News & Features (Page 19)

Latest in News & Features

The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman is back at sea conducting routine operations after a week in port in Greece for repairs.

Aircraft Carrier USS Harry S. Truman Back At Sea After Collision Repairs

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 24, 2025

Su-57 Felon’s First Visit To Iran Seen In Satellite Imagery

Su-57 Felon’s First Visit To Iran Seen In Satellite Imagery

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 24, 2025

B-52 escorted by F-35s and F/A-18s

B-52 Flies Close To Border Of Russia And Belarus

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 24, 2025

Israel Performs Parade-Like Fighter Jet Flyover For Arch Enemy’s Funeral

Israel Performs Parade-Like Fighter Jet Flyover For Arch Enemy’s Funeral

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Feb 23, 2025

General Secretary of NATO Paul Henri Spaak of Belgium and United States Air Force General T.S. Power visit the Headquarters Strategic Air Comand control room with a contingency of officers. | Location: Offut Air Force Base, Nebraska, USA. (Photo by © CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)

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

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Feb 22, 2025

The US. and Ukraine are close to signing a deal over mineral rights.

U.S.-Ukrainian Mineral Deal Getting Close To Fruition

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 22, 2025

The Marines have been sent to Finland to help protect undersea cables.

Drone-Equipped U.S. Marines Now Helping Protect Baltic Sea Submarine Cables

By Howard Altman

Updated on Feb 21, 2025

A rare Chinese naval drill with a previously unannounced live-fire component has disrupted air traffic over and around the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand.

China’s Sudden Live Fire Naval Drills Off Australia Rattle Canberra

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Feb 21, 2025

X-37B shows earth from its perspective for the first time.

News & Features

X-37B Spaceplane Shares Earth Image For First Time As New Mission Details Emerge

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 21, 2025

The U.S. Air Force, in cooperation with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), is still exploring concepts for a reusable hypersonic air vehicle capable of performing strike and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

New Hypersonic Strike-Recon Aircraft Effort Eyeing Prototype Development By 2030

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 20, 2025

AF1 trump model

Trump Mulls Options To Accelerate Delivery Of Air Force One Jets

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 20, 2025

The Army is testing its new M10 Booker under harsh Arctic conditions at Fort Greely in Alaska.

M10 Booker Undergoing Cold Weather Trials In Alaska

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 20, 2025

A Russian SU-27 Flanker aircraft banks away with a RAF Typhoon in the background. RAF Typhoons were scrambled on Tuesday 17 June 2014 to intercept multiple Russian aircraft as part of NATO’s ongoing mission to police Baltic airspace. The Typhoon aircraft, from 3 (Fighter) Squadron, were launched after four separate groups of aircraft were detected by NATO air defences in international airspace near to the Baltic States. Once airborne, the British jets identified the aircraft as a Russian Tupolev Tu22 ‘Backfire’ bomber, four Sukhoi Su27 ‘Flanker’ fighters, one Beriev A50 ‘Mainstay’ early warning aircraft and an Antonov An26 ‘Curl’ transport aircraft who appeared to be carrying out a variety of routine training. The Russian aircraft were monitored by the RAF Typhoons and escorted on their way. The Typhoon pilots involved in the operation were Flight Lieutenant (Flt Lt) Mark Long of 29 (Reserve) Squadron (the Typhoon operational training unit) and a French Air Force exchange pilot Commandant Marc-antoine Gerrard who is currently attached to 1(Fighter) Squadron.

This Is What A Peacekeeping Air Policing Mission Over Ukraine Could Look Like

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 20, 2025

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon flies a presence patrol over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Feb. 11, 2025. As a highly maneuverable and agile platform with a proven record in air-to-air combat and air-to-ground attack, the Fighting Falcon is well-equipped to engage with threats to regional security and deter further aggression in the AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jackson Manske)

F-16s With Larger Laser-Guided Rocket Loads, Drone Kill Marking Emerge Over Middle East

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 19, 2025

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President Trump

War Of Words Erupts Between Trump And Zelensky

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 19, 2025

Satellite imagery shows the extent of the massive amount of work that has been done in the past year to restore more than 20 million square feet of runways and other World War II-era infrastructure at historic North Field on the U.S. island of Tinian in the Western Pacific.

Massive WWII B-29 Bomber Base Fully Reclaimed For Future Pacific Fight

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 19, 2025

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky decried peace talks without Ukrainian representation but U.S. President Donald Trump said he could have entered negotiations earlier.

