Around The Globe (Page 25)

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Testing at the Upside-Down Air Force, RADC
U.S. Homeland

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

By Oliver Parken

Posted on May 31, 2024

Progressively clearer photos of one of Shenyang’s prototype fighters seems to reveal key features different to those found on the carrier-based J-35, as well as on the earlier FC-31 prototypes. This raises questions about China’s own plans for a potential land-based variant, as well as future export plans, with Pakistan known to have made official plans to acquire a version of the jet.
China

Land-Based Variant Of China’s J-35 Naval Stealth Fighter Makes Sense

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 31, 2024

Ukraine released satellite imagery it says showed two Russian ships damaged by U.S. donated ATACMS.
Russia

Ukraine Situation Report: Claims Swirl Around Missile Strike On Kerch Ferries

By Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Posted on May 31, 2024

The U.S. Government Accountability Office says that "unplanned weight growth" and design instability have been major factors in the huge delays with the Constellation class, and that the ship's top speed could take a hit as a result.
U.S. Homeland

Navy’s New Constellation Class Frigate Is A Mess

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 31, 2024

Ukraine can now use long-range weapons from the U.S. to strike targets in Russia near Kharkiv.
Russia

Ukraine Can Now Use U.S.-Supplied Weapons To Strike Inside Russia

By Howard Altman

Posted on May 30, 2024

Officials at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina are looking into the possibility of erecting physical barriers to protect F-15E Strike Eagles there from drones.
U.S. Homeland

Enclosures To Defend F-15Es From Drone Attacks Eyed At Seymour Johnson AFB

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 30, 2024

Tamir air-o-air variant
Israel

The Case For Arming Drone-Hunting Fighters With Iron Dome’s Tamir Missile

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on May 30, 2024

Martin baker 75 years of ejections
U.S. Homeland

Martin-Baker Ejection Seat Made Its First Of 7,722 Saves 75 Years Ago Today

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on May 30, 2024

New video purports to show the first Russian FPV drone attack on a Ukrainian sea drone.
Russia

Russian FPV Drone Seen Attacking Ukrainian Uncrewed Surface Vessel For The First Time

By Howard Altman

Posted on May 30, 2024

North Korea sent hundreds of balloons, many filled with manure, into South Korea.
North Korea

Poop-Filled North Korean Balloons Descend On The South Stoking Fears Of Deadlier Payloads

By Howard Altman

Posted on May 29, 2024

Experimental Alpha Draco hypersonic boost-glide vehicle preparing for launch, 1959.
U.S. Homeland

Alpha Draco Paved The Way In The Late 1950s For Future Hypersonic Boost-Glide Vehicles

By Oliver Parken

Posted on May 29, 2024

Russia has presented its latest take on the bizarre-looking ‘turtle tank’ concept, with a main battle tank now adapted as an armored personnel carrier, complete with the now familiar sheet-metal carapace. The new development provides another example of Russia repurposing vehicles to meet battlefield demands but also suggests deeper difficulties in fielding new-build, purpose-designed armored personnel carriers.
Ukraine

Russia Now Building ‘Turtle Tank’ Armored Personnel Carriers

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 29, 2024

In a major new development for the Ukrainian military, Sweden is to donate it Saab 340 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft equipped with Erieye radar. The aircraft is being provided as part of Sweden’s biggest military aid package for Ukraine so far and they will bring an entirely new capability for the Ukrainian Air Force, providing much enhanced air and sea surveillance and working together with its forthcoming F-16 fighters.
Northern Europe

Ukraine Getting Swedish Airborne Early Warning Radar Planes Is A Big Deal

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on May 29, 2024

Satellite imagery looks to show a recent Ukrainian strike targeted a prized Russian long-range radar system.
Russia

Prized Russian Long Range Radar System Attacked In Eastern Ukraine

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 29, 2024

F-16 Belgium ukraine
Ukraine

Ukraine Situation Report: First Of 30 Belgian F-16s To Be Delivered “This Year”

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 28, 2024

An F-35 Joint Strike Fighter crashed in Albuquerque New Mexico.
U.S. Homeland

F-35 Crashes In New Mexico (Updated)

By Howard Altman

Posted on May 28, 2024

America's pier that is being used to deliver aid to Gaza broke free and is now being recovered.
U.S. Homeland

