Air Forces

Latest in Air Forces

A first rendering has been released showing the new fighter demonstrator being built in the United Kingdom as part of the Tempest next-generation air combat program. The crewed flight test vehicle, which is planned to take to the air in 2027, will feed into the design of the Tempest, which is being developed as a stealthy fighter for the U.K.’s Royal Air Force, as well as for Italy and Japan, and is expected to be in service by 2035.
Royal Air Force

This Is What The UK’s New Stealth Fighter Demonstrator Will Look Like

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 17, 2025

Israeli just bombed the Syrian Defense Ministry and presidential palace in Damascus claiming support for the Druze community in southern Syria.
Israeli Air Force

Israel Strikes At The Heart Of Syria’s Military Command In Dramatic Escalation (Updated)

By Howard Altman

Updated on Jul 16, 2025

KC-707 refueling F15 Baz.
Israeli Air Force

USAF Denies It Refueled Israel’s Fighters During War With Iran

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Jul 16, 2025

Air Force KC-46 Pegasus aerial refueling jets are experiencing problems with their auxiliary power units.
U.S. Air Force

KC-46 Crews Ordered To Drastically Curtail Use Of Jet’s Onboard Auxiliary Power Unit (Updated)

By Howard Altman

Updated on Jul 15, 2025

A U.S. Air Force F-15EX Eagle II, assigned to the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., taxis on the runway after landing to participate in exercise Resolute Force Pacific 2025 at Andersen AFB, Guam, July 11, 2025. REFORPAC is a large-scale contingency response exercise, which prepares service members to maintain readiness and execute missions under stress.
U.S. Air Force

F-15EX Arrives In Japan For The First Time As Part Of Massive Pacific Exercise

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 15, 2025

Footage from a recent Russian bombardment of the Ukrainian city of Chernivtsi provides us with what is likely our best look so far at a Kh-101 cruise missile fitted with a cluster warhead. While Russian forces have made extensive use of a variety of cluster munitions in the conflict, resulting in many civilian deaths and serious injuries, it’s notable that the relatively high-end Kh-101 is also now being used in this capacity, suggesting it is finding favor as a terror weapon as Moscow steps up its campaign against cities across Ukraine.
Russian Air Force

Cluster Warhead Version Of Russian Kh-101 Cruise Missile Caught On Camera

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 14, 2025

Step Toward Blocking E-7 Wedgetail Radar Jet Program Cancellation Taken By Congress
U.S. Air Force

Step Toward Blocking E-7 Wedgetail Radar Jet Program Cancellation Taken By Congress

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 11, 2025

The Pentagon is waiting for comprehensive battle damage assessment to see how well the MOP worked against Iranian nuclear facilities and how it can be improved.
U.S. Air Force

GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator’s Results From Iran Strike Will Inform Its Future: Defense Officials

By Howard Altman

Updated on Jul 10, 2025

Image of HMS Vengeance returning to HMNB Clyde, after completing Operational Sea Training. The trials were conducted in Scottish exercise areas. HMS Vengeance is the fourth and final Vanguard-class submarine of the Royal Navy. Vengeance carries the Trident ballistic missile, the UK's nuclear deterrent.
French Air Force

UK And France To Join Forces For Nuclear Deterrence

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 10, 2025

An annual U.S. Navy wishlist sent to Congress reportedly includes $1.4 billion that would help keep its dreams of a next-generation carrier-based combat jet alive.
U.S. Air Force

Navy Puts Gutted F/A-XX Next Generation Fighter Program In Wishlist To Congress: Reports

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 10, 2025

The U.S. Air Force is moving ahead to add new external pylons onto its B-1B Lancer bombers after years of experimentation.
U.S. Air Force

B-1B To Finally Get New External Pylons Drastically Expanding Missile Carriage Potential (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jul 9, 2025

While the J-20S was officially unveiled at the Zhuhai Airshow last year, there are rumors that it might be publicly unveiled as an operational PLAAF asset in September of this year, when the PLAAF marks the 80th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War II.
People's Liberation Army Air Force (China)

China’s Two-Seat J-20 Stealth Fighter Poised To Enter Operational Service

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Jul 8, 2025

A South Korean AH-64 Apache helicopter fires rockets during a combined live-fire exercise between the South Korean and US armies at the Rodriguez Live Fire Complex in Pocheon on October 30, 2024. (Photo by Jung Yeon-je / AFP) (Photo by JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images)
Republic of Korea Air Force

South Korea Canceling AH-64 Apache Order A Sign Of What’s To Come

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jul 8, 2025

The unique RF-5E Tigergazer reconnaissance aircraft operated by the Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF) has been stood down from service. The retirement of Taiwan’s RF-5Es comes after the country bid farewell to its F-5E Tiger II fighters at the end of 2023, after almost half a century of operations. With high levels of tension between Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China, the ROCAF’s future tactical reconnaissance needs will be handled by drones and pod-equipped F-16 fighters.
Republic Of China Air Force (Taiwan)

Taiwan’s RF-5 Tigergazer Reconnaissance Jets Have Retired

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 7, 2025

Chinese WIG aircraft.
People's Liberation Army Air Force (China)

China’s Mysterious Ekranoplan Seen In Full For First Time

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Jul 5, 2025

F-22 Raptors Will Be First To Control ‘Fighter Drone’ Collaborative Combat Aircraft
U.S. Air Force

F-22 Raptors Will Be First To Control ‘Fighter Drone’ Collaborative Combat Aircraft

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jul 3, 2025