Air (Page 2)

Latest in Air

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.
E-11

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.
B-1

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

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 30, 2026

The IDF is now using netting on vehicles to protect against Hezbollah FPV drones.
Unmanned

Israel Now Using Netting To Protect Combat Vehicles Against Scourge Of Hezbollah Drones

By Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 30, 2026

U.S. Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 461, Marine Aircraft Group 29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, and U.S. Navy Sailors prepare to land a CH-53K King Stallion helicopter during UNITAS 2025, aboard the San Antonio class amphibious transport dock USS Arlington (LPD 24), off the coast of North Carolina, Sept. 25, 2025. UNITAS, which is Latin for “unity,” was conceived in 1959 and has taken place annually since first conducted in 1960. This year marks the 66th iteration of the world’s longest running annual multinational maritime exercise. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Orlanys Diaz Figueroa)
CH-53K

Confidence In CH-53K King Stallion Grows Ahead Of First Operational Deployment

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 29, 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

A U.S. Marine Corps XQ-58A Valkyrie, highly autonomous, low-cost tactical unmanned air vehicle, soars overhead during its second test flight at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Feb. 23, 2023. The XQ-58A Valkyrie test flight and the data collected inform future requirements for the Marine Corps in a rapidly evolving security environment, while successfully fueling joint innovation and experimentation opportunities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. John McRell)
XQ-58

First USMC MQ-58 Valkyrie CCA Drones To Arrive In 2029

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 29, 2026

Bell has put forward a new concept for a next-generation tiltrotor aircraft armed with anti-ship cruise missiles and other munitions for the U.S. Marine Corps.
MV-75

New Cruise Missile-Armed MV-75 Tiltrotor Concept For The Marines Shown Off

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 28, 2026

The U.S. Marine Corps is set to test at least two new autonomous cargo helicopters, as it seeks to field platforms that can rapidly resupply Marines in contested environments. The service recently awarded contracts for two such platforms, one being the R66 Turbinetruck that inserts Sikorsky’s MATRIX autonomy system in the proven Robinson R66 airframe.
Helicopters

Light Uncrewed Cargo Helicopters Based On Robinson R66 And Bell 505 Compete For USMC Contract

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Apr 28, 2026

AARGM-ER AGM-88G in testing.
AGM-88 High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM)

Navy Still Pushing To Field New AARGM-ER Radar-Busting Missile This Year Despite “Strategic Pause”

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 28, 2026

S-71
Su-57

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

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 27, 2026

A MH-60S Sea Hawk, attached to the “Indians” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 6, soars above Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101) while conducting a vertical replenishment-at-sea alongside
F/A-18A-D

Prospects Dimming On Iran-U.S. Deal To Open Strait, End War

By Howard Altman

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.
F-16

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

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 27, 2026

On August 27, 1962, pilot Lt. Col. A. I. Shein took off in a single-seat Su-7B, with a live 244N nuclear bomb carried on the centerline station below the fuselage. He then headed for the Semipalatinsk test site on the Soviet steppe. Also known as “The Polygon,” the Semipalatinsk range was the main test site for Soviet nuclear weapons. It is in the Abai region, in what is now Kazakhstan.
Military Aviation History

Rare Video Appears To Show A Soviet Su-7 Jet Dropping A Nuclear Bomb

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 26, 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.
HH-60

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

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 24, 2026

After heavy structural modifications in Waco, Texas, NASA's 777 aircraft returns to Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia.
Air

NASA’s 777 Flying Laboratory Touches Down At Langley

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 23, 2026

The U.S. Navy has shared details about what looks to be a previously undisclosed effort to rapidly arm ships in two carrier strike groups with radar-guided Longbow Hellfire missiles to protect against drones.
AGM-114 Hellfire

Navy Rushing To Arm Carrier Strike Groups With Hellfire Missiles

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 23, 2026

A new, longer-range version of the Rapidly Adaptable Affordable Cruise Missile (RAACM) has been unveiled by CoAspire at the Sea-Air-Space 2026 exposition near Washington, D.C. The development comes just days after the U.S. Air Force launched market research for its Family of Affordable Mass Missiles — Beyond Adversary’s Reach (FAMM-BAR), reflecting the service’s interest in low-cost, long-range strike weapons.
Air-To-Ground

New Low-Cost Cruise Missile Features Tomahawk-Like Range

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Apr 22, 2026

MH-60S pilot gives tour of his Seahawk helicopter.

U.S. Navy MH-60S Pilot Talks Multi-Mission Roles During Tour Of The Seahawk

By Jamie Hunter

Posted on Apr 22, 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.
F-15

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

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 22, 2026

X-Bat's new design at sea air space 2026.
UCAVs

X-BAT Autonomous VTOL ‘Fighter’ Looks Dramatically Different

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Apr 21, 2026

Sea Guardian can carry many payloads and fly at low altitudes in most any weather.

