Fighters(Page 3)

Latest in Fighters

The puzzling canards on the F-47 could be an indicator of what the aircraft's design goals are.
F-47

What The F-47’s Canards Say About The Rest Of Its Design

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Mar 24, 2025

We may have just gotten our first evidence of the GBU-53/B StormBreaker glide bomb, also known as the Small Diameter Bomber II (SDB II), being used in combat. The first operational use of the StormBreaker by the service would be a big deal, with this weapon bringing some significant advances over its predecessor, the GBU-39/B SDB I, especially the ability to hit moving targets.
F/A-18E/F

F/A-18 Super Hornets Now Carrying Stormbreaker Glide Bombs On Combat Missions

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 24, 2025

F-47 X-plane demonstrators
F-47

F-47 Was Born Out Of Secret X-Planes Built By Both Boeing And Lockheed

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Mar 23, 2025

F-47 NGAD from Boeing.
F-47

Boeing Wins F-47 Next Generation Air Dominance Fighter Contract (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick, By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Mar 22, 2025

F-35 Hill AFB
F-35A

F-35s From Hill AFB Arrive In England

By Howard Altman

Updated on Mar 20, 2025

Laser-Guided Rockets Shown Shooting Down Houthi Drones For First Time
F-16

Laser-Guided Rockets Shown Shooting Down Houthi Drones For First Time

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Mar 19, 2025

France's President Emmanuel Macron (C) delivers a speech in front of a Dassault Mirage 2000 (L) and a Dassault Rafale (R) fighter aircrafts during his visit of the French Air and Space Force (Armee de l'air et de l'espace) Luxeuil-Saint-Sauveur Airbase in Saint-Sauveur, north-eastern France on March 18, 2025.
Rafale

France To Expand Its Nuclear Deterrent With New Air Base

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 18, 2025

The U.S. Navy is set to help integrate the AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) onto the F-16 Viper fighter, giving those jets a huge enhancement in anti-ship capability.
F-16

F-16 Is Getting Massive Anti-Ship Missile Upgrade

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Mar 18, 2025

J36 second flight from its base in Chengdu.
J-36

China’s J-36 Tailless Stealth Fighter Seen Flying For Second Time

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Mar 17, 2025

Israel has confirmed that its F-35 stealth fighters have flown airstrikes using external ordnance. The F-35’s so-called ‘beast mode,’ featuring heavier loads on underwing pylons, is well known by now, but as far as is known, has not been called upon operationally by any other countries. Meanwhile, Israel’s unique F-35I fleet — locally known as the “Adir” (Hebrew for mighty) — which features various local modifications, has frequently been at the forefront of demonstrating new capabilities.
F-35A

Israeli F-35s First To Use ‘Beast Mode’ In Combat

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 17, 2025

F-15EX deliveries accelerating.
F-15

F-15EX Production Heats Up

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 13, 2025

In response to recent European media reports, Lockheed Martin and several governments have pushed back on the idea that F-35 Joint Strike Fighters have any kind of a discreet 'kill switch' that U.S. authorities could use to remotely disable the jets.
F-35

You Don’t Need A Kill Switch To Hobble Exported F-35s

By Joseph Trevithick, By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Mar 11, 2025

An F16-D Fighting Falcon pilot from the 40th Flight Test Squadron demonstrates proper flare technique during a training mission near Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., June 6, 2019. A flare is an aerial infrared countermeasure used by planes or helicopter to counter an infrared homing surface-to-air missile or air-to-air missile. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joshua Hoskins)
F-16

AI-Enabled Cognitive Electronic Warfare Capability Plugs Into F-16’s Existing Radar Warning Receiver

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Mar 10, 2025

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

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

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Mar 7, 2025

F-16 Fighting Falcons from Kunsan Air Base and South Korean KF-16s taxi to the runway together during Exercise Buddy Wing 14-8 at Seosan Air Base, Republic of Korea Aug. 21, 2014. The purpose of the exercise was not only to improve interoperability between U.S. Air Force and ROKAF fighter squadrons, but to practice with ROKAF KF-16 units for their first upcoming RED FLAG exercise in Alaska.
F-16

