F-15E Down In Iran, Rescue Operation Ongoing (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway, Howard Altman

Updated on Apr 4, 2026

A front view of an SR-71 aircraft assigned to Detachment 4, 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, as it prepares for takeoff.
SR-71

SR-71 Blackbird Crews Had These Custom Smith & Wesson Pistols Built For Them

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 3, 2026

US and Israeli forces struck the B1 bridge connecting Tehran to western regions, hitting Iran’s highest bridge linking Tehran and Karaj, a major transport artery opened earlier this year.
Iran

Key Iranian Bridge Severed By Airstrikes (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Apr 2, 2026

B-52 Epic Fury mission at night.
Iran

Trump Threatens NATO Departure, Claims Iran Wants A Ceasefire Ahead Of National Address (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Updated on Apr 2, 2026

The U.S. Air Force Materiel Command’s highly secretive NT-43A has been spotted in Florida, apparently taking part in the preparations for the launch of NASA's long-delayed Artemis II lunar space mission.
NASA

World’s Most Secretive 737 Is Supporting NASA’s Historic Artemis II Launch

By Thomas Newdick, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 1, 2026

U.S. Air Force EA-37B Compass Call arrives at RAF Mildenhall on March 30, 2026.
Iran

New EA-37B Compass Call Electronic Warfare Jets Cross Atlantic, Middle East Next? (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick, Howard Howard Altman

Updated on Mar 31, 2026

An MQ-28A Ghost Bat loaded with an AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile during Trial Kareela at RAAF Base Woomera, South Australia.
MQ-28

MQ-28 Ghost Bat Gains Major European Foothold As Rheinmetall Joins Forces With Boeing

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 31, 2026

A KC-135T Stratotanker from the 171st Aerial Refueling Squadron of the 127th Wing at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan, readies to refuel an A-10C from the 107th Fighter Squadron, also from Selfridge, on an aerial refueling sortie June 27, 2023. In addition to routine aerial refueling training in all conditions, aircraft from the 127th Wing commemorated the 100-year anniversary of the first aerial refueling conducted on June 27, 1923.
Iran

Dozens Of A-10 Warthogs Appear Poised To Join Epic Fury

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Mar 30, 2026

Tomahawks running low in war with Iran.
Iran

U.S. Is Burning Through Tomahawk Cruise Missile Stockpile At An Alarming Rate: Report

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Mar 28, 2026

Super Hornet has a near miss with a SAM near the short of the Gulf Of Oman.
Iran

Navy F/A-18’s Close Call With An Iranian SAM Highlights Remaining Risks To Epic Fury Aviators (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Mar 26, 2026

South Korea today rolled out the first series-produced example of its homegrown KF-21 fighter. This major milestone in the program also underscores just how quickly the program has progressed, with the rollout coming a little over five years since the first prototype of the fighter was unveiled. The development schedule is especially impressive when compared with other new-generation fighter programs, although Seoul has taken some notable shortcuts to meet this aggressive timeline.
Republic of Korea Air Force

First Series-Produced KF-21 Fighter Rolled Out In South Korea

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 25, 2026

Kamikaze drones operated by an Iran-backed militia in Iraq appear to have struck a U.S. military Black Hawk helicopter and an air defense radar at an American base in Iraq.
HH-60

Drone Attack On Parked U.S. Army Black Hawk In Iraq A Harbinger Of What’s To Come

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 25, 2026

U.S. Marines assigned to the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 311 (VMFA), Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, prepare to launch an F-35C Lightning II at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, May 16, 2024. Checkered Flag is a large-force aerial exercise which fosters readiness and interoperability through the incorporation of 4th and 5th-generation aircraft in combat training. The 24-2 iteration of the exercise was held May 9-22. Nordheim)
Iran

Land-Based Marine Corps F-35Cs Are Now Moving Towards The Middle East

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Mar 24, 2026

FAIRFORD, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: A Rockwell B-1 Lancer heavy bomber sits on the tarmac during sunrise at RAF Fairford on March 19, 2026 in Fairford, England. Since UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer back-tracked on his initial refusal to allow the U.S. to use British bases to launch defensive strikes against Iranian missile sites, a variety of U.S. military aircraft, including B52 and B-1 bombers, have been spotted at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.
Iran

