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Latest Flight Training Stories

Additional details about a breakthrough autonomous dogfight in September 2023 underscore significant challenges still to be addressed.

Next Big Challenge For AI Dogfighting Is Keeping Track Of Enemies Up Close

By Joseph Trevithick / Updated Apr 24, 2024

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 / Updated Apr 17, 2024

The U.S. military is gearing up for the forthcoming retirement of another iconic aircraft type, with the last pilots now having graduated onto the AV-8B Harrier II attack jet. As we have explained in the past, the U.S. Marine Corps is pressing ahead with plans to remove the vertical/short takeoff and landing (VSTOL) aircraft from its inventory before the end of 2026, with this latest development a highly symbolic one within this process.

Last Marine Harrier Pilots Complete Training As AV-8B’s End Draws Near

By Thomas Newdick / Updated Apr 2, 2024

F-22

Massive New Air Combat Exercise Underway Along The California Coast

By Jamie Hunter / Updated Jan 30, 2024

F-15 retirement Kingsley Field

The Last USAF F-15C/D Eagle Instructor Pilots Are Now In Training

By Thomas Newdick / Updated Jan 24, 2024

Ukrainian pilots are spending their down time training on F-16 virtual reality simulators.

Ukraine Situation Report: Pilots Train On Commercial F-16 Simulators At Home Bases

By Howard Altman / Updated Sep 27, 2023

William Tell

William Tell Air Combat Competition Crowns Its Winners

By James Deboer / Updated Sep 19, 2023

Anduril's acquisition of Blue Force Technologies and its Fury drone is a latest development is an important story that could have broad ramifications for the US defense industry.

The Rise Of Fury

By Joseph Trevithick / Updated Sep 11, 2023

William Tell Air Force

William Tell Has Fighter Pilots Competing For Trophies Once Again

By Jamie Hunter / Updated Sep 11, 2023

RCADE raytheon

RCADE Battle Simulator “Moneyballs” Virtual Fights With Unmanned Platforms

By Hope Hodge Seck / Updated Sep 5, 2023

A U.S. Air Force F-16 shot down a Turkish drone over Syria, a U.S. official tells The War Zone.

Ukrainians To Train On F-16s In The United States

By Howard Altman / Updated Aug 24, 2023

Personnel from the U.S. Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, also known as the Night Stalkers, recently took part in an exercise focused in part on the defense of strategic Shemya Island.

Night Stalker Helicopters Train To Defend Strategic Alaskan Island

By Joseph Trevithick / Updated Aug 23, 2023

CSAR USAF Serbia

U.S. Combat Rescue Helicopters Train With Old Foe Serbia For First Time

By Thomas Newdick / Updated Aug 18, 2023

US Marine Corps and US Air Force F-35s have been practicing tactics, techniques, and procedures they would use while working together with non-stealth fighters, like F-16s, in a future high-end fight during an exercise in Wisconsin.

F-35s Keep F-16s In The Fight During Northern Lightning

By Joseph Trevithick / Updated Aug 15, 2023

Ukraine won't likely have sufficient numbers of combat-capable pilots for years, a top U.S. Air Force general says.

Ukraine Situation Report: F-16 Pilot Training May Be Delayed Until January

By Howard Altman / Updated Aug 11, 2023

F-22 Pacific

Red Flag Expands Out Into The Pacific With An Eye On China

By Joseph Trevithick / Updated Aug 8, 2023