Gaza Aid Pier Lasted Less Than Two Weeks Before Breaking Apart

By Howard Altman

Posted on May 28, 2024

The first official photos have appeared showing a Soviet-era ground-based air defense system upgraded with Western surface-to-air missiles — a so-called ‘FrankenSAM.’ The images, published by Ukraine’s Operational Command East, show a tracked self-propelled Buk-M1 system — known in the West as SA-11 Gadfly — which is said to have been adapted to fire the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow, a missile that previously provided point defense for numerous NATO and allied warships.
Russia

Ukraine’s FrankenSAM That Uses RIM-7 Sea Sparrow Missiles Breaks Cover

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on May 28, 2024

Black Flag 24-1, out of Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, run by the Air Force’s 53rd Wing.
China

Massive China-Focused Black Flag Test Exercise Flies Deep Into The Virtual Realm

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 28, 2024

Ukrainian M1 Abrams Tanks Get Elaborate ‘Cope Cages,’ Soviet Explosive Reactive Armor
Ukraine

Ukrainian M1 Abrams Tanks Get Elaborate ‘Cope Cages,’ Soviet Explosive Reactive Armor

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 25, 2024

Taiwan under threat during second day of Chinese drills.
Taiwan

China Stages Mock Strikes On Taiwan In Day 2 Of “Punishment” Exercise

By Howard Altman

Posted on May 24, 2024

Ukraine is one of three countries, along with Bulgaria and Japan, that will recieve a new tranche of Small Diameter Bombs under a $6.9 billion contract with Boeing.
Ukraine

Ukraine Situation Report: Kyiv Says It’s Using Air-Launched Small Diameter Bombs

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 24, 2024

Detonation of a Russian S-300 or S-400 air defense system after it came under attack from ATACMS ballistic missiles.
Russia

ATACMS Obliterates Russian Air Defense System As It Desperately Tries To Defend Itself

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 24, 2024

Satellite imagery confirms an attack on a Russian strategic early warning radar site, which could point to a new and worrisome dimension to the conflict around Ukraine.
Russia

Strike On Russian Strategic Early Warning Radar Site Is A Big Deal

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 24, 2024

Nearly 50 warplanes, along with ships and assets ashore, took part in the first day of what Chinese authorities have dubbed "punishment" drills encircling Taiwan following the inauguration of the island's latest President.
China

China’s “Punishment” Drills Around Taiwan: Day One

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 24, 2024

B-2/B-21 comparison
U.S. Homeland

B-21, B-2 Comparison Image Shows Just How Weird The Raider’s Windows Really Are

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on May 23, 2024

Su-34 launches new glide bombs
Russia

Russia’s Small Diameter Bomb-Like Weapon Seen In Action For The First Time

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 23, 2024

Everything We Learned About The Next Doomsday Planes For The Air Force
U.S. Homeland

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

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 23, 2024

An uncrewed ground vehicle launching quadcopter
U.S. Homeland

Army Tests Quadcopter Swarm-Launching Uncrewed Ground Vehicle For Clearing Mines

By Oliver Parken

Posted on May 22, 2024

B-21 raider first air-to-air image
U.S. Homeland

First Aerial View Of B-21 Raider Offers New Insights

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on May 22, 2024

The quiet closing out of the Air Force's SHiELD program and issues the Army has been having with is laser-armed DE M-SHORAD variants of the 8x8 Stryker reflect broader hurdles facing directed energy weapons of this type.
U.S. Homeland

U.S. Military Laser Weapon Programs Are Facing A Reality Check

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 21, 2024

KHARKIV REGION, UKRAINE - MAY 18:  A mortar unit with a 120 mm mortar prepares to perform a combat mission on May 18, 2024 in the Kharkiv region, near the border with Russia. Ukrainian soldiers from the 92nd assault brigade were involved in holding back the Russians on the border with Russia. In recent days Russian forces have gained ground around the Kharkiv region, which Ukraine had largely reclaimed in the months following Russia's initial large-scale invasion in February 2022.
Russia

Ukraine Situation Report: Russia Advances On Vovchansk

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 20, 2024

Personnel from China's PLA engage in counter FPV-drone training
China

Chinese Soldiers Train To Fend Off FPV Drones

By Oliver Parken, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on May 20, 2024

While the situation is clearly still confused, multiple reports suggest that one or perhaps two Russian Navy vessels have been seriously damaged or destroyed in the latest Ukrainian attack on the Black Sea Fleet. The two vessels in question are the Project 22800 Karakurt class missile corvette Tsiklon and the Project 266M Akvamarin class minesweeper Kovrovets.
Ukraine

