News & Features (Page 3)

Latest in News & Features

Patriot PAC-3 Missiles To Arm Navy Arleigh Burke Class Destroyers
News & Features

Patriot PAC-3 Missiles To Arm Navy Arleigh Burke Class Destroyers

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 21, 2026

Northrop Grumman CEO Kathy Warden says she is confident in her company's ability to deliver next-generation carrier-based fighters to the U.S. Navy if it is selected as the winner of the F/A-XX competition.
News & Features

Northrop Defends Ability To Build F/A-XX 6th Gen Naval Fighters If Selected

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 21, 2026

The U.S. Navy has disclosed the test of an AeroVironment LOCUST laser counter-drone system aboard the Nimitz class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush.
Lasers

Navy Fires Drone-Frying LOCUST Laser From Supercarrier USS George H.W. Bush

By Howard Altman, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 20, 2026

Spruance fires on iranian ship
Iran

Iran Peace Talks Hanging By A Thread After Tumultuous Weekend Near The Strait (Updated)

By Howard Altman

Updated on Apr 20, 2026

A U.S. Marine Corps XQ-58A Valkyrie, highly autonomous, low-cost tactical unmanned air vehicle, conducts its second test flight with two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft assigned to 33rd Fighter Wing, 96th Test Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Feb. 23, 2023. The XQ-58A Valkyrie test flight and the data collected inform future requirements for the Marine Corps in a rapidly evolving security environment, while successfully fueling joint innovation and experimentation opportunities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. John McRell)
Drones

F-35s Quarterbacking Drones Seen As Gateway To USMC’s 6th Gen Fighter

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 20, 2026

Ukraine has begun testing a new homegrown armored personnel carrier, a tracked vehicle named Skif (Scythian, an ancient warrior tribe who also lived in parts of modern Ukraine). The development underscores the fact that, despite extensive losses of legacy tracked APCs, this is a class of vehicle that the Ukrainian Armed Forces still prioritizes at it tries to hold off the Russian invasion.
Ukraine

Ukraine’s M113-Inspired Armored Personnel Carrier In Testing

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 20, 2026

Armed Black Hawk is shown off with new wings and weapons.
Video

The H-60 Black Hawk Gunship Evolves With New Wings And Weapons

By Tyler Rogoway, Jamie Hunter

Posted on Apr 20, 2026

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 Apr 17, 2026

The Qatari-donated 747-8i jet envisioned as a presidential airlifter, had a recent test flight.
POTUS

Qatari 747-8i Gifted To Trump For Interim Air Force One Is Undergoing Test Flights

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Apr 17, 2026

Iran reopened the Strait of Hormuz but the U.S. blockade of Iran remains in effect.
Iran

Iran Reopens Strait Of Hormuz, U.S. Blockade Continues (Updated)

By Howard Altman

Updated on Apr 17, 2026

U.S. Army officials say the modular design of the service's new MV-75A Cheyenne II tiltrotor will make it easier to reconfigure baseline versions for the medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) mission.
News & Features

MV-75 Will Be Reconfigurable For Medevac Mission Via Kit, Not Purpose-Built Like HH-60

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 17, 2026

The Air Force’s Experimental Operations Unit, under Air Combat Command, concluded a critical exercise with Collaborative Combat Aircraft recently at Edwards Air Force Base, California, putting principles of the new Warfighting Acquisition System into practice. The exercise employed the YFQ-44A aircraft and represents a shift toward the new concept of earlier, operator-driven experimentation to inform tactics and procedures that will accelerate the delivery of this transformative capability to the warfighter.
Drones

YFQ-44 Fury Fighter Drone Wraps Contested Operations Test That Could Accelerate Its Fielding

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 17, 2026

The U.S. shipped 10,000 Merops interceptor drones to the Middle East to take on Iranian Shahed drones.
Drones

Cheap Interceptor Drones Proven In Ukraine Protected U.S. Troops Against Iranian Shaheds

By Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 16, 2026

U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians board an MH-60R Sea Hawk, assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 14, from the flight deck of Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121) on Jan. 1, 2026. Frank E. Petersen Jr. is underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. Units assigned to 7th Fleet conduct regular Indo-Pacific patrols to deter aggression, strengthen alliances and partnerships, and advance peace through strength. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christian Kibler)
Iran

