Air Forces (Page 11)

Posted on Jul 25, 2024

The United Kingdom is advancing the build of a new fighter demonstrator as part of its Tempest next-generation air combat program. The demonstrator, so far only known as the Flying Technology Demonstrator, is planned to fly within the next three years and its progress in an important boost for the Tempest stealth fighter — and wider Future Combat Air System (FCAS) — program, the future of which has recently begun to be questioned in some quarters.

Royal Air Force

Tempest Stealth Fighter Flying Demonstrator Takes Shape

Posted on Jul 24, 2024

Next Generation Air Dominance Fighter Uncertainty Tied To Sentinel ICBM Woes

Posted on Jul 24, 2024

General Atomics has revealed a new fifth member of its Gambit modular drone family that is carrier-capable and that could represent a step forward in a broader naval aviation vision for the United Kingdom and other countries.

Royal Air Force

New Carrier-Based Version Of The Gambit Family Of Combat Drones Is In The Works

Posted on Jul 23, 2024

First inside look at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's new VIP transport aircraft

Israel’s New 767 “Air Force One” Has Flown Its First Prime Minister Transport Mission

Posted on Jul 22, 2024

Details Of Israel’s Long-Range Strike That Decimated Yemeni Port Emerge

Posted on Jul 21, 2024

Israel strikes fuel depot in Houthi-held Yemen territory.

Israel Fighter Jets Carry Out Long-Range Retaliation Strike On Houthi Oil Depot In Yemen (Updated)

Updated on Jul 20, 2024

Recently retired Lancer Rage takes to the skies above Davis–Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona

B-1B Named Rage Brought Out Of Mothballs To Fly Once Again (Updated)

Posted on Jul 20, 2024

119 F-16C Fighting Falcon 330MP AF Greece Kleine Brogel 2007

Hellenic Air Force

Greek F-16C/Ds Lined Up For Ukraine: Report

Posted on Jul 17, 2024

B-2 Stealth Bomber’s Latest Upgrade Is Here

Updated on Jul 17, 2024

New questions have emerged about the future of the F/A-XX Next Generation Fighter program, the budget for which a draft Senate defense bill would slash.

Navy’s F/A-XX Next Generation Fighter Program Would Be Gutted Under Senate Defense Bill

Posted on Jul 16, 2024

Two legendary U.S. nuclear bombers, their first flights separated by almost half a century, took to the skies over Missouri at the weekend. The formation flights by the U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bomber and the B-29 Doc — one of only two examples of the World War II-era bomber that are flying anywhere in the world — were, the service believes, the first time that these two legendary aircraft had flown together in this way.

B-2 Spirit Joined By B-29 Superfortress For Unprecedented Nuclear Bomber Heritage Flight

Posted on Jul 15, 2024

Russia has, for the first time, published footage showing what it says is the carriage and launch of the guided, glide version of its huge FAB-3000 aerial bomb — a weapon that weighs over 6,600 pounds in its basic version. The weapon is among the more recently announced additions to the family of UMPK munitions, which add a pop-out wing kit and a guidance package to a range of existing freefall weapons, as you can read more about here.

Russia’s Giant 6,000lb Glide Bomb Seen Launched From Su-34 For First Time

Posted on Jul 15, 2024

Air Force’s Cheap And Fast To Produce Long-Range Missile Is Being Built For Ukraine

Posted on Jul 12, 2024

Northrop Grumman has offer a new and interesting look at its secretive XRQ-73 drone.

Our Best Look Yet At The XRQ-73 Hybrid-Electric Stealthy Flying Wing Drone

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jul 10, 2024

Private aerospace firm Metrea has bought France's entire fleet of KC-135 tanker in a major new bet on contractor aerial refueling services.

French Air Force

All Of France’s KC-135 Tankers Bought By Private Aerial Refueling Company Metrea

Posted on Jul 10, 2024

There is no official replacement for the F-22 Raptor, says the head of Air Combat Command. That could be another blow to the withering Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program.

Air Force Now Says It Has No Official F-22 Raptor Replacement

Posted on Jul 10, 2024

The Senate Armed Services Committee has directed the Pentagon to look into the possibility of transferring retired A-10 Warthog ground attack jets to Jordan.

Surplus A-10 Warthogs Could End Up In The Jordanian Air Force

Updated on Jul 10, 2024

Air Force special operations aviators are now training on AT-802U aircraft ahead of the arrival of their first OA-1K Sky warden light attack planes while questions grow about the program's future.

AT-802U Trainers Arrive To Prepare USAF Aviators For A Murky Light Attack Future

Posted on Jul 9, 2024

Ukraine is developing its own air defense missile systems.

First Inside Look At Ukraine’s HAWK Air Defense Systems

Posted on Jul 8, 2024

The first weapon-ready plutonium pit for the future W81-! nuclear warhead has been produced.

Problem Plagued Sentinel ICBM Program Will Press Ahead Despite Nearly Doubling In Cost

Posted on Jul 8, 2024

The Pentagon has made a new announcement about the first forward-deployments of Air Force F-35As and F-15EXs to Japan, as well as changes to the Marine Corps' F-35B force in that country.

