Air (Page 9)

Latest in Air

The U.S. Air Force is hoping to finally kick off flight testing of the new AN/APQ-188 radar for the B-52 shortly.
B-52

B-52 Radar Upgrade Flight Testing Expected To Finally Begin Soon

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 28, 2025

Individuals training to become U.S. Navy tactical jet pilots are no longer required to take off and land from aircraft carriers before being winged as Naval Aviators.
T-45

Carrier Qualifications Axed From Graduation Requirements For New Navy Fighter Pilots (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 28, 2025

Footage has emerged taken from the cockpit of a Russian fighter jet, showing a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol plane fitted with a secretive radar pod during a mission over the Black Sea. The video underscores the growing importance of the P-8 for intelligence gathering in critical theaters such as the Black Sea, where a tense standoff continues between NATO and Russian assets, on the margins of the conflict in Ukraine.
P-8

Navy P-8 Poseidon Carrying Secretive Radar Pod Seen In Russian Fighter’s Intercept Video

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Aug 27, 2025

YFQ-42 ‘Fighter Drone’ Collaborative Combat Aircraft Has Flown For The First Time
Loyal Wingman

YFQ-42 ‘Fighter Drone’ Collaborative Combat Aircraft Has Flown For The First Time

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 27, 2025

USAF Hopeful Second B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber Will Fly Before Year End
B-21

USAF Hopeful Second B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber Will Fly Before Year End

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 27, 2025

A suspected Ukrainian drone explosion in Estonia highlights growing concerns about long-range weapons raising the danger of collateral damage outside the war zone.
Unmanned

Stray Drone Striking Estonia Highlights Dangers Of Rapidly Expanding Long-Range War

By Howard Altman

Updated on Aug 26, 2025

Ice buildup in the landing gear of a U.S. Air Force F-35A was the root cause of a crash at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska in January, according to a recently released report on the mishap.
F-35A

Dramatic F-35 Crash At Alaskan Air Base Caused By Iced-Up Landing Gear

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 26, 2025

Three nozzle binding incidents have cost the Air Force nearly $27 million.
KC-46

KC-46’s Refueling Boom “Nozzle Binding” Issues Are Costing The USAF Tens Of Millions In Damage

By Howard Altman

Posted on Aug 25, 2025

Washington has approved the transfer of thousands of Extended Range Attack Munitions (ERAM) to Ukraine, which will provide the country with a powerful new and relatively low-cost standoff strike capability, it has been reported. However, it’s unclear whether Kyiv will be able to use the new air-launched weapon to strike targets deep within Russia, with unnamed U.S. officials telling the Wall Street Journal that these are off-limits, at least for the U.S.-donated Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS).
Ukrainian Air Force

Ukraine Will Receive First Of Thousands Of New U.S. Made Standoff Missiles In The Coming Weeks

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Aug 25, 2025

U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Daniel Cheever, commonly referred to as the service's "Air Boss," is still "eagerly awaiting" a new F/A-XX next-generation carrier-based fighter despite the uncertainty now swirling around that program.
F/A-XX

F/A-XX Next Generation Naval Fighter Selection Could Still Happen

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 25, 2025

The Israeli Ministry of Defense has said it will seek to buy two more Boeing KC-46A Pegasus tankers from the United States, as it invests in its fleet of inflight refueling tankers, heavily utilized in the recent campaign against Iran, as well as for other long-range combat missions. While Israel has already committed to buying four KC-46s, it currently relies on a dwindling fleet of veteran Boeing 707 tankers. The 12-day war against Iran earlier this year, in particular, led to questions about Israeli Air Force (IAF) aerial refueling capacity and the U.S. government was forced to deny that it had provided additional tanker support for the operation.
KC-46

Israel Wants More KC-46 Pegasus Tankers To Boost Overworked Aerial Refueling Fleet

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Aug 24, 2025

Naval aviators need to be able to trust any future drone wingmen as much as their human counterparts, a U.S. Navy strike fighter tactics instructor has told TWZ.
Loyal Wingman

