Fighters

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German contractor Diehl Defense has unveiled a new “remote carrier” — a long-range effector that can be launched from aircraft, as well as from land and sea platforms. The missile-like store, known as FEANIX, which stands for Future Effector — Adaptable, Networked, Intelligent, eXpendable, is being pitched as an adjunct to the pan-European Future Combat Air System (FCAS) next-generation air combat program, as well as for the in-service Eurofighter Typhoon.

FEANIX ‘Remote Carrier’ Aims To Be The Ultra-Adaptable Missile Of The Future

By Thomas Newdick
Jun 5 1:46 PM EDT
A USAF Boeing F-15EX flies at low level in Nevada.

How 50 Years Of Eagle Experience Has Shaped The Advanced F-15

By Jamie Hunter
Jun 4 3:34 PM EDT
Photos have emerged showing a U.S. Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornet carrying what appears to be an air-launched version of the RIM-174 SM-6 missile, a weapon that can counter aerial threats at long ranges, as well as ground and surface targets.

Super Hornet Armed With SM-6 Missile Spotted Over California

By Thomas Newdick
Jun 4 2:08 PM EDT
The US Air Force has awarded its first contract for the purchase of production Joint Strike Missiles which are set to give its F-35A Joint Strike Fighters a new and capable stand-off strike option against targets on land and at sea.

USAF F-35s Are Officially Getting Joint Strike Cruise Missiles That Fit In Their Bays

By Joseph Trevithick
May 31 8:29 PM EDT
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.

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

By Thomas Newdick
May 31 2:15 PM EDT
A U.S. B-2A Spirit bomber assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing and a Royal Netherlands air force F-35A conduct aerial operations in support of Bomber Task Force Europe 20-2 over the North Sea March 18, 2020. Bomber missions provide opportunities to train and work with NATO allies and theater partners in combined and joint operations and exercises.

Dutch F-35s Take On A Full Nuclear Role

By Thomas Newdick
May 31 12:28 PM EDT
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.

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

By Joseph Trevithick
May 30 5:02 PM EDT
Tamir air-o-air variant

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

By Tyler Rogoway
May 30 3:37 PM EDT
F-16 Belgium ukraine

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

By Thomas Newdick
May 28 7:24 PM EDT
An F-35 Joint Strike Fighter crashed in Albuquerque New Mexico.

F-35 Crashes In New Mexico (Updated)

By Howard Altman
May 28 6:15 PM EDT
Black Flag 24-1, out of Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, run by the Air Force’s 53rd Wing.

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

By Thomas Newdick
May 28 12:39 PM EDT
Su-34 launches new glide bombs

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

By Thomas Newdick
May 23 6:35 PM EDT
ADM-160 MALD seen on MIG-29 in Ukraine for the first time.

ADM-160 Miniature Air Launched Decoy Spotted On Ukrainian MiG-29

By Thomas Newdick
May 21 11:48 AM EDT
A Navy Growler electronic attack jet now sports a Hind helicopter "kill mark"

Navy EA-18G Growler Sports Puzzling Mi-24 Hind Kill Mark Overseas

By Howard Altman, Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway
May 15 9:24 PM EDT
The Viper Demo team has painted their jet in the YF-16's scheme to commemorate the type's 50th anniversary.

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

By Tyler Rogoway
May 15 9:04 AM EDT
Members of Congress are pushing to block the US Air Force from retiring more than half of its F-15E Strike Eagles.

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

By Joseph Trevithick
May 14 2:29 PM EDT
T-6 ejection seat mishap

T-6 Pilot Dies In Ejection Seat Accident

By Oliver Parken
May 14 2:10 PM EDT
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.

