News & Features (Page 20)

Latest in News & Features

Airbus Defense and Space has begun a risk-assessment study for France’s future maritime patrol aircraft (MPA), to be based on an Airbus A321 airliner platform. Billed as a “flying frigate” by the company, the new MPA is intended to replace the French Navy’s Dassault Atlantique 2 fleet but arrives at a time when NATO nations are increasingly adopting the in-production Boeing P-8 Poseidon for their maritime patrol requirements.
Europe

Airbus A321 Airliners To Be Modified Into “Flying Frigate” Patrol Jets By France

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 5, 2025

Dual Band radar still had problems prior to USS Ford's first deployment.
News & Features

USS Gerald R. Ford Was Still Struggling With Its Dual Band Radar Prior To Deployment

By Geoff Ziezulewicz

Posted on Feb 5, 2025

Russia’s Modernized Nuclear Battlecruiser Finally Powers Up Its Reactors: Report
Russia

Russia’s Modernized Nuclear Battlecruiser Finally Powers Up Its Reactors: Report

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 4, 2025

Rivet joint flew off Mexico.
U.S. Homeland

RC-135 Rivet Joint Surveillance Jet Just Flew Unprecedented Mission Off Mexico

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 4, 2025

The U.S. Department of Defense has disclosed that it’s still unclear about the lethal effects of the hypersonic missile that’s at the center of the Army’s Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) Dark Eagle and which will arm the Navy’s Zumwalt class stealth destroyers and future Block V Virginia class submarines. The surprising knowledge gap comes after the Army achieved the long-delayed first test-firing of a Dark Eagle missile from its trailer-based launcher, something you can read more about here.
U.S. Homeland

Pentagon Still Unsure About Lethality Of Dark Eagle Hypersonic Missile

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 4, 2025

US military going after cartels?
U.S. Homeland

How Trump Could Use Military Force Against Cartels In Mexico

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 4, 2025

The U.S. Marine Corps transition to the VH-92A Patriot as its only helicopter for use in the "Marine One" role shuttling the president, the vice president, their families, and their closest advisors around at home and abroad, is still underway and now we know it won't be done till 2030, at the earliest.
POTUS

VH-92 Patriot Fully Taking Over Marine One Duties Has Slipped To End Of Decade

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Feb 4, 2025

HELIOS laser fired from the USS Preble.
High Powered Microwaves

Navy HELIOS Laser Aboard USS Preble Zaps Drone In Latest Test

By Geoff Ziezulewicz, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Feb 4, 2025

Maj. Garret Dover prepares to taxi in an F-35A of the 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron, a tenant unit at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., takes off on a test flight at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, Feb 17, 2016. Six operational test and evaluation F-35s and more than 85 Airmen of the 31st TES travelled to Mountain Home AFB to conduct the first simulated deployment test of the F-35A, specifically to execute three key initial operational capability mission sets: suppression of enemy air defenses, close air support and air interdiction.
Canada

Escalating Trade War Raises Questions Over Canada’s F-35 Future

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 3, 2025

A newly released U.S. Marine Aviation Plan shows the service is now looking at a successor to its MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotors actively enough to give it a name: the Next Generation Assault Support (NGAS) aircraft.
Procurement

Hunt For A MV-22 Osprey Successor For The Marines Has Begun

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 3, 2025

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

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

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Feb 1, 2025

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has banned virtually all helicopter flights around Reagan National Airport and parts of the surrounding Potomac River. This comes in the tragic collision of a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines CRJ700 airliner above the river on Tuesday night.
U.S. Homeland

Nearly All Helicopter Traffic Around Reagan National Airport Has Been Shut Down

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 1, 2025

Ukrainian Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR) disputes claims that North Korean troops have fled the front lines in Kursk.
North Korea

Ukraine’s Intel Chief Disputes Claim That North Koreans Have Fled The Russian Front

