News &amp; Features (Page 13)

Posted on Sep 25, 2024

The USNS oiler Big Horn suffered a mishap at sea in the 5th Fleet region, raising logistics concerns for the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group

Navy Resupply Ship Mishap Could Have Big Impact On Mid-East Deployed Carrier Group Navy Resupply Ship Mishap Could Have Big Impact On Mid-East Deployed Carrier Group

Posted on Sep 24, 2024

The U.S. Air Force is interested in adding an active electronically-scanned array (AESA) radar to its X-62A test jet. The radar is part of larger plans to acquire a new modular sensor suite for the uniquely modified F-16 specifically to help expand its ability to support advanced autonomy developments.

Air

New Radar Sought To Help X-62A Test Jet Take Next Leap In Autonomy Testing New Radar Sought To Help X-62A Test Jet Take Next Leap In Autonomy Testing

Posted on Sep 24, 2024

In a cloud of smoke the Russian destroyer Admiral Levchenko leaves Portsmouth for operation FRUKUS.

Sea

Russian Destroyer Fired Warning Shots At Norwegian Fishing Boat: Report Russian Destroyer Fired Warning Shots At Norwegian Fishing Boat: Report

Posted on Sep 24, 2024

Satellite Images Show Massive Devastation At Russian Ammo Storage Sites Struck By Ukrainian Drones Satellite Images Show Massive Devastation At Russian Ammo Storage Sites Struck By Ukrainian Drones

Updated on Sep 24, 2024

China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, arrives in Hong Kong waters on July 7, 2017.

Sea

All Three Chinese Aircraft Carriers Were At Sea For The First Time All Three Chinese Aircraft Carriers Were At Sea For The First Time

Posted on Sep 23, 2024

Hezbollah Converted Soviet Tu-143 Jet Recon Drone Into Cruise Missile Says IDF, Just Like Ukraine Hezbollah Converted Soviet Tu-143 Jet Recon Drone Into Cruise Missile Says IDF, Just Like Ukraine

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Sep 23, 2024

Air

AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon To Equip Ukraine’s F-16s: Report AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon To Equip Ukraine’s F-16s: Report

Posted on Sep 21, 2024

A private group bomb shelters, dug into San Francisco's seven hills by house-holders and apartment owners, came into realistic use as air raids and blackouts entered the city's life, December 11, 1941. Bettmann via Getty Images.

Bunker Talk: Let’s Talk About All The Things We Did And Didn’t Cover This Week Bunker Talk: Let’s Talk About All The Things We Did And Didn’t Cover This Week

Posted on Sep 21, 2024

Collins Aerospace has put forward a vision for what a high-end air combat engagement between the U.S. and Chinese armed forces, with the American side employing crewed fighters and Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drone wingmen, could look like in the future.

Air

What American Fighters And Their Drone Wingmen Fighting Chinese Jets Might Look Like What American Fighters And Their Drone Wingmen Fighting Chinese Jets Might Look Like

Posted on Sep 20, 2024

An Israeli F-16I fighter jet taking off at an unidentified location.

Israeli Airstrikes In Lebanon Intensify Israeli Airstrikes In Lebanon Intensify

Posted on Sep 20, 2024

Air

How EA-18G Growler’s Next Generation Jammer Actually Works And The Future Of Offensive Electronic Warfare How EA-18G Growler’s Next Generation Jammer Actually Works And The Future Of Offensive Electronic Warfare

Updated on Sep 20, 2024

The U.S. Air Force says the once-secretive Off-Board Sensing Station (OBSS) drone program has been fully folded into the service's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) effort. General Atomics has already disclosed that its current CCA design is derived from the XQ-67 drone it developed for OBSS.

Air

Collaborative Combat Aircraft Program ‘Ingesting’ Modular Chassis Concept Pioneered By XQ-67 Drone Collaborative Combat Aircraft Program ‘Ingesting’ Modular Chassis Concept Pioneered By XQ-67 Drone

Updated on Sep 20, 2024

A man holds an Icom walkie talkie device after he removed the battery during the funeral of persons killed when hundreds of paging devices exploded in a deadly wave across Lebanon the previous day, in Beirut's southern suburbs on September 18, 2024. Hundreds of pagers used by Hezbollah members exploded across Lebanon on September 17, killing at least nine people and wounding around 2,800 in blasts the Iran-backed militant group blamed on Israel.

