News & Features (Page 22)

Latest in News & Features

Pictures have emerged of what looks to be the first known example of a new Chinese airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft based on the four-engine Y-20 cargo plane commonly referred to as the KJ-3000.
China

China’s New Domestically Developed Y-20 Airborne Early Warning Jet Spotted

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 27, 2024

China has held a launch ceremony for its first super-sized Type 076 amphibious assault ship, now named Sichuan, but the vessel does not look to have gone into the water yet. Chinese Internet capture via X
China

China’s Monster Type 076 Amphibious Assault Ship Seen Like Never Before At Launch Ceremony

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 27, 2024

6th gen flying wing aircraft china
China

China Stuns With Heavy Stealth Tactical Jet’s Sudden Appearance (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick and Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Dec 26, 2024

It appears that another new Chinese combat aircraft design has entered flight testing. Imagery of the previously unseen aircraft began to circulate on social media today, only a matter of hours after the first appearance of a remarkable diamond-shaped tailless combat aircraft design, thought to be a Chengdu product.
China

Yes, China Just Flew Another Tailless Next-Generation Stealth Combat Aircraft

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 26, 2024

Early reports indicate a Russian SAM system downed an Azerbaijanian Airlines flight Wednesday.
Russia

Everything We Know About What Led Up To The Azerbaijan Airliner Crash

By Howard Altman

Updated on Dec 26, 2024

Russian forces have begun using improvised counter-drone buggies each armed with a weapon made up of 24 barrels that fire shotgun-like ammunition, as well as six AK-series infantry rifles on a single mount.
Russia

Anti-Drone Weapon With 24 Barrels Firing Buckshot-Like Rounds Emerges On Russian Buggies

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 26, 2024

Sailors at Christmas long ago.
History

U.S. Navy Ship Menus From Christmases Past

By Geoff Ziezulewicz

Posted on Dec 24, 2024

The construction of the first Polar Security Cutter (PSC) heavy icebreaker for the U.S. Coast Guard is now formally proceeding. Though the milestone is important, it also underscores the PSC program's already massive delays.
U.S. Homeland

New Coast Guard Heavy Icebreaker Construction Finally Underway

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 24, 2024

A Russian cargo ship claimed to be heading to Syria, to take part in the Kremlin’s military withdrawal from that country, has sunk in the Mediterranean. The Ursa Major went down overnight between Spain and Algeria, with 14 crew members rescued and another two still unaccounted for. The incident comes amid uncertainty over the fate of the Russian naval base at Tartous on the Syrian coast, which provides Moscow with a vital foothold on the Mediterranean.
Syria

What We Know About The Russian Cargo Ship That Sank In Mediterranean

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 24, 2024

F/A-18F Was Shot Down By Friendly Fire As Jets Were About To Land On The Carrier
Red Sea

F/A-18F Was Shot Down By Friendly Fire As Jets Were About To Land On The Carrier

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Dec 24, 2024

The U.S. Army says it is planning to award a sole-source contract to BAE Systems to produce a prototype self-propelled 155mm howitzer for use as a novel air defense system.
Procurement

Railgun Ammo-Firing 155mm Air Defense Cannon Set To Be Awarded To BAE Systems

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 24, 2024

Gold Apollo pager
Israel

Ex-Mossad Agents Reveal Details Of How They Turned Hezbollah’s Communications Devices Into Bombs

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 24, 2024

North Korea may be preparing to send additional troops and weapons to Russia to help its fight against Ukraine.
North Korea

North Korea To Send More Troops To Fight For Russia Against Ukraine: South Korean Intel

By Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 23, 2024

US Navy ship in maintenance.
China

What’s In The Bill That Aims To Revitalize America’s Decaying Naval Industry

By Geoff Ziezulewicz

Posted on Dec 23, 2024

A U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet was conducting a refueling mission over the Red Sea when it was downed in a friendly fire incident this past weekend.
Red Sea

F/A-18F Shot Down By Friendly Cruiser Was In The Middle Of A Refueling Mission

By Joseph Trevithick, Geoff Ziezulewicz, Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 23, 2024

Salem Nuclear Power Plant in New Jersey was one of 22 energy infrastructure sites in the state that the FAA banned drone flights over.
U.S. Homeland

Nuclear Power Plants Report Massive Uptick In Drone Sightings

By Howard Altman

Updated on Dec 21, 2024

Bomb shelter bunker at Bentwaters Park, former USAF military base, Suffolk, England, UK. (Photo by: Geography Photos/Universal Images Group 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 Dec 21, 2024

The commander of a Ukrainian Abrams tank talked about surviving Russian FPV drone strikes.
Russia

Ukrainian M1 Abrams Commander Talks Tank’s Major Vulnerabilities, Advantages In Combat

By Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 20, 2024

Recent satellite imagery of Belbek Air Base, near Sevastopol in Russian-occupied Crimea, shows new hardened aircraft shelters and additional construction to help shield aircraft from drone attacks and other indirect fire.
Russia

Russia’s Belbek Air Base In Crimea Is Getting Hardened Aircraft Shelters

By Thomas Newdick, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 20, 2024

Russia Pummels Kyiv In Retaliation For ATACMS, Storm Shadow Strikes On Its Soil
Russia

Russia Pummels Kyiv In Retaliation For ATACMS, Storm Shadow Strikes On Its Soil

By Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 20, 2024

A Spanish Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon participating in NATO exercise Ramstein Flag 24 flies over the west coast of Greece, Oct. 4, 2024. Over 130 fighter and enabler aircraft from Greece, Canada, France, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and United States are training side by side to improve tactics and foster more robust integration, demonstrating NATO’s resolve, commitment and ability to deter potential adversaries and defend the Alliance.
NATO

Spanish Typhoon Buy Signals Upward Trend For Eurofighter

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 20, 2024

Marine Corps Medium Landing Ship.
China

Marine-Moving Medium Landing Ship Critical To China Fight Put On Hold Again By Navy

By Geoff Ziezulewicz

Posted on Dec 20, 2024

In the face of post-Cold War drawdowns, the U.S. Air Force pushed ahead with buying the famously expensive F-22 Raptor stealth fighter in part because of a perhaps unexpected reason: concerns about Syrian air defenses.
Cold War

Syria’s Air Defenses Helped Make The F-22A Raptor A Reality

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 20, 2024

As the world’s only operator of the legendary F-14 Tomcat swing-wing fighter, the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) has a unique airpower status. A recent airshow provided the chance for a very rare close-quarters look at the Cold War-era jet, which by now has very questionable capabilities and serviceability, while there are persistent reports that it could soon be replaced entirely by Russian-provided Su-35 Flanker multirole fighters.
Iran

Iranian F-14 Tomcat Encounter At An Airshow Unlike Any Other

By Thomas Newdick, Živojin Banković

Posted on Dec 19, 2024

The FAA has banned drone flights over 22 New Jersey power infrastructure sites.
U.S. Homeland

Drone Flights Banned Over New Jersey Energy Infrastructure Sites

By Howard Altman

Updated on Dec 19, 2024

Russian President Vladimir Putin insisted today that his country is still exploring its options for retaining a pair of bases in Syria that have uniquely strategic value following the fall of longtime ally Bashar Al Assad.
Syria

Putin Claims No Final Decision Yet On Russia’s Bases In Syria Despite Withdrawals

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 19, 2024

Israeli has launched airstrikes on multiple targets in Yemen, including the capital of Sana’a, in response to an overnight missile launch from Yemen toward Israel. The Israeli raids come after an uptick in attacks against Israel by the Yemen-based Houthi militant group, including two in the past week.
Israel

Israeli Air Force Strikes Yemen With Popeye And Rampage Standoff Missiles

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 19, 2024

PLA Navy is expanding its reach warns the DoD.
China

Pentagon Warns Of China’s Increasing Capacity To Project Naval Power Far From Home

By Geoff Ziezulewicz

Posted on Dec 19, 2024

Bill Kennedy, 436th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron transit alert, marshals a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III at Dover Air Force Base, Del., April 26, 2015. The aircraft is loaded with 69 members of the Fairfax County Urban Search and Rescue Team, their supplies and equipment, and six K-9s, to assist Nepal with rescue operations after the country was struck by a 7.8-magnitude earthquake.
U.S. Homeland

New Jersey Base Confirms Multiple Past Drone Incursions… By Contraband Smugglers

By Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 18, 2024

Swedish defense firm Saab has presented concepts for a potential new-generation crewed fighter and a series of drones that would be intended to work alongside it.
Europe

These Are Saab’s Concepts For Its Next Generation Fighter, Drones

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 18, 2024

China’s H-20 Stealth Bomber Unlikely To ‘Debut’ Until 2030s, According To U.S. Intel
China

China’s H-20 Stealth Bomber Unlikely To ‘Debut’ Until 2030s, According To U.S. Intel

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 18, 2024

Top Pentagon officials offered new insights into the state of play on the battlefield, the role of North Korean troops there and how it will be paid for.
North Korea

Pentagon’s Assessment Of North Koreans Fighting In Kursk, Rate At Which Ukraine Is Losing Ground

By Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 18, 2024

GAO says the cruiser modernization effort was terribly ran and brought with issues.
U.S. Homeland

Navy’s Cruiser Modernization A Lesson In How Not To Run Such A Program: GAO Report