By Howard Altman

Updated on Feb 1, 2025

An F-35C LIGHTNING II takes off from Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) during training with Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), Jan. 22, 2022. Operating as part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, units assigned to Carl Vinson and Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Groups, America and Essex Amphibious Ready Groups, alongside JMSDF, are conducting training to preserve and protect a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Intelligence Specialist 1st Class Jeremy Faller)
Red Sea

How Life Aboard A Navy Aircraft Carrier Changed When High-Speed Internet Arrived

By Geoff Ziezulewicz

Posted on Jan 31, 2025

A relatively low-cost cruise missile that the U.S. Air Force is now developing could transform into an air-launched counter-drone weapon.
Ukraine

Cheap Cruise Missile Program Set To Evolve Into Air-To-Air Drone Interceptor

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jan 31, 2025

A detail model has provided what’s likely our best idea of how the U.K. Royal Navy’s new Dreadnought class nuclear ballistic submarine, or SSBN will appear. The four Dreadnought ‘bombers’ represent one of the most important U.K. defense programs for many years and it’s notable to see how many advanced features the design includes, as the Royal Navy seeks to find the optimum balance between speed, stealth, and firepower. The four new SSBNs will replace the Vanguard class that entered service in the 1990s.
United Kingdom

Our Best Look Yet At Britain’s New Dreadnought Class Ballistic Missile Submarine Design

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 31, 2025

12th Army Aviation Battalion UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters fly in formation over the Potomac River in Washington to help kick off the 39th Annual Army Ten-Miler, Oct. 8, 2023. The role of the 12th Aviation Battalion is to conduct air movement and engineer technical rescue operations for senior leaders of the Army, Department of Defense, and U.S. Government while maintaining a continuous alert posture in support of the Joint Task Force - National Capital Region to sustain a rapid response, readiness, and support force capability. The Army Ten-Miler, the world's third largest 10-mile road race, promotes the Army, builds esprit de corps, supports Army fitness goals, and enhances community relations. (U.S. Army photo by Bernardo Fuller)
U.S. Homeland

Ex-Military Helicopter Pilots Explain The Challenges Of Flying Over The Capital

By Geoff Ziezulewicz, Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 31, 2025

The crew of a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter involved in a mid-air collision over the Potomac River last night were training for what is known as a continuity of government mission.
U.S. Homeland

Mid-Air Collision Shines Light On Doomsday Plans For Nation’s Capital

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 30, 2025

Several investigations are underway into a mid-air collision that killed 67 people.
U.S. Homeland

“Elevation Issue” With UH-60 That Collided With CRJ700 Over Potomac Being Investigated: SECDEF

By Howard Altman, Geoff Ziezulewicz, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Jan 30, 2025

A caucasian uniformed pilot in the cockpit of a small, modern private single engine propeller aircraft landing at night with runway lights visible.
U.S. Homeland

Here’s What Air Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems Can And Can’t Do

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 30, 2025

A commercial airliner collided with a Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River.
U.S. Homeland

Chilling Air Traffic Control Audio From H-60 Collision With CRJ700 Over Potomac River (Updated)

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway, Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jan 30, 2025

U.S. Navy officials have laid out several priorities they say are key to ensuring the service's carrier air wings will be able to succeed in future conflicts, especially a high-end fight in the Pacific.
Indo-Pacific

Carrier Air Wing’s Key Priorities To Win In Future Pacific Fight Laid Out By Navy

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 30, 2025

Ukraine's Magyar Birds drone unit is now using a system to counter Russian fiber-optic-controlled FPV drones.
Russia

Ukraine Discloses New Method To Defeat Russian Fiber-Optic-Controlled FPV Drones

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 30, 2025

200702-N-SB299-1015 SAN DIEGO (July 2, 2020) The guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) arrives at its homeport of Naval Base San Diego following more than two years of restoration and modernization at Huntington Ingalls Industries - Ingalls Shipbuilding Division's Pascagoula, Mississippi shipyard. The ship was damaged during a 2017 collision that claimed the lives of seven Sailors. While in San Diego, the crew will complete extensive training and certifications through Basic, Advanced, and Integrated phases of training. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alex Millar/Released)
Artificial Intelligence

