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News & Features (Page 3)

Latest in News & Features

Satellite imagery shows China has built what looks to be a new pattern of hardened structures with retractable roofs at a key missile test and training base in Inner Mongolia.
China

Mysterious Rectangle ‘Silos’ Spotted At Sprawling Chinese Missile Test Base

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 7, 2026

The next NATO airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) platform will be Saab’s GlobalEye, as announced today during the alliance’s summit in Ankara, Turkey. The decision to buy up to 10 GlobalEyes for NATO comes after Sweden, France, and Canada all selected the platform, and amid a flurry of new orders for military equipment as part of a wider alliance defense spending drive.
NATO

NATO Picks Saab GlobalEye To Replace Aging E-3 AWACS Fleet

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 7, 2026

President Donald Trump announced that he will build a granite helipad on the South Lawn to protect it from the intense exhaust heat and rotor wash of the VH-92A "Marine One" helicopter.
POTUS

VH-92 Patriot Getting Granite White House Helipad Will Finally Allow VH-3D Sea King To Retire

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jul 7, 2026

North Korea's newest warship, the Kang Kon, has an unexpected feature: the ability to deliver a broadside of machine gun fire.
North Korea

North Korea’s Frigate Bristles With A Comical Number Of Machine Guns

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 6, 2026

Canada’s next submarine will be German made, after Ottawa announced its decision to buy a dozen new Type 212CD boats from ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). The subs will replace Canada’s aging and troublesome Victoria class diesel-electric submarines, and reflect the increased priority afforded to underwater operations in the highly strategic Arctic region.
Canada

Canada Picks German Type 212 Submarine For Badly Needed Fleet Renewal

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 6, 2026

Ukraine, short on Patriot interceptors, can't down Russian ballistic missiles.
NATO

Out Of Patriot Interceptors, Ukraine Can’t Down Any Ballistic Missiles Striking Kyiv

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jul 6, 2026

China has fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) – either a JL-2 or a JL-3 – out into the Western Pacific for the first time in years, if not decades.
China

China’s Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile Test In The Pacific Is A Big Deal

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 6, 2026

02 Jul 2026 – F-35B fighters launching from HMS Prince of Wales to intercept a Russian military aircraft Royal Navy F-35B fighters of UK Carrier Strike Group launched from HMS Prince of Wales to intercept a Russian Tupolev Tu-142 maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft, NATO name 'Bear'. The 809NAS pilots launched F-35B fighters to intercept the Russian long-range maritime patrol bomber on the afternoon of the 2 July as it transited close to the Strike Group, north west of Norway in the Norwegian Sea. Image shows a Sonobuoy being deployed from the Russian Aircraft by parachute. When it hits the water it deploys an underwater microphone which listens for propeller and engine sounds. This information is then relayed back to the Aircraft. UK Carrier Strike Group is under the command of NATO as it continues operations in the High North and Arctic as part of the Arctic Sentry framework. The Strike Group’s headquarters is embarked in HMS Prince of Wales whilst it conducts Operation Firecrest after sailing from Portsmouth in April. The deployment to date has seen the Strike Group working with Allies and partner nations in the region, demonstrating its ability to operate effectively in a complex and strategically significant region while focused on NATO’s drive of preserving peace, security and cooperation in the Arctic.
NATO

Russian Tu-142 Bear Drops Sonobuoys During Close Encounter With British Carrier

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 6, 2026

Bunker Talk: Happy 250th Birthday United States Of America Edition!
Bunker Talk

Bunker Talk: Happy 250th Birthday United States Of America Edition!

