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Air (Page 6)

Latest in Air

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

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 19, 2026

The construction of new silos for the U.S. Air Force's future LGM-35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) means that units charged with defending them will have to update their tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs).
U.S. Air Force

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

By Joseph Trevithick

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

By Joseph Trevithick

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

By Howard Altman

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)

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 17, 2026

F-16 intercept
F-16

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

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 16, 2026

AH-64 has tested APEX proximity fuse rounds
AH-64

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

By Tyler Rogoway

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.
U.S. Air Force

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

By Joseph Trevithick

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

By Joseph Trevithick

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

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Feb 15, 2026

The U.S. Air Force is exploring new ways to protect aerial refueling tankers and other high-value support aircraft by physically defeating incoming threats rather than trying to jam them or otherwise throw them off course.
U.S. Air Force

Mini Missiles Used To Shoot Down Incoming Missiles Eyed For USAF Tanker Fleet

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 13, 2026

U.S. Marine Corps legacy F/A-18C/D Hornets are in line to add air-to-air optimized versions of the 70mm Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) rocket to their arsenal.
F/A-18A-D

USMC’s Old F/A-18 Hornets To Get Drone Swatting Laser Guided Rockets

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 13, 2026

The U.S. Air Force has now denied taking delivery of any F-35A Joint Strike Fighters from the latest Lot 17 production batch without radars installed.
F-35

Air Force Now Denies Receiving F-35s Without Radars

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 13, 2026

U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command says it is prepared to load more warheads onto Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) and restore nuclear weapons capability to the entire B-52 bomber fleet, if called upon to do so.
B-52

USAF Ready To Make All B-52s Nuclear-Capable, Load ICBMs With Multiple Warheads If Directed

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 12, 2026

The F-35 Joint Program Office has declined to confirm or deny a report that Joint Strike Fighters are being delivered to the U.S. military without radars due to chronic issues with a key upgrade program.
F-35

Are F-35s Being Delivered To The USAF Without Radars? (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Feb 11, 2026

Securing The High North: MQ-9B SeaGuardian’s Role In Arctic Security

Securing The High North: MQ-9B SeaGuardian’s Role In Arctic Security

By Jamie Hunter

Posted on Feb 11, 2026

YFQ-42 selected for test program with the USMC.
Loyal Wingman

YFQ-42 Fighter Drone To Test USMC’s Autonomy ‘Brain’ Alongside Crewed Jets

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Feb 11, 2026

F-35A stealth fighters from the Vermont Air National Guard are moving cl;oser to the Middle East amid an ongoing U.S. military buildup there.
F-35A

F-35A Stealth Fighters Moving Closer To Middle East As U.S. Military Buildup Continues

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 10, 2026

The head of U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) has downplayed the current significance of Chinese efforts to develop new long-range strike aircraft with more global reach.
H-20

China “Just Not There Yet” On H-20 Stealth Bomber: Global Strike Command’s Top General

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 10, 2026

L3Harris has highlighted the potential benefits of pairing its Red Wolf miniature cruise missile with the U.S. Air Force's OA-1K Skyraider II light attack aircraft.
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

Red Wolf Cruise Missile Eyed To Give OA-1K Skyraider II Standoff Strike Capability

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 10, 2026

A10s provide CAS for LCS in Arabian Sea.
A-10

A-10 Warthog Protects Mine-Hunting Littoral Combat Ship In Persian Gulf Drill

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Feb 9, 2026

Drone-killing F-15E Strike Eagles made a cameo appearance during the Super Bowl
F-15

Laser-Guided Rocket-Armed F-15E Strike Eagles Make Super Bowl Cameo Appearance

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 9, 2026

The entire U.S. military is now pushing to acquire hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of new drones, especially smaller types, in the coming years, spurred on by new direction from the Pentagon.
Swarms

Hunt For Container Launchers Packed With Drones Kicked-Off By Pentagon

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 6, 2026

An MQ-28A Ghost Bat loaded with an AIM-120 during Trial Kareela at RAAF Base Woomera, South Australia.
MQ-28

Boeing Details New MQ-28 Ghost Bat Features, Eyes Indo-Pacific Sales

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 5, 2026

As U.S.-Iran talks are set to take place in Oman tomorrow, the region prepares for war.
U.S. Air Force

Middle East Preparing For War Ahead Of U.S.-Iran Negotiations

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 5, 2026

New footage has emerged showing how Ukraine is using adapted Antonov An-28 Cash twin-turboprop utility aircraft as part of its anti-drone inventory. While images of the aircraft, replete with multiple drone kill marks, had previously been published, we now get to see the aircraft’s armament — a six-barrel M134 Minigun — in action, too.
Ukrainian Air Force

Watch Ukraine’s Minigun-Firing, Drone-Hunting Turboprop In Action

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 5, 2026

The U.S. Navy has shown no signs of reversing course on major changes to its pipeline for new Naval Aviators in its latest draft requirements for a replacement for its T-45 Goshawk jet trainers.
T-45

Navy’s T-45 Replacement Will Not Be Capable Of Making Carrier Landing Touch And Goes

