News & Features(Page 19)

Latest in News & Features

Russia says it will respond to the United States’ decision to dramatically increase its long-range fire capabilities in Europe starting in 2026. The United States will deploy to Germany a range of advanced ground-launched weapons, including the Typhon (firing both SM-6 and Tomahawk missiles) and “developmental hypersonic weapons” — a reference to the yet-to-be-fielded Dark Eagle.
News & Features

U.S. Long-Range Missiles Headed To Germany As Arms Race Escalates

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 11, 2024

Northrop Grumman has offer a new and interesting look at its secretive XRQ-73 drone.
Air

Our Best Look Yet At The XRQ-73 Hybrid-Electric Stealthy Flying Wing Drone

By Thomas Newdick, By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jul 10, 2024

Private aerospace firm Metrea has bought France's entire fleet of KC-135 tanker in a major new bet on contractor aerial refueling services.
Air

All Of France’s KC-135 Tankers Bought By Private Aerial Refueling Company Metrea

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 10, 2024

There is no official replacement for the F-22 Raptor, says the head of Air Combat Command. That could be another blow to the withering Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program.
Air

Air Force Now Says It Has No Official F-22 Raptor Replacement

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jul 10, 2024

AIM-9 Shorads system which could be similar to FrankenSAM.
Around The Globe

Ukraine’s FrankenSAM Air Defense Concept Could Be Used To Protect USAF Bases

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 10, 2024

The Senate Armed Services Committee has directed the Pentagon to look into the possibility of transferring retired A-10 Warthog ground attack jets to Jordan.
Air

Surplus A-10 Warthogs Could End Up In The Jordanian Air Force

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jul 10, 2024

The transfer of F-16s from Denmark and The Netherlands to Ukraine is now underway, U.S., Danish and Dutch officials say.
News & Features

Transfer Of F-16s To Ukraine Is Now Underway

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jul 10, 2024

The latest episode of Jay Leno's Garage features the "Beast" presidential limousine used to transport the President of the United States.
News & Features

What We Just Learned About The “Beast” Presidential Limousine From Jay Leno’s Garage

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jul 10, 2024

Chinese soldiers are taking part in maneuvers in Belarus, adding another new dynamic to the security situation in Eastern Europe, dominated by Russia’s war in Ukraine and the fallout surrounding it. While Belarus has been a staunch ally of Russia it has, more recently, made overtures toward China, with the aim of building closer relations with it, including in the military sphere.
News & Features

Chinese Troops Begin Drills Along Poland’s Border In Belarus

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Jul 9, 2024

Air Force special operations aviators are now training on AT-802U aircraft ahead of the arrival of their first OA-1K Sky warden light attack planes while questions grow about the program's future.
Air

AT-802U Trainers Arrive To Prepare USAF Aviators For A Murky Light Attack Future

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 9, 2024

A video has emerged showing a Greek warship knocking out a Houthi drone, in one of the latest such incidents in an ongoing campaign that has been waged by the Iranian-backed rebel group since last November, in the wake of the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. In this encounter, the Greek Navy frigate apparently used its 127mm main gun, reinforcing the utility of these weapons against drones, while the drone itself was seen adjusting its flight altitude to make it harder to intercept.
Sea

Greek Warship Guns-Down Houthi Drone In New Video

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 9, 2024

Russia claims Ukraine plotted to steal one of its Tu-22M Backfire bombers.
Air

Ukraine Situation Report: Plot To Steal A Tu-22M3 Backfire Thwarted Russia Claims

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jul 9, 2024

The Ukrainian Air Force has, apparently for the first time, published a video showing in detail its U.S.-made HAWK surface-to-air missile system. As we have discussed in the past, the missile provides a useful boost to Ukraine’s middle-tier air and missile defense capacity and, according to the Ukrainian Air Force, has scored some notable ‘kills.’
Air

First Inside Look At Ukraine’s HAWK Air Defense Systems

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 8, 2024

The first weapon-ready plutonium pit for the future W81-! nuclear warhead has been produced.
Air

Problem Plagued Sentinel ICBM Program Will Press Ahead Despite Nearly Doubling In Cost

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 8, 2024

Ukraine’s unorthodox efforts to develop ways of defeating Russian drones have taken an apparent new turn, with the appearance of a light airplane carrying a sharpshooter to intercept uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs). At this stage, few details about the concept are available, but it’s notable that the aircraft in question — the Ukrainian-made Aeroprakt A-22 ultralight — is a type that we have seen in the past adapted as one-way attack drone, something you can read more about here.
Air

Ultralight Drone Hunting Planes Now In Use In Ukraine

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 8, 2024

The Department of Energy has recieved two new AW139 helicopters specially configured for nuclear detection missions.
Air

AW139 Nuclear Detection Helicopters Join Department Of Energy Fleet, Replace Bell 412s

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 8, 2024

A C-130J Super Hercules rests on the flightline under a fireworks display, July 3, 2018, at Yokota Air Base, Japan.
Bunker Talk

Bunker Talk: 4th Of July Edition!