Navy Fighter Pilots Need To Gain Trust In Pilotless Wingmen By Actually Flying With Them

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 22, 2025

Columbia lost a UH-60 to a drone attack.
UH-60

Colombian Black Hawk Downed By Drone Is A Glimpse Of What’s To Come (Updated)

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Aug 22, 2025

The Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) has shared new insights with TWZ into its proposal to replace the U.S. Navy’s T-45 Goshawk jet trainers.
T-45

Everything We Just Learned About SNC’s Freedom Jet Trainer Aiming To Replace Navy T-45s

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 22, 2025

Newly published footage shows an ADM-160 Miniature Air Launched Decoy (MALD) fitted to a Ukrainian Air Force Su-27 Flanker fighter. The video confirms that the store is used by both this and Ukraine’s MiG-29 Fulcrum jets and also that it is carried on the same specially adapted underwing pylon that is used for various Western-supplied guided munitions.
Su-27

Ukraine Shows Off ADM-160 Miniature Air Launched Decoy On Su-27

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Aug 22, 2025

The Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) has rolled out a new pitch for a successor to the Navy's T-45 Goshawk jet trainers.
T-45

SNC’s Freedom Jet Enters Race To Replace Navy’s T-45 Goshawk Trainer

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 21, 2025

A former high-ranking FAA and White House official offers his take on the Jersey Drone scare.
Air

What Were The New Jersey Drones? Former High-Ranking FAA Official Gives His Take

By Howard Altman

Updated on Aug 21, 2025

S-97 Raider clone flying in China
Helicopters

China Has Cloned Sikorsky’s S-97 Raider High-Speed Helicopter

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Aug 21, 2025

An MH-53K does a test lift on a HU-25 Guardian slated to be delivered to nearby Tillamook Air Museum.P
CH-53K

CH-53K’s Delivery Of HU-25 Coast Guard Jet Called Off After Damage During Test Flight

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Aug 20, 2025

The use of a laser directed energy weapon to take down what was thought to be a cartel drone crossing the border near Texas highlights the challenges the U.S. faces in protecting its skies.
Unmanned

Fiber Optic FPV Drones Featured In Navy Electronic Warfare Exercise

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 20, 2025

A recently emerged image shows a very large, low-observable, flying-wing aircraft flying in China. While the identity of the aircraft cannot be definitively established, it matches, in many respects, the appearance of the huge drone that TWZ was first to identify in satellite imagery dating from earlier this summer, and which you can read more about here.
People's Liberation Army Air Force (China)

Large Stealth Flying Wing Aircraft Photographed Over China

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Aug 20, 2025

F-22 Raptor stealth fighters are among a new wave of aviation assets heading to the Middle East.
U.S. Air Force

No U.S. Peacekeeping Forces On The Ground In Ukraine, Air Support Possible: Trump

By Howard Altman

Posted on Aug 19, 2025

The U.S. Army has opened the door to potentially acquiring new types of 70mm rockets that are similar, but different from the Hydra-70 family it employs today.
Laser Guided Rockets

Army Open To 70mm Rocket Alternatives To Shore-Up Stockpile

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 19, 2025

Pickle Fork-Like Stealthy Drone With Buddy Refueling Capability Being Developed By Kratos (Updated)
Unmanned

Pickle Fork-Like Stealthy Drone With Buddy Refueling Capability Being Developed By Kratos (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Aug 19, 2025

An apparently previously unknown tiltrotor aircraft has appeared in China and is already undergoing flight testing. While the program remains mysterious, it’s further evidence of growing Chinese interest in this class of aircraft. Although previous such Chinese projects have typically been pitched for civilian missions, tiltrotors have clear military applications as the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) continues to expand its reach across the Indo-Pacific region.
V-22

China’s First Crewed Tiltrotor Aircraft Is Flying

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Aug 18, 2025

New views of Chinese ‘loyal wingman’ type drones, or at least mockups thereof, that are set to make their debut at a major upcoming military parade have emerged.
Unmanned

