Air (Page 2)

Updated on Mar 12, 2026

We obtained first-hand accounts of police chasing down Jersey Drones.

What Cops Saw Chasing Down New Jersey Drones

Updated on Mar 12, 2026

Satellite imagery from Vantor shows that a site long linked to Iran's nuclear program has been struck in a manner that raises the question of whether 30,000-pound GBU-57/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bunker buster bombs were employed.

B-2

Did B-2s Just Drop GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators On Another Iranian Nuclear Site? (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted 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

Posted on Mar 11, 2026

B-1

B-1B Being Loaded With Bunker Busters In England A Sign Of Increasing Air Supremacy Over Iran

Updated on Mar 11, 2026

Satellite imagery from Vantor shows at least two, and more likely three, swing-wing F-14 Tomcat fighters, as well as at least 10 other aircraft destroyed on the ground following strikes on an Iranian airbase in Isfahan.

F-14

Iranian F-14 Tomcats Meet Their Doom In Israeli Airstrikes

Posted on Mar 11, 2026

KC-135

B-21 Raider Photographed Aerial Refueling For The First Time

Posted on Mar 11, 2026

B-1B bomber used to strike Iran from RAF Fairford.

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

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Mar 10, 2026

In a surprising development, Serbia has emerged as an operator of the Chinese-made CM-400 air-launched supersonic missile. The weapon has been integrated into Serbia’s Soviet-era MiG-29 Fulcrums, which have undergone various upgrades.

MiG-29

Serbian MiG-29 Appears Armed With Chinese Supersonic Standoff Missiles

Updated on Mar 10, 2026

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

E-7

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

Posted on Mar 10, 2026

The latest addition to the legendary X-plane family is Bell Textron’s demonstrator for the Speed and Runway Independent Technologies (SPRINT) program. The chosen X-76 designation (for the year 1776) is intended to reflect the 250th anniversary of the United States. Meanwhile, there is much hope that HSVTOL could eventually provide the U.S. military, and potentially other operators, with a high-speed, runway-independent special operations airlifter.

Helicopters

Bell’s X-76 Fold-Away Rotor Aircraft Is DARPA’s Newest X-Plane

Posted on Mar 9, 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.

F-16

Israeli F-16 Appears Carrying A Mysterious Precision Bomb

Updated on Mar 7, 2026

F/A-18A-D

Kuwaiti F/A-18’s Triple Friendly Fire Shootdown Gets Stranger By The Day

Posted on Mar 6, 2026

Adm. Brad Cooper, the commander of U.S. Central Command, lauds the LUCAS drone.

LUCAS Kamikaze Drones Lauded As “Indispensable” By U.S. Admiral In Charge Of Iran War

Posted on Mar 6, 2026

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has denied claims circulating online of the loss of another F-15E Strike Eagle, this time over enemy territory, as part of ongoing operations against Iran.

F-15

U.S. Denies F-15E Strike Eagle Went Down In Iran

By Howard Altman, Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Mar 5, 2026

For more than three weeks, Ukraine was left with only “a handful” of U.S.-made AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles for its F-16 fleet, after the supply of the weapons dried up. This is the conclusion of a Reuters report, citing three sources, all of whom are said to have direct knowledge of the situation. It also comes as Kyiv is increasingly in competition with the U.S. military and its Gulf allies as they come under continued pressure from Iranian drones and missiles in the Middle East.

F-16

Ukrainian F-16s Had Only A Handful Of Sidewinder Missiles Available: Report

Posted on Mar 5, 2026

For the first time, an F-35 has shot down a crewed aircraft in combat. According to the Israeli military, an Israeli Air Force (IAF) F-35I Adir brought down an Iranian Yak-130 Mitten combat trainer over Tehran.

F-35

Israeli Air Force First To Claim F-35 Air-To-Air Kill Of A Crewed Aircraft

Posted on Mar 4, 2026

F-15

Kuwaiti F/A-18 Hornet Responsible For Shooting Down Three USAF F-15E Strike Eagles: Report

Posted on Mar 4, 2026

Iran appears to be increasingly focusing its retaliatory attacks against energy production infrastructure in Gulf Arab States.

