Fighters

Latest in Fighters

How The World’s First Privately Owned Fleet Of F-16 Aggressor Jets Became A Reality

How The World’s First Privately Owned Fleet Of F-16 Aggressor Jets Became A Reality How The World’s First Privately Owned Fleet Of F-16 Aggressor Jets Became A Reality

By James Deboer

Feb 24 4:30 PM EST

Laser Defense Pod For The Air Force’s Fighter Jets Is Finally Taking Shape

Laser Defense Pod For The Air Force’s Fighter Jets Is Finally Taking Shape Laser Defense Pod For The Air Force’s Fighter Jets Is Finally Taking Shape

By Thomas Newdick

Feb 23 6:49 PM EST

The First F-15EX Fighter Jet Has Now Flown In Its Air Force Colors

The First F-15EX Fighter Jet Has Now Flown In Its Air Force Colors The First F-15EX Fighter Jet Has Now Flown In Its Air Force Colors

By Thomas Newdick

Feb 23 3:38 PM EST

Air Force Boss Wants Clean-Sheet Fighter That’s Less Advanced Than F-35 To Replace F-16

Air Force Boss Wants Clean-Sheet Fighter That’s Less Advanced Than F-35 To Replace F-16 Air Force Boss Wants Clean-Sheet Fighter That’s Less Advanced Than F-35 To Replace F-16

By Thomas Newdick

Feb 18 3:04 PM EST

Russia Claims Its Su-57 Felon Fighter Has Been Testing A New Hypersonic Missile

Russia Claims Its Su-57 Felon Fighter Has Been Testing A New Hypersonic Missile Russia Claims Its Su-57 Felon Fighter Has Been Testing A New Hypersonic Missile

By Thomas Newdick

Feb 17 7:01 PM EST

Air Force F-35 Stealth Fighters Are Now Operating From Guam’s Austere Airfield

Air Force F-35 Stealth Fighters Are Now Operating From Guam’s Austere Airfield Air Force F-35 Stealth Fighters Are Now Operating From Guam’s Austere Airfield

By Thomas Newdick

Feb 16 3:05 PM EST

All You Need To Know About Italy’s F-35 Carrier That Just Arrived In The US

All You Need To Know About Italy’s F-35 Carrier That Just Arrived In The US All You Need To Know About Italy’s F-35 Carrier That Just Arrived In The US

By Thomas Newdick

Feb 15 6:51 PM EST

Code Brown As This F-4 Phantom Nearly Collides With A Mosque’s Minaret

Code Brown As This F-4 Phantom Nearly Collides With A Mosque’s Minaret Code Brown As This F-4 Phantom Nearly Collides With A Mosque’s Minaret

By Tyler Rogoway

Feb 14 8:12 PM EST

Boeing’s Chief F-15 Test Pilot Talks Flying The Air Force’s New Eagle On Its Maiden Flight

Boeing’s Chief F-15 Test Pilot Talks Flying The Air Force’s New Eagle On Its Maiden Flight Boeing’s Chief F-15 Test Pilot Talks Flying The Air Force’s New Eagle On Its Maiden Flight

By Jamie Hunter

Feb 8 4:45 PM EST

Sweden’s Bigger Badder Gripen Fighter Packs A Lot Of Punch In An Incredibly Efficient Package

Sweden’s Bigger Badder Gripen Fighter Packs A Lot Of Punch In An Incredibly Efficient Package Sweden’s Bigger Badder Gripen Fighter Packs A Lot Of Punch In An Incredibly Efficient Package

By Jamie Hunter

Feb 4 6:45 PM EST

Turkey Prepares To Extend The Life Of Its Massive F-16 Fleet After F-35 Embargo

Turkey Prepares To Extend The Life Of Its Massive F-16 Fleet After F-35 Embargo Turkey Prepares To Extend The Life Of Its Massive F-16 Fleet After F-35 Embargo

By Thomas Newdick

Feb 4 1:49 PM EST

The Air Force’s New F-15EX Eagle Just Took To The Sky For The First Time (Updated)

The Air Force’s New F-15EX Eagle Just Took To The Sky For The First Time (Updated) The Air Force’s New F-15EX Eagle Just Took To The Sky For The First Time (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick

Feb 2 4:44 PM EST

Boeing Can Now Offer The F-15EX To India, But Does Buying It Really Make Sense?

Boeing Can Now Offer The F-15EX To India, But Does Buying It Really Make Sense? Boeing Can Now Offer The F-15EX To India, But Does Buying It Really Make Sense?