Rumors Swirl Around Attacks On Russian Black Sea Fleet Warships (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 20, 2024

Private jet registration can be hidden by FAA based on new bill.
U.S. Homeland

Congress Has Made Fully Obscuring Aircraft Ownership Information A Reality

By Oliver Parken

Posted on May 18, 2024

Ukraine has launched large-scale drone attacks against Russia.
Russia

Ukraine Situation Report: Kyiv Launches Massive Drone Attack On Russia

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 17, 2024

US Army Green Berets are getting specialized drone training ahead of a rotational deployment that could include temporary training stint in Ukraine.
Ukraine

Green Beret A-Teams Training On FPV Drones Being Driven By War In Ukraine

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 17, 2024

Defense officials say a notice to airmen was issued for a Russian space launch booster, not a military exercise.
Russia

Russian Rocket Booster, Not Military Exercise, Prompts Airspace Warning Off California

By Howard Altman

Posted on May 17, 2024

The War Zone has now obtained additional high-resolution imagery better showing the extent of the destruction at Russia's Belbek Air Base from recent Ukrainian strikes.
Russia

MiG-31 Foxhounds Confirmed Destroyed In New Imagery Of Belbek Air Base

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 17, 2024

Sailors aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) guide training ordnance into the ship’s forward vertical launch system (VLS) cells during a proof-of-concept evolution in San Diego, Oct. 4. MV Ocean Valor conducted its first at-sea vertical launch system reload with Spruance, demonstrating the ability of the U.S. Navy to re-arm surface vessels who employ VLS.
China

Eying China Threat, Congress Pushes Navy On At-Sea Rearming

By Howard Altman

Posted on May 16, 2024

Satellite imagery of Russia's Belbek Air Base on the occupied Crimean Peninsula shows damage from Ukrainian strikes earlier this week.
Russia

Damage To Russia’s Belbek Air Base In Crimea Seen After Ukrainian Strikes

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 16, 2024

The US military has finished installing a floating pier for the Gaza Strip. It means officials are now poised to begin ferrying badly needed humanitarian aid into the enclave besieged over seven months of intense fighting in the Israel-Hamas war.
U.S. Homeland

U.S. Navy Completes Gaza Aid Pier, Deliveries Imminent (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on May 16, 2024

A picture emerging on social media of a Patriot mock-up sparked conspiracy theories about Ukraine selling a system to China.
China

Mock-Up Patriot System Sparks China-Ukraine Conspiracy Theories

By Howard Altman

Posted on May 15, 2024

Heckler & Koch is looking at selling versions of its existing product line chambered in Soviet-designed cartridges, driven in part by the conflict in Ukraine.
Germany

Heckler & Koch Eyes Adapting Its Rifles To Fire Soviet-Designed Ammo

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 15, 2024

NASA's DC-8 airborne science laboratory banks low over the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, Calif., upon arrival Nov. 8, 2007.
U.S. Homeland

NASA’s DC-8 Flying Lab Flies Into Retirement, Making The Type Nearly Extinct

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 15, 2024

Wreckage of S-400 engagement radar at airbase of Belbek in Crimea, May 15, 2024.
Russia

Russia’s Belbek Airbase In Crimea Hammered By Ukrainian Long-Range Strike (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 15, 2024

The Viper Demo team has painted their jet in the YF-16's scheme to commemorate the type's 50th anniversary.
U.S. Homeland

Viper Demo Team Secretly Painted Jet In YF-16 Scheme To Celebrate Type’s 50th Anniversary

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on May 15, 2024

A Chinese stealth vessel at sea
China

China’s Mysterious Stealthy Warship Has Headed Out To Sea (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick, Oliver Parken

Posted on May 15, 2024

The United Kingdom has announced plans to build up to six new Multi Role Support Ships (MRSS), a new class of amphibious warfare vessels that will join an ambitious shipbuilding program that now includes a total of 28 warships and submarines. The new MRSS vessels will also accommodate drones, a growing area of interest for the U.K. Royal Navy.
United Kingdom

Royal Navy To Get Up To Six New Amphibious Warships

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 14, 2024

Congress says the Navy's CMV-22B Ospreys can only fly 30 minutes from a divert airfield, limiting their ability to provide carrier onboard delivery services.
U.S. Homeland

Navy CMV-22B Ospreys Only Allowed To Fly 30 Minutes From A Divert Airfield: Congress

