Air Forces (Page 8)

Latest in Air Forces

The new Tempest configuration, this time with Japan Air Self-Defense Force markings.
Royal Air Force

UK Emphasizes Need To Arm Tempest Stealth Fighter With Larger, Longer Range Air-To-Air Missiles

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 14, 2025

Chinese SAM Launch
U.S. Air Force

Air Force Predicts Enemy Anti-Air Missiles With 1,000-Mile Range By 2050

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 14, 2025

A greater focus on long range strike capabilities is among the alternatives the U.S. Air Force is considering to a costly new crewed sixth-generation stealth combat jet as part of its Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) family of systems. A lower-cost design focused primarily on acting as a 'quarterback' for Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones is also still on the table.
U.S. Air Force

$20 Billion Price Tag To Complete Development Of USAF’s Next Generation Fighter (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 13, 2025

The second tranche of U.S. Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones could be between 20 to 30 percent more expensive per airframe than those in the first batch.
U.S. Air Force

Second Batch Of Air Force CCA Drones Could Be 20 To 30 Percent Pricier Than The First

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 10, 2025

Donald Trump has refused to rule out using the U.S. military to seize Greenland, citing economic security as a driving factor, saying that America needs it — as well as the Panama Canal — for “economic security.” Amid predictable kickback from Denmark — of which Greenland is an autonomous territory — it’s worth looking in more detail at the enormous significance of one of the world's largest islands, in economic, geostrategic and, above all, military terms.
U.S. Air Force

Why Greenland Is Of Growing Strategic Significance

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 9, 2025

The arsenals of the U.S. Air Force's F-15E Strike Eagle and F-15EX Eagle II combat jets look set to grow with the addition of stealthy AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASM).
U.S. Air Force

Stealthy AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles To Arm F-15EX, F-15E

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jan 9, 2025

A strategically important fuel farm supplying Russia's Engels Air Base was struck by Ukrainian drones.
Russian Air Force

Ukraine Targets Strategic Bomber Fuel Supplies In Long-Range Strike On Russia

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 8, 2025

A new independent report says that U.S. airbases have been left worryingly vulnerable, especially in the Indo-Pacific region, by a lack of investment in new hardened aircraft shelters, or even unhardened ones.
U.S. Air Force

Lack Of Hardened Aircraft Shelters Leaves U.S. Airbases Vulnerable To China New Report Warns

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 8, 2025

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have provided an even better look at the previously highly secretive remote vision system that is central to the operation of the Israeli Air Force’s critical Boeing 707 tanker fleet. TWZ has previously looked at this system — used by the boom operator to see what is happening at the rear of the aircraft while connecting the boom with the receiving aircraft — but the actual operator interface has, as far as we know, never been seen in such detail.
Israeli Air Force

Our Best Look So Far Inside Israel’s Once Secretive 707 Tankers

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 7, 2025

The Metinvest company is beginning to add armor protection to Ukraine's Western-donated air defense systems.
Ukrainian Air Force

New Armor Kits Being Installed On Ukraine’s Western Air Defense Systems

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 3, 2025

An inside look at the life of a Ukrainian Su-27 Flanker fighter pilot in the country’s war with Russia is the topic of a recently released video from the Ukrainian Air Force.
Russian Air Force

Ukrainian Su-27 Flanker Pilot’s Rare Account Of The Changing Air War

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 3, 2025

IDF raid on Iran underground missile base in Syria
Israeli Air Force

Inside Israel’s Commando Raid On Iran’s Underground Missile Factory In Syria

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 3, 2025

For the first time, Ukraine has released official video showing its Su-25 Frogfoot ground-attack jets employing French-supplied Hammer rocket-boosted precision-guided munitions.
Ukrainian Air Force

Ukraine’s Su-25s Seen Launching Hammer Rocket-Boosted Bombs For The First Time

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 2, 2025

Ukrainian USV Mi-8 Hip R-73 missile kill Black Sea
Air Forces

Ukraine Claims Its Drone Boat Shot Down A Russian Mi-8 Helicopter With A Surface-To-Air Missile

