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Air

Latest in Air

The U.S. Navy continues to make use of MQ-1 Predators as test and training assets, eight years after the U.S. Air Force retired the iconic drones.
Q-1

Pocket Fleet Of Unseen MQ-1 Predators Still Flying In Specialized Role

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted 9 Hours Ago

U.S. Air Force HC-130J Combat King II assigned to the 79th Rescue Squadron takes off behind a Boeing Defence Australia’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat, a production representative test aircraft, during Exercise Valiant Shield 2026 at Rota, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, June 21, 2026. U.S. forces are integrating Collaborative Combat Aircraft into Exercise VS26 to advance human-machine teaming.
MQ-28

MQ-28 Ghost Bat Drone Debuts In Large-Force Combat Exercise In The Pacific

By Thomas Newdick

Posted 9 Hours Ago

NATO and Ukraine are looking to the private sector to develop methods of attacking Russian air bases.
Russian Air Force

NATO And Ukraine Turning To Private Sector To Help Crater Russian Airfields

By Howard Altman

Posted Yesterday

The U.S. military has released new details about the massive Fightertown Recapitalization (FTR) program at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), in Anchorage, southeastern Alaska.
U.S. Air Force

Air Force’s Fightertown Alaska Plan Takes Shape

By Thomas Newdick

Posted Yesterday

F15E pilot saw drone swarm over Iran before being shot down.
Swarms

What Was The “Jellyfish-Like” Drone Swarm The Downed F-15E Pilot Reportedly Saw Over Iran?

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted Yesterday

Aurora Flight Sciences is now putting the wings on the X-65 experimental drone, which is designed to maneuver with bursts of air rather than traditional control surfaces.
Unmanned

DARPA X-Plane Designed To Maneuver With Just Bursts Of Air Finally Gets Its Wings

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted Yesterday

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, MARYLAND - JUNE 22: A Boeing 747-8 jetliner practices touch and go landings on June 22, 2026 in Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. The plane, which was a gift from the government of Qatar, is designated as the new Air Force One and will replace the military-grade 747-2. The Air Force has been working to upgrade the jet so it is ready for presidential transport. (Photo by Andrew Leyden/Getty Images)
Air Force One

Inside The Making Of The New Air Force One

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jun 22, 2026

Turkey’s Baykar and Leonardo of Italy say they have successfully completed the first live trials of their K-SWARM concept, demonstrating collaborative operations between crewed and uncrewed aircraft as part of an effort to develop next-generation autonomous air combat capabilities. The trials, involving Baykar’s Kizilelma uncrewed combat air vehicle (UCAV) and Leonardo’s M-346 light combat aircraft, are the latest to explore what is fast becoming a key element in the evolution of air combat.
Turkish Air Force

Turkey’s ‘Fighter Drone’ Teamed With M-346 Fighter-Trainer In Autonomy Trials

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 22, 2026

The very first P-8A Poseidon aircraft is now assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 30 (VX-30), the “Bloodhounds."
P-8

First P-8 Poseidon Ever Built Starts New Career Supporting Pacific Missile Tests

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 22, 2026

Engels shelters long-range aviation
Tu-160

Russia Is Building Huge Protective Shelters For Its Strategic Bombers

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 22, 2026

VC-25B bridge aircraft has been added to the presidential airlift fleet.
Air Force One

New Air Force VC-25B “Bridge” Jet Has Joined The Presidential Airlift Group (Updated)

By Howard Altman

Updated on Jun 19, 2026

L3Harris wants to demonstrate the ability of the RC-135V/W Rivet Joint intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft to team up with uncrewed platforms.
Loyal Wingman

RC-135 Rivet Joints Could Control Drones To Drastically Expand Collection Capabilities

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 19, 2026

New Stryker drone division for the pacific.
Unmanned

Army’s Newest Unit Aims To “Overwhelm” Adversary With Drones In Pacific Fight 

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 19, 2026

A U.S. Air Force Airman from the 355th Wing hoists into an HH-60W Jolly Green II during combat search and rescue training for Mosaic Lightning 26-2 in New Mexico, May 15, 2026. The exercise tested personnel recovery capabilities and strengthened interoperability between rescue forces operating in high-stress scenarios.
HH-60

Congress Questions Air Force’s Combat Rescue Readiness As HH-60W Helicopters Get Turned Into VIP Transports

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 18, 2026

There are growing signs that President Donald Trump's next trip on an Air Force One jet will be aboard the so-called VC-25B “Bridge” aircraft converted from an ex-Qatari VVIP Boeing 747-8i, not a VC-25A.
Air Force One

No, A VC-25A Air Force One Jet Isn’t Being Retired Just Yet

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 18, 2026

General Atomics is giving the MQ-9 reaper airborne early radar capability, which could have a big impact on the market.
Q-9

MQ-9 Getting Airborne Early Warning Radar Is A Huge Deal

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jun 18, 2026