More from Thomas Newdick (Page 5)

Black Flag 24-1, out of Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, run by the Air Force’s 53rd Wing.

Massive China-Focused Black Flag Test Exercise Flies Deep Into The Virtual Realm

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on May 28, 2024
Ukraine is one of three countries, along with Bulgaria and Japan, that will recieve a new tranche of Small Diameter Bombs under a $6.9 billion contract with Boeing.

Ukraine Situation Report: Kyiv Says It’s Using Air-Launched Small Diameter Bombs

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on May 24, 2024
Detonation of a Russian S-300 or S-400 air defense system after it came under attack from ATACMS ballistic missiles.

ATACMS Obliterates Russian Air Defense System As It Desperately Tries To Defend Itself

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on May 24, 2024
Su-34 launches new glide bombs

Russia’s Small Diameter Bomb-Like Weapon Seen In Action For The First Time

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on May 23, 2024
Exercise TARTAN SPIRIT has tested, trained and integrated critical capabilities to ensure they are ready for any operational missions. From scenario driven training to Tactical Landing Zones, this Exercise takes personnel from RAF Brize Norton, the RAF’s largest station and home to the UK’s Air Mobility Force, Prestwick Airport is the Deployable Operating Base and West Freugh the Forward Operating base. II Squadron RAF Regiment deployed alongside the Air Mobility Force to further strengthen their tactics, training and techniques alongside various aircraft. These skills are essential for ensuring RAF aircraft can operate safely across the globe. By training together we continue to provide integrated and scaleable Air Force Protection capability whilst preparing all RAF personnel for the rigours of operations, providing them with critical skills to survive, operate and maintain their operational edge.

Confessions Of A C-130 Hercules Pilot

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on May 23, 2024
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has chosen designs from Northrop Grumman and Sikorsky for the next phase of its AdvaNced airCraft Infrastructure-Less Launch And RecoverY (ANCILLARY) autonomous vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) X-plane demonstration program. The effort aims to develop and test in flight an X-plane that will offer long endurance and the ability to launch and recover from ship flight decks and small austere land locations in adverse weather without additional infrastructure equipment. It’s part of an increasing focus on expeditionary deployments of the kind that will be required in a future conflict in the Pacific.

DARPA’s Naval VTOL X-Plane Drone Program Narrows Down To Two Designs

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on May 22, 2024
A series of imagery confirms that the widely used Sea Baby uncrewed surface vessel (USV), or drone boat, has been equipped with Grad-series artillery rockets. The rocket-armed boat has reportedly already been used to successfully engage Russian vessels. Once again, the development demonstrates that Ukraine is exploring using its growing fleet of USVs for missions beyond one-way kamikaze attacks.

Artillery Rocket-Firing Ukrainian Drone Boat Shown During Testing

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on May 22, 2024
ADM-160 MALD seen on MIG-29 in Ukraine for the first time.

ADM-160 Miniature Air Launched Decoy Spotted On Ukrainian MiG-29

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on May 21, 2024
KHARKIV REGION, UKRAINE - MAY 18:  A mortar unit with a 120 mm mortar prepares to perform a combat mission on May 18, 2024 in the Kharkiv region, near the border with Russia. Ukrainian soldiers from the 92nd assault brigade were involved in holding back the Russians on the border with Russia. In recent days Russian forces have gained ground around the Kharkiv region, which Ukraine had largely reclaimed in the months following Russia's initial large-scale invasion in February 2022.

Ukraine Situation Report: Russia Advances On Vovchansk

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on May 20, 2024
While the situation is clearly still confused, multiple reports suggest that one or perhaps two Russian Navy vessels have been seriously damaged or destroyed in the latest Ukrainian attack on the Black Sea Fleet. The two vessels in question are the Project 22800 Karakurt class missile corvette Tsiklon and the Project 266M Akvamarin class minesweeper Kovrovets.

Rumors Swirl Around Attacks On Russian Black Sea Fleet Warships (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on May 20, 2024
Ukraine has launched large-scale drone attacks against Russia.

Ukraine Situation Report: Kyiv Launches Massive Drone Attack On Russia

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on May 17, 2024
The US military has finished installing a floating pier for the Gaza Strip. It means officials are now poised to begin ferrying badly needed humanitarian aid into the enclave besieged over seven months of intense fighting in the Israel-Hamas war.

U.S. Navy Completes Gaza Aid Pier, Deliveries Imminent (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick
Updated on May 16, 2024
NASA's DC-8 airborne science laboratory banks low over the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, Calif., upon arrival Nov. 8, 2007.

NASA’s DC-8 Flying Lab Flies Into Retirement, Making The Type Nearly Extinct

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on May 15, 2024
Wreckage of S-400 engagement radar at airbase of Belbek in Crimea, May 15, 2024.

Russia’s Belbek Airbase In Crimea Hammered By Ukrainian Long-Range Strike (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on May 15, 2024
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 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.

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.

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

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on May 13, 2024
Russian Artillery

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on May 1, 2024
Marines Osprey

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.

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.

Ukraine Situation Report: Frontline Defenses Deteriorating Under Russian Pressure

By Howard Altman, Thomas Newdick
Posted on Apr 29, 2024
Yak52 engages orlan drone

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Dual-Mode Paveway IV Guided Bombs Headed To Ukraine

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Apr 24, 2024
H-20_CONCEPT_ART_PLAAF

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

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.

Russian Strike Topples Kharkiv TV Tower

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Apr 22, 2024
Major Damage At Russian Airbase In Crimea After Ukrainian Attack

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.

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).

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.

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.

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 Frigate Captain Describes Frenetic Red Sea Combat

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Apr 12, 2024
Kharkiv power plant destroyed

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.

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 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.

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.

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

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Apr 8, 2024
AMX retired

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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’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.

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.

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

By Thomas Newdick
Updated on Mar 28, 2024