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 4, 2026

Earlier this week, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense confirmed that the Meteor was one of the weapons under discussion for the next Swedish security aid package for Ukraine. Also on the agenda were the Gripen E and undisclosed air defense systems, Saab radars, electronic warfare systems, and drones, including long-range one-way attack drones. The announcement came after talks between the Ukrainian Minister of Defense Mykhailo Fedorov and his Swedish counterpart, Paul Jonsson.
Gripen

Meteor Long-Range Air-To-Air Missile In The Works For Ukraine, But There’s A Catch

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Feb 4, 2026

Video has emerged that is said to show a Russian-made Mi-28NE Havoc attack helicopter flying over the Iranian capital Tehran.
Helicopters

Evidence Of Mi-28 Havoc Attack Helicopters Delivered To Iran Grows

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 4, 2026

F-16s arrive in Mogadishu.
F-16

Turkish F-16 Vipers Seen Operating Out Of Mogadishu’s International Airport

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 4, 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

F-15EX Buy Dropped By Indonesia

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 3, 2026

A U.S. Navy F-35C Joint Strike Fighter flying from the supercarrier USS Abraham Lincoln has shot down an Iranian drone said to have “aggressively approached” the ship.
F-35C

F-35 From USS Abraham Lincoln Shoots Down Iranian Drone (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Updated on Feb 3, 2026

KC-46 mishap closes moron
KC-46

KC-46 Mishap Closes Key European Logistical Hub For U.S. For Days (Updated)

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 3, 2026

The U.S. Marine Corps says it is planning to award a sole-source contract for a new AGM-114 Hellfire missile-armed mobile counter-drone system to defense contractor V2X.
AGM-114 Hellfire

Company Behind Drone-Killing Hellfire Missile-Armed Buggy Set To Get Marine Corps Contract

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 3, 2026

F-16s are having a second coming in Europe with the Block 70 and V variant becoming popular, as well as Ukraine using them in combat.

A New-Generation Of F-16 Operations In Europe

By Jamie Hunter

Posted on Feb 3, 2026

Jordan, where U.S. F-15E Strike Eagles are base, says the U.S. cannot launch an attack from its country.
U.S. Air Force

Washington-Tehran Talks Planned As U.S. Military Buildup Continues

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 3, 2026

KestrelX KX-2s flew to simulate drone threats at Sentry Savannah exercise.
Air Combat Exercises

These Planes Are Mimicking Enemy Shahed-136 Drones In U.S. Military War Games

By James Deboer

Posted on Feb 2, 2026

The U.S. Air Force has released details of a live-fire test of the Rusty Dagger, one of two new Extended Range Attack Munitions (ERAM) being developed under a crash program. The milestone suggest that Ukraine is a step closer to getting its hands on thousands of air-launched ERAMs that will provide the country with a powerful new and relatively low-cost standoff strike capability. The event is also significant in terms of the Pentagon’s focus on rapidly developing and bringing into operational service new weapons that can be built at scale.
Ukrainian Air Force

Rusty Dagger Low-Cost Cruise Missile Hits Its Target

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Feb 2, 2026

The initial production representative MQ-25 Stingray tanker drone for the U.S. Navy has completed its first low-speed taxi test.
MQ-25

MQ-25 Stingray Has Begun Taxi Tests (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 30, 2026

NATO and Ukraine are looking to the private sector to develop methods of attacking Russian air bases.
Russian Air Force

Ukrainian Drone Strikes On Parked Russian Aircraft Seen In “Greatest Hits” Video

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 30, 2026

F-35s land in the Azores.
U.S. Air Force

USAF F-35s Redeploy Across Atlantic From Puerto Rico, Final Destination Unknown

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 29, 2026

Lockheed Martin has offered a very rare confirmation of the RQ-170 Sentinel stealth drone's operational exploits, in this case, in support of the recent mission to capture Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro.
RQ-170

Lockheed Confirms RQ-170 Sentinel Spy Drones Took Part In Maduro Capture Mission

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 29, 2026

The Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer USS Delbert D. Black and an Air Force spy plane joined a growing for in the Middle East amid rising tensions with Iran.
RC-135

Destroyer, Electronic Surveillance Jet Joins U.S. Forces Massing In Middle East

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 28, 2026

F/A-XX is critical as the Navy's "ability to fly with impunity" using non-stealthy types like the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, even against smaller nation-state adversaries like Iran and non-state actors, is now "fleeting."
F/A-XX

F/A-XX Naval Fighter Needed For Adversaries Like Iran, Not Just China and Russia: Navy Boss

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 28, 2026

Boeing's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet production line is one major step closer to shuttering with the completion of the last batch of fuselage sections and vertical tails for those jets by Northrop Grumman.
EA-18G

Last New F/A-18 Aft Fuselages Built As Super Hornet Production End Approaches

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 28, 2026

A camera placed in the cockpit of a Ukrainian Air Force Su-25 Frogfoot close air support jet recorded the dramatic demise of the aircraft, after it was reportedly struck by a Russian long-range air-to-air missile. This is not the first time in the Ukrainian conflict that we’ve seen the destruction of a combat jet at such close quarters. However, with the death of the pilot confirmed by Ukrainian authorities, the footage is a sobering reminder of the huge risks faced by aircrew in some of the most lethal airspace in history.
Su-25