South Korean F-16s Just Bombed A Town By Accident

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 6, 2025

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle conducts combat patrols over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Oct. 20, 2024. The F-15E is deployed within the USCENTCOM AOR to help defend U.S. interests, promote regional security, and deter aggression in the region.
F-15

F-15’s New EPAWSS Electronic Warfare Suite Already Has Successor In Development

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 5, 2025

Thales Scorpion will equip the F-22s of the Hawaii ANG.
F-16

F-22 Raptor Pilots Finally Getting Helmet Mounted Displays

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Mar 5, 2025

A deep review of the U.S. Air Force's paused plans to acquire a new crewed sixth-generation stealth combat jet came to the unambiguous conclusion that the service needs such an aircraft to be best positioned to achieve air superiority in future high-end fights.
F-22

Next Generation Fighter Critical To Future Air Superiority, Key USAF Study Concluded

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Mar 5, 2025

Lockheed Martin says it conducted six successful flight tests last year as part of work to add new capabilities on the F-22 Raptor stealth fighter.
F-22

F-22 Raptors Completed Six Test Flights For New Sensor Upgrades

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Mar 3, 2025

Top Aces Viper in Blue camouflage
F-16

Private F-16 Aggressors Getting Ability To Insert Synthetic Bandits Into Live Training

By Eric Tegler

Updated on Mar 3, 2025

Meteor Missile F-35B testing
F-35A

F-35B Has Flown With Meteor Long-Range Air-To-Air Missile

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 28, 2025

An apparently new photo published by Boeing shows one of its F-15 Advanced Eagle series fighters fitted with what looks like a previously unseen infrared search and track (IRST) sensor ahead of the cockpit.
F-15

F-15 Nose-Mounted Infrared Sensor Hinted At In New Boeing Photo

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Feb 27, 2025

The U.S. Air Force's force design director says analyses to date show the service will face more operational risk and be less able to achieve assigned objectives without a new crewed sixth-generation combat jet.
NGAD

Axing Next Generation Fighter Would Leave Air Force Worse Off: Force Design Boss

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 26, 2025

The U.S. Air Force has confirmed that a recently released rendering from the AIM-260A does indeed reflect the actual design of what is also known as the Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM).
F-22

This Is What The Classified AIM-260 Missile Actually Looks Like, Air Force Confirms

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Feb 26, 2025

France is apparently looking at the possibility of deploying air-launched nuclear weapons to Germany, a consideration that’s being made amid growing concerns that the United States will no longer guarantee European security under NATO. Broader discussions about nuclear deterrence among European leaders points very clearly to the deepening crisis in the transatlantic alliance under U.S. President Donald Trump.
Rafale

France Eyeing Deployment Of Nuclear-Armed Rafale Fighters To Germany: Report

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 25, 2025

A domestically-produced F-CK-1 indigenous defence fighter jet (IDF) takes off during a visit by the island's president and the media from Penghu Air Force Base on Magong island in the Penghu islands on September 22, 2020. (Photo by Sam Yeh / AFP) (Photo by SAM YEH/AFP via Getty Images)
Fighters