Around The Globe

How Israel Turned Hezbollah’s Pagers Into Exploding Trojan Horses How Israel Turned Hezbollah’s Pagers Into Exploding Trojan Horses

Posted on Sep 19, 2024

The U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman have expanded testing of the B-21 thanks to two ground test articles, which are being used to evaluate the bomber's core construction and the time it takes before certain parts break. The tempo of flight testing of the initial pre-production Raider is also growing, with the jet now sometimes taking to the skies twice a week.

Air

B-21 Ground Test Airframes Join Flying Pre-Production Raider B-21 Ground Test Airframes Join Flying Pre-Production Raider

Posted on Sep 19, 2024

More Electronics Explode In Lebanon As Israel Declares ‘New Phase’ Of War More Electronics Explode In Lebanon As Israel Declares ‘New Phase’ Of War

Posted on Sep 18, 2024

The U.S. Air Force has released new video footage of its first pre-production B-21 Raider stealth bomber undergoing flight testing.

Air

New Look At B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber Flight Testing Released New Look At B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber Flight Testing Released

Posted on Sep 18, 2024

The U.S. Air Force is pushing ahead with experimentation that could lead to the transformation of KC-135 tankers into optionally crewed aircraft, as well as the development of other autonomous aerial refueling capabilities. U.S. military interest in autonomous airlifters, an area where China has been notably surging forward in the past few years, is also growing.

Air

Work Toward KC-135 Tankers That Fly Themselves, Uncrewed Cargo Aircraft Pressing Ahead Work Toward KC-135 Tankers That Fly Themselves, Uncrewed Cargo Aircraft Pressing Ahead

Posted on Sep 18, 2024

A huge explosion has rocked the Tver region, in the west of Russia, with initial reports indicating that Ukrainian long-range attack drones targeted an ammunition depot there. Videos and pictures on social media from the scene show an initial explosion, with a very large fireball, followed by a significant visible shockwave, then several minutes’ worth of secondary explosions illuminating the night sky.

Massive Russian Weapons Depot Still Burning After Ukrainian Drone Attack Massive Russian Weapons Depot Still Burning After Ukrainian Drone Attack

Posted on Sep 18, 2024

Lockheed Martin's losing entry in the first increment of the U.S. Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drone program was a very stealthy design, the head of the famed Skunk Works advanced projects division has disclosed. The company is now expecting future CCA increments to revolve around proposals that might lean closer to not just being lower-cost, but maybe even expendable, to support a concept of operations that requires tolerance for very high losses.

Air

Skunk Works’ Losing Loyal Wingman Drone Was Very Stealthy “Gold Plated” Design Skunk Works’ Losing Loyal Wingman Drone Was Very Stealthy “Gold Plated” Design

Posted on Sep 18, 2024

Air

General Atomics Says Its Collaborative Combat Aircraft Is Like A Bic Lighter General Atomics Says Its Collaborative Combat Aircraft Is Like A Bic Lighter

By Tyler Rogoway, Jamie Hunter

Posted on Sep 17, 2024

Hezbollah’s Exploding Pagers Could Be As Monumental A Cyber-Espionage Operation As Stuxnet Hezbollah’s Exploding Pagers Could Be As Monumental A Cyber-Espionage Operation As Stuxnet

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Sep 17, 2024

The U.S. Air Force has no plans to acquire stealthy uncrewed combat air vehicles (UCAV) capable of operating with very high degrees of autonomy independently of crewed aircraft, at least in the near term publicly, despite surging Chinese developments in this domain.

Air

No Flying Wing UCAVs Being Developed By U.S. Air Force While China Surges Ahead No Flying Wing UCAVs Being Developed By U.S. Air Force While China Surges Ahead

Posted on Sep 17, 2024

Military vehicles drive down a road past a sign indicating that the border to Russia is approaching north of Sumy on August 15th 2024, in Sumy Region, Ukraine. Ukraines's incursion into Russia's Kursk has continued into a second week.

38,000 Russian Troops Committed To Kursk Counteroffensive: Report 38,000 Russian Troops Committed To Kursk Counteroffensive: Report

Posted on Sep 16, 2024

The U.S. Air Force's still evolving requirements for a next-generation aerial refueling 'system of systems' will directly impact the service's reassessment of plans for a new sixth-generation stealth 'fighter.' The Next-Generation Air-Refueling System (NGAS) effort will also inform work on a second tranche of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones.

Air

Future Stealth Tanker Plans Tied To NGAD 6th Generation Fighter’s Fate Future Stealth Tanker Plans Tied To NGAD 6th Generation Fighter’s Fate

Posted on Sep 16, 2024

August 10, 2018. Long corridors form a labyrinth that leads to the different rooms of the anti-atomic shelter in Avdeevka, Ukraine. Photo by Gaelle Girbes/Getty Images.