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jul 3, 2026

Ukraine struck Russia's Saki air base on Crimea again to ratchet up the pressure on Vladimir Putin.
Russia

Hardened Aircraft Shelters At Russian Air Base In Crimea Damaged From Ukrainian Drone Strikes (Updated)

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jul 3, 2026

NASA-affiliated aircraft, including F-5 Tiger IIs jets, will kick off roughly seven hours of flyovers above Washington, D.C., to mark the Fourth of July.
News & Features

This Is The Massive Aerial Armada That Is About To Fly Over The Capital

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 3, 2026

The Royal Navy has successfully launched a strike-capable drone from a ship at sea, marking a significant step forward in the UK’s drive to create a hybrid naval force to defend against evolving threats. Working with British Army colleagues, sailors on experimentation ship XV Patrick Blackett launched the Nyan One Way Effector drone during recent trials off the south coast of England. Already tested extensively during land exercises, the autonomous drone was taken to sea to explore how it could be operated from a ship. Pre-programmed to fly to a specific target, the system was flown from a launcher installed on the ship’s deck.
Drones

Royal Navy’s Sea Launch Of Combat-Proven Nyan Kamikaze Drone Points To Fleet’s ‘Hybrid’ Future

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 3, 2026

The search is on for a missing crewmember after an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter crashed into the Arabian Sea.
Iran

U.S. Navy MH-60S Seahawk Goes Down In Arabian Sea (Updated)

By Howard Altman

Updated on Jul 3, 2026

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) says concerns it raised last year about the U.S. Navy's E-130J Phoenix II program "have morphed into realities."
News & Features

Navy’s New ‘Doomsday Plane’ Delayed As Watchdog Says Developmental Concerns Are Now Realities

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 2, 2026

RAF LAKENHEATH drone incursions were done by the Russians according to new report.
Europe

Russia “Highly Likely” Behind Drone Incursions Over U.S. Bases In England Report Concludes

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jul 2, 2026

The U.S. Navy has confirmed that it is at least exploring an alternative to the still-in-development AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile-Extended Range (AARGM-ER).
News & Features

Navy Already Looking For Alternatives To Its Brand New AARGM-ER Radar Busting Missile (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 2, 2026

B-52s departed RAF Fairford after deployment for Iran war.
Iran

B-52 Stratofortress Bombers Leave England After Iran War Deployment

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jul 2, 2026

Imagery has recently appeared showing a Russian Sukhoi Su-57 Felon fighter with an unusual external weapons load of short-range air-to-air missiles, as well as an apparently previously unseen type of targeting pod. While we cannot say for sure, we may just have gotten our first close look at a Su-57 equipped to counter the Ukrainian kamikaze drones that are now a regular menace to air defenses increasingly deep inside Russia.
News & Features

New Su-57 Weapons Configuration Points To Drone And Cruise Missile Defense Mission

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 1, 2026

A B-21 Raider rejoins with a KC-135 Stratotanker. The B-21 program exemplifies the Department of the Air Force's warfighting-focused acquisition mindset, leveraging digital engineering and modern production to deliver a mature, highly capable system at speed. The B-21's efficiency and flexibility will provide a survivable, unpredictable deterrent force, forming the backbone of America’s future bomber force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Todd Schannuth, image altered for security)
POTUS

B-21 Raider Not Appearing In Any America 250 Flyovers, Air Force Confirms

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jul 1, 2026

President Donald Trump is flying on the U.S. Air Force's new VC-25B Bridge jet for the first time.
POTUS

VC-25B Bridge Aircraft Makes First Flight As Air Force One With Trump Aboard

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 1, 2026

The Ticonderoga class guided missile cruiser ex-USS Mobile Bay is set to be sunk during a RIMPAC SINKEX in the coming weeks.
Indo-Pacific

Ticonderoga Class Cruiser Set To Be Sunk During RIMPAC Wargames

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 30, 2026

We now have our first look at a Chinese modular, road-mobile, electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) catapult actually launching a drone.
China

China’s Truck-Mounted Electromagnetic Aircraft Catapult Seen In Action For The First Time

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 30, 2026

Uncrewed systems will be at the heart of the UK Armed Forces in the future, under a more than $6.6-billion initiative that looks to transform all three services and the way they fight. Most dramatically, the new defense plan will see the Royal Navy switch to a “hybrid” format, with autonomous vessels and AI combined with crewed warships and aircraft. But there are equally far-reaching measures set to reconfigure the British Army and Royal Air Force (RAF) around uncrewed and autonomous capabilities.
United Kingdom