Glimpses Of China’s New Air Combat Drones Emerge Ahead Of Massive Military Parade

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 17, 2025

The recent use of a laser directed energy weapon to take down an aerial object in Texas highlights policy challenges in protecting U.S. skies.
Unmanned

FAA Insider Opens Up About Drone Incursions Over Military Bases

By Howard Altman

Updated on Aug 15, 2025

A pair of B-2 bombers touched down at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska yesterday, and more may now be headed in the same direction.
B-2

B-2 Bombers Arrive At Alaskan Airbase Putin Will Land At (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Aug 15, 2025

Ukraine has carried out an audacious drone strike on the Caspian Sea port of Olya, in Russia’s Astrakhan region, hitting one cargo vessel that Kyiv says was being used to transport arms from Iran. U.K.-based maritime security firm Ambrey confirmed to TWZ that this is the first time that a direct attack of this kind had been made on Olya and that it had resulted in one ship sunk. It also appears to be the first time that Ukraine has successfully targeted any kind of vessel in the Caspian Sea area.
Air

Ukraine Sinks Russian Cargo Ship In Caspian Sea

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Aug 15, 2025

The U.K. Royal Air Force F-35B stealth jet that was forced to make an emergency diversion to Japan last week is still there, the U.K. Ministry of Defense has told TWZ.
F-35B

UK F-35B Still Stranded In Japan Is Awaiting Spare Parts

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Aug 14, 2025

Taiwan's armed forces have developed a launch system for AGM-114 Hellfire missiles concealed inside what otherwise looks to be a civilian truck.
AGM-114 Hellfire

Hellfire Missile Launcher Disguised As Civilian Truck Breaks Cover In Taiwan

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 14, 2025

Taiwan is testing a new external electronic countermeasures pod, reportedly due to be integrated on its F-CK-1 Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF). The multirole combat aircraft has undergone a comprehensive upgrade in recent years, but until now has not had anything approaching a comprehensive electronic warfare self-protection capability. This requirement is now even more urgent, as the threat from the China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) continues to grow.
C-130

Electronic Warfare Pod For Taiwan’s F-CK-1 Fighter Is In Testing

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Aug 14, 2025

A backseat passenger on an Air National Guard F-15 accidentally ejected while on the ground.
F-15

F-15 Ride-Along Passenger Accidentally Ejects While On The Ground (Updated)

By Tyler Rogoway, Howard Altman

Updated on Aug 14, 2025

A Customs and Border Protection MQ-9 flew deep into Mexico today.
Unmanned

U.S. MQ-9 Drone Just Flew A Mission Deep Into Mexico

By Howard Altman

Posted on Aug 13, 2025

The Polish Ministry of Defense has signed a $3.8 billion contract to upgrade the country's 48 F-16C/D Block 52+ Viper fighters to the F-16V configuration.
F-16

Poland’s F-16s Are About To Become Much More Potent

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Aug 13, 2025

South Korea is looking to develop a new air-launched ballistic missile, joining a group of nations that are looking to introduce this capability, or which already have systems of this kind in operational service. If successful, the program would likely see the weapon fielded on South Korea’s locally developed KF-21 fighter jet, which you can read more about here.
Air-Launched Ballistic Missiles

South Korea Has An Air-Launched Ballistic Missile Program

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Aug 13, 2025

A small U.S. Army quadcopter carrying a Claymore mine recently knocked down another small uncrewed aerial system in a test.
Unmanned

Claymore Mine-Armed Drone Tested by U.S. Army

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Aug 13, 2025

More MQ-58 Variants In The Works After Marines Move To Make Valkyrie A Full Program Of Record
XQ-58

More MQ-58 Variants In The Works After Marines Move To Make Valkyrie A Full Program Of Record

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 12, 2025

Russia is now using Shahed drones to drop mines.
Unmanned

Russia’s Shahed-136 Drones Are Laying Anti-Tank Mines

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Aug 11, 2025

Bizarre footage has emerged from Russia, showing what’s claimed to be part of an experiment to integrate a counter-uncrewed aerial system (CUAS) interceptor drone on a MiG-29 Fulcrum jet fighter. On closer inspection, the quadcopter drone is lashed to the fighter using zip ties and, even if that weren’t the case, the overall practicality of the solution is extremely questionable — to say the least.
MiG-29