Zelensky Decries Peace Talks Without Ukraine, Trump Says He Had His Shot For Years

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 18, 2025

Since at least the summer of last year, the Ukrainian Air Force has been flying at least one mysterious, black-painted MiG-29 Fulcrum fighter. A recently published official video shows the jet in more detail, although it remains unclear exactly why it was repainted in this way.

Ukraine’s Black MiG-29 ‘Ghost’ Fulcrum Showcased In New Video

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 18, 2025

The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is reportedly flying unarmed MQ-9 Reapers inside Mexican airspace to snoop on drug cartels.

CIA MQ-9 Reapers Are Covertly Spying On Mexican Drug Cartels: Reports

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Feb 18, 2025

The U.S. Army is pursuing a Stinger missile replacement for short-range air defense that can go faster, survive jamming and more easily hit tougher targets like drones.

Army’s Stinger Surface-To-Air Missile Replacement Makes Progress

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 18, 2025

European nations are debating whether to send peacekeeping troops to Ukraine as part of any deal to end the war.

Europe Debates Sending Troops To Ukraine

By Howard Altman

Updated on Feb 17, 2025

A Ukrainian reconnaissance brigade has released footage purportedly showing the destruction of Russia’s S-350 Vityaz air defense system in the Donetsk region.

Ukraine Appears To Have Destroyed Its First Russian S-350 Air Defense System

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 17, 2025

The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman is now in port in Greece for repairs following the collision with the cargo ship M/V Besiktas-M this past week.

Aircraft Carrier USS Harry S. Truman In Greece For Repairs Following Collision

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 17, 2025

NANTWICH, ENGLAND - MAY 24: The British Telecom telephone exchange inside the former RAF Hack Green secret nuclear bunker on May 24, 2023 in Nantwich, England. Hack Green played a central role in the defence of Britain for almost sixty years. It was chosen during WW2 to protect the land between Birmingham and Liverpool from hostile attack and as a location for the new RADAR equipment. The bunker went on to be used for shelter and protection during the Cold War. As relations between East and West thawed many of the UK's nuclear bunkers were sold off. The Secret Bunker is now privately owned by the Siebert family and is run as a museum trust. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

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

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Feb 14, 2025

Top Ukrainian nuclear experts are concerned that the drone strike on the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant radiation shield could have lasting affects.

Hole Blasted By Drone In Chernobyl’s Radiation Shield: What We Know

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 14, 2025

A U.S. Air Force Convair B-36B-1-CF Peacemaker (s/n 44-92033) of the 7th Bombardment Wing in flight, in 1949. This aircraft was retired to the MASDC on 19 November 1956.

America’s First Broken Arrow Incident Happened 75 Years Ago

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Feb 14, 2025

U.S. Air Force Gen. Gregory Guillot, the top American military officer overseeing operations in and around North America, has said he would welcome Canadian participation in expanding continental missile defense efforts, including in space.

Canada Joining Iron Dome Missile Defense Plan Would Be Welcome: NORAD Boss

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 14, 2025

$A Russian Sukhoi Su-57 (L) and U.S. Air Force's F-35 fifth-generation fighter aircrafts are pictured at the tarmac during Aero India 2025, a military aviation exhibition at the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru on February 11, 2025. Air traffic is booming in India, even though only a tiny fraction of its people fly each year, and manufacturers are seeking lucrative deals at the flagship Aero India exhibition from February 10. (Photo by Arun SANKAR / AFP) (Photo by ARUN SANKAR/AFP via Getty Images)$

Trump Offers India Path To F-35

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Feb 14, 2025

The U.S. Navy has released an image showing damage to the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman following the collision with the cargo ship M/V Besiktas-M off the coast of Egypt in the Mediterranean Sea on Tuesday.

Collision Damage To Aircraft Carrier USS Harry S. Truman Seen In Photo

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Feb 14, 2025

The recent use of a laser directed energy weapon to take down an aerial object in Texas highlights policy challenges in protecting U.S. skies.

High Powered Microwaves

Drones Over U.S. Bases May Be Threatening Spy Flights: NORTHCOM Commander

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 13, 2025

A vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft design that recently emerged at the Mojave Air & Space Port in California, which TWZ was first to report on, has been identified. It is a full-scale technology demonstrator (FSTD) belonging to Hyundai subsidiary Supernal.

Mystery Tiltrotor Aircraft Spotted At Mojave Air And Space Port Identified

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Feb 13, 2025

We may have just gotten our first sight of China’s next-generation aircraft carrier, generally referred to as the Type 004. Construction work at a shipyard in Dalian, in China’s Liaoning province, reveals a module that is consistent with an aircraft carrier — which would be China’s fourth — although there remain many questions about the precise nature of the object.

