Flankers

Latest in Flankers

Russia has, for the first time, published footage showing what it says is the carriage and launch of the guided, glide version of its huge FAB-3000 aerial bomb — a weapon that weighs over 6,600 pounds in its basic version. The weapon is among the more recently announced additions to the family of UMPK munitions, which add a pop-out wing kit and a guidance package to a range of existing freefall weapons, as you can read more about here.

Russia’s Giant 6,000lb Glide Bomb Seen Launched From Su-34 For First Time Russia’s Giant 6,000lb Glide Bomb Seen Launched From Su-34 For First Time

By Thomas Newdick

Jul 15 1:46 PM EDT

These before and after satellite images from Planet labs shows that Russian Su-34 Fullbacks may have been damaged in a Ukrainian drone attack.

Ukraine Strikes Blow To Russian Su-34 Fullback Base Ukraine Strikes Blow To Russian Su-34 Fullback Base

By Howard Altman

Jun 14 2:47 PM EDT

Su-34 launches new glide bombs

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

By Thomas Newdick

May 23 6:35 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 Our Best Look At Russia’s Kh-38 Missile Now Being Used In Ukraine

By Thomas Newdick

May 14 1:07 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 Ukrainian Fighter Jets “Using iPads” To Control Western Weapons

By Thomas Newdick

Apr 25 7:18 PM EDT

Su-35 shot down Ukraine

Ukraine Situation Report: Kyiv Claims Six Russian Jets Downed In Three Days Ukraine Situation Report: Kyiv Claims Six Russian Jets Downed In Three Days

By Thomas Newdick

Feb 19 4:05 PM EST

A Su-34 Fullback fighter-bomber apparently destroyed last night by a Ukrainian special forces team, as it sat on its airbase.

Su-34 Fullback Torched During Raid Deep In Russia Su-34 Fullback Torched During Raid Deep In Russia

By Thomas Newdick

Jan 4 12:52 PM EST

Ukrainian forces claim to have shot down a trio of Russian Su-34 Fullback combat jets, another sign of evolving air defense tactics.

Ukraine Says It Shot Down Three Russian Su-34 Fullbacks Ukraine Says It Shot Down Three Russian Su-34 Fullbacks

By Joseph Trevithick

Dec 22 12:45 PM EST

An Su-27UB Flanker-C sits in the hangar of the Cold War Gallery, National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

Su-27 Absolutely Dwarfs All Jets Around It At Its New Home Su-27 Absolutely Dwarfs All Jets Around It At Its New Home

By Oliver Parken

Oct 26 6:32 PM EDT

The National Museum of the U.S. AIr Force's latest acquisition, an Su-27UB Flanker-C, has a curious history.

Su-27 That Mysteriously Vanished After Private Sale Resurfaces Su-27 That Mysteriously Vanished After Private Sale Resurfaces

By Joseph Trevithick

Sep 26 10:20 PM EDT

Su-34 Fullback Tires

Russian Su-34 Strike-Fighter Seen Covered In Tires Russian Su-34 Strike-Fighter Seen Covered In Tires

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Sep 8 4:17 PM EDT

Ukraine’s Su-27s Are Launching JDAM-ER Winged Bombs Too Ukraine’s Su-27s Are Launching JDAM-ER Winged Bombs Too

By Thomas Newdick

Aug 24 2:28 PM EDT

J-16 RC-135 INTERCEPT

Chinese J-16 Seen ‘Head Butting’ U.S. RC-135 In Cockpit Video Chinese J-16 Seen ‘Head Butting’ U.S. RC-135 In Cockpit Video

By Thomas Newdick

May 30 5:27 PM EDT

Russian attack border checkpoint SU34

Russian Su-34s Made Crazy Low-Level Bombing Runs On Their Own Checkpoint Russian Su-34s Made Crazy Low-Level Bombing Runs On Their Own Checkpoint

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

May 25 7:33 PM EDT

Russian aircraft shot down

Four Russian Aircraft Shot Down Within Their Own Borders Four Russian Aircraft Shot Down Within Their Own Borders

By Stetson Payne, Tyler Rogoway

May 13 3:45 PM EDT

Russian fighter jet Su-34 Belgorod

Russian Su-34 Strike Fighter Bombed One Of Its Own Cities Russian Su-34 Strike Fighter Bombed One Of Its Own Cities

By Thomas Newdick

Apr 21 2:04 PM EDT