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 31, 2024

The U.S. Air Force sent at least 39 A-10s to the boneyard at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona this year, more than double the number of Warthogs it sent into mothballs in 2023.
U.S. Air Force

39 A-10 Warthogs Went To The Boneyard This Year, More Than Double Over Prior Year

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 31, 2024

Signs Russian Fighter Jets Still At Syrian Base, Top Rebel Leader Pushes Back On Total Exit For Moscow
Russian Air Force

Signs Russian Fighter Jets Still At Syrian Base, Top Rebel Leader Pushes Back On Total Exit For Moscow

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 30, 2024

Pictures have emerged of what looks to be the first known example of a new Chinese airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft based on the four-engine Y-20 cargo plane commonly referred to as the KJ-3000.
People's Liberation Army Air Force (China)

China’s New Domestically Developed Y-20 Airborne Early Warning Jet Spotted

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 27, 2024

6th gen flying wing aircraft china
People's Liberation Army Air Force (China)

China Stuns With Heavy Stealth Tactical Jet’s Sudden Appearance (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick and Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Dec 26, 2024

It appears that another new Chinese combat aircraft design has entered flight testing. Imagery of the previously unseen aircraft began to circulate on social media today, only a matter of hours after the first appearance of a remarkable diamond-shaped tailless combat aircraft design, thought to be a Chengdu product.
People's Liberation Army Air Force (China)

Yes, China Just Flew Another Tailless Next-Generation Stealth Combat Aircraft

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 26, 2024

The U.S. Army says it is planning to award a sole-source contract to BAE Systems to produce a prototype self-propelled 155mm howitzer for use as a novel air defense system.
U.S. Air Force

Railgun Ammo-Firing 155mm Air Defense Cannon Set To Be Awarded To BAE Systems

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 24, 2024

Recent satellite imagery of Belbek Air Base, near Sevastopol in Russian-occupied Crimea, shows new hardened aircraft shelters and additional construction to help shield aircraft from drone attacks and other indirect fire.
Russian Air Force

Russia’s Belbek Air Base In Crimea Is Getting Hardened Aircraft Shelters

By Thomas Newdick, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 20, 2024

A Spanish Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon participating in NATO exercise Ramstein Flag 24 flies over the west coast of Greece, Oct. 4, 2024. Over 130 fighter and enabler aircraft from Greece, Canada, France, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and United States are training side by side to improve tactics and foster more robust integration, demonstrating NATO’s resolve, commitment and ability to deter potential adversaries and defend the Alliance.
Air Forces

Spanish Typhoon Buy Signals Upward Trend For Eurofighter

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 20, 2024

In the face of post-Cold War drawdowns, the U.S. Air Force pushed ahead with buying the famously expensive F-22 Raptor stealth fighter in part because of a perhaps unexpected reason: concerns about Syrian air defenses.
U.S. Air Force

Syria’s Air Defenses Helped Make The F-22A Raptor A Reality

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 20, 2024

As the world’s only operator of the legendary F-14 Tomcat swing-wing fighter, the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) has a unique airpower status. A recent airshow provided the chance for a very rare close-quarters look at the Cold War-era jet, which by now has very questionable capabilities and serviceability, while there are persistent reports that it could soon be replaced entirely by Russian-provided Su-35 Flanker multirole fighters.
Iranian Air Force

Iranian F-14 Tomcat Encounter At An Airshow Unlike Any Other

By Thomas Newdick, Živojin Banković

Posted on Dec 19, 2024

The FAA has banned drone flights over 22 New Jersey power infrastructure sites.
U.S. Air Force

Drone Flights Banned Over New Jersey Energy Infrastructure Sites

By Howard Altman

Updated on Dec 19, 2024

Russian President Vladimir Putin insisted today that his country is still exploring its options for retaining a pair of bases in Syria that have uniquely strategic value following the fall of longtime ally Bashar Al Assad.
Russian Air Force