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jul 4, 2024

The Pentagon has made a new announcement about the first forward-deployments of Air Force F-35As and F-15EXs to Japan, as well as changes to the Marine Corps' F-35B force in that country.
Air

USAF F-35As To Be Based In Japan Replacing Wild Weasel F-16s

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 3, 2024

Ukraine will receive more than $2 billion in additional air defense interceptors for its Patriot and NASAMS systems.
Land

Ukraine Situation Report: $2.2B In New Air Defense Interceptors Coming From U.S.

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jul 3, 2024

The Navy's Training Air Wing 2 (TAW-2) has hit one million flight hours with the T-45 jet trainer as plans to replace that are have been delayed.
Air

Navy Delays Jet Trainer Replacement As T-45 Wing Hits One Million Flight Hours

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 3, 2024

In a bizarre turn of events, Chinese-made Wing Loong drones, apparently headed to Libya, have been seized by Italian authorities off the coast of southern Italy. The disassembled drones were in crates that were marked as containing parts for wind turbines, in what seems to have been an effort to evade a United Nations arms embargo imposed on Libya.
Air

Chinese Wing Loong Drones Disguised As Wind Turbines Seized By Italy

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 3, 2024

The air-launched version of the hugely versatile SM-6 missile, also known as the RIM-174, has appeared on U.S. Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters at the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise, the world’s largest international maritime exercise. We now also know the missiles are designated AIM-74B, indicating an air-to-air missile, although, as we have discussed in the past, the weapon also has the potential to strike high-priority ground targets, such as air defense sites, and warships, acting as a quasi-ballistic missile.
Air

AIM-174 Super Hornet-Launched Variant Of SM-6 Missile Breaks Cover In Hawaii (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick, By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Jul 3, 2024

Kratos has developed a new launch trolley that allows its XQ-58 drones to take off from traditional runways.
Air

XQ-58 Valkyrie Can Now Take Off From Runways Thanks To New Launch Trolly System

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 3, 2024

MQ-9 with new electronic warfare pod
Air

New Electronic Warfare Pod Turns Marine MQ-9 Reaper Into “A Black Hole”

By Howard Altman, By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jul 3, 2024

Marines train with an ACV in 2022
News & Features

USMC’s New ACV Amphibious Assault Vehicles Have Arrived In Japan

By Oliver Parken

Posted on Jul 2, 2024

Russia has unveiled a counter-drone interceptor, a single-use drone with an explosive warhead that’s expressly designed to bring down the kinds of Ukrainian uncrewed aerial vehicles that have taken a steady toll of Russian troops and equipment on the battlefield. The Vogan-9SP counter-drone interceptor was developed by Russia’s Red Line company, seemingly a new entrant in the field.
Air

Russia Jumps Into Purpose-Built Drone-Hunting Drone Weapons Space

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 2, 2024

Israeli AH-64 helicopter gunship pilots have provided an extensive account of their operations during the surprise attack on the country by Hamas militants last October 7. Their accounts — provided to the Israeli media — give a rare insight into the Israeli Air Force’s immediate response to the first invasion of Israeli territory since 1948.
Air

Israeli AH-64 Apache Commanders Describe Brutal Reality Of October 7 Missions

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 2, 2024

Russian missile strike on airfield in Ukraine.
Land

Ukraine Situation Report: Russia Strikes Airbase In Drone-Directed Missile Attack

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jul 2, 2024

The US Air Force is taking a second look at the crewed sixth-generation stealth combat jet it is developing under the Next Generation Air Dominance initiative to see where costs could be cut, even at the cost of losing certain capabilities.
Air

Next Generation Air Dominance Fighter’s Future Increasingly Uncertain

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 2, 2024

Billionaire Jared Isaacman Is going to fly a Tornado F2A.
Air

Tornado F2 Set To Become Most Advanced Flying Fighter In A Private Individual’s Hands

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 1, 2024

Anduril and General Atomics have shared new details about progress and challenges, including on production and autonomy issues, as part of the Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.
Air

Construction Of First Collaborative Combat Aircraft Drone Has Begun At General Atomics