Russian MiG-29 Fitted With An “Interceptor Drone” Is A Laughable Mess

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Aug 11, 2025

A B-2 bomber left a smiley face made out of bomb craters on the 'runway' of a mock airfield during a test some two decades ago.
B-2

B-2 Bombed A Smiley Face Of Craters Into The Ground Because It Ran Out Of Targets

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Aug 8, 2025

The turboprop-powered Zlin Z-137 Agro Turbo is seen swooping low over a Ukrainian cornfield, very much its traditional operating environment. In this case, however, it sports a single R-73 air-to-air missile under each wing. The agricultural plane also appears to have received a military-style dull gray overall paint scheme, with white identification stripes on the rear fuselage to reduce the risk of ‘friendly fire.’ Details of the date and location of the video are not immediately available.
Ukrainian Air Force

Crop Duster Armed With Air-To-Air Missiles Appears In Ukraine

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Aug 8, 2025

For all the new capabilities the B-21 Raider will bring as an individual aircraft, the U.S. Air Force's top bomber officer says he is most excited about the sheer numbers of those aircraft that are set to enter service in the coming years.
B-2

For B-21, Quantity Is Its Most Critical Quality Top Bomber Officer Says

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 7, 2025

Russia radar strikes by FPV in crimea
Unmanned

Uncrewed Boats Launch FPV Drone Strike On Key Russian Radars Located On Crimea’s Southern Tip

By Howard Altman

Posted on Aug 7, 2025

Northrop Grumman has released a new rendering of a possible configuration for its submission for the U.S. Navy’s F/A-XX next-generation carrier-based combat jet. The program has long been even more secretive than the U.S. Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance jet, with only a handful of concept artworks previously released. In the meantime, the future of the Navy program is being increasingly questioned, with the service and Pentagon officials apparently at loggerheads about how best to proceed with it.
F/A-XX

F/A-XX Next Generation Naval Fighter Concept Art Emerges From Northrop Grumman

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Aug 7, 2025

Cybertrucks Wanted By Air Force As Missile Targets
U.S. Air Force

Cybertrucks Wanted By Air Force As Missile Targets

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Aug 7, 2025

A new variant of the AGM-114 Hellfire missile with a warhead that can be set to focus its blast in different directions depending on the target is in the works for the U.S. special operations community.
AGM-114 Hellfire

AGM-114 Hellfire Missile Getting Articulated Warhead Capable Of Blasting In Different Directions

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 6, 2025

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has provided us with a look at the future, stealthier version of its KF-21 fighter, which is now known as the KF-21EX. Concept artwork of the refined version of the jet has been released, with internal weapons carriage being its distinguishing feature. This is part of an effort to make the KF-21 more survivable in the face of ever more capable air defense systems, although the resulting aircraft will not offer the same level of low observability as the F-35, which is also operated by South Korea.
Republic of Korea Air Force

South Korea’s KF-21 Fighter To Get Stealthier With Internal Weapons Bays

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Aug 6, 2025

A 9th Reconnaissance Wing TU-2S Dragon Lady piloted by Cory “ULTRALORD” Bartholomew, 1st Reconnaissance Squadron (RS) assigned flight safety officer and U-2 instructor pilot, and Lt. Col. “JETHRO”, 1st RS instructor pilot and U-2 chief pilot, lands at Beale Air Force Base (AFB), California, Aug. 1st, 2025. “ULTRALORD” and “JETHRO”’s flight took place on the 70th anniversary of the U-2’s first flight and broke the endurance records for the U-2, flying longer than 14 hours and traveled over 6,000 nautical miles. This flight tested the capabilities of the U-2 and its pilots to its limit and showcased Beale AFB’s capacity as a power projection platform to rapidly respond to adversary actions anywhere in the world. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Frederick A. Brown)
U-2

