Airborne Communications

Latest in Airborne Communications

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

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 Utah Air National Guard demonstrated new capabilities that expand the KC-135 aerial refueling tanker's ability to also act as an airborne communications and data-sharing node during major exercises in the Pacific earlier this year.
Airborne Communications

KC-135 Refueling Pods Have Been Converted Into Flying Communication Nodes

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 20, 2025

The U.S. Air Force's F-22 Raptor stealth fighters are set to get an array of new "viability" upgrades to help protect them from emerging threats and otherwise ensure their continued relevance in future conflicts.
Airborne Communications

New F-22 Upgrade Package To Keep The Jets Viable Laid Out

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 2, 2025

Retire Air Force Gen. Mike Minihan talked to use about the strain Middle East deployments are adding to the aging fleet of cargo jets and refueling tankers and offered his insights into a host of other topics.
Airborne Communications

KC-135 Tankers Set To Get Drone Launchers

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jul 2, 2025

KC-130T Hercules tanker/transports belonging to the U.S. Navy's Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 30 (VX-30), the “Bloodhounds,” are gaining the ability to link up to the Starlink satellite constellation to help with long-range missile and other test work out in the Pacific.
Airborne Communications

Starlink-Equipped Navy C-130s Offer Communication Boost For Pacific Missile Tests

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 12, 2025

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth utilized a Silver Bullet Command and Control module on his first overseas trip.
Airborne Communications

C-17’s ‘Silver Bullet’ Airstream Trailer Pod Used By Secretary Of Defense Hegseth On First Overseas Trip

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 12, 2025

Pictures have emerged of what looks to be the first known example of a new Chinese airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft based on the four-engine Y-20 cargo plane commonly referred to as the KJ-3000.
Airborne Communications

China’s New Domestically Developed Y-20 Airborne Early Warning Jet Spotted

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 27, 2024

The U.S. Marine Corps says it has demonstrated new capabilities for operating future drones with high degrees of autonomy in expeditionary operations with another test flight of one of its stealthy XQ-58 Valkyries.
Airborne Communications

Third Marine XQ-58 Valkyrie Flight Test Uses Link 16 For Control

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 26, 2024

Testing at the Upside-Down Air Force, RADC
Airborne Communications

The Fascinating Story Of The USAF’s “Upside-Down Air Force”

By Oliver Parken

Posted on May 31, 2024

Everything We Learned About The Next Doomsday Planes For The Air Force
Airborne Communications

Everything We Learned About The Next Doomsday Planes For The Air Force

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 23, 2024

AEW&C aircraft in North Korea.
Airborne Communications

North Korea May Be Building An Early-Warning Radar Plane

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 15, 2023

CMV-22 Ospreys Could Fill In For Navy E-2 Hawkeyes As Communications Nodes
Airborne Communications

CMV-22 Ospreys Could Fill In For Navy E-2 Hawkeyes As Communications Nodes

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 6, 2023

BACN Mediterranean
Airborne Communications

Air Force’s Prized BACN Networking Jets Now Operating Over The Mediterranean

By Amelia Smith, The War Zone staff

Posted on Oct 31, 2022

The Air Force Wants Laser Communication Pods To Securely Link Fighter Aircraft With Satellites
Airborne Communications

The Air Force Wants Laser Communication Pods To Securely Link Fighter Aircraft With Satellites

By Brett Tingley

Posted on Jan 27, 2022

StormBreaker Mini Glide Bombs Take Longer To Load Onto Strike Eagles Due To Their Data Links
Airborne Communications

StormBreaker Mini Glide Bombs Take Longer To Load Onto Strike Eagles Due To Their Data Links

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 15, 2021