Iran Wants To Make Deal To End War, Trump Claims (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Mar 23, 2026

SAAB 340 AEW&C spotted over Ukraine.
Airborne Radar

Ukraine’s Saab 340 Airborne Early Warning Radar Plane Spotted Operating Over The Country

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 20, 2026

The Pentagon is reportedly sending the Wasp class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer and the rest of its Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), loaded with elements of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).
Iran

USS Boxer The Second Amphibious Assault Ship Now Heading To Middle East (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick, Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Mar 20, 2026

As part of its seemingly never-ending search for new fighters, the Indian Ministry of Defense says it wants to team up with one of the two rival European next-generation combat aircraft programs.
Indian Air Force

India Joining One Of Europe’s Fighter Programs Is Anything But Easy

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 19, 2026

F-35 made emergency landing after Iran claims it struck one with a SAM.
F-35A

USAF F-35 Makes Emergency Landing After Allegedly Being Hit by Iranian Fire

By Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Posted on Mar 19, 2026

The U.S. Air Force has confirmed that it has, for the first time, used its new 5,000-pound-class GBU-72/B bunker-buster bomb in combat.
U.S. Air Force

U.S. Used Its New 5,000-Pound Bunker Busters To Hit Iranian Anti-Ship Missile Sites: Reports

By Thomas Newdick, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Mar 18, 2026

Japan's ugly EC-2 surveillance aircraft.
C-2

Japan’s EC-2 Electronic Warfare Jet, Arguably The World’s Ugliest Aircraft, Just Flew For The First Time

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Mar 17, 2026

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) claims that it destroyed the Iranian government’s Airbus A340 in a strike on Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran. Last summer, the aircraft had been part of an exodus of Iranian state-operated airliners to Oman, but its apparent demise now underscores the intensity of the current airstrikes against Iran, which have been systematically removing aircraft of all types from the Iranian order of battle.
Iranian Air Force

Israel Claims Destruction Of ‘Iran Force One’

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 16, 2026

Amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) departs Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., April 7, 2022. Tripoli completed flight deck operations with 20 F-35B Lightning II jets from Marine Fighter Attack Squadrons 211 and 225, Marine Aircraft Group 13, and 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, as well as Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 1, as part of the U.S. Marine Corps’ Lightning carrier concept demonstration. The Lightning carrier concept demonstration shows Tripoli and other amphibious assault ships are capable of operating as dedicated fixed-wing strike platforms when needed, capable of bringing fifth generation Short Takeoff/Vertical Landing aircraft wherever they are required. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Samuel Ruiz)
Iran

Marine Expeditionary Unit Deploying To The Middle East: Report (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Updated on Mar 13, 2026

A KC-135 refueling tanker crashed in Iraq, according to CENTCOM.
KC-135

KC-135 Tanker Crashes In Iraq During Operation Epic Fury Sortie (Updated)

By Howard Altman, Thomas Newdick, Joseph Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Mar 13, 2026

Iran continues its campaign against commercial tankers, with another two vessels apparently set ablaze earlier today in Iraqi waters. Now, the U.S. government is looking at providing protective escorts.
Iran

U.S. Navy Won’t Be Ready To Escort Tankers Through Hormuz For Weeks (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Mar 12, 2026

F-35B ready to carry out defensive counter-air sortie operations across the Middle East. British jets are protecting UK personnel and allied nations across the Middle East. These operations form part of the UK’s broader commitment to regional security and an active commitment to protect our personnel and allies. ** Some blurring has been applied for operational security reasons **
Iran

UK Grows Its Defensive Posture Abroad In Response To Iran Conflict

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 11, 2026

B-1B bomber used to strike Iran from RAF Fairford.
Iran

Epic Fury Day 11: U.S. Promises “Most Intense Day Of Strikes” On Iran

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Mar 10, 2026

In a surprising development, Serbia has emerged as an operator of the Chinese-made CM-400 air-launched supersonic missile. The weapon has been integrated into Serbia’s Soviet-era MiG-29 Fulcrums, which have undergone various upgrades.
MiG-29

