Air Launched Nuclear Missles

Latest in Air Launched Nuclear Missles

Russia is introducing new nuclear-tipped air-to-air missiles as part of an overall expansion of its nuclear forces, according to an assessment from the Pentagon’s Defense Intelligence Agency, or DIA. While nuclear-armed air-to-air missiles were part of the Soviet Union’s armory during the Cold War, their current status within the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS), is little-known, which makes the disclosure from this U.S. intelligence agency all the more intriguing.

Russia Fielding New Nuclear-Armed Air-To-Air Missiles: U.S. Intel Russia Fielding New Nuclear-Armed Air-To-Air Missiles: U.S. Intel

By Thomas Newdick

Posted Yesterday

French Air and Space Force Rafale fighters from a nuclear-strike-tasked unit are among the aircraft taking part in a power-projection exercise including operations over Sweden, which joined NATO a little over a year ago. The latest edition of the Pégase (Pegasus) drill comes as European NATO members look at bolstering their nuclear deterrence capabilities independent of the United States, with France very much at the center of these discussions. Notably, the maneuvers are being also accompanied by an exercise in which French military aircraft were rapidly dispersed to alternative airfields, something that would be required in a large-scale conflict with Russia.

French Rafale Fighters Project Power Forward To Sweden French Rafale Fighters Project Power Forward To Sweden

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 23, 2025

France's President Emmanuel Macron (C) delivers a speech in front of a Dassault Mirage 2000 (L) and a Dassault Rafale (R) fighter aircrafts during his visit of the French Air and Space Force (Armee de l'air et de l'espace) Luxeuil-Saint-Sauveur Airbase in Saint-Sauveur, north-eastern France on March 18, 2025.

France To Expand Its Nuclear Deterrent With New Air Base France To Expand Its Nuclear Deterrent With New Air Base

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 18, 2025

France is apparently looking at the possibility of deploying air-launched nuclear weapons to Germany, a consideration that’s being made amid growing concerns that the United States will no longer guarantee European security under NATO. Broader discussions about nuclear deterrence among European leaders points very clearly to the deepening crisis in the transatlantic alliance under U.S. President Donald Trump.

France Eyeing Deployment Of Nuclear-Armed Rafale Fighters To Germany: Report France Eyeing Deployment Of Nuclear-Armed Rafale Fighters To Germany: Report

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 25, 2025

While the 1950s was a time of truly unusual and fast-paced innovation in military aerospace, one of the more bizarre projects was for a nuclear-armed, liquid-fueled development of the Sidewinder air-to-air missile.

The Navy Nearly Built A Nuclear Armed “Super Sidewinder” Air-To-Air Missile The Navy Nearly Built A Nuclear Armed “Super Sidewinder” Air-To-Air Missile

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 1, 2025

Congress is pressing ahead with legislation that would compel the Air Force to restore nuclear capability to its entire fleet of B-52 bombers after the likely sunset of an armed control deal with Russia.

What It Will Take To Make The Entire B-52 Fleet Nuclear-Capable What It Will Take To Make The Entire B-52 Fleet Nuclear-Capable

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jun 26, 2024

Flight testing of the Air Force's future nuclear-tipped AGM-181A Long Range Stand Off cruise missile is well under way.

Flight Testing Of Air Force’s New Nuclear-Armed Cruise Missile Well Underway Flight Testing Of Air Force’s New Nuclear-Armed Cruise Missile Well Underway

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 3, 2023

F-15EX Conformal Tank Funds Sought, Fleet Size Questions Reemerge (Updated)

F-15EX Conformal Tank Funds Sought, Fleet Size Questions Reemerge (Updated) F-15EX Conformal Tank Funds Sought, Fleet Size Questions Reemerge (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Mar 20, 2023

B-2’s First Launch Of Stealthy JASSM-ER Cruise Missile Disclosed

B-2’s First Launch Of Stealthy JASSM-ER Cruise Missile Disclosed B-2’s First Launch Of Stealthy JASSM-ER Cruise Missile Disclosed

By Thomas Newdick, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 26, 2022

View of USAF B-52 Stratofortress Bomber in Flight

A Look Back At All The B-52 Variants As The Iconic Bomber Hits 70 A Look Back At All The B-52 Variants As The Iconic Bomber Hits 70

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 16, 2022

The Air Force Wants A New Generation Of Affordable Air-To-Ground Munitions With Swappable Warheads

The Air Force Wants A New Generation Of Affordable Air-To-Ground Munitions With Swappable Warheads The Air Force Wants A New Generation Of Affordable Air-To-Ground Munitions With Swappable Warheads

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Dec 2, 2021

Barksdale B-52 Brandishes Its Modern Arsenal In New Loadout Photos

Barksdale B-52 Brandishes Its Modern Arsenal In New Loadout Photos Barksdale B-52 Brandishes Its Modern Arsenal In New Loadout Photos

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 30, 2021

Nothing But Images Of Precision Guided Weapons Taken Just Before They Obliterate Their Targets

Nothing But Images Of Precision Guided Weapons Taken Just Before They Obliterate Their Targets Nothing But Images Of Precision Guided Weapons Taken Just Before They Obliterate Their Targets

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Mar 21, 2021

This Stretched Super FB-111 Was A Low-Cost Challenger To The B-1 Bomber

This Stretched Super FB-111 Was A Low-Cost Challenger To The B-1 Bomber This Stretched Super FB-111 Was A Low-Cost Challenger To The B-1 Bomber

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Jan 9, 2021

The Air Force Almost Got A Near Hypersonic Radar Plane Killing Cruise Missile Decades Ago

The Air Force Almost Got A Near Hypersonic Radar Plane Killing Cruise Missile Decades Ago The Air Force Almost Got A Near Hypersonic Radar Plane Killing Cruise Missile Decades Ago

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 1, 2020

Air Force Has Picked Raytheon To Build Its New Stealthy Nuclear-Tipped Cruise Missile

Air Force Has Picked Raytheon To Build Its New Stealthy Nuclear-Tipped Cruise Missile Air Force Has Picked Raytheon To Build Its New Stealthy Nuclear-Tipped Cruise Missile

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 20, 2020