Destroyer Has Become First U.S. Navy Ship To Deploy Artificial Intelligence System

By Geoff Ziezulewicz

Posted on Jan 29, 2025

A U.S. Army UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter has completed initial ground runs with two of the new T901 Improved Turbine Engines. Developed under the Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP), the T901 was planned to power the now-canceled Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) but will instead now make its way into the UH-60 and the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter.
U.S. Homeland

UH-60 Black Hawk Begins Ground Tests With Far More Powerful T901 Engines

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 29, 2025

Dozens Of Israeli Patriot Missiles Sent To Ukraine
Israel

Dozens Of Israeli Patriot Missiles Sent To Ukraine

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 29, 2025

U.S. Air Force F-16 Vipers have been using 70mm laser-guided rockets to down Houthi drones during operations in and around the Red Sea in the past year.
Red Sea

F-16s Have Been Using Laser-Guided Rockets To Shoot Down Houthi Drones

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jan 29, 2025

F-35 Alaska
U.S. Homeland

F-35 Caught On Video Tumbling Vertically Into The Runway At Alaskan Air Base

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jan 29, 2025

Denmark will spend more than $2 billion on new ships, aircraft and drones to patrol Greenland.
China

Denmark To Boost Greenland Military Presence Amid Trump’s Quest To Obtain Island

By Howard Altman

Updated on Jan 28, 2025

Airbus and Navantia will explore the integration of the Sirtap drone on the LHD Juan Carlos I. Both companies have signed an agreement on board the Navy's flagship to study the possible use of the RPAS from its deck.
NATO

Spain Wants To Convert Its Aircraft Carrier For Drone Operations

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 28, 2025

President Donald Trump has laid out a vision for a new Iron Dome air and missile defense system to shield the U.S. homeland, which directly hearkens back to the Reagan-era Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI).
U.S. Homeland

Weaponizing Space Key To Trump’s Iron Dome Missile Defense Shield Vision

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 28, 2025

DDG missile firing. (U.S. Navy)
Red Sea

What Red Sea Battles Have Taught The Navy About A Future China Fight

By Geoff Ziezulewicz

Posted on Jan 28, 2025

The first supersonic flight of the Boom Supersonic XB-1.
U.S. Homeland

Boom! The XB-1 Demonstrator Jet Has Gone Supersonic

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 28, 2025

The U.S. Air Force has dramatically plussed-up contracts with General Electric and Pratt & Whitney, both of which now have a ceiling of $3.5 billion, to continue work on prototype next-generation jet engines.
Procurement

Billions For Next Generation Fighter Jet Engines Greenlit By Air Force

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 28, 2025

A Congolese army tank heads towards the front line near Kibumba in the area surrounding the North Kivu city of Goma on May 25, 2022 during clashes between the Congolese army and M23 rebels. - DR Congo soldiers fought M23 militiamen on several fronts in the troubled east of the country Wednesday, military and local officials said, with the government appearing to implicate Rwanda in the violent flare-up.
Africa

Rebel Troops Claim Capture Of Congo Border City Stoking Fears Of Wider Conflict

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 28, 2025

An Air Force C-32A VIP transport jet, on a special mission for President Donald Trump, had to delay its landing at Joint Base Andrews because F-16C Vipers were scrambled to intercept a drone.
U.S. Homeland

C-32 Forced To Delay Landing After F-16s Scrambled To Intercept Drone Near Capital

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 27, 2025

Satellite imagery shows clear indications that Russia's increasingly anticipated withdrawal of forces from its Tartus naval base in Syria has finally started.
Syria

Russian Withdrawal From Prized Syrian Naval Base Now Underway

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 27, 2025

A newly emerged photo of the still-mysterious Chinese tailless combat aircraft, likely from the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, which first appeared last month, provides a better view of the rear aspect of the jet. This would appear to confirm that the aircraft’s outer wing sections, as we had previously suggested, act as moving control surfaces.
China