USAF F-35As To Be Based In Japan Replacing Wild Weasel F-16s

Posted on Jul 3, 2024

Israeli AH-64 helicopter gunship pilots have provided an extensive account of their operations during the surprise attack on the country by Hamas militants last October 7. Their accounts — provided to the Israeli media — give a rare insight into the Israeli Air Force’s immediate response to the first invasion of Israeli territory since 1948.

Israeli AH-64 Apache Commanders Describe Brutal Reality Of October 7 Missions

Posted on Jul 2, 2024

Next Generation Air Dominance Fighter’s Future Increasingly Uncertain

Posted on Jul 2, 2024

Billionaire Jared Isaacman Is going to fly a Tornado F2A.

Royal Air Force

Tornado F2 Set To Become Most Advanced Flying Fighter In A Private Individual’s Hands

Posted on Jul 1, 2024

Anduril and General Atomics have shared new details about progress and challenges, including on production and autonomy issues, as part of the Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.

Construction Of First Collaborative Combat Aircraft Drone Has Begun At General Atomics

Posted on Jul 1, 2024

Flying The F-15E Strike Eagle In Air-To-Air Combat, From Dogfighting To Drone Hunting

Posted on Jul 1, 2024

Built-In Counter-Drone Defenses Sought For Air Force Transports, Tankers

By Eric Tegler, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 29, 2024

Pacific Defender 24 will see European AirPower head to the Pacific.

French Air Force

European Air Power Teams Up For Pacific Mega Deployment

Posted on Jun 26, 2024

A USAF F-15EX Eagle II armed with 12 AIM-120 AMRAAMs.

Sponsored Content

F-15EX Testers Are Now Preparing The Eagle II For Rapidly Adapting To New Missions

Posted on Jun 25, 2024

A propeller-driven Yak-52 primary training aircraft has appeared with an impressive collection of kill marks displayed on its fuselage; seemingly confirmation of its success having been impressed into service as a drone-killer. While we reported on a series of previous videos showing the use of Soviet-era Yak-52s to attack Russian drones, the latest evidence suggests that the unorthodox solution could be becoming a more important part of Ukraine’s multilayered air defenses.

Yak-52 Kill Marks Hint At Success In Ukraine’s Drone War

Posted on Jun 25, 2024

A claim has emerged that Russia has begun using 3,000-kilogram (6,600-pound) class FAB-3000 M54 bombs with pop-out wing kits against targets in Ukraine.

Is This Our First Look At Russia’s New Monster Glide Bomb Striking Ukraine?

Posted on Jun 21, 2024

Sweden has retired its long-serving SAAB 105 trainer.

Air Forces

Sweden’s Unique Little Saab 105 Jet Retired After 57 Years

Posted on Jun 19, 2024

A new report from the Government Accountability Office raises questions and concerns about the Air Force's push to retire 32 Block 20 F-22 Raptors.

Ditching Older F-22s Risks Creating Capability Gaps, New Costs

Posted on Jun 19, 2024

F-15EX has been put through its paces by testers in Eglin AFB to prepare it for service.

Sponsored Content

How USAF Testers Are Working To Field The F-15EX Fast

Posted on Jun 18, 2024

Royal Australian Air Force

Australian F/A-18F Super Hornets To Test Launch U.S. Air Force’s Hypersonic Cruise Missiles

Posted on Jun 18, 2024

B-52s With New Rolls Royce Engines Won’t Fly Operational Missions Until 2033

Updated on Jun 18, 2024

B-52 Future Stratofortress: The Upgrades That Will Transform The B-52H Into The B-52J

Updated on Jun 14, 2024

These before and after satellite images from Planet labs shows that Russian Su-34 Fullbacks may have been damaged in a Ukrainian drone attack.

Ukraine Strikes Blow To Russian Su-34 Fullback Base

Updated on Jun 14, 2024

F-15EX arrives at the 142nd Wing in Portland.

Inside The First F-15EX Wing Commander’s Plans To Speed The Newest Eagle Into Service

Updated on Jun 14, 2024

Top Air Force Officer Doubles Down On Aerial Combat Drones With Short Life Spans

Updated on Jun 14, 2024

Russia said its troops had started the second stage of drills to practise the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons alongside Belarusian troops after what Moscow said were threats from western powers. The ministry said the drills were aimed at ensuring that the two countries’ military personnel and equipment were ready to protect their sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Ukraine Situation Report: Russia Resumes Tactical Nuke Drills

Posted on Jun 11, 2024

A USAF F-15EX takes off carrying 12 AIM-120 AMRAAMs.