By Thomas Newdick

Feb 1 2:31 PM EST

Navy Considers Axing Conformal Fuel Tanks From Its Block III Super Hornet Upgrade Plan

Navy Considers Axing Conformal Fuel Tanks From Its Block III Super Hornet Upgrade Plan Navy Considers Axing Conformal Fuel Tanks From Its Block III Super Hornet Upgrade Plan

By Joseph Trevithick

Jan 29 4:58 PM EST

First Contractor-Owned F-16 Aggressors Include MiG Killers, Veteran Of Iraqi Reactor Raid (Updated)

First Contractor-Owned F-16 Aggressors Include MiG Killers, Veteran Of Iraqi Reactor Raid (Updated) First Contractor-Owned F-16 Aggressors Include MiG Killers, Veteran Of Iraqi Reactor Raid (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick

Jan 28 5:41 PM EST

F-35s And F-16s Set To Operate From Austere Jungle Airfield During Major Exercise On Guam

F-35s And F-16s Set To Operate From Austere Jungle Airfield During Major Exercise On Guam F-35s And F-16s Set To Operate From Austere Jungle Airfield During Major Exercise On Guam

By Tyler Rogoway

Jan 27 10:31 PM EST

Check Out This F-15E Strike Eagle Packing A Stealthy JASSM-ER Cruise Missile

Check Out This F-15E Strike Eagle Packing A Stealthy JASSM-ER Cruise Missile Check Out This F-15E Strike Eagle Packing A Stealthy JASSM-ER Cruise Missile

By Joseph Trevithick

Jan 27 10:01 PM EST

The First Contractor-Operated F-16 Aggressor Jets Are Heading To North America

The First Contractor-Operated F-16 Aggressor Jets Are Heading To North America The First Contractor-Operated F-16 Aggressor Jets Are Heading To North America

By Thomas Newdick

Jan 27 6:13 PM EST

Air Force Eyes Drones For Adversary And Light Attack Roles As It Mulls Buying New F-16s

Air Force Eyes Drones For Adversary And Light Attack Roles As It Mulls Buying New F-16s Air Force Eyes Drones For Adversary And Light Attack Roles As It Mulls Buying New F-16s

By The War Zone staff

Jan 23 4:48 AM EST

The Truth About Going From Flying Airplanes To Helicopters

The Truth About Going From Flying Airplanes To Helicopters The Truth About Going From Flying Airplanes To Helicopters

By Stephen Walker

Jan 21 8:24 PM EST

China’s J-20 Stealth Fighter First Flew 10 Years Ago Today. A Two-Seater Could Be Next.

China’s J-20 Stealth Fighter First Flew 10 Years Ago Today. A Two-Seater Could Be Next. China’s J-20 Stealth Fighter First Flew 10 Years Ago Today. A Two-Seater Could Be Next.

By Thomas Newdick

Jan 11 5:25 PM EST

The Iraqi Air Force’s F-16 Fleet Is On The Brink Of Collapse Despite Showy Flybys

The Iraqi Air Force’s F-16 Fleet Is On The Brink Of Collapse Despite Showy Flybys The Iraqi Air Force’s F-16 Fleet Is On The Brink Of Collapse Despite Showy Flybys

By Thomas Newdick

Jan 7 5:35 PM EST

It’s Official: Pentagon Puts F-35 Full-Rate Production Decision On Hold

It’s Official: Pentagon Puts F-35 Full-Rate Production Decision On Hold It’s Official: Pentagon Puts F-35 Full-Rate Production Decision On Hold

By Thomas Newdick

Dec 31 5:13 PM EST

The Navy Got Its Hands On Its First Operational F-4 Phantom Sixty Years Ago Today

The Navy Got Its Hands On Its First Operational F-4 Phantom Sixty Years Ago Today The Navy Got Its Hands On Its First Operational F-4 Phantom Sixty Years Ago Today

By Thomas Newdick

Dec 30 6:03 PM EST

B-2 Bombers Practice Stealth Team Tactics With F-35 Pilot Trainees For The First Time

B-2 Bombers Practice Stealth Team Tactics With F-35 Pilot Trainees For The First Time B-2 Bombers Practice Stealth Team Tactics With F-35 Pilot Trainees For The First Time