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

By Thomas Newdick
May 14 1:07 PM EDT
The history and legacy of the Navy's F-16N

Live Fast, Die Young: The Story Of The Navy’s F-16N

By Tyler Rogoway
May 14 12:27 PM EDT
Super hornets now carrying nine air-to-air missiles

Super Hornets Now Flying With Nine Air-To-Air Missiles To Counter Houthi Drones

By Thomas Newdick
May 7 7:56 PM EDT
161013-N-OI810-093 WATERS SURROUNDING THE KOREAN PENINSULA (Oct. 13, 2016) Petty Officer 1st Class (AW/SW) John Diwa, from Dededo, Guam, installs inboard and outboard bearings on a main tire mount of an F/A-18F Super Hornet, assigned to the "Diamondbacks" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102, in the hangar bay of the Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), during Exercise Invincible Spirit. Invincible Spirit is a bilateral exercise conducted with the Republic of Korea Navy in the waters near the Korean Peninsula, consisting of routine carrier strike group (CSG) operations in support of maritime counter-special operating forces and integrated maritime operations. USS Ronald Reagan is on patrol with CSG 5 supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class (SW/AW) Nathan Burke/Released)

Navy Pays $100K To Replace Each F/A-18 Tire, 3D Printed Repairs Cuts Cost To $300

By Eric Tegler
May 7 4:06 PM EDT
A US Air Force F-22 stealth fighter has suffered a mishap at an airport in Georgia today, May 6, 2024.

F-22 Raptor Ends Up On Its Side During Air Guard Exercise (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick
May 6 5:31 PM EDT
Boeing Pitches F-15EX For Saudi Arabian Fighter Competition

Boeing Pitches F-15EX For Saudi Arabian Fighter Competition

By Thomas Newdick
May 3 5:51 PM EDT
A 49th Wing F-16 Viper takes off Jan. 19, 2022, at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. Holloman is the Air Force’s premiere training base for F-16 Viper and MQ-9 Reaper aircrew. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Adrian Salazar)

F-16 Crashes Near Holloman Air Force Base In New Mexico (Updated)

By Oliver Parken
Apr 30 4:47 PM EDT
F-35 has gotten its name from Poland.

Poland’s Future F-35s Have Been Officially Named “Husarz”

By Oliver Parken
Apr 29 10:40 PM EDT
A US Marine Corps CH-53K recently carried the stripped-down hulk of an F-35C fighter from one base to another and refueled in mid-air along the way.

Check Out This Marine CH-53K Carrying An F-35C While Refueling From A KC-130T

By Joseph Trevithick
Apr 25 9:36 PM EDT
The Ukrainian Air Force is using iPads, or similar tablets in the cockpits of its Soviet-era jets to enable rapid integration of modern Western air-to-ground weapons — something that TWZ predicted back in 2022. This has been confirmed by Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Dr. William LaPlante. While many questions remain about the tablet and how it works, there’s now more footage showing it fitted in cockpits.

Ukrainian Fighter Jets “Using iPads” To Control Western Weapons

By Thomas Newdick
Apr 25 7:18 PM EDT
South Korean F-4E launches an AGM-142 'Pop-eye' missile

F-4 Phantoms Conduct Final Popeye Missile Firing Before South Korea Bids Them Farewell

By Oliver Parken
Apr 23 6:10 PM EDT
H-20_CONCEPT_ART_PLAAF

China’s H-20 Stealth Bomber “Not Really” A Concern: U.S. Official

By Thomas Newdick
Apr 23 2:34 PM EDT
F-15EX

F-15E Strike Eagle’s Defense Of Israel Bolsters The Case For F-15EX

By Tyler Rogoway
Apr 17 5:49 PM EDT
The US Air Force's unique X-62A test jet participating in a breakthrough dogfight last year while a fully autonomous mode against a crewed F-16.

AI Is Now Dogfighting With Fighter Pilots In The Air

By Joseph Trevithick
Apr 17 1:31 PM EDT
Recently released pictures of a Bahraini Block 70 F-16D Viper undergoing testing in the United States show what one of these jets might look like one an actual combat mission.

Our First Look At An Armed-Up Block 70 F-16 Viper

By Joseph Trevithick
Apr 12 12:17 PM EDT
Lockheed Martin has unveiled a new hypersonic missile, the Mako, which it is pitching to the U.S. Navy and Air Force and which it says will potentially also be able to arm submarines and surface warships. The weapon, which was originally developed for the Air Force’s Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW) program reflects growing interest in more affordable hypersonic strike weapons, smaller than cruise missiles but offering standoff range and very rapid response.

The Lowdown On Lockheed’s Newly Revealed Mako Hypersonic Missile

By Thomas Newdick
Apr 11 1:19 PM EDT
New AIM-9X configuration for the super hornet and growler.