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 1, 2024

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle from Royal Air Force Lakenheath's 494th Fighter Squadron returns to formation after receiving fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker from the Fairchild Air Force Base's 92nd Aerial Refueling Squadron, over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 2, 2024. The U.S. Air Force is globally postured to protect and defend freedom of coalition allies and regional partners within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to maintain peace and stability across the region.
Air

Flying The F-15E Strike Eagle In Air-To-Air Combat, From Dogfighting To Drone Hunting

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 1, 2024

Piggyback bomber at a Nazi airfield In WWII.
Air

Recalling The Nazis’ Bizarre Piggyback Bombers 80 Years After They Went To War

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 30, 2024

The US Air Force's Air Mobility Command has outlined a critical need to give its fleets new counter-drone defenses they can use wherever they go.
Air

Built-In Counter-Drone Defenses Sought For Air Force Transports, Tankers

By Eric Tegler, By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 29, 2024

An officer of the Swiss Civil defence of the canton of Geneva closes the door of a private concrete nuclear fallout shelter located underneath a residential building in the city of Meyrin near Geneva on March 25, 2022. - Russia's invasion of Ukraine has awakened long-slumbering anxiety interest in Switzerland in concrete nuclear fallout shelters built across the country during the Cold War, with spots available for every single resident. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP) (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)
Bunker Talk

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

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jun 29, 2024

A small group of Russian soldiers has held out in a bombed-out building in Vovchansk
Land

Ukraine Situation Report: Besieged Russian Troops Holding Out In Bombed-Out Factory

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 29, 2024

M270 MLRS
Land

Ukraine May Have Lost An M270 MLRS For The First Time

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 28, 2024

The Russian Navy’s first new Project 23550 combat icebreaker has made an important step toward service entry. The Unusually for an icebreaker, the Ivan Papanin is armed, with the option to further increase its firepower in the future, a reflection of Russia’s preparations for a potential future confrontations in the increasingly strategic Arctic region.
News & Features

Russian’s New Combat Icebreaker Starts Sea Trials

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 28, 2024

The US Army's elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment has been testing Arctic and desert camouflage options on top of a now well-known multi-tone blue scheme.
Air

160th SOAR Night Stalkers Testing Arctic, Desert Vinyl Camo Wraps As Global Missions Evolve

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 28, 2024

A video has emerged showing a Ukrainian MiG-29 toss-bombing a munition, a critical tactic that helps limit the exposure of the launching platform to enemy defenses.
Air

Watch A Ukrainian MiG-29 Toss A Bomb Across The Front Lines

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 28, 2024

North Korea says it has successfully tested a ballistic missile fitted with a multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) payload — one that contains several warheads, each capable of hitting a different target. Meanwhile, South Korea claims that the test was a failure. Whether successful or not, the emergence of MIRV technologies is another indicator of North Korea’s rapidly developing strategic arsenal, which is growing in size and capabilities despite sanctions.
News & Features

Conflicting Claims Surround North Korea’s Test Of Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 27, 2024

M10 Booker's story and its intended use.
News & Features

The Army’s New M10 Booker: Deploy Fast And Carry A Big Gun

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jun 27, 2024

Ukraine has used a crowd-funded satellite to attack more than 1,500 targets in Ukraine and Russia.
News & Features

“People’s Satellite” Helped Ukraine Hit Over 1,000 Targets Spy Agency Says

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 27, 2024

AI reading side numbers on carrier jets.
News & Features

Using AI To Read Aircraft Identification Numbers On Navy Carrier Decks In Testing

By Eric Tegler

Posted on Jun 26, 2024

Pacific Defender 24 will see European AirPower head to the Pacific.
Air

European Air Power Teams Up For Pacific Mega Deployment

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 26, 2024

North Korea may send troops to Ukraine
News & Features

Ukraine Situation Report: North Korea May Send Forces To Occupied Territories

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 26, 2024

A conventionally powered Portuguese attack submarine has completed a rare voyage under the Arctic ice. As well as being a first-of-its-kind mission for the Portuguese Navy, the deployment underlines the importance of the Arctic theater to NATO’s submarine fleet, although it’s nuclear-powered boats that traditionally dominate in this challenging area of operations.
News & Features

Portuguese Diesel-Electric AIP Submarine Just Patrolled Under The Arctic Ice

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 26, 2024

Leonardo's AW609 tiltrotor has completed a series of shipboard trials aboard the Italian carrier ITS Cavour, a major milestone in the aircraft's development.
Air

AW609 Tiltrotor Has Flown From Italy’s Aircraft Carrier Cavour

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 26, 2024

Congress is pressing ahead with legislation that would compel the Air Force to restore nuclear capability to its entire fleet of B-52 bombers after the likely sunset of an armed control deal with Russia.
Air