Serbian MiG-29 Appears Armed With Chinese Supersonic Standoff Missiles

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Mar 10, 2026

A B-52 bomber lands at RAF Fairford on March 9, 2026 in Fairford, England. Four U.S. B-1 Lancer bombers arrived at RAF Fairford on Friday following the UK Prime Minister's decision to allow "defensive" access to UK bases for strikes against Iranian missile sites, reversing an earlier policy refusal that caused friction with President Donald Trump.
Iran

B-52s Arrive At U.K. Base As Air Campaign Over Iran Grinds On (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Updated on Mar 9, 2026

The latest addition to the legendary X-plane family is Bell Textron’s demonstrator for the Speed and Runway Independent Technologies (SPRINT) program. The chosen X-76 designation (for the year 1776) is intended to reflect the 250th anniversary of the United States. Meanwhile, there is much hope that HSVTOL could eventually provide the U.S. military, and potentially other operators, with a high-speed, runway-independent special operations airlifter.
Helicopters

Bell’s X-76 Fold-Away Rotor Aircraft Is DARPA’s Newest X-Plane

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 9, 2026

Less than a week into Operation Epic Fury, we have seen a wide variety of munitions used by the U.S. and Israeli military and have previously looked at how their employment has involved as the conflict has progressed. We have also gotten a look at an apparently mysterious version of the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) in Israeli Air Force (IAF) service.
F-16

Israeli F-16 Appears Carrying A Mysterious Precision Bomb

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Mar 7, 2026

Kuwait F/A-18 shoot down up for debate.
F/A-18A-D

Kuwaiti F/A-18’s Triple Friendly Fire Shootdown Gets Stranger By The Day

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 6, 2026

For more than three weeks, Ukraine was left with only “a handful” of U.S.-made AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles for its F-16 fleet, after the supply of the weapons dried up. This is the conclusion of a Reuters report, citing three sources, all of whom are said to have direct knowledge of the situation. It also comes as Kyiv is increasingly in competition with the U.S. military and its Gulf allies as they come under continued pressure from Iranian drones and missiles in the Middle East.
F-16

Ukrainian F-16s Had Only A Handful Of Sidewinder Missiles Available: Report

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 5, 2026

A submarine attack by the USS Thresher (commanded by Commander W.J. Millican) has broken the back of this Japanese ship, hitting amidships. It is about to sink.
Diesel-Electric Submarines

The Last Time A U.S. Navy Submarine Sunk An Enemy Ship In Combat

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 4, 2026

For the first time, an F-35 has shot down a crewed aircraft in combat. According to the Israeli military, an Israeli Air Force (IAF) F-35I Adir brought down an Iranian Yak-130 Mitten combat trainer over Tehran.
F-35

Israeli Air Force First To Claim F-35 Air-To-Air Kill Of A Crewed Aircraft

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 4, 2026

Iran appears to be increasingly focusing its retaliatory attacks against energy production infrastructure in Gulf Arab States.
Iran

Gulf Arab States Under Pressure As Iranian Attacks Grind On (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick, Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Updated on Mar 4, 2026

New Russian cruise missile is being used in Ukraine.
Russian Air Force

New Russian Air-Launched Cruise Missile Appears In Ukraine

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 3, 2026

The joint U.S.-Israeli operation against Iran has entered day three.
Iran

War With Iran Now In Its Third Day

By Joseph Trevithick, Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Updated on Mar 2, 2026

A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornet assigned to Carrier Air Wing 17, deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), flies over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility during a mission in support of Operation Inherent Resolve Sept. 28, 2020. The F/A-18 is a highly versatile aircraft due to its avionics, cockpit displays, aerodynamic characteristics, and its ability to carry a wide variety of weapons. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Duncan C. Bevan)
F/A-18A-D

Friendly-Fire Incidents Are Nothing New In Modern Air Warfare

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 2, 2026

An Aerovironment Locust directed energy laser weapons took down a small Customs and Border Protection Drone.
Directed Energy