Putin Claims No Final Decision Yet On Russia’s Bases In Syria Despite Withdrawals

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 19, 2024

Israeli has launched airstrikes on multiple targets in Yemen, including the capital of Sana’a, in response to an overnight missile launch from Yemen toward Israel. The Israeli raids come after an uptick in attacks against Israel by the Yemen-based Houthi militant group, including two in the past week.
Israeli Air Force

Israeli Air Force Strikes Yemen With Popeye And Rampage Standoff Missiles

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 19, 2024

Bill Kennedy, 436th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron transit alert, marshals a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III at Dover Air Force Base, Del., April 26, 2015. The aircraft is loaded with 69 members of the Fairfax County Urban Search and Rescue Team, their supplies and equipment, and six K-9s, to assist Nepal with rescue operations after the country was struck by a 7.8-magnitude earthquake.
U.S. Air Force

New Jersey Base Confirms Multiple Past Drone Incursions… By Contraband Smugglers

By Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 18, 2024

China’s H-20 Stealth Bomber Unlikely To ‘Debut’ Until 2030s, According To U.S. Intel
People's Liberation Army Air Force (China)

China’s H-20 Stealth Bomber Unlikely To ‘Debut’ Until 2030s, According To U.S. Intel

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 18, 2024

New satellite imagery shows the continued withdrawal of Russian forces from its Khmeimim Air Base in Syria. Russia is also massing units at its Tartus naval base in the country, which also points to plans for their impending departure.
Russian Air Force

Satellite Imagery Shows Ramp-Up In Russian Forces Massing At Bases In Syria For Withdrawal

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 17, 2024

The Russian Khmeimim Air Base in Jabla in Latakia, Syria on December 15, 2024. With the Baath regime's collapse, Russia continued to transfer its troops from Damascus, Homs and other cities across Syria to the base.
Russian Air Force

Future Of Russia’s Bases In Syria Remains In Flux, Libya Possible Alternative

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 16, 2024

Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio is the latest U.S. military installation to report drone overflights.
U.S. Air Force

Drone Incursions Closed Wright-Patterson Air Force Base’s Airspace Friday Night

By Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 15, 2024

A recently released video from the cockpit of a Ukrainian Air Force Su-27 Flanker provides an unprecedented close-quarters view of the fighter lobbing GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs (SDB) toward a Russian target.
Ukrainian Air Force

Cockpit Video Of Ukrainian Su-27 Lobbing GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 13, 2024

Russian Forces Appear To Be Pulling Out Of Prized Syrian Air Base
Russian Air Force

Russian Forces Appear To Be Pulling Out Of Prized Syrian Air Base

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 13, 2024

A U.S. C-17 Globemaster military transport aircraft takes off from Ramstein Air Base. A conference on the Ukraine war was held at the U.S. air base.
Luftwaffe

U.S. Air Force Confirms Drone Sightings Over Ramstein Air Base In Germany

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 13, 2024

Any plans the Air Force might have for new hardened aircraft shelters or other physical defenses at bases are prominently absent from a new infrastructure modernization strategy rolled out today.
U.S. Air Force

Plans For New Hardened Aircraft Shelters Notably Absent From New USAF Base Modernization Strategy

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 12, 2024

Hysteria about drones over New Jersey obscures the fact that there is a real national security concern.
U.S. Air Force

Coast Guard Ship Stalked By Unidentified Aircraft, Iran Drone Mothership Claim Shot Down By DoD

By Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 12, 2024

A U2 Dragon Lady Pilot is integrated into his spacesuit for a flight to the Edge of Space. This photoshoot was done by Blair Bunting, a commercial photographer from Phoenix, AZ.
U.S. Air Force

