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Air (Page 3)

Latest in Air

B-1B weapons
B-1

B-1B’s Future Armament According To Its Test Pilot

By Tyler Rogoway, Jamie Hunter

Posted on May 19, 2026

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.
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

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.
Su-57

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.
Su-24

Ukraine’s Homegrown Glide Bomb Breaks Cover

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 18, 2026

Growler Demo Team
EA-18G

Navy EA-18G Growlers Collide At Idaho Air Show (Updated)

By Howard Altman

Posted on May 18, 2026

Engine mechanics from the 149th Maintenance Squadron, Texas Air National Guard perform an engine change on an F-16 Fighting Falcon during Salitre 2014, Oct. 13, at Cerro Moreno Air Force Base, near Antofagasta, Chile. Salitre is a Chilean-led exercise where the U.S., Chile, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, focus on increasing interoperability between allied nations.
A-4

Argentina Retires Its A-4 Fightinghawks

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 15, 2026

The first picture of the U.S. military's new AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM) has emerged.
F/A-18E/F

Secretive AIM-260 Air-To-Air Missile Finally Breaks Cover

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 15, 2026

Inside Ukraine's Shahed interceptor program.
Unmanned

Inside Ukraine’s Interceptor Drone Innovations Swatting Down Thousands Of Russian Shaheds

By Howard Altman

Posted on May 15, 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.
F-35A

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.
Q-9

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

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on May 13, 2026

Facing with a growing threat from Hezbollah, the IDF is building its own drone factory.
Unmanned

Israel Building Factory To Pump Out Its Own FPV Drones

By Howard Altman

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.
E-3

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.
ARRW

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

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 12, 2026

A Pilatus PC-12 from the 318th Special Operations Squadron practices touch-and-go maneuvers at Truth or Consequences, N.M., January 24, 2019. The 318th Squadron primarily flies with the U-28A aircraft, however they use the PC-12 as a practice aircraft. (U.S. photo by Airman 1st Class Vernon R. Walter III)
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

U.S. Air Force Special Operations Aircraft Accused Of Austrian Airspace Incursion

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 12, 2026

The MQ-9 Reaper has become the latest platform to test-fire the laser-guided 70mm Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) rocket. The trials, conducted with the U.S. Air Force, involved the MQ-9 employing the APKWS in its original air-to-ground capacity, as well as against aerial targets.
Q-9

MQ-9 Reaper Fires Laser-Guided Rockets In Tests

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on May 11, 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.
C-5

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

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 11, 2026

DARPA is exploring capabilities to support a largely self-sustaining "autonomous constellation" of containerized systems designed to launch and recover networked swarms consisting of as many as 500 drones at once.
Unmanned

Drone Swarms Packed Into Unassuming Containers Sought By DARPA

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 9, 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.
B-52

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

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 7, 2026

An F-14D Tomcat pulls up after performing a fly-by past the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) as the ship operates in the Atlantic Ocean on June 19, 2006.
F-14

My God… The F-14 Tomcat May Actually Fly Again Over The United States (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick, 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.
F-15

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

U.S. Navy F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet blasted an Iranian ship running the blockade.(
F/A-18E/F

F/A-18 Super Hornet Blasts Blockade-Running Iranian Ship’s Rudder With 20mm Cannon (Updated)

By Howard Altman

Updated on May 6, 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.
B-1

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

Among the latest products from Turkey’s prolific defense industry is a missile apparently directly inspired by the secretive AGM-114R9X variant of the widely used Hellfire, the effects of which TWZ was the first to identify back in 2017. Named Neşter, Turkish for scalpel, the new missile features the same kind of pop-out, sword-like blades as used on the AGM-119R9X, a weapon popularly dubbed “Flying Ginsu” or “Ninja” due to its unusual capabilities.
AGM-114 Hellfire

Turkey Developing Its Own Bladed ‘Ginsu’ Precision Guided Munition

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 5, 2026

Iranian small boats sunk by apache.
AH-64

U.S. AH-64 Apache, MH-60 Seahawk Helicopters Sink Six Iranian Boats (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Updated on May 4, 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.
KC-46

Israel’s First KC-46 Tanker Is Now Flying

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 4, 2026

The U.S. Air Force says the first B-52 to receive new F130 engines is set to be delivered to Boeing's facility in San Antonio, Texas, to begin the modification process later this year.
B-52

First B-52 To Arrive For Re-Engining At Boeing Plant Later This Year (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

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.
F-15

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

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 3, 2026

Could The X-BAT Stealth Fighter Drone Change The Air Combat Game?
Unmanned

Could The X-BAT Stealth Fighter Drone Change The Air Combat Game?

By Jamie Hunter

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.
Air Force One

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.
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