U.S. Pursuing Iranian-Linked Ships All Over The World In Addition To Its Blockade (Updated)

By Howard Altman

Updated on Apr 16, 2026

MAYHEM 10 is an autonomous, multi-role launched effect designed to deliver coordinated non-kinetic and kinetic effects at standoff. Employable from air, ground, and maritime platforms, it combines advanced collaborative autonomy with modular payloads to operate effectively in contested environments.
Drones

Super-Adaptable Mayhem 10 Swarming Drone Evolved From The Switchblade

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 16, 2026

Apache counter-drone ammunition ramps up production
Drones

Production Of AH-64 Apache’s New Counter-Drone Cannon Shell Ammunition Ramping-Up

By Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 16, 2026

The U.S. Army has given us our first glimpse at what the new MV-75A Cheyenne II tiltrotor will look like in its special operations configuration.
News & Features

First Look At What A Night Stalker MV-75 Cheyenne Will Look Like

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 15, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump downplayed China's concerns over how the war is affecting its oil supplies.
Iran

Trump Downplays Chinese Concerns Over Iran War’s Impact On Its Oil Supplies (Updated)

By Howard Altman

Updated on Apr 15, 2026

The German military has revealed details of tests in which its Wiesel armored personnel carrier has been airdropped under parachutes from A400M transport aircraft. While the diminutive Wiesel (German for weasel) is already notably mobile, including fitting into a CH-53 helicopter, this appears to be the first time that it has been airdropped, marking a significant new capability for Germany’s airborne forces.
Germany

Germany Is Now Airdropping Its Tiny Wiesel ‘Tankettes’

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 15, 2026

Boeing has provided details on its future plans for the venerable H-47 Chinook, including adding launched effects and creating a path toward an uncrewed version of the helicopter.
Drones

CH-47 Chinook Air-Launching Swarms Of Drones Touted As Future Feature

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 15, 2026

General Atomics is calling attention to a new mission for its Mojave short takeoff and landing (STOL) drone: hunting uncrewed aerial threats with laser-guided Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) rockets.
Drones

Hunting Drones From Sloppy Airstrips Is General Atomics’ Future Vision For Mojave

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 15, 2026

The U.S. Navy has confirmed that an MQ-4C Triton surveillance drone crashed back on April 9.
Middle East

Navy MQ-4C Triton Surveillance Drone Crash In The Middle East Finally Confirmed

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 14, 2026

While several ships have transited the Strait of Hormuz, CENTCOM says its blockade is working.
Iran

Navy Turns Around Ships Trying To Run Blockade Of Iran (Updated)

By Howard Altman

Updated on Apr 14, 2026

The US Air Force has been work working to improve the ability of HC-130J Combat King II combat search and rescue aircraft carrying Angry Kitten pods to receive reprogramming updates in near-real-time via satellite.
News & Features

Angry Kitten Jamming Pod Testing On HC-130J Focuses On Receiving Threat Updates Via Satellite

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 14, 2026

OMAN - APRIL 08: A view of the vessels heading towards the Strait of Hormuz following the two-week temporary ceasefire reached between the United States and Iran on the condition that the strait be reopened, seen in Oman on April 08, 2026.
Iran

Naval Blockade Of Iran Now In Full Effect (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Apr 13, 2026

A flurry of activity by American minesweeping vessels in the Pacific comes as the U.S. military has said it is sending additional forces to help clear Iranian mines from the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran

Flurry Of Navy Minesweepers Appear To Be Heading Toward The Middle East

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 13, 2026

The Marines are keeping an eye on the progress of a seaglider drone.
Drones

Regent Squire Wing-In-Ground Effect Drone Demonstrator Makes First Flight

By Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 13, 2026

KC-135 seen with battle damage repairs landing at RAF Midlenhall.
Iran

KC-135 Tanker Covered In Shrapnel Patches Seen Landing In UK

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Apr 13, 2026

A new and not immediately recognizable launcher has emerged on the U.S. Navy's Arleigh Burke class destroyer USS Carl M. Levin.
Drones

U.S. Navy Destroyer Equipped With New Launcher For Unknown Weapons

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Apr 11, 2026

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg receives a brief from U.S. Air Force Gen. John Hyten, commander of U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), during an orientation of the command’s battle deck at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., April 6, 2018. During his visit, Stoltenberg toured the command’s global operations center and participated in discussions with Hyten, other senior leaders and subject matter experts on the continuing U.S. commitment to supporting NATO and allies. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Julie R. Matyascik)
Bunker Talk