Dressing For Success At 70,000-Feet Aboard The U-2 Dragon Lady

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 11, 2024

he U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy could soon be tasked with exploring whether extending the range of existing AIM-120 and AIM-9 air-to-air missiles is one path to help right-size stocks of those weapons.
U.S. Air Force

Extended Range AIM-120s, AIM-9s Eyed To Meet Future Air-to-Air Missile Demands

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 11, 2024

Imagery has appeared showing Russia’s Sukhoi Su-57 Felon new-generation fighter fitted with a new type of thrust-vectoring engine nozzle. The radical-looking design is intended to improve the low-observable features of the Felon, although the future of the new engine nozzle is far from certain.
Russian Air Force

Su-57 Felon’s Two-Dimensional Thrust-Vectoring Engine Nozzle Breaks Cover

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 10, 2024

North Korea is set to receive MiG-29 Fulcrum and Su-27 Flanker fighter aircraft from Russia in return for Pyongyang having sent thousands of troops to fight in Moscow’s war in Ukraine. This is the assessment of the commander of United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), after much speculation about the nature of the support that might be headed to North Korea to reward that country for its growing military backing of Russia. The prospect of fighter aircraft being transferred by Russia is something that TWZ has discussed in the past.
North Korean Air Force

Russia Giving North Korea MiG-29s And Su-27s Isn’t That Straightforward

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 10, 2024

What will happen to highly strategic Russian air and naval bases in Syria is now very much now an open question following the downfall of long-time strongman Bashar Al Assad and his flight to Moscow.
Russian Air Force

Fate Of Russia’s Prized Syria Bases: What We Know

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 10, 2024

The United Kingdom has taken an important step toward its Tempest next-generation fighter, with the start of a trials campaign for the Flight Test Aircraft (FTA), nicknamed Excalibur, which will serve as a flying laboratory for the new combat aircraft. Based on a Boeing 757 airliner, the FTA joins a growing band of dedicated trials aircraft that are being used to prove out technologies for current and future-generation fighter programs, also in the United States and China.
Royal Air Force

UK’s 757-Based ‘Excalibur’ Avionics Testbed For Tempest Future Fighter Emerges

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 9, 2024

F-35 CCA under trump admin
U.S. Air Force

Former Trump Acting SECDEF Talks About The Future Of Big Ticket Defense Programs

By Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 6, 2024

Gen. Bussiere said the number and speed of delivery of the B-21 is a “valid discussion” to have “based on the age of the B-1 and B-2” and the advancing strategic capabilities of Russia and China.
U.S. Air Force

B-21 Raider Numbers Could Be Boosted With Existing Production Capacity

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 6, 2024

Ngad punted to trump adminstration
U.S. Air Force

Future Of NGAD Fighter Punted To Trump Administration

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Dec 5, 2024

The Pentagon says more tests are required to verify that the 25mm automatic cannon mounted internally on the F-35A variant of the Joint Strike Fighter is indeed now an effective weapon.
U.S. Air Force

F-35A’s 25mm Gun Still Needs Tests To Verify It Works

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 4, 2024

Russian fighter base in Syria
Russian Air Force

Russia’s Prized Bases Along The Mediterranean In Syria Could Be At Risk

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Dec 3, 2024

Russian and Syrian airstrikes are slowing the advance by anti-government rebels.
Russian Air Force

Airstrikes Slow Advance Of Anti-Assad Forces In Syria

By Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 2, 2024

A U.S. Air Force F-16C Viper fighter has conducted the first release of a test version of the Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW) missile.
U.S. Air Force

Stand-In Attack Missile Released From Fighter For First Time In USAF Test

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 2, 2024

Mystery drones have flown over USAF bases in the UK for an eighth day.
Royal Air Force

Drone Incursions Over USAF Bases In UK Enter Second Week

By Howard Altman

Updated on Nov 27, 2024

The Royal Australian Air Force, or RAAF has experimented with a new rapidly laid temporary surface, making it easier to conduct expeditionary aircraft operations, something that is of increasing relevance across the Indo-Pacific region. The trial, which used a temporary surface known as Dura-Base, involved an RAAF F-35A stealth fighter at RAAF Base Tindal, in Australia’s Northern Territory.
Royal Australian Air Force