UK Sacrifices Its Future Destroyer As Part Of Massive Bet On Drones Across Its Forces

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 30, 2026

Poland has halted the transfer of additonal MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters to Ukraine over claims that Kyiv would not provide Warsaw with drone technology.
Ukraine

MiG-29 Transfer To Ukraine Halted By Poland Over Claimed Drone Snub

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 30, 2026

Integration of the AGM-158C offers a huge boost in capability for the B-2, creating a penetrating fleet-killing platform that could be especially valuable in a future high-end fight in the Pacific against China.
Indo-Pacific

Air Force Discloses B-2 Can Launch Stealth Anti-Ship Missiles In Surprise Announcement

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 30, 2026

At least one of Russia’s commercially flagged tankers has appeared armed with heavy machine guns. The weapons fit is likely mainly intended to provide close-in protection against naval drone attacks but is also evidence of increasingly bold measures taken by Moscow to ensure that military bases in its strategically important Kaliningrad exclave continues to be supported.
Baltic Sea

Heavy Machine Guns Appear On Key Russian Commercial Tanker In Baltic

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 29, 2026

CENTCOM says it struck Iranian targets in retaliation for a ship attack yesterday.
Iran

U.S. Carries Out First Strike On Iran Since Peace Memorandum Signed (Updated)

By Howard Altman

Updated on Jun 27, 2026

An officer walks past a Royal Air Force Harrier GR7 ground attack jet, from the 2nd/4th Wing RAF Cottesmore, parked inside a hardened shelter at a base in an undisclosed location in the Gulf 04 March 2003 AFP PHOTO/POOL/Chris Helgren (Photo by CHRIS HELGREN / REUTERS POOL / AFP) (Photo by CHRIS HELGREN/REUTERS POOL/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 26, 2026

C-17 Globemaster III cargo jets are starting to fly to the Caribbean with personnel and supplies for the Venezuelan earthquake relief efforts.
South America

C-17 Cargo Jets Flowing To Caribbean For Venezuela Earthquake Relief Effort

By Howard Altman, Ian Ellis-Jones

Posted on Jun 26, 2026

Official rendering of the GCAP demonstrator for the Tempest future fighter.
Canada

Canada Throws A Curveball As It Signals Interest In Joining GCAP Sixth-Gen Fighter Program

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 26, 2026

The IMO paused its plan to evacuate ships from the Persian Gulf after Iran struck a cargo vessel.
Iran

Plan To Move Ships Through Strait Of Hormuz Paused After Iran Strikes Cargo Vessel

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 26, 2026

The Space Shuttle Endeavour will be the centerpiece of a new museum exhibit opening in the fall in Los Angeles.
Space History

Space Shuttle Endeavour Looks Absolutely Incredible In All Its ‘Full Stack’ Glory

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jun 24, 2026

Oman and the U.N. International Maritime Organization are coalescing a plan to evacuate hundreds of ships from the Persian Gulf.
Iran

Plan To Evacuate Hundreds Of Ships Still Stranded From Strait Of Hormuz Closure Is Coalescing

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 24, 2026

The U.S. Navy continues to make use of MQ-1 Predators as test and training assets, eight years after the U.S. Air Force retired the iconic drones.
Drones

Pocket Fleet Of Unseen MQ-1 Predators Still Flying In Specialized Role

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 24, 2026

U.S. Air Force HC-130J Combat King II assigned to the 79th Rescue Squadron takes off behind a Boeing Defence Australia’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat, a production representative test aircraft, during Exercise Valiant Shield 2026 at Rota, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, June 21, 2026. U.S. forces are integrating Collaborative Combat Aircraft into Exercise VS26 to advance human-machine teaming.
Indo-Pacific

MQ-28 Ghost Bat Drone Debuts In Large-Force Combat Exercise In The Pacific

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 24, 2026

NATO and Ukraine are looking to the private sector to develop methods of attacking Russian air bases.
Russia

NATO And Ukraine Turning To Private Sector To Help Crater Russian Airfields

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 23, 2026

The U.S. military has released new details about the massive Fightertown Recapitalization (FTR) program at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), in Anchorage, southeastern Alaska.
Arctic

Air Force’s Fightertown Alaska Plan Takes Shape

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 23, 2026

F15E pilot saw drone swarm over Iran before being shot down.
Iran

What Was The “Jellyfish-Like” Drone Swarm The Downed F-15E Pilot Reportedly Saw Over Iran?