U-2 Pilot On What It Took To Make Record-Setting 14-Hour Flight A Reality

By Howard Altman

Updated on Aug 6, 2025

A fuel venting issue has emerged in some of the U.S. Air Force's new F-15EX Eagle II fighters, which has reportedly left them sidelined.
F-15

F-15EX Fuel Venting Troubles Emerge, Boeing Testing Fixes

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 5, 2025

The latest addition to China’s growing family of Shenyang J-15 carrier-based fighter series, the J-15DT electronic warfare version, appears to have entered operational service. Crucially, this electronic attack Flanker is equipped for operations aboard catapult-equipped aircraft carriers like the Fujian, which recently began to host fixed-wing aircraft trials. Progress with the J-15DT points not only to China’s the scope of carrier aviation ambitions, but the growing focus on catapult assisted takeoff but arrested recovery (CATOBAR) operations, which offer many advantages.
Flankers

Our Best Look At China’s New J-15DT Carrier-Based Electronic Warfare Jet

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Aug 5, 2025

Another chinese stealthy tailless combat jet emerges.
Loyal Wingman

New Chinese Stealth Tactical Jet Breaks Cover

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Aug 5, 2025

Tracking Moving Aircraft Via Radar Satellites Instead Of Surveillance Jets Still Far From Reality
E-3

Tracking Moving Aircraft Via Radar Satellites Instead Of Surveillance Jets Still Far From Reality

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Aug 4, 2025

Massive $3.5B AIM-120 order placed.
AIM-120 AMRAAM

Biggest AIM-120 Missile Order Ever Just Signed By Pentagon

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Aug 3, 2025

U-2 dragon lady's 70th anniversary record setting.
U-2

U-2 Just Set New Records On The 70th Anniversary Of Its First Flight (Updated)

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Aug 2, 2025

Ukraine rescued a stranded soldier via drone and electric bike
Unmanned

Drone-Dropped Electric Bikes Save Ukrainian Soldier Trapped Behind Enemy Lines

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Aug 1, 2025

The Senate Appropriations Committee has advanced a draft defense spending bill that would reverse the Pentagon's plan to freeze the U.S. Navy's F/A-XX next-generation carrier-based combat jet program.
E-7

Congress Moves To Save Gutted F/A-XX 6th Generation Naval Fighter Program

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jul 31, 2025

F-35C Crashes At Naval Air Station Lemoore (Updated)
F-35

F-35C Crashes At Naval Air Station Lemoore (Updated)

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Jul 31, 2025

The U.S. Navy is scrapping a P-8A Poseidon that ended up in Hawaii’s Kaneohe Bay back in 2023, marking the first total loss of one of these aircraft.
P-8

Navy Scraps P-8 Poseidon That Ran Off The Runway In Hawaii Two Years Ago

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 30, 2025

An American who invests in defense technology for Ukraine opens up about why the country has become a global powerhouse and why you should care.
Unmanned

Critical Weapons Development Lessons From Ukraine Are Not Being Learned By The West

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jul 30, 2025

Ground testing has begun on the production representative MQ-25 Stingray tanker drone for the U.S. Navy, which comes ahead of an expected first flight before the end of this year.
MQ-25

MQ-25 Stingray Carrier-Based Uncrewed Tanker Ground Testing Now Underway

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 29, 2025

Turkey’s New Super-Sized Ballistic Missile Reflects Global Trends
Air-Launched Hypersonic Missiles

Turkey’s New Super-Sized Ballistic Missile Reflects Global Trends

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jul 28, 2025

F/A-18 from spain nearly crashed into sea during an air show performance.
F/A-18

Spanish F/A-18 Hornet Seen Nearly Crashing Into Surf During Beach Airshow (Updated)

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Jul 28, 2025

Some units within the U.S. Air Force's Air Combat Command (ACC) have now restricted the use of Sig Sauer M18 in the wake of a recent fatal incident.
U.S. Air Force

Sig M18 Pistol Restrictions Expand To USAF Air Combat Command Units

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 28, 2025