Australian F-35 Tests Expeditionary Base Concept

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 27, 2024

SUMY, UKRAINE - NOVEMBER 26: A destroyed car stands in a parking lot after a Russian missile attack on November 26, 2024 in Sumy, Ukraine. According to the acting mayor of Sumy, Artem Kobzar, the Russian army attacked the city with a missile. As a result of the strike, a residential multi-storey building was damaged and a parking lot was destroyed.
Ukrainian Air Force

Russia Launched The Largest Drone Attack On Ukraine Of The War

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 26, 2024

Still unidentified drones continue to be spotted around air bases in the United Kingdom that host American forces.
U.S. Air Force

British Troops Reinforce USAF Airbases Amid Mysterious Drone Incursions: Reports (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Nov 26, 2024

Mystery drones have appeared once again near US bases in the UK.
U.S. Air Force

Mysterious Drones Have Descended Again On U.S. Air Bases In The United Kingdom (Updated)

By Tyler Rogoway, Howard Altman

Updated on Nov 25, 2024

An unspecified number of drones were spotted over RAF Lakenheath in England
Royal Air Force

Multiple Drone Incursions Just Occurred Over USAF Fighter Base In England

By Howard Altman

Updated on Nov 22, 2024

Ukraine claims Russia fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at the city of Dmipro.
Ukrainian Air Force

Russia’s Unprecedented Ballistic Missile Attack On Ukraine: What We Know

By Howard Altman, Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 21, 2024

Pictured is an RAF Chinook (27(R) Squadron) flying in formation with a Puma (230 Squadron) over RAF Cosford. After a 3-year Covid-enforced break, the RAF Cosford Air Show will take place on 12 June 2022. The last RAF-organised air show, it attracts 50,000 people to the airfield and incorporates a flying display, static aircraft displays, STEM displays and vintage villages. The highlights of the flying will be the RAF Red Arrows, BBMF, Typhoon display team, Belgian F16 and French Rafale. The RAF F35B displayed at the air show for the first time.
Royal Air Force

British Defense Cuts Hit All Three Services Hard

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 20, 2024

A unit charged with exploring how the U.S. Air Force will utilize its future Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) is now set to get actual examples of the first tranche of those drones to experiment with.
U.S. Air Force

Extra Collaborative Combat Aircraft Purchases To Give USAF Test Unit A Boost

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 19, 2024

A Turkish Air Force F-4E Phantom II, adorned with a striking Turkish flag livery, soars in a low-altitude maneuver over Eskisehir to commemorate 50 years of service in the Turkish Air Force in Eskisehir, Turkiye on November 16, 2024.
Turkish Air Force

F-4 Phantoms Tear Through Turkey To Mark 50 Years Of Service

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 18, 2024

SPEAR 3 air-to-surface mini cruise missile.
Royal Air Force

UK’s New SPEAR 3 Mini Cruise Missile Succeeds In First End-To-End Test

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 18, 2024

Flight testing of the U.S. Air Force's Stand-In Attack Weapon (SiAW) missile is now set to begin following the delivery of an initial test article.
U.S. Air Force

First Stand-In Attack Missile Delivered To USAF

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 18, 2024

F-15E Drone hunting Iranian attack
U.S. Air Force

F-15E Pilot Recounts Having To Switch To Guns After Missiles Ran Dry During Iranian Drone Barrage

By Howard Altman

Posted on Nov 15, 2024

The search for clues after a U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper fighter brought down a still-unidentified object over Lake Huron In February 2023 did result in the recovery of debris it has been disclosed. However, it remains unclear whether or not the wreckage was from that shootdown.
U.S. Air Force

Details About Search For Mystery Object Shot Down Over Lake Huron Disclosed

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 15, 2024