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jun 23, 2026

Aurora Flight Sciences is now putting the wings on the X-65 experimental drone, which is designed to maneuver with bursts of air rather than traditional control surfaces.
Drones

DARPA X-Plane Designed To Maneuver With Just Bursts Of Air Finally Gets Its Wings

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 23, 2026

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, MARYLAND - JUNE 22: A Boeing 747-8 jetliner practices touch and go landings on June 22, 2026 in Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. The plane, which was a gift from the government of Qatar, is designated as the new Air Force One and will replace the military-grade 747-2. The Air Force has been working to upgrade the jet so it is ready for presidential transport. (Photo by Andrew Leyden/Getty Images)
POTUS

Inside The Making Of The New Air Force One

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jun 22, 2026

Turkey’s Baykar and Leonardo of Italy say they have successfully completed the first live trials of their K-SWARM concept, demonstrating collaborative operations between crewed and uncrewed aircraft as part of an effort to develop next-generation autonomous air combat capabilities. The trials, involving Baykar’s Kizilelma uncrewed combat air vehicle (UCAV) and Leonardo’s M-346 light combat aircraft, are the latest to explore what is fast becoming a key element in the evolution of air combat.
Drones

Turkey’s ‘Fighter Drone’ Teamed With M-346 Fighter-Trainer In Autonomy Trials

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 22, 2026

The very first P-8A Poseidon aircraft is now assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 30 (VX-30), the “Bloodhounds."
News & Features

First P-8 Poseidon Ever Built Starts New Career Supporting Pacific Missile Tests

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 22, 2026

VC-25B bridge aircraft has been added to the presidential airlift fleet.
POTUS

New Air Force VC-25B “Bridge” Jet Has Joined The Presidential Airlift Group (Updated)

By Howard Altman

Updated on Jun 19, 2026

A scalar model for an atomic bomb proof hospital. Details show Geiger counters, decontamination chambers, oxygen wards, boiler room, power plant and huge hospital city below ground. The underground part would be insulated against radioactivity and poison gas by protective belts of earth, steel, and concrete. The underground hospital would accommodate 700 patients and a full hospital staff, in addition to an undetermined number of civilians. The three level subterranean hospital would be stocked with food, water and other supplies which would enable continuance of life for an almost indefinite period.
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 19, 2026

L3Harris wants to demonstrate the ability of the RC-135V/W Rivet Joint intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft to team up with uncrewed platforms.
Drones

RC-135 Rivet Joints Could Control Drones To Drastically Expand Collection Capabilities

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 19, 2026

New Stryker drone division for the pacific.
Indo-Pacific

Army’s Newest Unit Aims To “Overwhelm” Adversary With Drones In Pacific Fight 

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 19, 2026

Russia’s mysterious Burevestnik (also known to NATO as SSC-X-9 Skyfall) cruise missile likely leaves a trail of radioactive material in its wake, making the weapon even more alarming than was first thought. This is the conclusion of two scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), who have recently published a detailed analysis of one of the so-called ‘super weapons’ revealed by Russian President Vladimir Putin back in 2018.
Russia

Here Is How Russia’s Skyfall Nuclear-Powered Cruise Missile Actually Works

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 19, 2026

Russian oil refinery on fire after barrage of Ukrainian drones strike Moscow.
Russia

Extraordinary Footage From Moscow Under Heavy Ukrainian Aerial Attack

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 18, 2026

There are growing signs that President Donald Trump's next trip on an Air Force One jet will be aboard the so-called VC-25B “Bridge” aircraft converted from an ex-Qatari VVIP Boeing 747-8i, not a VC-25A.
News & Features