MQ-9B SeaGuardian Ready For Teaming With P-8 Poseidon

By Jamie Hunter

Posted on Apr 21, 2026

Northrop Grumman CEO Kathy Warden says she is confident in her company's ability to deliver next-generation carrier-based fighters to the U.S. Navy if it is selected as the winner of the F/A-XX competition.
F-47

Northrop Defends Ability To Build F/A-XX 6th Gen Naval Fighters If Selected

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 21, 2026

F/A-XX Northrop Grumman
F/A-XX

F/A-XX Next Gen Naval Fighter Concept Video Emerges From Northrop Grumman

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Apr 20, 2026

A U.S. Marine Corps XQ-58A Valkyrie, highly autonomous, low-cost tactical unmanned air vehicle, conducts its second test flight with two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft assigned to 33rd Fighter Wing, 96th Test Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Feb. 23, 2023. The XQ-58A Valkyrie test flight and the data collected inform future requirements for the Marine Corps in a rapidly evolving security environment, while successfully fueling joint innovation and experimentation opportunities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. John McRell)
XQ-58

F-35s Quarterbacking Drones Seen As Gateway To USMC’s 6th Gen Fighter

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 20, 2026

SNC Gives Details Of Its Clean-Sheet Freedom Trainer Offering To The U.S. Navy

SNC Gives Details Of Its Clean-Sheet Freedom Trainer Offering To The U.S. Navy

By Jamie Hunter

Posted on Apr 20, 2026

Armed Black Hawk is shown off with new wings and weapons.
H-60

The H-60 Black Hawk Gunship Evolves With New Wings And Weapons

By Tyler Rogoway, Jamie Hunter

Posted on Apr 20, 2026

F/A-XX Stealth Fighter Selection To Finally Come By August: Navy’s Top Admiral
F/A-XX

F/A-XX Stealth Fighter Selection To Finally Come By August: Navy’s Top Admiral

By Hope Hodge Seck

Posted on Apr 20, 2026

A Navy F/A-18 carries the new Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) Long Range (LR) variant during a test event in early April off the coast of California (U.S. Navy photo/released)
F/A-18E/F

Jet-Powered JDAM Tested From Navy Super Hornet

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 20, 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.
F-35B

Spitfire Completes Unique Formation Flights With Royal Air Force

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 19, 2026

Army officials have shared new details about plans to launch extremely long-range drones from the service's forthcoming ME-11B High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) surveillance and reconnaissance planes.
E-11

Air-Launched Drones Key To Keeping New Army Surveillance Jets Out Of Harms Way

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 18, 2026

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

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

U.S. Army officials say the modular design of the service's new MV-75A Cheyenne II tiltrotor will make it easier to reconfigure baseline versions for the medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) mission.
MV-75

MV-75 Will Be Reconfigurable For Medevac Mission Via Kit, Not Purpose-Built Like HH-60

By Joseph Trevithick

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.
Loyal Wingman

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

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 17, 2026

The U.S. shipped 10,000 Merops interceptor drones to the Middle East to take on Iranian Shahed drones.
Unmanned

Cheap Interceptor Drones Proven In Ukraine Protected U.S. Troops Against Iranian Shaheds

By Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 16, 2026

MAYHEM 10 is an autonomous, multi-role launched effect designed to deliver coordinated non-kinetic and kinetic effects at standoff. Employable from air, ground, and maritime platforms, it combines advanced collaborative autonomy with modular payloads to operate effectively in contested environments.
Loitering Munitions

Super-Adaptable Mayhem 10 Swarming Drone Evolved From The Switchblade

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 16, 2026

Army officials and the MV-75A's prime contractor, Bell, have both pointed to a future where tanker drones like the U.S. Navy's forthcoming MQ-25 Stingray could help extend the Cheyenne II's reach.
MQ-25

Army Eyes Drone Tankers To Refuel Its New MV-75 Cheyenne II Tiltrotors

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 16, 2026

Apache counter-drone ammunition ramps up production
AH-64

Production Of AH-64 Apache’s New Counter-Drone Cannon Shell Ammunition Ramping-Up

By Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 16, 2026

L3Harris is pushing its modular Wolf family of “launched effects vehicles” for the U.S. Army, including to equip its H-60 Black Hawk series and AH-64 Apache helicopters. The family of vehicles includes the Red Wolf, configured for long-range precision strikes against targets on land or at sea, and the Green Wolf fitted with an electronic warfare payload.
AH-64

Wolf Pack Modular Mini Cruise Missiles Pitched For Apache, Black Hawk

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 16, 2026

The U.S. Army has given us our first glimpse at what the new MV-75A Cheyenne II tiltrotor will look like in its special operations configuration.
160th SOAR "Nightstalkers"