By Thomas Newdick

Dec 30 1:16 PM EST

Watch This F-15 Take Out A Target With A Sidewinder Missile At Very Close Range

Watch This F-15 Take Out A Target With A Sidewinder Missile At Very Close Range Watch This F-15 Take Out A Target With A Sidewinder Missile At Very Close Range

By Thomas Newdick

Dec 29 3:46 PM EST

Watch A Marine Corps F-35B Fire Its Gun Pod While Flying Off The Coast Of Somalia

Watch A Marine Corps F-35B Fire Its Gun Pod While Flying Off The Coast Of Somalia Watch A Marine Corps F-35B Fire Its Gun Pod While Flying Off The Coast Of Somalia

By Joseph Trevithick and Thomas Newdick

Dec 24 11:42 AM EST

Fighter Pilots Are Taking Full Advantage Of The Air Force’s Lifted Ban On Custom Helmet Art

Fighter Pilots Are Taking Full Advantage Of The Air Force’s Lifted Ban On Custom Helmet Art Fighter Pilots Are Taking Full Advantage Of The Air Force’s Lifted Ban On Custom Helmet Art

By Jamie Hunter

Dec 23 6:52 PM EST

F-35s, F-16 Aggressors, KC-135 Tankers Put On Impressive “Elephant Walk” In Alaska

F-35s, F-16 Aggressors, KC-135 Tankers Put On Impressive “Elephant Walk” In Alaska F-35s, F-16 Aggressors, KC-135 Tankers Put On Impressive “Elephant Walk” In Alaska

By Thomas Newdick

Dec 22 10:42 AM EST

An Eagle Named Opus: The Legend Of The Air Force’s Most Notorious F-15

An Eagle Named Opus: The Legend Of The Air Force’s Most Notorious F-15 An Eagle Named Opus: The Legend Of The Air Force’s Most Notorious F-15

By Patrick Koepke

Dec 21 7:28 PM EST

Why The Navy Is Looking To End Carrier Qualifications Entirely For Its Pilots In Training

Why The Navy Is Looking To End Carrier Qualifications Entirely For Its Pilots In Training Why The Navy Is Looking To End Carrier Qualifications Entirely For Its Pilots In Training

By Jamie Hunter

Dec 21 3:46 PM EST

We Talk Tomcats With A Veteran Navy Test Pilot On The F-14’s 50th Birthday

We Talk Tomcats With A Veteran Navy Test Pilot On The F-14’s 50th Birthday We Talk Tomcats With A Veteran Navy Test Pilot On The F-14’s 50th Birthday

By Tyler Rogoway

Dec 21 1:04 PM EST

Watch A Super Hornet Launch Off A “Ski Jump” During Testing Aimed At The Indian Navy

Watch A Super Hornet Launch Off A “Ski Jump” During Testing Aimed At The Indian Navy Watch A Super Hornet Launch Off A “Ski Jump” During Testing Aimed At The Indian Navy

By Thomas Newdick

Dec 21 11:13 AM EST

F-16s Rescue Desperate Special Operators In This Chilling Account With Gun Camera Footage

F-16s Rescue Desperate Special Operators In This Chilling Account With Gun Camera Footage F-16s Rescue Desperate Special Operators In This Chilling Account With Gun Camera Footage

By Thomas Newdick

Dec 18 5:26 PM EST

Stealthy XQ-58 Drone Busts The Networking Logjam Between F-22 And F-35

Stealthy XQ-58 Drone Busts The Networking Logjam Between F-22 And F-35 Stealthy XQ-58 Drone Busts The Networking Logjam Between F-22 And F-35

By Joseph Trevithick, Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Dec 15 5:41 PM EST

No, Russia Really Doesn’t Need A New Single-Engine Fighter

No, Russia Really Doesn’t Need A New Single-Engine Fighter No, Russia Really Doesn’t Need A New Single-Engine Fighter

By Thomas Newdick

Dec 11 3:34 PM EST

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles Are Getting Replacement Wings Ripped Off Saudi F-15S Jets

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles Are Getting Replacement Wings Ripped Off Saudi F-15S Jets Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles Are Getting Replacement Wings Ripped Off Saudi F-15S Jets

By Joseph Trevithick

Dec 11 2:08 PM EST

F-16 Belonging To The Wisconsin Air National Guard Crashes In Michigan (Updated)

F-16 Belonging To The Wisconsin Air National Guard Crashes In Michigan (Updated) F-16 Belonging To The Wisconsin Air National Guard Crashes In Michigan (Updated)