Israeli Air Force

Gulf Arab States Under Pressure As Iranian Attacks Grind On (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick, Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Updated on Mar 4, 2026

New Russian cruise missile is being used in Ukraine.

Russian Air Force

New Russian Air-Launched Cruise Missile Appears In Ukraine

Posted on Mar 3, 2026

The U.S. is sending more fighters jets to the Middle East.

F-35B

More U.S. Fighter Aircraft Heading To Middle East

Posted on Mar 3, 2026

A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornet assigned to Carrier Air Wing 17, deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), flies over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility during a mission in support of Operation Inherent Resolve Sept. 28, 2020. The F/A-18 is a highly versatile aircraft due to its avionics, cockpit displays, aerodynamic characteristics, and its ability to carry a wide variety of weapons. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Duncan C. Bevan)

F/A-18A-D

Friendly-Fire Incidents Are Nothing New In Modern Air Warfare

Posted on Mar 2, 2026

F-15

Three USAF F-15E Strike Eagles Shot Down By Friendly Fire (Updated)

By Tyler Rogoway, Howard Altman

Updated on Mar 2, 2026

B-2s were used to strike for the first time during operation Epic Fury.

B-2

B-2 Spirits Join Iran Air War, Pummel Underground Missile Caves (Updated)

Posted on Mar 1, 2026

The U.S. used LUCAS kamikaze drones against Iran, the first combat deployment of these weapons.

U.S. Military Has Used Long-Range Kamikaze Drones In Combat For The First Time

Posted on Feb 28, 2026

The U.S. Air Force now has at least 14 aerial refueling tankers forward-deployed in Israel ahead of potential strikes on Iran.

KC-135

Israel’s Fighter Force Stands To Be Far More Effective With Full USAF Tanker Support In A War With Iran

Posted on Feb 28, 2026

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Group conduct pre-flight checks on a KC-135 Stratotanker before it departs during Operation Agile Spartan at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, Aug. 19, 2023. The large-scale exercise reinforced the U.S. commitment to its regional partners across the Middle East through developing and maintaining missions in unpredictable ways, rapidly responding to the needs of joint and coalition commanders. The month-long, multinational operation demonstrated interoperability between regional partners, improved response capabilities, and further enhanced security throughout the region.

F-35A

Tankers Vacate Al Udeid Air Base As U.S. Citizens Are Urged To Leave Israel Immediately (Updated)

Posted on Feb 27, 2026

Substantial demands placed on the relatively small B-52 create additional challenges when it comes to planning how to get those upgrades into service on operational aircraft.

B-52

Small B-52 Fleet Size Creates Challenges For Engine, Radar Upgrade Plans

Posted on Feb 27, 2026

EA-37B Compass call next generation electronic attack jet.

C-37

This Is What The EA-37B Compass Call Electronic Attack Jet Can Actually Do

Posted on Feb 26, 2026

USS Ford heads to Israel. (U.S. Navy photo)

F-35A

USS Gerald R. Ford’s Imminent Arrival Off Israel Comes As Negotiations Grind On

Posted on Feb 26, 2026

U.S. Airmen assigned to the Florida Air National Guard’s 125th Fighter Wing arrive for Agile Combat Employment (ACE) training at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Feb. 10, 2026. The 125th Fighter Wing accelerated its readiness timeframe ahead of a mission conversion deadline by deploying eight F-35A Lightning II aircraft, establishing joint-component interoperability with two active-duty U.S. Air Force units under the ACE concept.

F-35A

Former Air Force Fighter Pilot And F-35 Instructor Charged With Training Chinese Military

Posted on Feb 26, 2026

A U.S. Air Force F-15EX Eagle II flies over the Gulf of America, September 16, 2025. The F-15EX, from the 40th Flight Test Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, is one of the first F-15EXs in the Air Force, and is going through developmental and operational test series at Eglin to prepare the platform to be delivered to the warfighter.