Bunker Talk: Let’s Talk About All The Things We Did And Didn’t Cover This Week Bunker Talk: Let’s Talk About All The Things We Did And Didn’t Cover This Week

Posted on Sep 14, 2024

Russia's Kursk counteroffensive is fully underway.

Russia’s Kursk Counteroffensive Fully Underway Russia’s Kursk Counteroffensive Fully Underway

Posted on Sep 14, 2024

Russia putting tires on top of bombers and other aircraft was about confusing seekers with image-matching capability on incoming munitions, a senior U.S. military technologist has confirmed.

Air

Russia Covering Aircraft With Tires Is About Confusing Image-Matching Missile Seekers U.S. Military Confirms Russia Covering Aircraft With Tires Is About Confusing Image-Matching Missile Seekers U.S. Military Confirms

Updated on Sep 13, 2024

MQ-9 showcases capabilities to Joint Force during first-time Valiant Shield participation.

Air

MQ-9 Reapers Gathered In Florida, Simulated Fighting Over South China Sea MQ-9 Reapers Gathered In Florida, Simulated Fighting Over South China Sea

Posted on Sep 13, 2024

What appears to be one of the first looks at members of the German armed forces with new 5.56x45mm Heckler & Koch HK416 A8 rifles, also known as G95A1s, has come from an unexpected source: the U.S. Army. With help from the U.S. Army, the Germans have been stress-testing the guns in very hot and humid conditions at a facility in Panama and in the Arizona desert.

Around The Globe

Germany’s New HK416 Service Rifles Appear At Panama Test Site Germany’s New HK416 Service Rifles Appear At Panama Test Site

Posted on Sep 13, 2024

Israeli Commando Raid In Syria Sends A Message To Iran That Its Underground Bases Are Not Untouchable Israeli Commando Raid In Syria Sends A Message To Iran That Its Underground Bases Are Not Untouchable

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway, Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Sep 13, 2024

Russia is now using thermite-spewing dragon drones in Ukraine.

Russia Now Using Thermite-Spewing ‘Dragon Drones’ To Torch Ukrainian Positions Russia Now Using Thermite-Spewing ‘Dragon Drones’ To Torch Ukrainian Positions

Posted on Sep 12, 2024

BAE Systems has launched its new uncrewed ground vehicle, or UGV, the Autonomous Tactical Light Armor System (ATLAS) Collaborative Combat Variant (CCV), a roughly 11-ton 8x8 vehicle that’s being pitched as a “combat wingman” with the potential for a high degree of autonomy. The powerfully armed vehicle is the latest addition to a growing number of UGVs that are designed to provide more flexibility to ground forces’ commanders, primarily by reducing the risks that personnel are exposed to on the battlefield.

Land

ATLAS Uncrewed “Combat Wingman” Fighting Vehicle Unveiled ATLAS Uncrewed “Combat Wingman” Fighting Vehicle Unveiled

Updated on Sep 12, 2024

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has published a video showing the purported destruction of a Russian Su-30SM Flanker multirole fighter, which it claims was brought down by a shoulder-launched surface-to-air missile over the Black Sea.

Air

Russian Su-30SM Flanker Crashes In Black Sea, Ukraine Says They Shot It Down With MANPADS Russian Su-30SM Flanker Crashes In Black Sea, Ukraine Says They Shot It Down With MANPADS

Posted on Sep 12, 2024

Increasing Indications Storm Shadow Missiles Will Be Cleared For Use Inside Russia Increasing Indications Storm Shadow Missiles Will Be Cleared For Use Inside Russia

Updated on Sep 12, 2024

A Russian military correspondent narrowlly avoided being killed by a drone hunting him down in a house.

This Ukrainian Drone Hunting A Russian Inside A Building Has Big Horror Movie Vibes This Ukrainian Drone Hunting A Russian Inside A Building Has Big Horror Movie Vibes

Posted on Sep 11, 2024

China has offered a new and closer look at the catapults on its newest aircraft carrier, the Fujian. We also now have what appears to be the first look inside the retractable enclosed control station built into the flight deck that catapult officers on the ship will use to launch planes.

Sea

New Chinese Aircraft Carrier’s Catapult Control ‘Bubble’ Looks Very Familiar New Chinese Aircraft Carrier’s Catapult Control ‘Bubble’ Looks Very Familiar

Posted on Sep 11, 2024

It’s the turn of the Royal Australian Navy to provide us with a spectacular view of airborne infrared countermeasures in action, with a recent video showing a demonstration by one of its MH-60R Seahawk multi-mission maritime helicopters. In the past, TWZ has taken examined some remarkable air-launched countermeasures action, including extreme close-ups, mass drops, airshow routines, and flare ‘dumps’ from heavyweight transports. This may be the first time we’ve seen a helicopter perform this kind of pyrotechnical feat so close to a warship.