Structure At Chinese Shipyard May Point To China’s Next Aircraft Carrier’s Capabilities

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 13, 2025

Details are still emerging, but the U.S. Navy supercarrier USS Harry S. Truman has collided with a merchant vessel identified as the Besiktas-M in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Egypt's Port Said.

Aircraft Carrier USS Harry S. Truman Collides With Merchant Ship (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 13, 2025

U.S. President Donald Trump announced today Russian President Vladimir Putin would begin peace negotiations "immediately."

Trump Admin Makes Major Moves For Negotiated End Of Ukraine War

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 13, 2025

We now have our first look at the containerized Gravehawk surface-to-air missile system, which uses repurposed heat-seeking R-73 air-to-air missiles as interceptors, that the United Kingdom and Denmark have developed for Ukraine.

Containerized SAM System That Fires Soviet Air-To-Air Missiles For Ukraine Breaks Cover

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 12, 2025

U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler from Electronic Attack Squadron 135

EA-18G Growler Crashes Into San Diego Bay (Updated)

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Feb 12, 2025

The first General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcons received by Ukraine fly on the Day of Ukrainian Air Force on August 4, 2024 in Unspecified, Ukraine. At the event for the Day of Ukrainian Air Force with the participation of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi, the first General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcons received by Ukraine were demonstrated.

New Shots Of Ukrainian F-16s Shine Light On Combat Missions

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 12, 2025

Russia's Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighter jet begins preparations and adaptive flight training for the upcoming 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, or Airshow China 2024, on November 7, 2024 in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province of China. The 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition will be held in Zhuhai from November 12 to 17.

Algeria Says It’s The Su-57 Felon’s First Export Customer

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 12, 2025

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth utilized a Silver Bullet Command and Control module on his first overseas trip.

C-17’s ‘Silver Bullet’ Airstream Trailer Pod Used By Secretary Of Defense Hegseth On First Overseas Trip

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 12, 2025

Mystery Tiltrotor Aircraft Emerges

Mystery Tiltrotor Aircraft Emerges

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Feb 12, 2025

An E/A-18G Growler. (U.S. Navy)

How The EA-18G Growler’s Next-Generation Jamming Pod Went To War On Its First Cruise

By Geoff Ziezulewicz

Updated on Feb 11, 2025

Syrian forces prevented a large heavily armed Russian convoy from entering the port of Tartus.

Russian Military Convoy Blocked From Entering Port Of Tartus In Syria

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 11, 2025

Three nozzle binding mishaps on KC-46 Pegasus aerial refueling tankers have cost the AIr Force nearly $23 million

Tankers Flood Airspace Off The California Coast For China-Focused Air Combat Exercise

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 11, 2025

Members of Marine Aerial Refueler Squadron-234, (VMGR-234) provide aerial refueling to French Mirage 2000 Fighters from a K C-130J over Djibouti, May 24, 2021. VMGR-234 supports Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) with aerial refueling operations, extending the reach of fixed and rotary wing aircraft.

French Fighters Downed “Nearly A Dozen Drones” In Red Sea Combat

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 11, 2025

The Philippine Mars flying boat made its final flight today.

The Last Mars Flying Boat Just Made Its Final Flight

By Howard Altman

Updated on Feb 11, 2025

The Ukrainian Air Force has shared some rare views of S-300V1 surface-to-air missile systems firing their 26-foot-long 9M83 interceptors.

Rare Look At S-300V1 Surface-To-Air Missile Systems In Action In Ukraine

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Feb 10, 2025

New imagery has appeared showing the Chinese J-20 stealth fighter carrying external air-to-air missiles, mirroring the so-called ‘beast mode’ that we’ve seen on U.S. fifth-generation fighters.

China’s J-20 Fighter Is Now Flying In ‘Beast Mode’

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Feb 10, 2025

Russian troops built a mesh net 'tunnel' to protect against Ukrainian FPV drones.

Russians Erect Mesh Net ‘Tunnel’ Over A Mile Long To Counter Ukrainian FPV Drones

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 10, 2025

Indian drone maker NewSpace Research and Technologies has officially unveiled a new jet-powered loyal wingman-type drone called Abhimanyu.

Indian Naval Collaborative Drone Concept Unveiled

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 10, 2025

Russian and American fighter jets join India's biggest air show The Aero India 2025 for the first time in New Delhi, India on February 10, 2025. For the first time in history, the air show is witnessing "the participation of two of the world's most advanced fifth-generation fighter aircraft - the Russian Su-57 and the American F-35 Lightning II," the Indian Defense Ministry said.