Ukrainian Su-25 Shoot-Down Seen In Harrowing Onboard Video

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 28, 2026

One of the most enigmatic weapons in the arsenal of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), the PL-17 very long-range air-to-air missile, appears to have been shown for the first time at close quarters.
J-20

China’s Massive PL-17 Air-To-Air Missile Seen Up Close

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 28, 2026

RF-4C Phantom reconnaissance aircraft from the 152nd Tactical Reconnaissance Group, Reno, Nev., prepare for a mission during Operation Desert Shield.
F-4

Flying F-4 Reconnaissance Phantoms Unarmed And Unafraid In Desert Storm

By James Deboer

Updated on Jan 27, 2026

A U.S. Air Force EA-37B Compass Call aircraft assigned to the 55th Electronic Combat Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, is parked at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, as part of its first stop in the European theater for a scheduled road show, Jan. 26, 2026. The aircraft is also slated to visit Spangdahlem AB, Germany, and RAF Mildenhall, England, marking the platform’s introduction to Airmen, units and NATO Allies in the U.S. Air Forces in Europe area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Edgar Grimaldo)
U.S. Air Force

New EA-37B Compass Call Electronic Warfare Jet Makes Maiden Voyage To Europe

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 27, 2026

One of NASA's high-flying WB-57F research aircraft went skidding down the runway on its belly at Ellington Airport in Houston, Texas, today.
Air

NASA WB-57F Canberra Jet Makes Fiery Belly-Landing In Houston (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jan 27, 2026

The U.S. Air Force general who oversees America's intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) force sees a long future ahead for the new LGM-35A Sentinel after it eventually enters service, but has also acknowledged challenges.
U.S. Air Force

Troubled Sentinel ICBM Program Still Being Restructured Nearly Two Years After Cost Breach

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 27, 2026

U.S. Air Force Airmen with the 912th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron prepare to recover the second B-21 Raider to arrive for test and evaluation at Edwards AFB, Calif., Sept. 11, 2025. The arrival of a second test aircraft provides maintainers valuable hands-on experience with tools, data and processes that will support future operational squadrons. (U.S Air Force photo by Kyle Brasier)
B-21

B-21 Raider Future Insights From Global Strike Command’s Top General

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jan 27, 2026

The U.S. Air Force is in the process of taking back responsibility for the Airborne Command Post (ABNCP) mission, better known by the nickname Looking Glass.
E-6

New E-4C Doomsday Plane Could Take On Airborne ICBM Launcher Role

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 27, 2026

The Navy is now flying F-35As for test and evaluation purposes.
F-35A

Navy Is Flying Air Force F-35A Joint Strike Fighters

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jan 27, 2026

NASA’s newest F-15Ds arrived at the Armstrong Flight Research Center late last month.
F-15

Legacy F-15 Eagles Boost NASA Test Fleet

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 24, 2026

Anduril's bolt-m drone that will be used by the USMC
Loitering Munitions

Inside Anduril’s Bolt-M Kamikaze Drone Program

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jan 23, 2026

A new defense spending bill making its way through Congress would add $240 million to the U.S. Army's budget for the purchase of more MQ-1C Gray Eagle drones.
Q-1

MQ-1C Drones The Army Has Called “Obsolete” Added In New Budget Plan By Congress

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 22, 2026

Australia has taken the next step in its wide-ranging program to overhaul its air force with the arrival of its first MC-55A Peregrine. The platform, configured for “airborne intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare” (AISREW), is a highly modified version of the Gulfstream G550 business jet, an increasingly popular choice for adaptation for these kinds of specialist missions.
Royal Australian Air Force

Australia Just Took Delivery Of One Of Its Most Powerful Weapons

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 22, 2026

President Donald Trump has brought up the possibility of changing the designation of the U.S. Air Force's F-47 sixth-generation stealth fighter if the program gets to a point where "I don't like it."
F-47

Possible Change To F-47 6th Generation Fighter’s Designation Raised By Trump

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 21, 2026

A new draft defense spending bill making its way through Congress seeks to boost funding for the U.S. Air Force's E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft to $1.1 billion for the current fiscal year.
E-7

E-7 Wedgetail Radar Jet The Pentagon Tried To Cancel Gets Over $1B In New Defense Bill

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 21, 2026

P-8 Poseidon flew over the college national championship to protect the president.
P-8

Navy P-8 Poseidon Used For Rare Presidential Combat Air Patrol Mission

By Howard Altman

Updated on Jan 20, 2026

The House and Senate Appropriations Committees have negotiated a draft defense spending bill that includes nearly $900 million for the U.S. Navy’s F/A-XX next-generation carrier-based combat jet program.
F/A-XX

F/A-XX Naval Fighter Rescued From Purgatory In New Defense Spending Bill

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 20, 2026