China’s Mysterious Tailless Stealth Fighter Has Swiveling Wingtips

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jan 27, 2025

NANTWICH, ENGLAND - MAY 24: The ballistic missile early warning control centre 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

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

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jan 25, 2025

Russians have entered a key Ukrainian stronghold in Donetsk Oblast.
Russia

Russians Enter Last Major Ukrainian Stronghold In Key Eastern Sector

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 24, 2025

DUKW (or ‘Duck’) amphibious truck, outfitted with an extension ladder to scale cliffs in northern France and then rain down suppressive fire on the German defenders.
WWII

Army Rangers Used Gun-Toting Fire Engine Ladders To Assault Cliffs On D-Day

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Jan 24, 2025

One of Ukraine’s Cold War-era Leopard 1 main battle tanks survived as many as a dozen hits from Russian first-person view (FPV) attack drones, according to Ukrainian sources. The incident underscores the proliferation of this particular threat on the battlefield but also points to the effectiveness of the ‘up-armored’ version of the venerable Leopard 1, examples of which have received a variety of different protective measures in Ukrainian service.
Ukraine

Ukrainian Leopard 1 Tank Survived A Dozen Drone Strikes: Report

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 24, 2025

The U.S. Air Force's XQ-67A drone is set to receive modifications and upgrades to demonstrate its ability to perform certain missions as part of a program called Demon Ape.
Drones

XQ-67 Getting Overhauled With New Capabilities As Part Of Demon Ape Program

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 24, 2025

North Korea rocket launcher truck MLRS in Russia
North Korea

Artillery Rocket Launcher Disguised As Civilian Truck May Have Just Appeared In Russia

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Jan 24, 2025

F-35 AI-Enabled Drone Controller Capability Successfully Demonstrated
U.S. Homeland

F-35 AI-Enabled Drone Controller Capability Successfully Demonstrated

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 23, 2025

Type 054B Luohe
China

Chinese Navy Commissions First Type 054B Frigate

By Geoff Ziezulewicz

Posted on Jan 23, 2025

South Korea's domestically developed Marine Attack Helicopter (MAH) completed its first flight test in December 2024, the country's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced on January 15, 2025.
South Korea

This Is South Korea’s New Heavily Armed Marine Attack Helicopter

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 23, 2025

Royal Navy warships tracked a suspected Russian spy ship as it sailed through waters close to the UK. Yantar, believed to be used by the Russian Navy for intelligence gathering, was shadowed by HMS Somerset and HMS Tyne. Somerset covertly launched her Merlin helicopter, which used its powerful sensors to locate the Russian ship as it made its way north towards the English Channel. The Type 23 frigate closed in on Yantar’s location and intercepted it in the entrance to the Channel – south of the traffic separation scheme at Ushant, near France. The Plymouth-based warship took over monitoring duties from NATO allies after they shadowed Yantar in waters close to France. Somerset used her cutting-edge radars and sensors to report on every move during the operation, as she maintained a close distance to Yantar through the Channel and the Strait of Dover. Patrol ship Tyne was also monitoring the Yantar – last in waters around the UK in November when its activities were monitored by several Royal Navy units.
Russia

Royal Navy Nuclear Submarine Surfaced Next To Russian Spy Ship To Send A Clear Message

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 23, 2025

F-35Bs on san clémente island for austere operations training during Steel Knight exercise.
Indo-Pacific

We Went With Marine F-35Bs As They Fought A Mock War From A Pacific Island

By James Deboer

Updated on Jan 22, 2025

More North Korean Artillery Troops Heading To Russia: Ukraine Intel Chief
North Korea

More North Korean Artillery Troops Heading To Russia: Ukraine Intel Chief

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 22, 2025

NATO’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) has confirmed to TWZ that four Dutch F-35A stealth fighters are now also participating in Baltic Sentry, a mission intended, among other things, to ensure the security of critical undersea infrastructure in the region. The jets were already in the region as part of the alliance’s Baltic Air Policing mission.
Baltic Sea