By Tyler Rogoway

Dec 11 6:08 AM EST

Russia Is Using Augmented Reality To Produce Its Su-57 Fighter

Russia Is Using Augmented Reality To Produce Its Su-57 Fighter Russia Is Using Augmented Reality To Produce Its Su-57 Fighter

By Thomas Newdick

Dec 10 2:27 PM EST

Marine Corps F-35Cs Make First Arrested Landings At An Expeditionary Airfield

Marine Corps F-35Cs Make First Arrested Landings At An Expeditionary Airfield Marine Corps F-35Cs Make First Arrested Landings At An Expeditionary Airfield

By James Deboer

Dec 10 7:17 AM EST

Nigeria’s MiG-21 Fighter Jet Force Is Up For Sale

Nigeria’s MiG-21 Fighter Jet Force Is Up For Sale Nigeria’s MiG-21 Fighter Jet Force Is Up For Sale

By Thomas Newdick

Dec 9 2:39 PM EST

Watch Crew Eject From An Australian Super Hornet After An Aborted Takeoff

Watch Crew Eject From An Australian Super Hornet After An Aborted Takeoff Watch Crew Eject From An Australian Super Hornet After An Aborted Takeoff

By Thomas Newdick

Dec 9 5:55 AM EST

France Confirms That Indonesia Wants To Buy Rafale Fighter Jets

France Confirms That Indonesia Wants To Buy Rafale Fighter Jets France Confirms That Indonesia Wants To Buy Rafale Fighter Jets

By Thomas Newdick

Dec 4 1:41 PM EST

The Untold Story Of How Indonesian And Australian Jets Nearly Came To Blows Over East Timor

The Untold Story Of How Indonesian And Australian Jets Nearly Came To Blows Over East Timor The Untold Story Of How Indonesian And Australian Jets Nearly Came To Blows Over East Timor

By Thomas Newdick

Dec 2 5:53 PM EST

What It Is Like Flying The Most Advanced F-15 Eagle Ever Built

What It Is Like Flying The Most Advanced F-15 Eagle Ever Built What It Is Like Flying The Most Advanced F-15 Eagle Ever Built

By Jamie Hunter

Nov 30 5:19 PM EST

Australia Teams Up With U.S. To Get Hypersonic Missiles For Its Super Hornets In Five Years

Australia Teams Up With U.S. To Get Hypersonic Missiles For Its Super Hornets In Five Years Australia Teams Up With U.S. To Get Hypersonic Missiles For Its Super Hornets In Five Years

By Thomas Newdick

Nov 30 2:47 PM EST

F-15 Eagle Pilot Explains Exactly How He Downed Three Migs During Two Wars

F-15 Eagle Pilot Explains Exactly How He Downed Three Migs During Two Wars F-15 Eagle Pilot Explains Exactly How He Downed Three Migs During Two Wars

By Jamie Hunter

Nov 27 6:35 PM EST

This Shot Of An A-10, F-35, And F-22 Billowing Vapor In Formation Is Absolutely Insane

This Shot Of An A-10, F-35, And F-22 Billowing Vapor In Formation Is Absolutely Insane This Shot Of An A-10, F-35, And F-22 Billowing Vapor In Formation Is Absolutely Insane

By Tyler Rogoway

Nov 27 6:35 PM EST

Test Pilot Explains The YF-23 Black Widow’s Awesomely Innovative Flight Control System

Test Pilot Explains The YF-23 Black Widow’s Awesomely Innovative Flight Control System Test Pilot Explains The YF-23 Black Widow’s Awesomely Innovative Flight Control System

By Tyler Rogoway

Nov 27 6:35 PM EST

How A Canadian Pilot Became The First Westerner To Fly The Feared MiG-29 Fulcrum

How A Canadian Pilot Became The First Westerner To Fly The Feared MiG-29 Fulcrum How A Canadian Pilot Became The First Westerner To Fly The Feared MiG-29 Fulcrum

By Thomas Newdick

Nov 27 6:35 PM EST

How F-16 Testers Are Evolving The Jet’s New Radar Beyond The Homeland Defense Mission

How F-16 Testers Are Evolving The Jet’s New Radar Beyond The Homeland Defense Mission How F-16 Testers Are Evolving The Jet’s New Radar Beyond The Homeland Defense Mission

By Jamie Hunter

Nov 27 6:35 PM EST

Why Russia’s MiG-35 Is Starting To Look Like A Dead Duck

Why Russia’s MiG-35 Is Starting To Look Like A Dead Duck Why Russia’s MiG-35 Is Starting To Look Like A Dead Duck

