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General Atomics

Manned ISR

A-50/A-100E-11E-2E-3E-7E-8RC-135SR-71U-2

Latest Manned ISR Stories

U.S. Air Force TU-2s Dragon Lady 1078 flies to U.S. Air Force Plant 42, Palmdale, California, where it will undergo normal Program Depot-level Maintenance (PDM) and be painted black, after almost three years of maintenance at Beale Air Force Base, California, Feb. 29, 2024. Aircraft 1078 was involved in an accident in 2021 that left it unable to move to Plant 42, and after passing low flight and high flight tests, was able to fly to Palmdale where Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Detachment 4 will oversee Lockheed Martin’s PDM of aircraft 1078. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexis Pentzer

TU-2S Dragon Lady Resurrected For The Twilight Of The Spy Plane’s Service

By Oliver Parken / Updated Mar 25, 2024

A-50 Mainstay

Russia Building More Dated A-50 Radar Planes Is Desperate But May Be Necessary

By Thomas Newdick / Updated Mar 1, 2024

The Beriev A-50U 'Mainstay' airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft based on the Ilyushin Il-76 transport aircraft belonging to Russian Air Force in the air. 'U' designation stands for extended range and advanced digital radio systems. This aircraft was named after Sergey Atayants - Beriev's chief designer.

Another One Of Russia’s Prized A-50 Radar Planes Shot Down, Ukraine Claims

By Thomas Newdick / Updated Feb 23, 2024

Ukraine claims its air defense shot down an A-50 Mainstay airborne early warning and control jet.

Claims Swirl Around Possible Shoot Down Of Russian A-50 Radar Jet (Updated)

By Howard Altman / Updated Jan 15, 2024

Beale AFB executes an elephant walk as the U-2's service approaches its end.

U-2 Dragon Lady Spy Planes Execute A Bittersweet Elephant Walk

By Tyler Rogoway / Updated Jan 7, 2024

Concept artwork of the NATO E-7A Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft in flight.

E-7 Wedgetail Radar Jet Chosen By NATO To Replace Aging E-3

By Thomas Newdick / Updated Nov 15, 2023

U-2 retirement moves forward with secretary of defense waiver sent to congress.

U-2 Retirement Moves Forward With Defense Secretary Decision

By Joseph Trevithick / Updated Nov 6, 2023

JSTARS E-8 retirement

E-8 JSTARS Has Flown Its Last Operational Mission

By Thomas Newdick / Updated Sep 26, 2023

U-2 Spy plane

The U-2 Dragon Lady As You Have Never Seen It Before

By Thomas Newdick / Updated Sep 6, 2023

The US Air Force has stood up a new detachment at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson to meeting growing demand for RC-135V/W Rivet Joint sorties.

RC-135 Rivet Joint Spy Flights From Alaska To Grow Thanks To New Unit

By Joseph Trevithick / Updated Jul 26, 2023

RAF E-7 Wedgetail

UK’s E-7 Radar Jet Deal Slammed As “Absolute Folly” In New Report

By Thomas Newdick / Updated Jul 17, 2023

US Air Force aircraft have been refueled by private tanker planes for the first time ever.

Private Aerial Refueling Tanker Has Gassed Up An Air Force Plane For The First Time

By Joseph Trevithick / Updated Jul 12, 2023

A Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft will be heading to Germany to support the flow of aid to Ukraine.

Australian E-7 Radar Jet Will Watch Over Ukraine Aid Shipments

By Joseph Trevithick / Updated Jul 10, 2023

RC135 Moldova Ukraine

RC-135 Surveillance Jet Flies Unprecedented Mission Over Moldova

By Thomas Newdick / Updated Jun 1, 2023

J-16 RC-135 INTERCEPT

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

By Thomas Newdick / Updated May 30, 2023

Su-27 Flanker

Malfunctioning Russian Missile May Have Saved RC-135 Spy Plane

By Thomas Newdick / Updated Apr 13, 2023