No, A VC-25A Air Force One Jet Isn’t Being Retired Just Yet

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 18, 2026

General Atomics is giving the MQ-9 reaper airborne early radar capability, which could have a big impact on the market.
Drones

MQ-9 Getting Airborne Early Warning Radar Is A Huge Deal

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jun 18, 2026

Ukraine, short on Patriot interceptors, can't down Russian ballistic missiles.
Russia

Pentagon’s Ability To Supply Ukraine With More Patriot Interceptors Questioned By Congress (Updated)

By Howard Altman

Updated on Jun 17, 2026

The U.S. Air Force has awarded contracts for the production of General Atomics YFQ-42A Dark Merlin and Anduril YFQ-44A Fury drones., setting it up for a split fleet of operational CCAs.
Drones

USAF Orders Both General Atomics’ FQ-42 And Anduril’s FQ-44 Into Production

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 17, 2026

This photograph shows an FP-5 Flamingo cruise missile and a drone FP-1 from Ukrainian defence technology company Fire Point on display at Eurosatory, a land and airland defence and security trade fair, in Villepinte on the outskirts of Paris, on June 16, 2026.
NATO

Ukraine To Help Fulfill Europe’s Long-Range Strike Missile Needs

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 17, 2026

The Senate Armed Services Committee is "concerned" about the U.S. Air Force's current plan to retire its E–11A Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) aircraft in Fiscal Year 2028.
News & Features

Senators Want Answers On USAF Plans To Cut E-11 BACN Combat Communications Jets

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 17, 2026

A plot to use drone to attack the UFC fight in Washington has been disclosed.
Secret Service

Alleged Plot On White House UFC Fight Puts Drone Threat In The Spotlight

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 16, 2026

15 June 2026, France, Paris: A Capint tank, manufactured by the Franco-German defense contractor KNDS, is on display at the company's booth at the Eurosatory defense exhibition. The newly developed model is intended to replace the French Leclerc main battle tank currently in service with the French military.
NATO

Interim Main Battle Tank Unveiled As Future European Tank Project Slips

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 16, 2026

B-52 Involved In Tragic Crash Was Heading Out On Radar Test Sortie
News & Features

B-52 Involved In Tragic Crash Was Heading Out On Radar Test Sortie

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 16, 2026

New footage confirms the R6000 uncrewed tiltrotor has moved into a new and more demanding phase of flight testing.
China

China’s Big R6000 Tiltrotor Drone Has Entered Full Flight Testing

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 16, 2026

Russian warship fires warning shot at yacht that came near it in English Channel.
United Kingdom

U.K. MoD Investigating Reports Of Russian Warship Firing Warning Shots In English Channel (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 16, 2026

The U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports will remain in effect until at least Friday, a source familiar with the process told us.
Iran

U.S. Naval Blockade On Iran Will Remain In Place Until At Least Friday

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 15, 2026

The U.S. military wants to see if it can enhance the capabilities of the 2,000-pound-class Joint Direct Attack Munition-Extended Range (JDAM-ER) precision-guided bomb as a bunker-busting munition.
News & Features

Bunker Busters With Winged JDAM-ER Kits Could Allow For Near Horizontal Strikes On Fortified Targets

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 15, 2026

A-10C Thunderbolt II close-support jets with kill marking were seen at RAF Lakenheath.
Iran

A-10 Warthogs Arrive In England Festooned With Nose Art And Mission Markings From Epic Fury

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 13, 2026

FEB 19 1981, FEB 21 1981, FEB 22 1981; U. S. - Federal Emergency Management Agency (Underground Bunker At Den Fed CTR); (Photo By Dave Buresh/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 Jun 12, 2026

Boeing has decided not to pursue a bid for the U.S. Navy's Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS) competition.
News & Features

Boeing Drops Out Of Navy’s T-45 Jet Trainer Replacement Competition

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 12, 2026