F-35s Now Helping Prevent Baltic Seafloor Cable Sabotage

By Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Updated on Jan 22, 2025

Cheap Cruise Missile Paired With Affordable Seeker From Ship-Killing Smart Bomb Eyed By USAF
Ukraine

Cheap Cruise Missile Paired With Affordable Seeker From Ship-Killing Smart Bomb Eyed By USAF

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 22, 2025

The kit used by Air Force EOD techs was on displace in a recent photo staged during a controlled detonation.
Middle East

This Shot Of USAF Explosive Ordnance Disposal Techs In The Middle East Goes Hard

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 22, 2025

An intense video has emerged in Russia, showing a portion of a Ukrainian drone strike, including the interception of one of the drones by what seems to be a Pantsir short-range air defense system. Footage showing the successful interception of Ukraine’s long-range one-way attack drones by Russian ground-based air defenses is not generally common and this one reinforces the challenge posed by these relentless Ukrainian attacks against Russian infrastructure and military facilities.
Russia

Extremely Low Altitude Shootdown Of Ukrainian Drone By Russian SAM Caught On Video

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 21, 2025

The Navy destroyer USS Pinckney.
News & Features

Navy Says It Won’t Repeat Cruiser Upgrade Blunder With Destroyer Modernization 2.0 Effort

By Geoff Ziezulewicz

Posted on Jan 21, 2025

NASA’s new flying laboratory, an ex-commercial Boeing 777 airliner, has arrived in Waco, Texas, for modifications ahead of its entry to service. The aircraft will replace the agency’s now-retired Douglas DC-8.
U.S. Homeland

NASA’s ‘New’ Boeing 777 Undergoes Modifications For Its Future Flying Laboratory Role

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 21, 2025

Drone scare New Jersey
Lasers

FBI’s New Jersey Drone Scare Investigation Has No Suspects

By Howard Altman

Updated on Jan 21, 2025

The U.S. Army is moving to establish a second production source for barrels for 155mm M777 towed howitzers in response to what it calls "unprecedented demand" from Ukraine.
Russia

Ukraine Is Burning Through 155mm M777 Howitzer Barrels So Fast The U.S. Army Can’t Keep Up

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 21, 2025

Houthi Pledge To Curtail Ship Attacks Sparks New Security Assessment
Israel

Houthi Pledge To Curtail Ship Attacks Sparks New Security Assessment

By Howard Altman

Updated on Jan 20, 2025

The U.S. Navy's use of expendable Nulka decoys in combat has highlighted the need to expand the ability of its ships to launch off-board decoying electronic attacks, including ones lasting tens of minutes or more.
Drones

Nulka Combat Use Shows Warships Need Longer-Lasting Electronic Warfare-Enabled Decoys

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 20, 2025

USS Michael Murphy
News & Features

Arleigh Burke Destroyers Taking On Navy Air Defense Commander Role As Cruisers Disappear From Fleet

By Geoff Ziezulewicz

Updated on Jan 20, 2025

A dramatic video has appeared showing a Russian BTR-82 8x8 armored personnel carrier firing its main gun wildly, apparently due to a malfunction after the vehicle was struck by a drone. While huge numbers of this particular model of BTR have been lost in Russian hands since the start of the full-scale invasion, this is certainly one of the most bizarre sequences we’ve seen of the vehicle in combat.
Russia

Russian BTR-82 Had A Spectacular Misfire On The Battlefield In Ukraine

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 20, 2025

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - MAY 10: A vehicle drives into the tunnel at Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station on May 10, 2018 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. NORAD is celebrating its 60th Anniversary at Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post 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 Jan 18, 2025

In the coming weeks, drone boats will be plying the waters of the Baltic Sea helping to detect and deter undersea cable sabotage as part of Baltic Sentry.
Baltic Sea

Drone Boats Being Rushed To Help Prevent Baltic Seafloor Cable Sabotage

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 17, 2025