Bombers (Page 2)

Posted on Jul 7, 2025

The Pentagon has shared extensive new information about the use of 30,000-pound GBU-57/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bunker buster bombs in recent strikes on Iran, a mission it says was 15 years in the making.

B-2

Everything We Just Learned About The GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator Strikes On Iran

Updated on Jun 26, 2025

B-2 hawaii diverted during decoy operation

B-2

B-2 Used As Decoy For Iran Strike Mission Is Stuck In Hawaii

Posted on Jun 25, 2025

The U.S. Air Force's first combat employment of 30,000-pound GBU-57/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bunker buster bombs in recent strikes on Iranian nuclear sites draws new attention to work toward a successor.

B-2

GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator Successor In The Works

Posted on Jun 24, 2025

Satellite imagery shows clear evidence that Iran took steps to seal off its nuclear enrichment facility at Fordow in the days leading up to the U.S. strikes, which would have helped shield it against a potential ground raid.

B-2

Iran’s Fordow Nuclear Site Likely Sealed Up Before B-2 Strikes

Updated on Jun 24, 2025

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Air Force Gen. Dan "Razin" Caine have now briefed TWZ and other reporters on the historic strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities last night, dubbed Operation Might Hammer.

B-2

B-2 Strikes On Iran: What We Know About Operation Midnight Hammer (Updated)

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway, Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jun 22, 2025

B-2

U.S. Has Attacked Iran’s Nuclear Facilities (Updated)

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Jun 22, 2025

At least two separate groups of B-2 Spirit stealth bombers are currently heading westward across the Pacific Ocean, but their exact final destination is currently unclear.

B-2

B-2 Bombers Head West Across Pacific Amidst Iran Crisis

Updated on Jun 21, 2025

Mysterious chinese flying wing aircraft that could be the H-20 bomber appears in satellite image.

B-21

Massive Stealth Flying Wing Emerges At Secretive Chinese Base

Updated on Jun 14, 2025

An artist's rendering of the Long Range Standoff Weapon is shown.

B-21

First Glimpse Of Air Force’s New Stealth Nuclear Cruise Missile

Updated on Jun 11, 2025

Newly emerged video footage purportedly shows the destruction of a Ukrainian drilling rig in the Black Sea by a supersonic cruise missile launched by a Russian Tu-22M3 Backfire-C bomber.

Tu-22

Russian Cruise Missile Strikes Ukrainian-Controlled Black Sea Drilling Platform

By Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Updated on Jun 10, 2025

The U.S. Air Force says it has tested a modified 500-pound-class GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition, or JDAM, optimized for use as an anti-ship munition as part of its Quicksink program.

B-2

Smaller Version Of Quicksink Ship-Killing Smart Bomb Tested By USAF

Posted on Jun 4, 2025

New satellite imagery and an official video has revealed more about the scale of destruction and damage inflicted on Russian airfields in Ukraine’s unprecedented covert drone attacks last weekend. Today, the Security Service of Ukraine, or SBU, which carried out the drone attacks, published previously unreleased drone footage showing the attacks underway.

Tu-22

Confirmed Losses Of Russian Aircraft Mount After Ukrainian Drone Assault

Updated on Jun 4, 2025

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite imagery that TWZ has exclusively obtained from ICEYE points to multiple Russian Tu-95 Bear bombers having been damaged or destroyed at Belaya Air Base.

Tu-160

Latest On Russian Aircraft Loss Assessments From Ukrainian Drone Strikes

Posted on Jun 3, 2025

The future of Russia's bomber fleet after Ukraine's mass drone attack.

Tu-160

What Ukraine’s Unprecedented Drone Attack Means For Russia’s Bomber Force

Updated on Jun 2, 2025

Tu-22

Russian Strategic Bombers Destroyed In Unprecedented Wide-Scale Drone Attack (Updated)

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Jun 1, 2025

The first production example of the new B61-13 nuclear bomb has been completed roughly a year ahead of schedule, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

B-2

Far More Powerful B61-13 Guided Nuclear Bomb Variant Joins U.S. Stockpile

Posted on May 19, 2025

F-15s deploy to Diego Garcia to protect B-52s.

B-52

F-15s Deploy To Protect Diego Garcia

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway, Howard Altman

Updated on May 17, 2025

Satellite imagery indicates that there are now 10 U.S. heavy bombers – six stealthy B-2s and four B-52s – on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.

B-2

B-52s Join B-2s On Diego Garcia,10 Bombers Now At Indian Ocean Island

Updated on May 8, 2025

Northrop Grumman has blamed higher manufacturing costs for its B-21 Raider stealth bomber for a 49 percent drop in first-quarter profit. This is not the first financial hit for the B-21, with the manufacturer having disclosed a loss of nearly $1.2 billion on the program early last year. The latest news comes as U.S. Air Force officials state a need for 145 of the stealth bombers to cope with increasing threats to U.S. security.