By Howard Altman

Posted on May 14, 2024

Members of Congress are pushing to block the US Air Force from retiring more than half of its F-15E Strike Eagles.
U.S. Homeland

Move To Block F-15E Strike Eagle Cuts Being Made In Congress

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 14, 2024

T-6 ejection seat mishap
U.S. Homeland

T-6 Pilot Dies In Ejection Seat Accident

By Oliver Parken

Posted on May 14, 2024

Recent imagery provides our best views so far of Russia’s modern Kh-38M air-to-ground missile, apparently employed in the war in Ukraine. Previously, various videos had been released showing airstrikes that purportedly involved Kh-38Ms, but new photos show, in some detail, the missile carried under the wing of Su-34 Fullback strike fighters, seemingly taking part in combat sorties.
Russia

Our Best Look At Russia’s Kh-38 Missile Now Being Used In Ukraine

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 14, 2024

A Ukrainian self-propelled howitzer 2S1 Gvozdika drives past a damaged car on a road in the Vovchansk district, Kharkiv region, on May 12, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Thousands of people have been evacuated from border areas in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, as Russia kept up constant strikes on a key town as part of a cross-border offensive, officials said on May 12, 2024. The surprise Russian attack across Ukraine's northeastern border began on Friday, with troops making small advances in an area from where they had been pushed back nearly two years ago.
Russia

Ukraine Situation Report: “Fierce Battles” Rage In Kharkiv Region

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 13, 2024

Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works has released a new rendering of a stealth tanker concept amid uncertainty about the U.S. Air Force's future tanker plans.
U.S. Homeland

New Skunk Works Stealthy Tanker Concept Unveiled

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 13, 2024

The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) visits Naval Station Norfolk following a seven-month deployment, May 10. Throughout the ship’s seven-month deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operations, Carney successfully destroyed Houthi-launched weapons, including land attack cruise missiles, anti-ship ballistic missiles, and unmanned systems.
Red Sea

USS Carney Destroyed 65 Houthi Targets During Its Cruise

By Howard Altman

Posted on May 13, 2024

Green berets on Shemya
U.S. Homeland

American Special Operations Forces Are At A Crossroads

By Howard Altman

Posted on May 12, 2024

Russian Artillery
Russia

Ukraine Situation Report: Russia Launches Offensive In Kharkiv Region

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 10, 2024

After an extraordinary career spanning more than 80 years of service, and plenty of wartime missions, the South African Air Force (SAAF) is preparing to retire its last C-47 Dakotas. The decision is yet to be formally announced by the SAAF but looks set to confirm the fate of the service’s Dakotas, which have now been grounded for around two years.
Africa

South Africa’s C-47 Dakotas Set For Retirement After 80 Years Of Service

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 10, 2024

The replacement for Barrett .50 caliber riles, a well as Mk 15s in the same caliber, in U.S. special operations forces inventories may be chambered in a new smaller cartridge.
U.S. Homeland

Barrett .50 Caliber Sniper Rifle Replacement For SOCOM May Fire A Smaller Round

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 10, 2024

AEVEX Aerospace, makers of the Phoenix Ghost loitering munition, now makes sea drones.
U.S. Homeland

Mako Is A Jet Ski Turned Into A Weaponized Drone

By Howard Altman

Posted on May 9, 2024

Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), which won the contract to build the U.S. Air Force’s highly specialized Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) aircraft last month, has acquired five Boeing 747-8s from Korean Air. The likelihood is that these will be converted as the successors to the Air Force’s aging 747-200-based E-4B Nightwatch ‘doomsday planes,’ although at this stage we still don’t know how many of the new SAOC aircraft will be fielded.
South Korea

Former Korean Air 747s Slated To Become USAF Doomsday Planes (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 9, 2024

STRAIT OF SAN JUAN DE FUCA, Wash. (May 6, 2024) The Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Nebraska (SSBN 739) transits the Strait of San Juan de Fuca escorted by U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft and U.S. Coast Guard screening escort vessels. Joint operations, such as this one which involved the Air Force, Coast Guard, and Navy, ensure the U.S. military is ready to meet its security commitments at home and abroad including commitments to our allies and partners. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Gwendelyn Ohrazda/Released)
China

A-10 Warthogs Escorting A Ballistic Missile Submarine Is Certainly Different

By Oliver Parken

Posted on May 9, 2024

KH-101s are now being fired at Ukraine with two warheads onboard.
Russia

Russia Now Firing Kh-101 Cruise Missiles Modified With Two Warheads At Ukraine

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 8, 2024