Attack

Latest in Attack

Venerable A-10 Warthog attack jets are helping dismantle Iran's Navy. Though the A-10 is most commonly associated with missions over land, the jets have a long-standing, if often obscure, maritime role.

A-10 Warthogs Are Prowling For Iranian Boats In The Strait Of Hormuz

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Mar 19, 2026

The U.S. Marine Corps is aiming to acquire a new single "capability" to fill gaps left by the retirement of its AV-8 Harrier jump jets, AH-1Z and UH-1Y helicopters, and legacy F/A-18C/D Hornet fighters.

New Vision To Fill Gaps After AV-8B Harrier And AH-1Z Viper Retirements Laid Out By Marines

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 20, 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.

Light Air Support

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

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Feb 9, 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.

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

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 28, 2026

The latest iteration of Russia’s Geran long-range one-way attack drone features a jet engine and is apparently being considered for launch from aircraft, to boost its range. The new drone, apparently first used at the beginning of this year, underlines Russia’s continued development of these drones, which bear the brunt of its relentless strikes on Ukraine, which ramp up during the winter months. It further points to Russia seeking to field drones that are better able to evade Ukraine’s air defenses, which are increasingly tailored to these kinds of threats.

Russia’s New Geran-5 Long-Range Kamikaze Drone Could Be Air-Launched

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 12, 2026

F-117 combat debut in Panama happened 36 years ago today.

The F-117 Nighthawk First Went To War 36 Years Ago Today

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Dec 20, 2025

Celebrations for the 80th anniversary of the Korean People’s Air Force (KPAF) provided an apparent first look at three new types of air-launched weapon, intended to arm the KPAF’s Su-25 Frogfoot ground-attack aircraft, and potentially others. The event also yielded a better look at the country’s ‘copycat’ drones, the Saetbyol-4 and Saetbyol-9 that are almost exact visual copies of the U.S.-made RQ-4 Global Hawk and MQ-9 Reaper, respectively.

Analyzing North Korea’s New Air-Launched Guided Weapons

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 2, 2025

Each of the U.S. Air Force's Special Operations Command's (AFSOC) new OA-1K Skyraider II light attack aircraft has a somewhat unexpected feature in its cockpit.

Light Air Support

OA-1K Skyraider II Has Off-The-Shelf Rifle Sight Mounted In Its Cockpit

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 21, 2025

Current and future operators of A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft could use them to shoot down incoming drones, according to manufacturer Embraer.

Light Air Support

A-29 Super Tucano Light Attack Aircraft Being Pitched As Drone Hunter

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 12, 2025

An OA-1K, like the one seen in the picture at the top of this story, crashed today.

Light Air Support

Air Force’s Crop Duster Converted Into Attack Plane Crash Lands In Field (Updated)

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Oct 23, 2025

A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II flies a presence patrol over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Feb. 26, 2025. The U.S. Air Force is globally postured to protect and defend the freedom of coalition allies and regional partners within the CENTCOM AOR to maintain peace and stability.

A-10 Warthog Appears To Have Become A Drone Killer

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 13, 2025

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon receives fuel from a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 25, 2025. Aerial refueling allows Fighting Falcons to extend their mission and guarantee war-winning airpower throughout the CENTCOM AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Natalie Jones)

Laser-Guided Rockets Now Primary Anti-Drone Weapon For USAF Jets In Middle East

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Sep 25, 2025

Leidos has raised the possibility of eventually integrating its Black Arrow, also known as the Small Cruise Missile, in the MQ-9 Reaper drone and the OA-1K Skyraider II light attack aircraft. The roughly 200-pound munition has, so far, been tested from C-130 variants but offers the kinds of capabilities that U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is increasingly looking at harnessing.

Light Air Support

Tiny Black Arrow Cruise Missile Demonstrates A Whopping 400-Mile Range

By Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Updated on Sep 24, 2025

The last MC-12W Liberty turboprop surveillance aircraft under U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command's (AFSOC) umbrella have been retired.

Light Air Support

Last Special Operations MC-12W Surveillance Planes Retired

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 15, 2025

The last of the venerable Sukhoi Su-22 Fitter swing-wing strike aircraft in Europe have been officially withdrawn from service. At one time, the Su-22 was a backbone of Warsaw Pact offensive airpower on the continent, with the final examples having been flown by the Polish Air Force, which had flown these impressive jets since the first example was delivered more than 40 years ago.

Poland’s Su-22 Fitter Swing-Wing Strike Jets Pass Into History

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Sep 11, 2025