F/A-18 Super Hornets Now Flying With Four AIM-9Xs From USS Eisenhower To Counter Drones

By Tyler Rogoway
Apr 10 8:07 PM EDT
Serbia is poised to sign a deal to buy Dassault Rafale multirole fighters, the country’s president confirmed today, saying that “concrete agreements” had been made to purchase of 12 of the jets. The move, should it happen, would mark a major break for Serbia, which has long had a close military relationship with Russia and traditionally has operated significant quantities of Russian-supplied equipment.

France’s Rafale Is Set To Be Serbia’s Next Fighter

By Thomas Newdick
Apr 9 7:46 PM EDT
The US Navy has cleared its EA-18G Growlers to carry AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles, and increased how many its F/A-18E/F Super Hornet can carry, decisions driven by Houthi drone things in and around the Red Sea.

Navy EA-18G Growlers Get AIM-9X, Super Hornets Can Now Carry More Sidewinders

By Joseph Trevithick
Apr 9 4:39 PM EDT
Naha Air Base temporarily moves its F-15s in light of a tsunami warning

Japan’s Tsunami-Fleeing F-15s Took To The Road

By Oliver Parken
Apr 5 7:13 PM EDT
The first of 22 former Swiss F-5E/F Tiger II jets is now in the United States for the final phase of its conversion into an aggressor for the Navy and Marine Corps.

Marine KC-130 Delivers First Of New Batch Of Ex-Swiss F-5s Destined To Be Aggressors

By Joseph Trevithick
Apr 5 2:44 PM EDT
The Navy and Lockheed Martin recently conducted a "historic" test in which four AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles were in flight simultaneously.

Four Stealthy AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles Flew Together In “Historic” Test

By Joseph Trevithick
Apr 4 1:04 PM EDT
F-16s from Eielson AFB now 18th Fighter Interceptor Squadron.

F-16 Aggressor Squadron In Alaska Becomes Unique Air Defense Unit

By Tyler Rogoway
Apr 3 8:52 PM EDT
The long-running question of whether Israel will finally buy a new batch of F-15 Eagle multirole fighters looks like it might be answered sooner rather than later. The latest reports out of Washington indicate that the Biden administration is now considering whether or not to move ahead with a deal, which would likely involve as many as 50 examples of the F-15IA — an Israel-specific variant of the F-15EX.

F-15 Sale To Israel Reportedly Ready To Close, Will Gaza Change That?

By Thomas Newdick
Apr 3 7:18 PM EDT
A US-made F-16 fighter lands on the run way at the eastern Hualien air force base on January 23, 2013. The Taiwan air force demonstrated their combat skills at the Hualien air base during an annual training before the coming lunar new year.

Multiple Taiwanese F-16s Damaged In Powerful Earthquake

By Thomas Newdick
Apr 3 5:21 PM EDT
The USAF wants $1.5B in spare parts it doesn't have in its budget.

Hundreds Of Air Force Aircraft Risk Grounding Without Extra $1.5B Spare Parts Infusion

By Joseph Trevithick
Mar 28 5:36 PM EDT
India’s homegrown Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) has had a tortuous development path, but investment in the program is starting to show dividends, with the first flight of the Tejas Mk 1A, a much-improved version of the jet. The Tejas Mk 1A is set to be built in considerably greater numbers than the initial Mk 1 version and, more importantly, brings a host of advanced new features.

Much Is Riding On India’s Upgraded Tejas Light Fighter After Its First Flight

By Thomas Newdick
Mar 28 2:54 PM EDT
Danish Air Force F-16 takes off in Monte Real Air Force Base during Real Thaw 2018 exercise on February 06, 2018 in Monte Real, Portugal. Real Thaw 2018 (RT18) is a Portuguese Air Force led live-fly exercise to evaluate and certify their operational capability being conducted at Monte Real Air Force from January 29 to February 09. The tenth edition of RT18 features 35 aircraft and 1500 personnel from the Portuguese Air Force, Army and Navy and military forces from Denmark, France, Netherlands, Spain, the United States of America and NATO.