B-21

Rising B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber Costs Hit Northrop Grumman

Posted on Apr 22, 2025

A U.S. Air Force B1-Lancer assigned to the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron sits on a runway during post-flight maintenance in support of Pacific Air Forces’ Bomber Task Force mission at Misawa Air Base, Feb. 20, 2025. Through combined training, the U.S. and intercontinental defense forces work together to promote interoperability, thus furthering our investments and strengthening our relationships.

B-1

B-1B Bones Make Unprecedented Bomber Task Force Deployment To Japan

Posted on Apr 17, 2025

U.S. Air Force B-2 stealth bombers have not dropped any GBU-57/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bunker buster bombs on Yemen's Houthis since the Trump administration launched a renewed aerial campaign against them, two U.S. officials have told TWZ.

B-2

B-2s Have Not Dropped Massive Ordnance Penetrators On Yemen During Diego Garcia Missions: Officials

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Updated on Apr 17, 2025

Tu-95

Very Close Encounter Between F-35 And Su-35 Caught On Cockpit Camera

Posted on Apr 4, 2025

B-2

B-2 Stealth Bombers Deployed To Diego Garcia Have Been Striking Targets In Yemen

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Apr 4, 2025

B-2

Is The U.S. About To Go To War With Iran?

Posted on Apr 3, 2025

China’s KD-21 air-launched ballistic missile (ALBM), a shadowy weapon that is widely seen as part of the country’s rapidly developing anti-shipping armory, appears to now be in operational service. The missile, carried by the H-6K bomber, made its public debut at Airshow China in Zhuhai in November 2022, but until now had not been confirmed as being carried by aircraft assigned to frontline unit.

H-6 Bomber

China’s KD-21 Air-Launched Ballistic Missile Appears To Be Operational

Posted on Apr 1, 2025

The U.S. Air Force has used B-2 Spirit stealth bombers against Houthi rebels in Yemen.

B-2

B-2 Spirits Amassed On Diego Garcia Underscore Hardened Aircraft Shelter Debate

Posted on Apr 1, 2025

The U.S. Air Force office responsible for the B-52 Radar Modernization Program (RMP) is asking for new information about options for derivatives of off-the-shelf multi-mode radars that could go into the bombers.

B-52

B-52 Radar Upgrade Alternatives Info Sought By Air Force

Posted on Mar 26, 2025

A significant force of B-2 Spirit stealth bombers looks to be currently wending its way to the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia.

B-2

Signs U.S. Massing B-2 Spirit Bombers In Diego Garcia (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Mar 25, 2025

Ammo dump destroyed in Russia at Engles Air Base.

Bombers

Russian Bomber Base Suffered Major Damage To Munitions Area In Ukrainian Drone Attack

Posted on Mar 21, 2025

B-52

B-52 Re-Engining Plan Comes Into Sharper Focus

Posted on Mar 13, 2025

B-21 refueling requirements are pushing rethinking of tanker needs.

B-21

B-21 Aerial Refueling Demands Further Point To It Being A Stealthy Flying Gas Can

Posted on Mar 7, 2025

B-52

B-52 Flies Close To Border Of Russia And Belarus

Posted on Feb 24, 2025

Satellite imagery shows the extent of the massive amount of work that has been done in the past year to restore more than 20 million square feet of runways and other World War II-era infrastructure at historic North Field on the U.S. island of Tinian in the Western Pacific.

Bombers

Massive WWII B-29 Bomber Base Fully Reclaimed For Future Pacific Fight

Posted on Feb 19, 2025

A U.S. Air Force Convair B-36B-1-CF Peacemaker (s/n 44-92033) of the 7th Bombardment Wing in flight, in 1949. This aircraft was retired to the MASDC on 19 November 1956.

Bombers

America’s First Broken Arrow Incident Happened 75 Years Ago

Updated on Feb 14, 2025

The U.S. Air Force quietly fixed a problem with the integration of the 30,000-pound class GBU-57/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bomb onto the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber last year. As part of the integration work, the service also conducted an important test of a new "smart fuze" for the MOP to help improve the weapon's effectiveness, even when the exact depth and positioning of the buried target are not definitively known.

B-2

Massive Ordnance Penetrator Bunker Buster Grows More Potent

Updated on Feb 6, 2025

A greater focus on long range strike capabilities is among the alternatives the U.S. Air Force is considering to a costly new crewed sixth-generation stealth combat jet as part of its Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) family of systems. A lower-cost design focused primarily on acting as a 'quarterback' for Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones is also still on the table.

B-21

$20 Billion Price Tag To Complete Development Of USAF’s Next Generation Fighter (Updated)

Posted on Jan 13, 2025

A strategically important fuel farm supplying Russia's Engels Air Base was struck by Ukrainian drones.

Tu-160

Ukraine Targets Strategic Bomber Fuel Supplies In Long-Range Strike On Russia

Posted on Jan 8, 2025

H-20

China’s H-20 Stealth Bomber Unlikely To ‘Debut’ Until 2030s, According To U.S. Intel

Posted on Dec 18, 2024

B-21

Former Trump Acting SECDEF Talks About The Future Of Big Ticket Defense Programs

Posted on Dec 6, 2024

Gen. Bussiere said the number and speed of delivery of the B-21 is a “valid discussion” to have “based on the age of the B-1 and B-2” and the advancing strategic capabilities of Russia and China.

