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Air Forces (Page 3)

Latest in Air Forces

An OA-1K Skyraider II comes in for a landing on a dirt path July 10 on the Eglin Air Force Base, Florida range. The new Air Force Special Operations Command aircraft continues developmental testing with the 96th Test Wing and the U.S. Special Operations Command at Eglin.
U.S. Air Force

Plan To Test OA-1K Skyraider II’s Rapid Deployability Outlined By Air Force Special Ops Command

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 19, 2026

Imagery has emerged that appears to show a previously unknown two-seat version of the Sukhoi Su-57 Felon, Russia’s latest frontline fighter. Provided the available photo is legitimate, and there is nothing obvious to suggest otherwise, at this point, Russia would join China as the only other nation actively developing a two-seat fifth-generation fighter. While the exact role of China’s two-seat J-20 version remains the subject of debate, it is noteworthy that Russia’s use of dual-seat tactical jets is well-established, and that Sukhoi had previously drafted a two-seat Felon specifically for an Indian requirement.
Indian Air Force

Two-Seat Variant Of Russia’s Su-57 Felon Fighter Materializes

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 18, 2026

Ukraine's new glide bomb is entering service.
Ukrainian Air Force

Ukraine’s Homegrown Glide Bomb Breaks Cover

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 18, 2026

Israel has signed a contract with Cyclone, a wholly owned subsidiary of Elbit Systems, to develop and integrate an extended-range capability for the F-35 “Adir” fighter aircraft.
Israeli Air Force

Israel’s F-35s Are Getting External Fuel Tanks

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 14, 2026

An MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft piloted by Airmen from the 556 Test and Evaluation Squadron flies over the Nevada Test and Training Range and performs live-fire exercises with Air-to-Ground Missile-114 Hellfire missiles and Guided Bomb Unit-12 Paveway IIs, Aug. 30, 2023. The 556 TES performs all software and physical testing to improve the combat capabilities of the MQ-9 Reaper.
U.S. Air Force

MQ-9 Reaper Replacement Requirements Stress A Drone Cheap Enough To Risk Losing

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on May 13, 2026

The Pentagon says it is working to amend its proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget to request new funding for the E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft.
U.S. Air Force

Pentagon’s Mindset On E-7 Radar Aircraft It Tried To Axe Has Completely Changed: Hegseth

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 12, 2026

Gdynia, Poland 28th, July 2014 Scenes at the 43rd Polish Naval Air Base airport in Gdynia - Babie Doly. The Naval Aviation Brigade has been established in 1994 and it is the only naval aviation tactical unit in The Polish Military. The objective of Naval Aviation Brigade is to conduct anti-submarine warfare (ASW), search-and-rescue (SAR), reconnaissance, ecological and transport operations. The Navy aircraft and helicopters are stationed and operations from three airfields located in Gdynia Babie Doly, Siemirowice and Darlowo. PZL M28B Bryza aircraft sits at the airbase.
Polish Air Force

Drone-Hunting M28 Skytruck In The Works For Poland

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 12, 2026

The ARRW program has not only reemerged from purgatory, with missiles being ordered for operational use, but a new variant is on the horizon.
U.S. Air Force

New Version Of Bomber-Launched ARRW Hypersonic Missile Is A Ship Killer

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 12, 2026

The U.S. Air Force says it does not expect the last of its huge C-5M Galaxy cargo planes to be replaced by a Next-Generation Airlift (NGAL) platform until Fiscal Year 2050.
U.S. Air Force

C-5 Galaxies Now Slated To Keep Flying Until 2050 As Readiness Plummets To 37 Percent

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 11, 2026

The Air Force is now looking to conduct a formal review of its requirements to see whether the development of a successor to the B-52 might be warranted, and potentially sooner rather than later.
U.S. Air Force

USAF Is Going To Explore What Will Finally Replace The B-52

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 7, 2026

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle, specially painted to mark 40 years since Operation Eldorado Canyon, the raid on Libya, has taken to the air.
U.S. Air Force