Sea

Australian MH-60R Helicopter Executes Stunning Flare Dump Off Stern Of Destroyer Australian MH-60R Helicopter Executes Stunning Flare Dump Off Stern Of Destroyer

Posted on Sep 10, 2024

The head of the House Foreign Affairs Committe says he was told by Secretary of State Antony Blinken that the U.S. will give Ukraine the green light to use ATACMS in Russia.

Ukraine Using ATACMS Missiles To Strike Inside Russia Now On The Table Ukraine Using ATACMS Missiles To Strike Inside Russia Now On The Table

Posted on Sep 10, 2024

Captain of the USS Dwight D Eisenhower tells us what really went on during the ship's Red Sea combat cruise.

Sea

Carrier Captain In Combat: Our Video Interview With Christopher “Chowdah” Hill Carrier Captain In Combat: Our Video Interview With Christopher “Chowdah” Hill

Posted on Sep 10, 2024

Ukraine has unleashed the heaviest drone attack so far against Moscow. The overnight raid on the Russian capital killed at least one person and caused widespread damage and disruption. The long-range strikes come as Ukrainian officials are increasingly frustrated by Western restrictions on using weapons that they have supplied to hit targets deep within Russia.

Air

Moscow Hit By Unprecedented Ukrainian Drone Barrage Moscow Hit By Unprecedented Ukrainian Drone Barrage

Posted on Sep 10, 2024

The Piasecki Aircraft Corporation's Aerial Reconfigurable Embedded System Demonstration Vehicle (ARES-DV), a vertical takeoff and landing capable tilt-rotor drone designed to carry interchangeable payload modules, has left the ground for the first time.

Air

Tilt-Ducted Fan ARES Drone Designed To Carry Modular Payloads Has Finally Lifted Off Tilt-Ducted Fan ARES Drone Designed To Carry Modular Payloads Has Finally Lifted Off

Posted on Sep 10, 2024

We have just gotten our clearest view so far of a Chinese J-20 stealth fighter powered by the definitive WS-15 domestically produced engines. While the appearance of the photo at this point raises a number of questions, it’s meanwhile clear that the significant shortcoming of the J-20 — its powerplant — appears to have now been addressed.

Air

Our Best Look Yet At China’s J-20A Fighter With WS-15 Engines Our Best Look Yet At China’s J-20A Fighter With WS-15 Engines

Posted on Sep 9, 2024

Air

Sweden’s JAS-39 Gripen Fighters Still On The Table For Ukraine Sweden’s JAS-39 Gripen Fighters Still On The Table For Ukraine

Posted on Sep 9, 2024

The U.S. Army has renewed interest in new longer-range artillery shells, such as ramjet-powered types, following its axing of plans to buy a next-generation tracked self-propelled 155mm howitzer.

Land

Focus Grows On Longer-Range Artillery Shells After Army Axes Next-Gen Howitzer Focus Grows On Longer-Range Artillery Shells After Army Axes Next-Gen Howitzer

Posted on Sep 9, 2024

Iranian-made Shahed-136 'Kamikaze' drone flies over the sky of Kermanshah, Iran on March 7, 2024. Iran fired over 100 drones and ballistic missiles on Saturday, April 13, 2024, in retaliation to an attack on a building attached to the country's consular annex in Damascus that killed the guards, and two generals of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on April 01, 2024. Iran has blamed Israel for the attack on April 5, 2024 in Tehran.

Air

Russian Shahed Kamikaze Drone Crashes In Latvia Russian Shahed Kamikaze Drone Crashes In Latvia

Posted on Sep 9, 2024

Iranian ground-to-ground Sajil missile launches at an undisclosed location in Iran on November 12, 2008.

Iranian Ballistic Missiles Have Arrived In Russia: Reports Iranian Ballistic Missiles Have Arrived In Russia: Reports

Posted on Sep 7, 2024

The Control Room at the York Bunker which was used at the height of the Cold War following its construction in 1961. (Photo by John Giles - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images)

Bunker Talk: Let’s Talk About All The Things We Did And Didn’t Cover This Week Bunker Talk: Let’s Talk About All The Things We Did And Didn’t Cover This Week

Posted on Sep 7, 2024

Navy Capt. Chris "Chowdah" Hill, commander of the aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower, opens up about the carrier group's recent dangerous and grueling deployment to the Middle East.