By Geoff Ziezulewicz

Updated on Dec 17, 2024

New satellite imagery shows the continued withdrawal of Russian forces from its Khmeimim Air Base in Syria. Russia is also massing units at its Tartus naval base in the country, which also points to plans for their impending departure.
Syria

Satellite Imagery Shows Ramp-Up In Russian Forces Massing At Bases In Syria For Withdrawal

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 17, 2024

A new targeted strike involving the use of the secretive AGM-114R9X Hellfire missile, which features an array of pop-out sword-like blades rather than a traditional high-explosive warhead, looks to have occurred in northwestern Syria.
Syria

Secretive Bladed AGM-114R9X Hellfire Missile Looks To Have Reemerged In New Syria Strike

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 17, 2024

Camp Pendleton drone incursions have occurred in recent days.
U.S. Homeland

Multiple Drone Incursions Confirmed Over Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton (Updated)

By Howard Altman

Updated on Dec 17, 2024

A view of the scene after Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, chief of Russia's Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Defense Troops, and his assistant were killed in an explosion in Moscow, Russia on December 17, 2024. The blast was caused by an explosive device planted in an electric scooter, Svetlana Petrenko, spokesperson for the Russian Investigative Committee, said in a video statement on Telegram.
Russia

Russian General Accused Of Using Chemical Weapons Assassinated By Ukraine

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 17, 2024

There is growing, but still circumstantial evidence that a Syrian Airlines Il-76 Candid cargo plane currently at Russia's Khmeimim Air Base in Syria is one that appeared to go missing in the final chaotic moments of Bashar Al Assad's regime.
Syria

The Mystery Of The Syrian IL-76 Cargo Jet That Went Missing As Assad Fled

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 17, 2024

North Korean Troops in Kursk, Russia are now fighting more actively on the front.
North Korea

North Korean Troops Launched Large-Scale Combat Operations In Kursk: Officials

By Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 17, 2024

The Russian Khmeimim Air Base in Jabla in Latakia, Syria on December 15, 2024. With the Baath regime's collapse, Russia continued to transfer its troops from Damascus, Homs and other cities across Syria to the base.
Syria

Future Of Russia’s Bases In Syria Remains In Flux, Libya Possible Alternative

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 16, 2024

A video and pictures have emerged showing testing of Chinese high-flying and high-speed uncrewed air vehicles related to a design called MD-22, including aerial releases from a TB-001 drone and a high-altitude balloon.
China

China Launches Hypersonic Test Planes From Drones, Balloons

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 16, 2024

Taiwan has received its first batch of M1A2T Abrams main battle tanks as it continues its drive to modernize its armed forces, which face an expanding military threat from Beijing. While the upgrade for the Republic of China Army (ROCA) — which was still operating 1950s-era M41A3 Walker Bulldog light tanks until the last couple of years — is obvious, there are still questions over how suitable the big and heavy Abrams is for the island’s defensive requirements.
Taiwan

M1A2 Abrams Tanks Arrive In Taiwan

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 16, 2024

Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio is the latest U.S. military installation to report drone overflights.
U.S. Homeland

Drone Incursions Closed Wright-Patterson Air Force Base’s Airspace Friday Night

By Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 15, 2024

Solid Steel Bunker Door - Access to an abandoned bunker
Bunker Talk

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

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Dec 14, 2024

A recently released video from the cockpit of a Ukrainian Air Force Su-27 Flanker provides an unprecedented close-quarters view of the fighter lobbing GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs (SDB) toward a Russian target.
Ukraine

Cockpit Video Of Ukrainian Su-27 Lobbing GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 13, 2024

Yachts are increasingly getting counter-drone systems
Drones

Counter-Drone Systems For Yachts Are Growing In Popularity

By Eric Tegler

Updated on Dec 13, 2024

Russian Forces Appear To Be Pulling Out Of Prized Syrian Air Base
Syria

Russian Forces Appear To Be Pulling Out Of Prized Syrian Air Base

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 13, 2024

A U.S. C-17 Globemaster military transport aircraft takes off from Ramstein Air Base. A conference on the Ukraine war was held at the U.S. air base.
Germany

U.S. Air Force Confirms Drone Sightings Over Ramstein Air Base In Germany

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 13, 2024

The U.S. Army has finally test-fired its Dark Eagle hypersonic missile from its trailer-based launcher after attempting to do so for some two years.
U.S. Homeland

Army’s Dark Eagle Hypersonic Missile Finally Blasts Out Of Its Launcher

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 13, 2024

Federal, state, and local authorities have not been able to corroborate any claimed visual sightings of mysterious drones in the skies over New Jersey, according to a top White House spokesperson.
U.S. Homeland

None Of The New Jersey Visual Drone Sightings Have Been Corroborated: White House

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Dec 13, 2024

A Standard-Missile 6 is fired from a Mk 70 mobile missile launcher in 2023.
News & Features