Camouflaged F-15E Painted To Mark F-111’s Libya Raid Blasts Through Mach Loop On First Flight

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 7, 2026

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer performs a functional check flight in a stripped, bare-metal configuration over Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, Feb. 26, 2026. The aircraft was undergoing depot maintenance after being removed from long-term storage and is part of an effort to return the bomber to service.
U.S. Air Force

B-1B “Apocalypse II” Out Of The Boneyard And Back In Service

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 6, 2026

Northrop Grumman's experimental XRQ-73 Series Hybrid Electric Propulsion AiRcraft Demonstration (SHEPARD) hybrid-electric drone has now taken to the skies.
U.S. Air Force

DARPA’s XRQ-73 Hybrid-Electric Flying Wing Drone Has Flown

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 6, 2026

The compact version of the AIM-9X is being developed with a focus on increased magazine depth when carried internally by "advanced aircraft," while also offering improved range and performance.
U.S. Air Force

Smaller AIM-9X Sidewinder For Stealthy Weapons Bays Is In Development

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 5, 2026

Israel’s first Boeing KC-46A Pegasus tanker — now given the Hebrew name Gideon, after a biblical judge and military leader — has completed its first flight in the United States, with delivery expected soon. As we have discussed in the past, new tankers and additional refueling capacity are something the Israeli Air Force increasingly needs.
Israeli Air Force

Israel’s First KC-46 Tanker Is Now Flying

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 4, 2026

As it continues its very high tempo of operations in the Middle East, the Israeli Air Force is set to get two new fighter squadrons, one each of the F-15IA and the stealthy F-35I Adir. While the numbers involved were not stated, the IAF has recently bolstered its fighter inventory in the form of 25-aircraft squadrons. This is almost certain to be the case here, too, which would provide the service with an eventual total of 100 F-35Is and 50 F-15IAs.
Israeli Air Force

Israel To Buy Extra F-15IA And F-35I Squadrons

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 3, 2026

A donated Qatari 747-8i has been modified and flight tested to serve as an Air Force One and will be delivered to the Presidential Airlift Group by this summer, according to the Air Force.
U.S. Air Force

New VC-25B Air Force One “Bridge” Aircraft Now Fully Modified And Flight Tested

By Howard Altman

Updated on May 1, 2026

Two Massive Chinese Stealth Flying Wings Spotted Again at Secretive Drone Base
People's Liberation Army Air Force (China)

China’s Massive Stealth Flying Wings Spotted Together At Secretive Test Base

By Tyler Rogoway, Ian Ellis-Jones

Updated on May 1, 2026

The Department of Energy is seeking millions of dollars for work in part on a new bunker-busting nuclear weapon called the Nuclear Deterrent System-Air-delivered (NDS-A) in its latest budget request.
U.S. Air Force

New Nuclear Bunker Buster Bomb Plans Revealed (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 1, 2026

A U.S. Air Force E-11A Battlefield Airborne Communications Node aircraft assigned to the 430th Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron sits parked after participating in an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) integration exercise at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, March 24, 2021. Globally integrated ISR capabilities ensure U.S. and partner forces carry out mission requirements with great situational awareness of the battlespace.
U.S. Air Force

Air Force Wants To Axe Its E-11A BACN Communications Jets

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 30, 2026

For the first time, as far as we know, the U.S. Air Force has publicly released imagery showing a B-1B Lancer bomber carrying an AGM-183 Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon hypersonic missile, or ARRW.
U.S. Air Force

B-1B Seen Carrying ARRW Hypersonic Missile For The First Time

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 30, 2026

China is America's military equal now and in any future fight, warns a top Marine general.
People's Liberation Army Air Force (China)

China is America’s Military Equal Now And In Any Future Fight, Marine General Warns

By Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 29, 2026

S-71
Russian Air Force

Russia’s Stealthy S-71K Air-Launched Missile Seen In New Detail

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 27, 2026

Recently uncovered wreckage of an Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM)reveals that Ukraine is employing the AIM-120C-8 version, a weapon that is close to the ‘top of the line’ for these missiles. Ukraine can employ AMRAAM from its F-16 fighters, as well as from the ground-based National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) air defense system.
Ukrainian Air Force

Evidence Of Ukraine Using AIM-120C-8 Missiles Emerges

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 27, 2026

Ukraine is air-launching its SHahed-136 interceptor drones now.
Ukrainian Air Force

Ukraine’s Drone-Hunting An-28 Turboprop Is Now Launching Interceptor Drones

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 24, 2026

Jolly Green IIs will be poised to spirit senior U.S. officials and lawmakers to safety at a moment's notice to ensure the federal government can continue to function even in the event of a nuclear attack or a similarly serious contingency.
U.S. Air Force

HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopters To Take On Doomsday Evacuation Role In The Nation’s Capital

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 24, 2026

A U.S. Air Force F-15EX Eagle II assigned to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, releases flares over the Gulf Coast, April 3, 2026. The 96th Test Wing and 53rd Wing perform developmental and operational test series on the platform including next-generation survivability, radars, sensors and networking capabilities.
U.S. Air Force

F-15EX Buy Was Just Doubled By The USAF, Which Makes Perfect Sense

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 22, 2026

Image of Spitfire “K5054”, seen here alongside two F35 Lightning II Jets from RAF Marham as they transit to RAF Coningsby in the UK. The first flight of the eagerly anticipated commemorative Spitfire90 tour has successfully landed at RAF Coningsby. The nine flights have been organised to celebrate 90 years since the Supermarine Spitfire’s maiden flight. Departing from Southampton International Airport earlier today, the very site where Captain Joseph ‘Mutt’ Summers piloted the original Spitfire prototype K5054 on 5th March 1936, the specially painted two-seat Spitfire, replicating the original K5054, was escorted by the Dakota and Spitfire AB910 belonging to the Royal Air Force’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) as it made its way to RAF Coningsby, the home of the BBMF. During the flight, "K5054" was also joined in the vicinity of RAF Marham by two F35 Lightning II aircraft.
Royal Air Force

Spitfire Completes Unique Formation Flights With Royal Air Force

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 19, 2026

The Qatari-donated 747-8i jet envisioned as a presidential airlifter, had a recent test flight.
U.S. Air Force

Qatari 747-8i Gifted To Trump For Interim Air Force One Is Undergoing Test Flights

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Apr 17, 2026

The Air Force’s Experimental Operations Unit, under Air Combat Command, concluded a critical exercise with Collaborative Combat Aircraft recently at Edwards Air Force Base, California, putting principles of the new Warfighting Acquisition System into practice. The exercise employed the YFQ-44A aircraft and represents a shift toward the new concept of earlier, operator-driven experimentation to inform tactics and procedures that will accelerate the delivery of this transformative capability to the warfighter.
U.S. Air Force

YFQ-44 Fury Fighter Drone Wraps Contested Operations Test That Could Accelerate Its Fielding

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 17, 2026

An F-35A Lightning II from Eglin Air Force Base flies with a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 121st Air Refueling Wing, June 16, 2024, before the Columbus Air Show. This year’s event featured more than 20 military and civilian planes, including a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 121st Air Refueling Wing, which served as the base of operations for military aircraft participating in the show.
U.S. Air Force

Air Guard Warns Of Dire Consequences If At Least 72 Fighters Aren’t Bought Annually

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 14, 2026

A new Ukrainian surface-to-air missile appears to have made its first public appearance. The weapon is apparently an example of the Koral (also sometimes spelled Coral), the development of which has been known about for some time, as part of an effort to field homegrown ground-based air defense systems, something that the head of Ukraine’s Brave1 defense tech incubator discussed with TWZ in the past.
Ukrainian Air Force