Air-Launched Supersonic Anti-Ship Missile Being Tested By Taiwan

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Feb 25, 2025

Su-57 Felon’s First Visit To Iran Seen In Satellite Imagery
Su-57

Su-57 Felon’s First Visit To Iran Seen In Satellite Imagery

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 24, 2025

Israel Performs Parade-Like Fighter Jet Flyover For Arch Enemy’s Funeral
F-15

Israel Performs Parade-Like Fighter Jet Flyover For Arch Enemy’s Funeral

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Feb 23, 2025

A Russian SU-27 Flanker aircraft banks away with a RAF Typhoon in the background. RAF Typhoons were scrambled on Tuesday 17 June 2014 to intercept multiple Russian aircraft as part of NATO’s ongoing mission to police Baltic airspace. The Typhoon aircraft, from 3 (Fighter) Squadron, were launched after four separate groups of aircraft were detected by NATO air defences in international airspace near to the Baltic States. Once airborne, the British jets identified the aircraft as a Russian Tupolev Tu22 ‘Backfire’ bomber, four Sukhoi Su27 ‘Flanker’ fighters, one Beriev A50 ‘Mainstay’ early warning aircraft and an Antonov An26 ‘Curl’ transport aircraft who appeared to be carrying out a variety of routine training. The Russian aircraft were monitored by the RAF Typhoons and escorted on their way. The Typhoon pilots involved in the operation were Flight Lieutenant (Flt Lt) Mark Long of 29 (Reserve) Squadron (the Typhoon operational training unit) and a French Air Force exchange pilot Commandant Marc-antoine Gerrard who is currently attached to 1(Fighter) Squadron.
Fighters

This Is What A Peacekeeping Air Policing Mission Over Ukraine Could Look Like

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 20, 2025

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon flies a presence patrol over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Feb. 11, 2025. As a highly maneuverable and agile platform with a proven record in air-to-air combat and air-to-ground attack, the Fighting Falcon is well-equipped to engage with threats to regional security and deter further aggression in the AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jackson Manske)
F-16

F-16s With Larger Laser-Guided Rocket Loads, Drone Kill Marking Emerge Over Middle East

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 19, 2025

Since at least the summer of last year, the Ukrainian Air Force has been flying at least one mysterious, black-painted MiG-29 Fulcrum fighter. A recently published official video shows the jet in more detail, although it remains unclear exactly why it was repainted in this way.
MiG-29

Ukraine’s Black MiG-29 ‘Ghost’ Fulcrum Showcased In New Video

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 18, 2025

U.S. Air Force Gen. Gregory Guillot, the top American military officer overseeing operations in and around North America, has said he would welcome Canadian participation in expanding continental missile defense efforts, including in space.
F/A-18A-D

Canada Joining Iron Dome Missile Defense Plan Would Be Welcome: NORAD Boss

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 14, 2025

A Russian Sukhoi Su-57 (L) and U.S. Air Force's F-35 fifth-generation fighter aircrafts are pictured at the tarmac during Aero India 2025, a military aviation exhibition at the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru on February 11, 2025. Air traffic is booming in India, even though only a tiny fraction of its people fly each year, and manufacturers are seeking lucrative deals at the flagship Aero India exhibition from February 10. (Photo by Arun SANKAR / AFP) (Photo by ARUN SANKAR/AFP via Getty Images)
F-35

Trump Offers India Path To F-35

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Feb 14, 2025

U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler from Electronic Attack Squadron 135
EA-18G

EA-18G Growler Crashes Into San Diego Bay (Updated)

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Feb 12, 2025

The first General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcons received by Ukraine fly on the Day of Ukrainian Air Force on August 4, 2024 in Unspecified, Ukraine. At the event for the Day of Ukrainian Air Force with the participation of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi, the first General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcons received by Ukraine were demonstrated.
F-16

New Shots Of Ukrainian F-16s Shine Light On Combat Missions

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 12, 2025

Russia's Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighter jet begins preparations and adaptive flight training for the upcoming 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, or Airshow China 2024, on November 7, 2024 in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province of China. The 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition will be held in Zhuhai from November 12 to 17.
Su-57

Algeria Says It’s The Su-57 Felon’s First Export Customer

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 12, 2025

An E/A-18G Growler. (U.S. Navy)
EA-18G

How The EA-18G Growler’s Next-Generation Jamming Pod Went To War On Its First Cruise

By Geoff Ziezulewicz

Updated on Feb 11, 2025

At least 20 U.S. Air Force tanker aircraft, 10 KC-46s and an equal number of KC-135s, supported the first day of the latest Bamboo Eagle exercise off the California Coast, according to online flight tracking data.
EA-18G