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

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Apr 10, 2026

Hezbollah is stepping up its FPV attacks on the IDF.
Israel

Hezbollah Ramping Up FPV Drone Attacks On IDF In Lebanon

By Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 10, 2026

OMAN - APRIL 08: A view of the vessels passing through Strait of Hormuz following the two-week temporary ceasefire reached between the United States and Iran on the condition that the strait be reopened, seen in Oman on April 08, 2026. (Photo by Shady Alassar/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Iran

Iran’s Chokehold On Hormuz Remains On The Eve Of Peace Talks In Pakistan (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Apr 10, 2026

A graphic showing aircraft losses during EPIC FURY.
Iran

Operation Epic Fury U.S. Aircraft Losses Visualized

By Ian Ellis-Jones

Posted on Apr 10, 2026

Navy Calls It Quits On Attack Submarine USS Boise’s Never Ending Overhaul
News & Features

Navy Calls It Quits On Attack Submarine USS Boise’s Never Ending Overhaul

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 10, 2026

A Bahraini F-16 fighter recorded the first air-to-air kill for the Block 70/72 version of the jet during the conflict in the Middle East earlier this month.
Iran

Bahrain First To Claim F-16 Block 70 Air-To-Air Kills

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 10, 2026

A former Pentagon official offers unique insights into the creation of the LUCAS drone.
Drones

How America’s Shahed-136 Kamikaze Drone Clone Suddenly Became An “Indispensable” Weapon Of War

By Howard Altman

Updated on Apr 9, 2026

Israeli F-16 departs for combat mission.
Iran

Iran Ceasefire Hangs In Balance As Israel Bombards Lebanon (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Apr 9, 2026

A U.S. Navy MQ-4C Triton surveillance drone disappeared abruptly and unexpectedly from online flight tracking sites after declaring an in-flight emergency while flying over the Persian Gulf today.
Iran

Navy MQ-4C Triton’s Fate Unknown After Disappearing From Flight Tracking Over Persian Gulf

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 9, 2026

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer prepares to taxi prior to takeoff in support of Operation Epic Fury, March 6, 2026.
Iran

Questions Loom Over Iran Ceasefire

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Apr 8, 2026

Here Is What Trump’s Gargantuan $1.5T Defense Budget Has In It
Drones

Here Is What Trump’s Gargantuan $1.5T Defense Budget Has In It

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 8, 2026

BAE has test fired APKWS rockets from an RAF Typhoon for the first time.
Drones

Eurofighter Typhoon Test Fires Laser-Guided Counter-Drone Rockets

By Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 8, 2026

B-2 Spirit about to head out on mission over Iran.
Iran

Trump Agrees To Ceasefire With Iran

By Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Updated on Apr 8, 2026

RQ-180 features seen in new videos shot in Greece.
Drones

New Views Of Massive RQ-180 Stealth Drone Flying Over Greece

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Apr 7, 2026

President Donald Trump and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine provided new details about the risky missions to rescue the crew of an F-15E Strike Eagle shot down over Iran.
Iran

Everything We Now Know About The Operation To Rescue The F-15E WSO (Updated)

By Howard Altman, Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 7, 2026

An advanced imaging infrared seeker from a U.S.-made Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-ballistic missile interceptor appears to have been recovered largely intact in Syria.
Iran

THAAD Kill Vehicle’s Infrared Seeker Appears To Have Been Found In Syria Intact

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 7, 2026

A secretive late Cold War-era drone program known as Quartz, intended to persistently monitor mobile nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles deep within the Soviet Union, offers a window into exactly why the RQ-180 could be in high demand in the Middle East now.
Iran

RQ-180’s Likely Role Over Iran Foreshadowed By Secret Cold War Stealth Drone Program

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Apr 6, 2026

FARP in Iran set up by special tactics squadron airman during WSO rescue.
Iran

How A Dusty Strip Deep In Iran Can Be Turned Into A U.S. Special Operations Base In Hours

By Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 6, 2026

B-52 epic fury mission.
Iran

Iran Rejects Ceasefire Deal (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 6, 2026

Little birds of the 160th SOAR were destroyed in Iran after the successful rescue of a F-15E WSO
Iran