What It Will Take To Make The Entire B-52 Fleet Nuclear-Capable

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jun 26, 2024

smoke billows following an Israeli air strike that targeted a house in the southern Lebanese village of Khiam near the Lebanese-Israeli border on June 21, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on June 21, that fighting between Israel and Hezbollah must not turn Lebanon into "another Gaza." (Photo by Rabih DAHER / AFP) (Photo by RABIH DAHER/AFP via Getty Images)
News & Features

War Drums Grow Louder Along The Israel-Lebanon Border

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 25, 2024

80-passenger Soviet Mil Mi-6P helicopter
News & Features

The Story Of The Soviet Union’s Monster Mi-6 Helicopter Airliner

By Oliver Parken

Posted on Jun 25, 2024

A USAF F-15EX Eagle II armed with 12 AIM-120 AMRAAMs.

F-15EX Testers Are Now Preparing The Eagle II For Rapidly Adapting To New Missions

By Jamie Hunter

Posted on Jun 25, 2024

The Ohio class nuclear ballistic missile submarine USS Tennessee, the Ticonderoga class cruiser USS Normandy, an E-6B Mercury 'doomsday plane,' and a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft recently took part in an unusual show of force in the Norwegian Sea.
Air

U.S. Ballistic Missile Submarine, ‘Doomsday Plane’ Take Part In Rare Show Of Force Off Norway

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 25, 2024

A propeller-driven Yak-52 primary training aircraft has appeared with an impressive collection of kill marks displayed on its fuselage; seemingly confirmation of its success having been impressed into service as a drone-killer. While we reported on a series of previous videos showing the use of Soviet-era Yak-52s to attack Russian drones, the latest evidence suggests that the unorthodox solution could be becoming a more important part of Ukraine’s multilayered air defenses.
Air

Yak-52 Kill Marks Hint At Success In Ukraine’s Drone War

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 25, 2024

Ukraine attacked a Russian space communications facility in Crimea.
Land

Ukraine Used Prized ATACMS Missiles To Strike Unique Cold War-Era Space Communications Station

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 24, 2024

A secretive stealthy drone being developed under the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's Series Hybrid Electric Propulsion AiRcraft (SHEPARD) Demonstration program has now been designated the XRQ-73.
Air

Shadowy XRQ-73 Hybrid-Electric Stealthy Flying Wing Drone Emerges

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 24, 2024

On June 16, 2024 3d Multi-Domain Task Force and 1-181 Field Artillery Regiment of the Tennessee National Guard employed the U.S. Army Autonomous Multi-Domain Launcher (AML) and the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) as part of the Valiant Shield 24 Combined Joint SINKEX. The AML and PrSm engaged a maritime target alongside other joint assets during the SINKEX. The VS24 SINKEX is the first employment of both the AML and the PrSM outside of the U.S and is a significant milestone in the Army’s continuing development of long-range fires capabilities.
Land

Army’s New PRsM Ballistic Missile Hits Moving Ship For The First Time In Pacific Test

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 24, 2024

Ukraine is set to be the first to use a U.S.-made 105mm "soft-recoil" howitzer in combat, which could have impacts outside of that conflict.
Land

Humvee-Mounted Low-Recoil 105mm Howitzer To Make Combat Debut In Ukraine

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 24, 2024

Russia is now using the Sea of Azov to launch missiles act Ukraine.
News & Features

Ukraine Situation Report: Russia Now Launching Kalibr Cruise Missiles From The Sea Of Azov

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 22, 2024

Family Fallout Survival Plan @ Levittown Shopping Center, 1960's
Bunker Talk

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

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jun 22, 2024

A mysterious array of what looks like 16 hemispherical structures has emerged in Ukraine without immediate explanation.
Land

What Is This Mystery Row Of Spheres In A Ukrainian Field?

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 22, 2024

Yemen has released a video showing its Tufan-1 uncrewed surface vessel (USV), or drone boat, blowing apart a target vessel during tests.
News & Features

Small, Agile Houthi Drone Boat Shown Obliterating Ship During Test

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 22, 2024

Satellite imagery has offered even clearer looks at Northrop Grumman's Manta Ray submersible drone.
News & Features

Huge Manta Ray Underwater Drone Looks Like A Docked Star Wars Spaceship

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 21, 2024

The Ka-29 Helix-B helicopter was downed during a massive, multi-domain, Ukrainian drone attack
Air

Russian Navy Ka-29 Assault Helicopter Downed Amid Massive Ukrainian Drone Attack

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 21, 2024