Tankers Flood Airspace Off The California Coast For China-Focused Air Combat Exercise

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 11, 2025

Members of Marine Aerial Refueler Squadron-234, (VMGR-234) provide aerial refueling to French Mirage 2000 Fighters from a K C-130J over Djibouti, May 24, 2021. VMGR-234 supports Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) with aerial refueling operations, extending the reach of fixed and rotary wing aircraft.
Rafale

French Fighters Downed “Nearly A Dozen Drones” In Red Sea Combat

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 11, 2025

New imagery has appeared showing the Chinese J-20 stealth fighter carrying external air-to-air missiles, mirroring the so-called ‘beast mode’ that we’ve seen on U.S. fifth-generation fighters.
J-20

China’s J-20 Fighter Is Now Flying In ‘Beast Mode’

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Feb 10, 2025

Russian and American fighter jets join India's biggest air show The Aero India 2025 for the first time in New Delhi, India on February 10, 2025. For the first time in history, the air show is witnessing "the participation of two of the world's most advanced fifth-generation fighter aircraft - the Russian Su-57 and the American F-35 Lightning II," the Indian Defense Ministry said.
F-35A

F-35 And Su-57 Face Off In India

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 10, 2025

The F-15EX, the Air Force’s newest fighter aircraft, arrives to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida March 11. The aircraft will be the first Air Force aircraft to be tested and fielded from beginning to end through combined developmental and operational tests. The 40th Flight Test Squadron and the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron personnel are responsible for testing the aircraft.
F-15

F-15EX Nails Pentagon Test Campaign, Survivability Concerns Remain

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 6, 2025

A Mirage 2000-5 jet fighter takes off at the aerial military base 126 - Capitaine Preziosi aka Solenzara base, in Ventiseri, on the French Mediterranean island Corsica, for a mission in Libya on March 24, 2011. Blasts and anti-aircraft fire rattled the Libyan capital for the sixth day as France hailed the allied air raids against Moamer Kadhafi's forces and promised they would go on indefinitely.
Fighters

First Mirage 2000 Fighter Has Arrived In Ukraine

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 6, 2025

A U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet from the "Mighty Strikes" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 94, flies over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility while conducing a mission in support of Operation Inherent Resolve Oct. 2, 2020. VFA-94 is assigned to Carrier Air Wing 17, deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), the flagship of Nimitz Carrier Strike Group.
F/A-18E/F

F/A-18’s Infrared Search And Track System Has “Significant Reliability Problems”

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 3, 2025

Maj. Garret Dover prepares to taxi in an F-35A of the 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron, a tenant unit at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., takes off on a test flight at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, Feb 17, 2016. Six operational test and evaluation F-35s and more than 85 Airmen of the 31st TES travelled to Mountain Home AFB to conduct the first simulated deployment test of the F-35A, specifically to execute three key initial operational capability mission sets: suppression of enemy air defenses, close air support and air interdiction.
F-35A

Escalating Trade War Raises Questions Over Canada’s F-35 Future

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 3, 2025

U.S. Navy officials have laid out several priorities they say are key to ensuring the service's carrier air wings will be able to succeed in future conflicts, especially a high-end fight in the Pacific.
EA-18G

Carrier Air Wing’s Key Priorities To Win In Future Pacific Fight Laid Out By Navy

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 30, 2025

U.S. Air Force F-16 Vipers have been using 70mm laser-guided rockets to down Houthi drones during operations in and around the Red Sea in the past year.
F-16

F-16s Have Been Using Laser-Guided Rockets To Shoot Down Houthi Drones

By Joseph Trevithick, By Howard Altman, By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jan 29, 2025

F-35 Alaska
F-35A

F-35 Caught On Video Tumbling Vertically Into The Runway At Alaskan Air Base

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jan 29, 2025

The U.S. Air Force has dramatically plussed-up contracts with General Electric and Pratt & Whitney, both of which now have a ceiling of $3.5 billion, to continue work on prototype next-generation jet engines.
NGAD