First Look At What A Night Stalker MV-75 Cheyenne Will Look Like

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 15, 2026

The German military has revealed details of tests in which its Wiesel armored personnel carrier has been airdropped under parachutes from A400M transport aircraft. While the diminutive Wiesel (German for weasel) is already notably mobile, including fitting into a CH-53 helicopter, this appears to be the first time that it has been airdropped, marking a significant new capability for Germany’s airborne forces.
Transports

Germany Is Now Airdropping Its Tiny Wiesel ‘Tankettes’

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 15, 2026

Boeing has provided details on its future plans for the venerable H-47 Chinook, including adding launched effects and creating a path toward an uncrewed version of the helicopter.
CH-47

CH-47 Chinook Air-Launching Swarms Of Drones Touted As Future Feature

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 15, 2026

General Atomics is calling attention to a new mission for its Mojave short takeoff and landing (STOL) drone: hunting uncrewed aerial threats with laser-guided Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) rockets.
Q-1

Hunting Drones From Sloppy Airstrips Is General Atomics’ Future Vision For Mojave

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 15, 2026

The Cold War-era Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne might have been bugged my multiple issues, but there’s no doubt it was the world’s most advanced attack helicopter of its day. But so radical was the AH-56, and its revolutionary features so far ahead of their time, that it’s a very suitable moniker for the U.S. Army’s highly anticipated MV-75 tiltrotor, rolled out today, and officially named Cheyenne II.
FLRAA

Army Names Its New MV-75 Tiltrotor Cheyenne II

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 15, 2026

U.S. Army UH-60M Black Hawk Tour And Mission Brief With Its Pilots

U.S. Army UH-60M Black Hawk Tour And Mission Brief With Its Pilots

By Jamie Hunter

Updated on Apr 15, 2026

KC-135 from Edwards air force base refueling a B-21 for the first time.
B-21

B-21 Raider Seen From Above For The First Time

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Apr 15, 2026

The U.S. Navy has confirmed that an MQ-4C Triton surveillance drone crashed back on April 9.
MQ-4C

Navy MQ-4C Triton Surveillance Drone Crash In The Middle East Finally Confirmed

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 14, 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.
F-35A

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

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 14, 2026

The US Air Force has been work working to improve the ability of HC-130J Combat King II combat search and rescue aircraft carrying Angry Kitten pods to receive reprogramming updates in near-real-time via satellite.
C-130

Angry Kitten Jamming Pod Testing On HC-130J Focuses On Receiving Threat Updates Via Satellite

By Joseph Trevithick

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

The Marines are keeping an eye on the progress of a seaglider drone.
Unmanned

Regent Squire Wing-In-Ground Effect Drone Demonstrator Makes First Flight

By Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 13, 2026

KC-135 seen with battle damage repairs landing at RAF Midlenhall.
KC-135

KC-135 Tanker Covered In Shrapnel Patches Seen Landing In UK

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Apr 13, 2026

Hezbollah is stepping up its FPV attacks on the IDF.
Unmanned

Hezbollah Ramping Up FPV Drone Attacks On IDF In Lebanon

By Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 10, 2026

A graphic showing aircraft losses during EPIC FURY.
Air

Operation Epic Fury U.S. Aircraft Losses Visualized

By Ian Ellis-Jones

Posted on Apr 10, 2026

A Bahraini F-16 fighter recorded the first air-to-air kill for the Block 70/72 version of the jet during the conflict in the Middle East earlier this month.
F-16

Bahrain First To Claim F-16 Block 70 Air-To-Air Kills

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 10, 2026

A former Pentagon official offers unique insights into the creation of the LUCAS drone.
Air-To-Ground

How America’s Shahed-136 Kamikaze Drone Clone Suddenly Became An “Indispensable” Weapon Of War

By Howard Altman

Updated on Apr 9, 2026

KC-135 ghost tanker
KC-135

Inside The Air Force’s Elite Ghost Tanker Unit

By Jamie Hunter

Posted on Apr 9, 2026

A U.S. Navy MQ-4C Triton surveillance drone disappeared abruptly and unexpectedly from online flight tracking sites after declaring an in-flight emergency while flying over the Persian Gulf today.
MQ-4C

Navy MQ-4C Triton’s Fate Unknown After Disappearing From Flight Tracking Over Persian Gulf

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 9, 2026

Here Is What Trump’s Gargantuan $1.5T Defense Budget Has In It
F-47

Here Is What Trump’s Gargantuan $1.5T Defense Budget Has In It

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 8, 2026

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

Eurofighter Typhoon Test Fires Laser-Guided Counter-Drone Rockets

By Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 8, 2026

RQ-180 features seen in new videos shot in Greece.
RQ-180

New Views Of Massive RQ-180 Stealth Drone Flying Over Greece

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Apr 7, 2026

A-10 is fitted with a refueling probe in its receptacle door for testing.
A-10

A-10 Warthog Being Tested With Aerial Refueling Probe (Updated)

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Apr 7, 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.
MC-130

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

By Howard Altman, Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 7, 2026