Drone That LOCUST Laser Shot Down On Border Was Small And Belonged To Customs and Border Protection

By Howard Altman, Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 27, 2026

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Group conduct pre-flight checks on a KC-135 Stratotanker before it departs during Operation Agile Spartan at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, Aug. 19, 2023. The large-scale exercise reinforced the U.S. commitment to its regional partners across the Middle East through developing and maintaining missions in unpredictable ways, rapidly responding to the needs of joint and coalition commanders. The month-long, multinational operation demonstrated interoperability between regional partners, improved response capabilities, and further enhanced security throughout the region.
Iran

Tankers Vacate Al Udeid Air Base As U.S. Citizens Are Urged To Leave Israel Immediately (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 27, 2026

EA-37B Compass call next generation electronic attack jet.
C-37

This Is What The EA-37B Compass Call Electronic Attack Jet Can Actually Do

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 26, 2026

U.S. Airmen assigned to the Florida Air National Guard’s 125th Fighter Wing arrive for Agile Combat Employment (ACE) training at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Feb. 10, 2026. The 125th Fighter Wing accelerated its readiness timeframe ahead of a mission conversion deadline by deploying eight F-35A Lightning II aircraft, establishing joint-component interoperability with two active-duty U.S. Air Force units under the ACE concept.
F-35A

Former Air Force Fighter Pilot And F-35 Instructor Charged With Training Chinese Military 

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 26, 2026

A U.S. Air Force F-15EX Eagle II flies over the Gulf of America, September 16, 2025. The F-15EX, from the 40th Flight Test Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is one of the first F-15EXs in the Air Force, and is going through developmental and operational test series at Eglin to prepare the platform to be delivered to the warfighter.  
F-15

General Running Air Force Reserve Wants Surplus F-15E Strike Eagles, New F-15EX Eagle IIs

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 25, 2026

As well as a second aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald Ford, U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors have also arrived in theater, according to multiple reports. The stealth jets took off from RAF Lakenheath in England yesterday, confirmed by open-source flight tracking data and aircraft spotters, and are now at an Israeli Air Force base in the south of Israel.
Iran

F-16s Arrive To Protect Diego Garcia, F-22s Forward Deploy To Israel

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 25, 2026

Lockheed Martin has presented a scale model of the new-look F-22 Raptor fitted with stealthy external fuel tanks and underwing infrared sensor pods. Up to this point, the fuel tanks had been seen in renderings as well as at least one long-distance photo that revealed little in the way of details. The sensor pods had previously been seen at closer quarters during flight testing, as you can read about here.
F-22

Upgraded F-22 “Raptor 2.0” Details Seen In New Model

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 24, 2026

As well as being a key component of Russia’s attack helicopter force in the war in Ukraine, the Mil Mi-28 Havoc has been in the news recently on account of its apparent delivery to Iran. One less-known aspect of the Mi-28 is its ability to transport two or three passengers in a fuselage compartment, a feature that is seen clearly in a recently published video of the rotorcraft.
Russian Air Force

Russia’s Mi-28 Havoc Attack Helicopter Has Tiny Crew Compartment To Pick Up Downed Pilots

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 23, 2026

An F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151, prepares to launch from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in the Arabian Sea, Feb. 15, 2026. Abraham Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the Middle East.
Iran

Iran Signals Possible “Fast Deal” To Be Made In Nuclear Talks As U.S. Military Build-Up Grinds On

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 23, 2026

An MQ-28A Ghost Bat loaded with an AIM-120 during Trial Kareela at RAAF Base Woomera, South Australia.
MQ-28

Boeing Details New MQ-28 Ghost Bat Features, Eyes Indo-Pacific Sales

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 5, 2026

New footage has emerged showing how Ukraine is using adapted Antonov An-28 Cash twin-turboprop utility aircraft as part of its anti-drone inventory. While images of the aircraft, replete with multiple drone kill marks, had previously been published, we now get to see the aircraft’s armament — a six-barrel M134 Minigun — in action, too.
Ukrainian Air Force