B-21

B-21 Raider Numbers Could Be Boosted With Existing Production Capacity

Posted on Dec 6, 2024

Mystery drones have flown over USAF bases in the UK for an eighth day.

B-52

Drone Incursions Over USAF Bases In UK Enter Second Week

Updated on Nov 27, 2024

B-21

B-21 Taking On Some Of NGAD Fighter’s Missions On The Table Air Force Says

Posted on Oct 26, 2024

The expected size of the U.S. Air Force's B-21 Raider fleet could change as part of an ongoing force structure review, according to the bomber's manufacturer Northrop Grumman.

B-21

B-21 Raider Fleet Size Under Review

Posted on Oct 24, 2024

A B-2 Spirit from the 509th Bomb Wing, 13th Bomb Squadron Whiteman Air Force Base, Miss., prepares to be refueled by a KC-135R Stratotanker from the 434th Air Refueling Wing at Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind. during a nighttime aerial refueling mission.

B-2

Questions Linger Over Australia’s Role In B-2 Spirit Strikes On Yemen

Posted on Oct 18, 2024

B-2

B-2 Spirits Just Sent A Very Ominous Message To Iran

Updated on Oct 17, 2024

An Air Force B-52H Stratofortress was recently spotted rocking day-glo orange highlights.

B-52

B-52 Emerges In Striking Retro Orange Paint Scheme

Updated on Oct 1, 2024

The U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman have expanded testing of the B-21 thanks to two ground test articles, which are being used to evaluate the bomber's core construction and the time it takes before certain parts break. The tempo of flight testing of the initial pre-production Raider is also growing, with the jet now sometimes taking to the skies twice a week.

B-21

B-21 Ground Test Airframes Join Flying Pre-Production Raider

Posted on Sep 19, 2024

The U.S. Air Force has released new video footage of its first pre-production B-21 Raider stealth bomber undergoing flight testing.

B-21

New Look At B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber Flight Testing Released

Posted on Sep 18, 2024

A B-1B Lancer assigned to the 419th Flight Test Squadron conducts flight tests on the Load Adaptable Modular pylon in the skies over California, Feb. 15.

B-1

B-1B Tests New Pylon That Could Drastically Increase Its Weapons Carriage Capabilities

Posted on Aug 6, 2024

Chinese H-6-series aircraft have flown off the coast of Alaska for what appears to be the first time in an important show of force along with Russian Tu-95 Bear bombers.

H-6 Bomber

Chinese H-6 Missile Carrier Jets Appear For The First Time Off Alaska (Updated)

Posted on Jul 25, 2024

Recently retired Lancer Rage takes to the skies above Davis–Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona

B-1

B-1B Named Rage Brought Out Of Mothballs To Fly Once Again (Updated)

By Oliver Parken

Posted on Jul 20, 2024

B-2

B-2 Stealth Bomber’s Latest Upgrade Is Here

Updated on Jul 17, 2024

Two legendary U.S. nuclear bombers, their first flights separated by almost half a century, took to the skies over Missouri at the weekend. The formation flights by the U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bomber and the B-29 Doc — one of only two examples of the World War II-era bomber that are flying anywhere in the world — were, the service believes, the first time that these two legendary aircraft had flown together in this way.

B-2

B-2 Spirit Joined By B-29 Superfortress For Unprecedented Nuclear Bomber Heritage Flight

Posted on Jul 15, 2024

Tu-22

Ukraine Situation Report: Plot To Steal A Tu-22M3 Backfire Thwarted Russia Claims

Posted on Jul 9, 2024

Congress is pressing ahead with legislation that would compel the Air Force to restore nuclear capability to its entire fleet of B-52 bombers after the likely sunset of an armed control deal with Russia.

B-52

What It Will Take To Make The Entire B-52 Fleet Nuclear-Capable

Updated on Jun 26, 2024

A claim has emerged that Russia has begun using 3,000-kilogram (6,600-pound) class FAB-3000 M54 bombs with pop-out wing kits against targets in Ukraine.

Tu-22

Is This Our First Look At Russia’s New Monster Glide Bomb Striking Ukraine?

Posted on Jun 21, 2024

B-52

B-52s With New Rolls Royce Engines Won’t Fly Operational Missions Until 2033

Updated on Jun 18, 2024

B-52

B-52 Future Stratofortress: The Upgrades That Will Transform The B-52H Into The B-52J

Updated on Jun 14, 2024

B-2

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

Posted on May 23, 2024

B-21

First Aerial View Of B-21 Raider Offers New Insights

Posted on May 22, 2024

A B-2 Spirit taxis at Whiteman Air Force Base

B-2

Damaged B-2 Won’t Be Repaired, Fleet To Shrink To 19 Jets (Updated)

Posted on May 10, 2024

The Air Force new 5,000-pound-class GBU-72/B bunker buster bomb could be a future addition to the B-2 bomber's arsenal.

B-2

B-2 Spirits Could Get New 5,000-Pound Bunker Busters