Night Stalker AH-6 Little Bird Helicopters Destroyed At Forward Landing Site In Iran

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Apr 5, 2026

The WSO of an F-15E Strike Eagle shot down over Iran has been rescued, according to reports.
Iran

F-15E Weapon Systems Officer Shot Down Over Iran Has Been Rescued (Updated)

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Apr 5, 2026

What we are seeing with Iran's attacks on Israel with ballistic missiles with cluster warheads could have significant implications for future conflicts elsewhere, including in the Pacific region.
Iran

Iran Is Piercing Israel’s Ballistic Missile Defenses With High Altitude Cluster Warhead Releases

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 4, 2026

Iran claims it shot down a fighter over Iran showing wreckage on an F-15E.
Iran

F-15E Down In Iran, Rescue Operation Ongoing (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway, Howard Altman

Updated on Apr 4, 2026

Col. William C. Hannan, Jr., U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division commander, examines innovative design feature updates on the U.S. Army Central’s Bunker Retrofit project, designed to increase protection for service members throughout the U.S. Central Command’s area of operations, prior to the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center’s Phase II Live-fire Experiment at Fort Polk, La., Mar. 10.
Bunker Talk

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

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Apr 3, 2026

US and Israeli forces struck the B1 bridge connecting Tehran to western regions, hitting Iran’s highest bridge linking Tehran and Karaj, a major transport artery opened earlier this year.
Iran

Key Iranian Bridge Severed By Airstrikes (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Apr 2, 2026

A former who commando who fought in Iraq offers candid insights into the Iranian-backed militia attacks there since Epic Fury.
Iran

Iran Is Losing Its Grip On Iraqi Militias

By Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 2, 2026

A photographer on a flight over Greenville, Texas, captured an especially good look at one of the U.S. Air Force's RC-135V/W Rivet Joint aircraft with its usual paint scheme completely stripped off.
News & Features

RC-135 Rivet Joint Surveillance Jet Caught ‘In The Nude’ In Texas

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Apr 2, 2026

B-52 Epic Fury mission at night.
Iran

Trump Threatens NATO Departure, Claims Iran Wants A Ceasefire Ahead Of National Address (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Updated on Apr 2, 2026

The U.S. Air Force's highly secretive NT-43A radar cross-section measurement platform is supporting the launch of NASA's Artemis II space mission, and this reflects the start of an entirely new stage in the career of the notoriously shy aircraft.
News & Features

Secretive 737 Radar Jet ‘RAT55’ Has Begun “The Next Phase Of Its Career”

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Updated on Apr 2, 2026

A-4 landing
News & Features

Ian Ellis-Jones Has Touched Down At TWZ

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Apr 1, 2026

Operation Aspides, the European naval task force charged with protecting Red Sea shipping, is eyeing a potential Houthi resumption of hostilities in the waterway.
Iran

Amid Fears Houthis Could Close Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Red Sea Task Force Ready For Attacks

By Howard Altman

Updated on Apr 1, 2026

U.S. Air Force EA-37B Compass Call arrives at RAF Mildenhall on March 30, 2026.
Iran

New EA-37B Compass Call Electronic Warfare Jets Cross Atlantic, Middle East Next? (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick, Howard Howard Altman

Updated on Mar 31, 2026

Rapidly fielding more hardened shelters to better protect U.S. forces at bases in the Middle East is a top priority, according to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
Iran

Bunkers For U.S. Bases In Middle East Now A Top Priority For Pentagon

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Mar 31, 2026

An MQ-28A Ghost Bat loaded with an AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile during Trial Kareela at RAAF Base Woomera, South Australia.
Germany

MQ-28 Ghost Bat Gains Major European Foothold As Rheinmetall Joins Forces With Boeing

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 31, 2026

A KC-135T Stratotanker from the 171st Aerial Refueling Squadron of the 127th Wing at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan, readies to refuel an A-10C from the 107th Fighter Squadron, also from Selfridge, on an aerial refueling sortie June 27, 2023. In addition to routine aerial refueling training in all conditions, aircraft from the 127th Wing commemorated the 100-year anniversary of the first aerial refueling conducted on June 27, 1923.
Iran

Dozens Of A-10 Warthogs Appear Poised To Join Epic Fury

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Mar 30, 2026