Watch Ukraine’s Minigun-Firing, Drone-Hunting Turboprop In Action

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 5, 2026

Earlier this week, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense confirmed that the Meteor was one of the weapons under discussion for the next Swedish security aid package for Ukraine. Also on the agenda were the Gripen E and undisclosed air defense systems, Saab radars, electronic warfare systems, and drones, including long-range one-way attack drones. The announcement came after talks between the Ukrainian Minister of Defense Mykhailo Fedorov and his Swedish counterpart, Paul Jonsson.
Gripen

Meteor Long-Range Air-To-Air Missile In The Works For Ukraine, But There’s A Catch

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Feb 4, 2026

A U.S. Air Force F-15EX Eagle II flies over the Gulf of America, September 16, 2025. The F-15EX, from the 40th Flight Test Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is one of the first F-15EXs in the Air Force, and is going through developmental and operational test series at Eglin to prepare the platform to be delivered to the warfighter.
F-15

F-15EX Buy Dropped By Indonesia

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 3, 2026

The U.S. Air Force has released details of a live-fire test of the Rusty Dagger, one of two new Extended Range Attack Munitions (ERAM) being developed under a crash program. The milestone suggest that Ukraine is a step closer to getting its hands on thousands of air-launched ERAMs that will provide the country with a powerful new and relatively low-cost standoff strike capability. The event is also significant in terms of the Pentagon’s focus on rapidly developing and bringing into operational service new weapons that can be built at scale.
Ukrainian Air Force

Rusty Dagger Low-Cost Cruise Missile Hits Its Target

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Feb 2, 2026

As both sides in the war in Ukraine continue their campaigns of long-range drone attacks, the Ukrainian government’s internal security agency has released a compilation of strikes directed against Russian airbases.
Russian Air Force

Ukrainian Drone Strikes On Parked Russian Aircraft Seen In “Greatest Hits” Video

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 30, 2026

The recent declassification of the United States’ Jumpseat spy satellite provides details on what was previously a highly secretive system, one that monitored critical Soviet military installations during some of the tensest years of the Cold War.
Spy Satellites

Top Secret Spy Satellite Declassified By National Reconnaissance Office

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Jan 29, 2026

A camera placed in the cockpit of a Ukrainian Air Force Su-25 Frogfoot close air support jet recorded the dramatic demise of the aircraft, after it was reportedly struck by a Russian long-range air-to-air missile. This is not the first time in the Ukrainian conflict that we’ve seen the destruction of a combat jet at such close quarters. However, with the death of the pilot confirmed by Ukrainian authorities, the footage is a sobering reminder of the huge risks faced by aircrew in some of the most lethal airspace in history.
Su-25

Ukrainian Su-25 Shoot-Down Seen In Harrowing Onboard Video

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 28, 2026

One of the most enigmatic weapons in the arsenal of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), the PL-17 very long-range air-to-air missile, appears to have been shown for the first time at close quarters.
J-20

China’s Massive PL-17 Air-To-Air Missile Seen Up Close

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 28, 2026

The Leopard 2 Family of Vehicles (FOV) are the main battle tanks (MBT) of the Canadian Armed Forces, as well as several NATO countries. This FOV includes the Armoured Engineer Vehicles (AEV) and Armoured Recovery Vehicles (ARV), and are capable of supporting a wide range of operations.
M113

Canada Accelerates Armor Plans To Contend With Growing Threats

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 27, 2026

India hypersonic missile unveiled during a parade.
Land-Based Conventional Hypersonic Weapons

India’s New Hypersonic Anti-Ship Missile Shown Off During Military Parade

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 26, 2026

NASA’s newest F-15Ds arrived at the Armstrong Flight Research Center late last month.
F-15

Legacy F-15 Eagles Boost NASA Test Fleet

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 24, 2026

Australia has taken the next step in its wide-ranging program to overhaul its air force with the arrival of its first MC-55A Peregrine. The platform, configured for “airborne intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare” (AISREW), is a highly modified version of the Gulfstream G550 business jet, an increasingly popular choice for adaptation for these kinds of specialist missions.
Royal Australian Air Force

Australia Just Took Delivery Of One Of Its Most Powerful Weapons

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 22, 2026