By Thomas Newdick

Nov 27 6:34 PM EST

Check Out This Incredibly Rare Image Of An F-22 Pilot Wearing A Helmet Mounted Display

Check Out This Incredibly Rare Image Of An F-22 Pilot Wearing A Helmet Mounted Display Check Out This Incredibly Rare Image Of An F-22 Pilot Wearing A Helmet Mounted Display

By Jamie Hunter

Nov 27 6:34 PM EST

Navy F/A-18 Squadron Commander’s Take On AI Repeatedly Beating Real Pilot In Dogfight

Navy F/A-18 Squadron Commander’s Take On AI Repeatedly Beating Real Pilot In Dogfight Navy F/A-18 Squadron Commander’s Take On AI Repeatedly Beating Real Pilot In Dogfight

By Commander Colin ‘Farva’ Price

Nov 27 6:27 PM EST

Strike Eagle Pilot Gives A Detailed Walk Around Tour Of An F-15E

Strike Eagle Pilot Gives A Detailed Walk Around Tour Of An F-15E Strike Eagle Pilot Gives A Detailed Walk Around Tour Of An F-15E

By Jamie Hunter

Nov 27 6:26 PM EST

The Full Story On That Oregon F-15 That Fired Its Missiles Into The Sea Before Landing

The Full Story On That Oregon F-15 That Fired Its Missiles Into The Sea Before Landing The Full Story On That Oregon F-15 That Fired Its Missiles Into The Sea Before Landing

By Joseph Trevithick

Nov 27 6:25 PM EST

The Air Force’s Secret Next Gen Air Dominance Demonstrator Isn’t What You Think It Is

The Air Force’s Secret Next Gen Air Dominance Demonstrator Isn’t What You Think It Is The Air Force’s Secret Next Gen Air Dominance Demonstrator Isn’t What You Think It Is

By Tyler Rogoway

Nov 27 6:25 PM EST

Fighter Pilots Could Soon Train To Dogfight Against Virtual Projections Of Adversary Jets

Fighter Pilots Could Soon Train To Dogfight Against Virtual Projections Of Adversary Jets Fighter Pilots Could Soon Train To Dogfight Against Virtual Projections Of Adversary Jets

By Tyler Rogoway

Nov 27 6:25 PM EST

The Plan For Making Aging USMC F/A-18 Hornets Deadlier Than Ever For A Final Decade Of Service

The Plan For Making Aging USMC F/A-18 Hornets Deadlier Than Ever For A Final Decade Of Service The Plan For Making Aging USMC F/A-18 Hornets Deadlier Than Ever For A Final Decade Of Service

By Jamie Hunter

Nov 27 6:24 PM EST

How This F-117 Ended Up Nesting With An F-15 Alert Jet At Portland Air Guard Base

How This F-117 Ended Up Nesting With An F-15 Alert Jet At Portland Air Guard Base How This F-117 Ended Up Nesting With An F-15 Alert Jet At Portland Air Guard Base

By Tyler Rogoway

Nov 27 6:24 PM EST

You Can Buy The World’s Only Flyable P-82 Twin Mustang For $12,000,000

You Can Buy The World’s Only Flyable P-82 Twin Mustang For $12,000,000 You Can Buy The World’s Only Flyable P-82 Twin Mustang For $12,000,000

By Tyler Rogoway

Nov 27 6:23 PM EST

The Day The Royal Air Force Lost Six Jet Fighters In Just 45 Minutes

The Day The Royal Air Force Lost Six Jet Fighters In Just 45 Minutes The Day The Royal Air Force Lost Six Jet Fighters In Just 45 Minutes

By Thomas Newdick

Nov 27 6:23 PM EST

How Israel Got This MiG-21 That Sean Connery Posed Next To Was Like A Real-Life Bond Movie

How Israel Got This MiG-21 That Sean Connery Posed Next To Was Like A Real-Life Bond Movie How Israel Got This MiG-21 That Sean Connery Posed Next To Was Like A Real-Life Bond Movie

By Thomas Newdick

Nov 27 6:15 PM EST

Pilots Provide Fascinating Commentary On Video Of America’s Secret Red Eagles MiG Squadron

Pilots Provide Fascinating Commentary On Video Of America’s Secret Red Eagles MiG Squadron Pilots Provide Fascinating Commentary On Video Of America’s Secret Red Eagles MiG Squadron

By Jamie Hunter

Nov 27 6:15 PM EST