F-15

General Running Air Force Reserve Wants Surplus F-15E Strike Eagles, New F-15EX Eagle IIs

Posted on Feb 25, 2026

As well as a second aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald Ford, U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors have also arrived in theater, according to multiple reports. The stealth jets took off from RAF Lakenheath in England yesterday, confirmed by open-source flight tracking data and aircraft spotters, and are now at an Israeli Air Force base in the south of Israel.

F-22

F-16s Arrive To Protect Diego Garcia, F-22s Forward Deploy To Israel

Posted on Feb 25, 2026

Newly teamed-up Northrop Grumman and Embraer are hoping that a boom refueling system-equipped version of the latter's KC-390 Millennium twin jet engine tanker-transport will catch the eye of the U.S. Air Force.

Tankers

KC-390 With A Refueling Boom Seems Like A Perfect Fit For The USAF’s Agile Tanker Needs, But Will It Bite?

Posted on Feb 25, 2026

Shield AI says X-Bat will start flight testing this year.

X-BAT Drone ‘Fighter’ Will Begin VTOL Flight Testing In Kansas This Year

Posted on Feb 25, 2026

MQ-9 being turned into cruise missile truck.

General Atomics Is Turning The MQ-9 Reaper Family Of Drones Into “Cruise Missile Trucks”

By The War Zone staff

Posted on Feb 24, 2026

Lockheed Martin has presented a scale model of the new-look F-22 Raptor fitted with stealthy external fuel tanks and underwing infrared sensor pods. Up to this point, the fuel tanks had been seen in renderings as well as at least one long-distance photo that revealed little in the way of details. The sensor pods had previously been seen at closer quarters during flight testing, as you can read about here.

F-22

Upgraded F-22 “Raptor 2.0” Details Seen In New Model

Posted on Feb 24, 2026

The official target size of the future B-21 Raider fleet remains 100 aircraft, despite an announcement that production of the stealth bomber is expanding, a U.S. Air Force official has confirmed to TWZ.

B-21

100 B-21 Stealth Bomber Fleet Size Target Unchanged For Now Despite Production Acceleration

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 24, 2026

Lockheed Martin has shared new details about how it is using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to help F-35 pilots spot hostile air defenses faster and more accurately.

F-35

AI Is Now Helping The F-35 Spot Enemy Air Defenses

Posted on Feb 24, 2026

The U.S. Air Force has given us our first look at one of Anduril's YFQ-44 Fury ‘fighter drone’ prototypes carrying an inert AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM).

Loyal Wingman

Anduril’s Fury Collaborative Combat Aircraft Is Now Flying With AIM-120 AMRAAM

Updated on Feb 24, 2026

Stealth

Talon Blue Is The New Name For Northrop Grumman’s YFQ-48A ‘Fighter Drone’

Posted on Feb 24, 2026

As well as being a key component of Russia’s attack helicopter force in the war in Ukraine, the Mil Mi-28 Havoc has been in the news recently on account of its apparent delivery to Iran. One less-known aspect of the Mi-28 is its ability to transport two or three passengers in a fuselage compartment, a feature that is seen clearly in a recently published video of the rotorcraft.

Russian Air Force

Russia’s Mi-28 Havoc Attack Helicopter Has Tiny Crew Compartment To Pick Up Downed Pilots

Posted on Feb 23, 2026

Four C-17 Globemaster III aircraft assigned to the 911th Airlift Wing perform an elephant walk at the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Pennsylvania, July 18, 2023. Elephant walks demonstrate the teamwork and capability of the 911th AW to perform rapid large-force to defend, mobilize and fight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jeffrey Grossi)

C-17

Straight Talk On State Of U.S. Airlift Capabilities From General Who Ran Air Mobility Command

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Feb 23, 2026

KC-130

KC-130J’s Hellfire Missile-Firing Harvest Hawk Kits Retired By Marines

Posted on Feb 23, 2026

Dark Merlin Is The Name Of General Atomics’ YFQ-42A Fighter Drone

Updated on Feb 23, 2026

A group of Block 52 F-16CJ Vipers belonging to the South Carolina Air National Guard was recently spotted heading east across the Atlantic as part of a huge build-up of U.S. forces ahead of potential strikes on Iran.