Billions For Next Generation Fighter Jet Engines Greenlit By Air Force

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 28, 2025

An Air Force C-32A VIP transport jet, on a special mission for President Donald Trump, had to delay its landing at Joint Base Andrews because F-16C Vipers were scrambled to intercept a drone.
F-16

C-32 Forced To Delay Landing After F-16s Scrambled To Intercept Drone Near Capital

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 27, 2025

A newly emerged photo of the still-mysterious Chinese tailless combat aircraft, likely from the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, which first appeared last month, provides a better view of the rear aspect of the jet. This would appear to confirm that the aircraft’s outer wing sections, as we had previously suggested, act as moving control surfaces.
J-XDS

China’s Mysterious Tailless Stealth Fighter Has Swiveling Wingtips

By Thomas Newdick, By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jan 27, 2025

F-35 AI-Enabled Drone Controller Capability Successfully Demonstrated
F-22

F-35 AI-Enabled Drone Controller Capability Successfully Demonstrated

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 23, 2025

F-35Bs on san clémente island for austere operations training during Steel Knight exercise.
F-35B

We Went With Marine F-35Bs As They Fought A Mock War From A Pacific Island

By James Deboer

Updated on Jan 22, 2025

F-22 Raptor To Get Distributed Infrared Search And Track System
F-22

F-22 Raptor To Get Distributed Infrared Search And Track System

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 22, 2025

NATO’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) has confirmed to TWZ that four Dutch F-35A stealth fighters are now also participating in Baltic Sentry, a mission intended, among other things, to ensure the security of critical undersea infrastructure in the region. The jets were already in the region as part of the alliance’s Baltic Air Policing mission.
F-35A

F-35s Now Helping Prevent Baltic Seafloor Cable Sabotage

By Thomas Newdick, By Howard Altman

Updated on Jan 22, 2025

An F-15E on a flight line in San Antonio, Texas. The aircraft was recently upgraded with Eagle Passive/Active Warning and Survivability System, advanced electronic warfare system.
F-15

F-15E Strike Eagle With New EPAWSS Electronic Warfare Suite Heads To Frontline Unit

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 17, 2025

The Ukrainian Air Force is investigating whether key personnel were sent to the front lines, a move that could drastically affect its combat capability.
MiG-29

Investigation Launched Into Transfer Of Ukrainian MiG-29 Maintainers, Air Defenders To Front Lines

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 16, 2025

Norwegian F-35s are in Poznań, Poland, as part of Norway's contribution to NATO's integrated air and missile defense.
F-35A

Norwegian F-35s Scrambled In Poland During Russian Missile Strikes On Ukraine

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 15, 2025

Analysis of china's new stealth tailless fighter aircraft
J-36

What China’s Next Generation Stealth Jet Reveal Really Means

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jan 15, 2025

The new Tempest configuration, this time with Japan Air Self-Defense Force markings.
Fighters

UK Emphasizes Need To Arm Tempest Stealth Fighter With Larger, Longer Range Air-To-Air Missiles

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 14, 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.
F-22

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

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 13, 2025

The second tranche of U.S. Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones could be between 20 to 30 percent more expensive per airframe than those in the first batch.
NGAD

Second Batch Of Air Force CCA Drones Could Be 20 To 30 Percent Pricier Than The First

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 10, 2025

The arsenals of the U.S. Air Force's F-15E Strike Eagle and F-15EX Eagle II combat jets look set to grow with the addition of stealthy AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASM).
F-15

Stealthy AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles To Arm F-15EX, F-15E

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jan 9, 2025

A recent satellite image shows what looks to be yet another fighter-esque airframe or test article at Shenyang's main plant in the city of the same name in China.
Fighters

Tailless Fighter-Like Airframe Appears At Chinese Jet Manufacturer Shenyang’s Main Plant

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 7, 2025