Sponsored Content

What It’s Like To Fly The F-15EX According To A Boeing Test Pilot

Posted on Jun 11, 2024

U.S. Army Officer Confirms Russian A-50 Radar Jet Was Shot Down With Patriot Missile

Posted on Jun 10, 2024

Ukraine’s battle-worn fleet of Su-25 Frogfoot ground-attack aircraft has run out of unguided munitions, a reflection of the huge number of sorties and prolific range of targets these jets are being tasked against. Meanwhile, the aircraft are now relying on Western-provided precision-guided weapons, a reflection of the demands of the war that are driving innovation in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This is among the revelations from a senior Ukrainian Air Force official, interviewed recently, which provide some fascinating insights into the air war with Russia.

Ukrainian Su-25 Frogfoots Now Using French Hammer Guided Bombs After Exhausting Rocket Stocks

Posted on Jun 10, 2024

Su-57 Felon Targeted In Ukraine Strike Seen In New Higher-Resolution Satellite Images

Posted on Jun 10, 2024

Both Ukrainian and Russian sources say an Su-57 Felon new-generation fighter was struck for the first time.

Su-57 Felon Struck Deep Inside Russia, Ukraine’s Spy Agency Claims (Updated)

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jun 9, 2024

South Korea, one of only four nations that still operated the classic F-4 Phantom, formally retired the Cold War-era fighter today. The decommissioning ceremony saw the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) provide an “honorable discharge” for its last Phantoms, which had helped defend the nation for 55 years. The event also saw the air force looking to the future, with involvement from the F-4’s successors, including the F-35A stealth fighter. Ultimately, the Phantom will also be superseded by the locally developed KF-21.

Republic of Korea Air Force

F-4 Phantom Vanishes Into Retirement After 55 Years Of South Korean Service

Updated on Jun 7, 2024

France has formally announced plans to transfer Mirage 2000-5 fighters to Ukraine and to try pilots to fly them.

French Air Force

Mirage 2000 Fighters To Be Sent To Ukraine From France

Posted on Jun 6, 2024

Russia’s An-22, The Biggest Turboprop Plane Ever Flown, Heads For Retirement

Posted on Jun 6, 2024

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) today officially unveiled an air-launched version of its LORA (Long Range Artillery), a short-range ballistic missile originally developed for ground launch. The new weapon joins an expanding armory of ballistic missile designs adapted for air launch, including the Israel Military Industries (IMI) Rampage, also based on a long-range artillery munition.

Air LORA, Israel’s Biggest Air-Launched Ballistic Missile, Emerges From The Shadows

Posted on Jun 6, 2024

The Airbus Wingman concept aircraft, which broke cover earlier this week, was formally unveiled at the ILA Berlin aerospace show today. More details have now also come to light about the program, which Airbus leadership says should provide a unit cost that’s equivalent to one third that of a modern crewed fighter.

Luftwaffe

The Airbus Wingman Stealth Drone: What We Learned In Berlin

Posted on Jun 5, 2024

Congress is moving to block the Air Force from retiring or preparing to retire any U-2 spy planes in the next fiscal year.

U-2 Retirement Reprieve Emerges In Proposed Defense Spending Bill

Posted on Jun 4, 2024

A USAF Boeing F-15EX flies at low level in Nevada.

Sponsored Content

How 50 Years Of Eagle Experience Has Shaped The Advanced F-15

Posted on Jun 4, 2024

‘Cheap’ Long-Range Cruise Missile Designs To Be Tested By Air Force

Posted on Jun 3, 2024

USAF F-35s Are Officially Getting Joint Strike Cruise Missiles That Fit In Their Bays

Posted on Jun 1, 2024

Testing at the Upside-Down Air Force, RADC

The Fascinating Story Of The USAF’s “Upside-Down Air Force”

Posted on May 31, 2024

Progressively clearer photos of one of Shenyang’s prototype fighters seems to reveal key features different to those found on the carrier-based J-35, as well as on the earlier FC-31 prototypes. This raises questions about China’s own plans for a potential land-based variant, as well as future export plans, with Pakistan known to have made official plans to acquire a version of the jet.

People's Liberation Army Air Force (China)

Land-Based Variant Of China’s J-35 Naval Stealth Fighter Makes Sense

Posted on May 31, 2024

Royal Netherlands Air Force

Dutch F-35s Take On A Full Nuclear Role

Posted on May 31, 2024

Officials at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina are looking into the possibility of erecting physical barriers to protect F-15E Strike Eagles there from drones.

Enclosures To Defend F-15Es From Drone Attacks Eyed At Seymour Johnson AFB

Posted on May 30, 2024

The Case For Arming Drone-Hunting Fighters With Iron Dome’s Tamir Missile

Posted on May 30, 2024

Experimental Alpha Draco hypersonic boost-glide vehicle preparing for launch, 1959.

Alpha Draco Paved The Way In The Late 1950s For Future Hypersonic Boost-Glide Vehicles

Posted on May 29, 2024

In a major new development for the Ukrainian military, Sweden is to donate it Saab 340 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft equipped with Erieye radar. The aircraft is being provided as part of Sweden’s biggest military aid package for Ukraine so far and they will bring an entirely new capability for the Ukrainian Air Force, providing much enhanced air and sea surveillance and working together with its forthcoming F-16 fighters.