This May Be Our Best Look At Ukraine’s Secretive New Surface-To-Air Missile

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 13, 2026

KC-135 ghost tanker
U.S. Air Force

Inside The Air Force’s Elite Ghost Tanker Unit

By Jamie Hunter

Posted on Apr 9, 2026

BAE has test fired APKWS rockets from an RAF Typhoon for the first time.
Royal Air Force

Eurofighter Typhoon Test Fires Laser-Guided Counter-Drone Rockets

By Howard Altman

Posted 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.
U.S. Air Force

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

By Howard Altman, Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 7, 2026

FARP in Iran set up by special tactics squadron airman during WSO rescue.
U.S. Air Force

How A Dusty Strip Deep In Iran Can Be Turned Into A U.S. Special Operations Base In Hours

By Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 6, 2026

B-52 epic fury mission.
U.S. Air Force

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.
U.S. Air Force

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.
U.S. Air Force

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

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 3, 2026

A photographer on a flight over Greenville, Texas, captured an especially good look at one of the U.S. Air Force's RC-135V/W Rivet Joint aircraft with its usual paint scheme completely stripped off.
U.S. Air Force

RC-135 Rivet Joint Surveillance Jet Caught ‘In The Nude’ In Texas

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 2, 2026

The U.S. Air Force's highly secretive NT-43A radar cross-section measurement platform is supporting the launch of NASA's Artemis II space mission, and this reflects the start of an entirely new stage in the career of the notoriously shy aircraft.
U.S. Air Force

Secretive 737 Radar Jet ‘RAT55’ Has Begun “The Next Phase Of Its Career”

By Joseph Trevithick, 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.
U.S. Air Force

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.
U.S. Air Force

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

Rapidly fielding more hardened shelters to better protect U.S. forces at bases in the Middle East is a top priority, according to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
U.S. Air Force

Bunkers For U.S. Bases In Middle East Now A Top Priority For Pentagon

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Mar 31, 2026

A retired Air Force tanker pilot and wing commander offers insights into what it will take to fight China
People's Liberation Army Air Force (China)

Former KC-135 Wing Commander On What It Will Take To Fuel A Fight Against China

By 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.
Luftwaffe

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.
U.S. Air Force

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

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Mar 30, 2026

The Israeli Air Force has released a picture of F-16I Sufa fighters taking part in strikes on Iran, and the jets appear to be carrying cluster munitions.
Israeli Air Force

Israeli F-16s Appear To Be Carrying Cluster Munitions

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Mar 30, 2026

CENTCOM is seeking an underground hardened facility at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
U.S. Air Force

Hardened Underground Facilities Now Being Sought For Al Udeid Air Base

By Howard Altman

Posted on Mar 27, 2026

Iran says the US is dropping mines from the air on its missile facilities.
U.S. Air Force

Is The U.S. Dropping Mines To Stop Iranian Missile Launchers?

By Howard Altman, Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Mar 27, 2026

KC-135 is being used heavily in Operation Epic Fury.
U.S. Air Force

Veteran KC-135 Base Commander’s View Of Epic Fury’s Strain On The Tanker Force

By Howard Altman

Posted 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

F-22 Raptor “2.0” Spotted Undergoing Flight Testing
U.S. Air Force

F-22 Raptor “2.0” Spotted Undergoing Flight Testing

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Updated on Mar 23, 2026

SAAB 340 AEW&C spotted over Ukraine.
Ukrainian Air Force

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

By Thomas Newdick

Posted 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

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.
Japan Air Self Defense Force

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

A KC-135 refueling tanker crashed in Iraq, according to CENTCOM.
U.S. Air Force

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.
Iranian Air Force

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 **
Royal Air Force

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.
U.S. Air Force

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

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Mar 10, 2026

An Australian E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control plane is headed for the Persian Gulf.
Royal Australian Air Force

Massive Leap In Ability To Spot Iranian Drones Headed To Persian Gulf

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Mar 10, 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.
Israeli Air Force

Israeli F-16 Appears Carrying A Mysterious Precision Bomb

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Mar 7, 2026