Sea

Carrier Captain In Combat: What Went On During 7 Months Under Fire Around The Red Sea Carrier Captain In Combat: What Went On During 7 Months Under Fire Around The Red Sea

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Sep 7, 2024

A Boeing 737 carrying Senator J.D. Vance, former President Donald Trump's running mate for Vice President, and others, inadvertently intruded briefly into some of the most restricted airspace on the planet earlier this week as it left Washington, D.C.'s Reagan National Airport.

Air

J.D. Vance’s Campaign Jet Inadvertently Buzzed The Washington Monument J.D. Vance’s Campaign Jet Inadvertently Buzzed The Washington Monument

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Sep 6, 2024

F-16 belonging to VFC-13, flying over Carson Valley, NV.

Air

Navy Tried To Buy Greek F-16s To Turn Them Into Adversaries Navy Tried To Buy Greek F-16s To Turn Them Into Adversaries

Posted on Sep 6, 2024

A video has emerged showing a Ukrainian Su-24M Fencer swing-wing combat jet carrying what is said to be new air-launched guided munition.

Air

Mystery Munition Appears Under Ukrainian Su-24 Fencer Attack Jet’s Wing Mystery Munition Appears Under Ukrainian Su-24 Fencer Attack Jet’s Wing

Posted on Sep 6, 2024

Satellite imagery and videos offer new evidence of a surge in the development of the stealthy flying-wing uncrewed combat air vehicles in China, especially with regard to the GJ-11 Sharp Sword.

Air

Chinese Flying Wing UCAV Testing Accelerating Based On Satellite Imagery, Videos Chinese Flying Wing UCAV Testing Accelerating Based On Satellite Imagery, Videos

Posted on Sep 5, 2024

Land

Dutch Decide To Bring Back Main Battle Tanks Dutch Decide To Bring Back Main Battle Tanks

Posted on Sep 5, 2024

Space

U.S. To Track Moving Air And Ground Targets Via Space By 2030, But Aircraft Will Still Play A Part U.S. To Track Moving Air And Ground Targets Via Space By 2030, But Aircraft Will Still Play A Part

Updated on Sep 5, 2024

The use of thermite-dispersing drones by Ukraine has proliferated.

Thermite-Spewing ‘Dragon’ Drones Are Ukraine’s Newest Battlefield Innovation Thermite-Spewing ‘Dragon’ Drones Are Ukraine’s Newest Battlefield Innovation

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Sep 4, 2024

The U.S. Air Force is re-examining the very core of its requirements for a new sixth-generation stealth combat jet as part of its ongoing review of that element of the larger Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) initiative.

Air

Air Force “Starting At The Beginning” With NGAD 6th Gen Fighter Requirements Review Air Force “Starting At The Beginning” With NGAD 6th Gen Fighter Requirements Review

Posted on Sep 4, 2024

Kursk incursion a bargainin chip says Zelensky

Kursk Invasion A Bargaining Chip Zelensky Says Kursk Invasion A Bargaining Chip Zelensky Says

Posted on Sep 4, 2024

Air

Above All Else JASSM Would Give Ukraine A Steady Supply Of Cruise Missiles Above All Else JASSM Would Give Ukraine A Steady Supply Of Cruise Missiles

Posted on Sep 3, 2024

Ukraine has developed a balloon-carried electronic warfare system designed to detect enemy drone operators, which can then be targeted, offering a more comprehensive solution than tackling individual drones. While the status of the system, known as Aero Azimuth, is unclear, its unveiling points to a resurgence in interest in elevated sensors, especially mounted of aerostats.

Air

Balloon-Based Sensor That Pinpoints Location Of Drone Operators Emerges In Ukraine Balloon-Based Sensor That Pinpoints Location Of Drone Operators Emerges In Ukraine

Posted on Sep 3, 2024

The U.S. Air Force recently awarded contracts to two companies for work on SHARK 'buddy store' podded aerial refueling systems able to work with aircraft that use the boom method to get gas in flight.

Air

Aerial Refueling Boom Pods That Could Go On F-15s In The Works Aerial Refueling Boom Pods That Could Go On F-15s In The Works

Posted on Sep 3, 2024

Ukraine is advancing slowly eastward to a key town in Russia's Kursk Oblast

Ukraine Pushing Slowly West In Russia Towards Key Kursk City Ukraine Pushing Slowly West In Russia Towards Key Kursk City

Posted on Aug 31, 2024

Air

The Future Of The AC-130 Gunship: Evolve Or Die The Future Of The AC-130 Gunship: Evolve Or Die