F-16 Looks Like The Endgame To Argentina’s Epic Fighter Saga

By Thomas Newdick
Mar 27 1:41 PM EDT
Greek F-16s

Greece Plans To Sell F-16s, Mirages To Rationalize Its Fighter Inventory

By Thomas Newdick
Mar 26 6:18 PM EDT
F-22 with stealthy wing tanks and pods.

F-22 Spotted With New Stealth Wing Tanks, Infrared Sensor Pods

By Tyler Rogoway, Joseph Trevithick
Mar 22 6:47 PM EDT
The F-35 Joint Program Office says the internal gun on the A variant of the Joint Strike Fighter is now effective after years of accuracy and other problems.

F-35A’s Beleaguered 25mm Cannon Is Finally “Effective”

By Joseph Trevithick
Mar 22 5:17 PM EDT
Drone kill marks on F/A-18E Super Hornet from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower

Navy Super Hornets Are Now Wearing Houthi Drone Kill Marks

By Tyler Rogoway
Mar 19 5:49 PM EDT
KF-21 Refueling for the first time from a tanker

South Korea’s KF-21 Next Generation Fighter Begins Tanker Trials

By Thomas Newdick
Mar 19 4:06 PM EDT
Mig-29s are now flying with French hammer guided bombs in Ukraine.

Ukraine’s MiG-29s Are Now Carrying French ‘Hammer’ Rocket-Assisted Bombs

By Thomas Newdick
Mar 15 2:19 PM EDT
A prototype J-35 stealth flghter in flight

New Images Of China’s J-35 Naval Stealth Fighter, Could Depict Third Example

By Oliver Parken
Mar 13 9:10 PM EDT
F-35Bs are armed on a flight line

F-35 Cleared For Full-Rate Production 17 Years After Its First Flight

By Thomas Newdick
Mar 13 7:05 PM EDT
The proposed Fiscal Year 2025 budgets for the US Air Force and US Navy contain significant developments for their respective sixth-generation combat jet programs.

USAF Seeks NGAD Fighter Boost, Navy F/A-XX Investment Slows In New Budget

By Joseph Trevithick
Mar 11 9:40 PM EDT
The Air Force's proposed Fiscal Year 2025 budget includes a cut to the total planned size of the F-15EX fleet from 104 to 98 jets.

F-15EX Fleet To Be Cut Down To 98 Jets In New Air Force Budget

By Joseph Trevithick
Mar 11 2:30 PM EDT
F-35 drops B61-12 during a test at Edwards AFB

F-35A Is Officially Certified For Nuclear Strike

By Thomas Newdick
Mar 9 1:52 PM EST
An intriguing video has been doing the rounds on social media recently, showing the wind-tunnel testing of a French future fighter concept, a tailless jet fitted with prominent leading-edge vortex controllers, or LEVCONs.

Su-57 Felon Feature Appears On French Future Tailless Fighter Concept

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway
Mar 8 5:06 PM EST
F-16 Block 70 about to head on its delivery flight to Bahrain.

First Block 70 F-16s Are Out For Delivery (Updated)

By Tyler Rogoway
Mar 6 7:46 PM EST
CF-5 refuels from a 707 tanker.

F-5 Pilot’s Double Engine Flameout While Refueling Over The Atlantic

By Dan McWilliams
Mar 5 4:18 PM EST
J-15 AND J-35 MOCKUPS ON THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER LIAONING

Chinese Aircraft Carrier Heads To Sea With Mockup J-35 Stealth Fighter

By Thomas Newdick
Feb 29 12:56 PM EST
Singapore Adds F-35As To Expand Its Stealth Fighter Fleet

Singapore Adds F-35As To Expand Its Stealth Fighter Fleet

By Thomas Newdick
Feb 28 1:04 PM EST
F-15EX Afterburner

Just How Fast Is The F-15EX Really?

By Thomas Newdick
Feb 26 3:39 PM EST
Hungary has signed a deal to buy four Gripen C fighters just days before the country is expected to approve Sweden's NATO membership.

Hungary Inks Deal For Gripen Fighters Ahead Of Sweden NATO Membership Vote

By Joseph Trevithick
Feb 23 6:29 PM EST
TF-X FIRST FLIGHT

Turkey’s Kaan Next-Generation Fighter Has Flown

By Thomas Newdick
Feb 21 12:19 PM EST

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