Littoral Combat Ships To Sail With Mk70 Vertical Launchers Strapped To Their Decks

By Geoff Ziezulewicz

Posted on Dec 12, 2024

Apparent drones spotted in the skies over New Jersey, some as big as six feet across, look to be operating in a coordinated manner not consistent with hobbyists, according to state and local officials.
U.S. Homeland

Drones Over New Jersey Show Signs Of Coordination, Elude Helicopters: State Officials

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 12, 2024

We have gotten our best look at a Ukrainian 9K33 Osa (SA-8 Gecko) mobile short-range air defense system (SHORADS) armed with the Soviet-era R-73 (AA-11 Archer) infrared-guided air-to-air missile. While other such systems have typically integrated Western missile armament on existing Ukrainian ground-based air defense systems — known as ‘FrankenSAMs’ — this one is notable for combining a Soviet-era SHORADS vehicle with Soviet-era missiles.
Russia

Ukraine’s SA-8 Gecko ‘FrankenSAM’ Adapted To Fire Air-To-Air Missiles Seen In New Detail

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 12, 2024

Any plans the Air Force might have for new hardened aircraft shelters or other physical defenses at bases are prominently absent from a new infrastructure modernization strategy rolled out today.
China

Plans For New Hardened Aircraft Shelters Notably Absent From New USAF Base Modernization Strategy

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 12, 2024

Hysteria about drones over New Jersey obscures the fact that there is a real national security concern.
Iran

Coast Guard Ship Stalked By Unidentified Aircraft, Iran Drone Mothership Claim Shot Down By DoD

By Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 12, 2024

he U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy could soon be tasked with exploring whether extending the range of existing AIM-120 and AIM-9 air-to-air missiles is one path to help right-size stocks of those weapons.
Procurement

Extended Range AIM-120s, AIM-9s Eyed To Meet Future Air-to-Air Missile Demands

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 11, 2024

Mohamed Bashir, who heads HTS's so-called "Salvation Government", holds a press conference in the rebel-held northwestern Syrian city of Idlib on November 28, 2024. The Syrian rebels now in power in Damascus have appointed Mohammed al-Bashir as head of a transitional government that will be in place until March 1, state media said on December 10, 2024. (Photo by Omar HAJ KADOUR / AFP) (Photo by OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP via Getty Images)
Israel

New Syrian Prime Minister Assumes Power Amid Airstrikes, Continued Fighting

By Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 11, 2024

Imagery has appeared showing Russia’s Sukhoi Su-57 Felon new-generation fighter fitted with a new type of thrust-vectoring engine nozzle. The radical-looking design is intended to improve the low-observable features of the Felon, although the future of the new engine nozzle is far from certain.
Russia

Su-57 Felon’s Two-Dimensional Thrust-Vectoring Engine Nozzle Breaks Cover

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 10, 2024

Mk 41 launcher MDA Guam
Indo-Pacific

Tilting Mark 41 Launcher Emerges During Guam’s First Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Test

By Geoff Ziezulewicz, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 10, 2024

North Korea is set to receive MiG-29 Fulcrum and Su-27 Flanker fighter aircraft from Russia in return for Pyongyang having sent thousands of troops to fight in Moscow’s war in Ukraine. This is the assessment of the commander of United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), after much speculation about the nature of the support that might be headed to North Korea to reward that country for its growing military backing of Russia. The prospect of fighter aircraft being transferred by Russia is something that TWZ has discussed in the past.
North Korea

Russia Giving North Korea MiG-29s And Su-27s Isn’t That Straightforward

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 10, 2024

Pictures and videos have now emerged of the aftermath of Israeli strikes on the Syrian port of Latakia overnight, which destroyed at least six Soviet-era Osa II class missile boats.
Israel

Israel Lays Waste To Syria’s Missile Boats (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 10, 2024

Israel strikes targets in Syria after Assad falls.
Iran

Syria’s Suddenly Permissive Airspace Prompts Flurry Of Foreign Airstrikes (Updated)

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Dec 10, 2024

What will happen to highly strategic Russian air and naval bases in Syria is now very much now an open question following the downfall of long-time strongman Bashar Al Assad and his flight to Moscow.
Syria

Fate Of Russia’s Prized Syria Bases: What We Know

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 10, 2024

The United Kingdom has taken an important step toward its Tempest next-generation fighter, with the start of a trials campaign for the Flight Test Aircraft (FTA), nicknamed Excalibur, which will serve as a flying laboratory for the new combat aircraft. Based on a Boeing 757 airliner, the FTA joins a growing band of dedicated trials aircraft that are being used to prove out technologies for current and future-generation fighter programs, also in the United States and China.
United Kingdom

UK’s 757-Based ‘Excalibur’ Avionics Testbed For Tempest Future Fighter Emerges

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 9, 2024