F-35 And Su-57 Face Off In India

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 10, 2025

(Original Caption) 12/2/1962-Nebraska- New visiual display system designed to expediate command and control of Strategic Air Commands far flung retalitory forces in operation in the Commands' underground Control Center here.

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

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Feb 8, 2025

Beirut bunker buster CCTV on hezbollah bunker

Unprecedented New View Of BLU-109 Bunker Buster Strike That Killed Hezbollah’s Leadership

By Tyler Rogoway, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 7, 2025

The Russians say they thwarted a plot to blow up FPV drone operators with explosive-laden goggles.

Explosive-Laden Goggles Sent To Russian FPV Drone Operators

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 7, 2025

A video showing testing of the Chinese GL-6 hard-kill active protection system underscores how systems like this to provide a valuable additional layer of defense against uncrewed aerial threats, including highly maneuverable first-person view (FPV) kamikaze drones, something TWZ has previously explored in an in-depth feature.

Chinese Tank’s Active Protection System Seen Intercepting Drone-Fired Rocket Propelled Grenade

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 7, 2025

Tankers from the 33rd separate mechanized brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces fire with a Leopard 2A4 tank during a field training at an undisclosed location in Ukraine on October 27, 2024, amid the Russian invasion on Ukraine.

Germany Kicks Off Work On Leopard 3 Main Battle Tank

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 7, 2025

Iran has finally shown a drone taking off and landing on – in the latter case with the help of arresting gear – the deck of the country's unusual new 'drone carrier,' the Shahid Bagheri. Newly emerged imagery also shows various drones and crewed helicopters on the flight deck, which has a ski jump at the bow end, including the appearance of 'drones' styled after the infamous Qaher 313.

Iran’s Wacky Aircraft Carrier Has Entered Service

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 6, 2025

Ukraine has launched a new offensive in Kursk, according to the Russian Defense Ministry and milbloggers.

Ukraine Launches New Offensive Push In Russia’s Kursk Region

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 6, 2025

The F-15EX, the Air Force’s newest fighter aircraft, arrives to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida March 11. The aircraft will be the first Air Force aircraft to be tested and fielded from beginning to end through combined developmental and operational tests. The 40th Flight Test Squadron and the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron personnel are responsible for testing the aircraft.

F-15EX Nails Pentagon Test Campaign, Survivability Concerns Remain

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 6, 2025

Developed through a collaboration between NPS and Seatrec, the Persistent Smart Acoustic Profiler (PSAP) Voyager is pictured just after it is deployed in the Pacific off the coast of Kona, Hawaii, in November of 2024. The innovative, self-powered autonomous underwater drone represents a major breakthrough in the persistent collection of acoustic data in real-time. (Photo courtesy Tarry Rago)

News & Features

Navy Develops Highly Persistent Undersea Hydrophone System Powered By Ocean Temperatures

By Geoff Ziezulewicz

Posted on Feb 6, 2025

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave U.S. President Donald Trump a golden pager commemorating last September's Israeli attack on Hezbollah using thousands of exploding pagers and walkie-talkies.

Trump Receives Golden Pager Gift From Netanyahu

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 6, 2025

The U.S. Air Force quietly fixed a problem with the integration of the 30,000-pound class GBU-57/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bomb onto the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber last year. As part of the integration work, the service also conducted an important test of a new "smart fuze" for the MOP to help improve the weapon's effectiveness, even when the exact depth and positioning of the buried target are not definitively known.

Massive Ordnance Penetrator Bunker Buster Grows More Potent

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Feb 6, 2025

A Mirage 2000-5 jet fighter takes off at the aerial military base 126 - Capitaine Preziosi aka Solenzara base, in Ventiseri, on the French Mediterranean island Corsica, for a mission in Libya on March 24, 2011. Blasts and anti-aircraft fire rattled the Libyan capital for the sixth day as France hailed the allied air raids against Moamer Kadhafi's forces and promised they would go on indefinitely.

First Mirage 2000 Fighter Has Arrived In Ukraine

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 6, 2025

Ukraine has trillions in mineral resources that Donald Trump wants in exchange for U.S. arms. However, a good chunk of that land is held by Russia or too close to the front to mine.

Ukrainian Minerals For Arms Deal Complicated By Russian Control Of Key Territories

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 5, 2025

New information about serious and potentially dangerous deficiencies with the emergency ejection system on the U.S. Air Force's new T-7A Red Hawk jet trainer has been released.

New Details About T-7A Red Hawk Jet Trainer Ejection System Woes Emerge

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 5, 2025