F-16

F-16s Heading To Middle East Equipped With Angry Kitten Electronic Warfare Pods

Posted on Feb 20, 2026

USS gerald R Ford has entered the Mediterranean.

Supercarrier USS Gerald R. Ford Has Crossed Into The Mediterranean

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Feb 20, 2026

The U.S. Marine Corps is aiming to acquire a new single "capability" to fill gaps left by the retirement of its AV-8 Harrier jump jets, AH-1Z and UH-1Y helicopters, and legacy F/A-18C/D Hornet fighters.

AH-1

New Vision To Fill Gaps After AV-8B Harrier And AH-1Z Viper Retirements Laid Out By Marines

Posted on Feb 20, 2026

The U.S. Navy is exploring options for a new long-range anti-radiation missile designed to home in on radars to help neutralize enemy air defense networks.

AGM-88 High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM)

Hunt For “AWACS Killer” Anti-Radiation Missile Kicked-Off By Navy

Updated on Feb 20, 2026

A decision by the U.K. to block U.S. access to two key bases for an attack on Iran could impact President Donald Trump's plans.

B-1

U.K. Denying U.S. Use Of Key Bases Would Impact Bombers’ Role In Iran Air Campaign

Posted on Feb 19, 2026

Top Aces F-16s have gotten a major series of upgrades.

F-16

Private F-16 Aggressors Just Brought A Huge Upgrade To The Fight

By James Deboer

Posted on Feb 19, 2026

Russia is working on a balloon-borne communications network as SpaceX has cut off its use of Starlink.

Airborne Communications

Russia Eyes Balloon Communications System To Fill Massive Gap Left After Losing Starlink

Posted on Feb 19, 2026

Security Forces Guarding ICBMs Need Fresh Tactics To Defend New Sentinel Silos

Posted on Feb 19, 2026

In the past two days, the U.S. Air Force has sent six of its 16 E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) radar planes to bases in Europe.

E-3

Major Deployment Of Rickety E-3 Sentry Fleet For Iran Crisis Highlights Worrisome Gaps

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Feb 18, 2026

General Atomics' air-launched LongShort drone has made new progress toward its first flight with the completion of various tests on the ground, including a demonstration of its weapons release capabilities.

Loyal Wingman

X-68A LongShot Air-To-Air Missile-Carrying Drone Moves Closer To F-15 Launch

Posted on Feb 17, 2026

A U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry, airborne warning and control system (AWACS).

E-3

Final Pieces Moving Into Place For Potential Attack On Iran

Updated on Feb 17, 2026

One of the U.S. Air Force's C-32A VIP aircraft has re-emerged wearing a new red, white, and blue paint scheme.

C-32

C-32A ‘Air Force Two’ Jet Emerges Wearing Trump’s New Air Force One Paint Job (Updated)

Posted on Feb 17, 2026

F-16

F-16s Find Balloons, Not UFOs, After Sunday Scramble: NORAD

Posted on Feb 16, 2026

AH-64

AH-64 Apache Is Getting Proximity Fuzed 30mm Cannon Ammo For Swatting Down Drones

Posted on Feb 16, 2026

Last year, the U.S. government was able to reverse engineer a critical subcomponent for the 30,000-pound GBU-57/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bunker buster bomb by leveraging technology from the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) short-range ballistic missile.

New GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator Parts Reverse Engineered From ATACMS Ballistic Missile Tech

Updated on Feb 16, 2026

The F-35's 'computer brain,' including its cloud-based components, could be cracked to accept third-party software updates, just like 'jailbreaking' a cellphone, according to the Dutch Defense Minister.

F-35

F-35 Software Could Be Jailbreaked Like An iPhone: Dutch Defense Secretary

Updated on Feb 15, 2026

Looking like a scene in a sci-fi movie, and in what is clearly a unique operation, dubbed Operation Windlord, USAF C-17s have been tasked with transporting a micro nuclear reactor.

C-17

C-17 Airlifts A Micro Nuclear Reactor For The First Time