News &amp; Features (Page 3)

Posted on Jan 8, 2026

The Marine Corps' pursuit of a fully missionized version of Kratos' stealthy XQ-58A Valkyrie drone has taken another step forward with a new announcement that Northrop Grumman is now aiding in the effort.

Drones

USMC XQ-58 Valkyrie Development Makes Leap Forward With New Contract (Updated)

Posted on Jan 8, 2026

The Little Bird's small size and incredible transportability mean that it can appear from virtually anywhere, on land or at sea, and are among the capabilities that have long endeared the type to the U.S. Army’s elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR).

Europe

Night Stalker MH-6 Little Bird’s Ability To Appear Out Of Nowhere Highlighted In Tanker Raid

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jan 7, 2026

Russia

Is This Russian Rescue Ship Really “Putin’s New Yacht?”

Posted on Jan 7, 2026

U.S. forces have secured the runaway Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera, a U.S. official has confirmed to TWZ.

Northern Europe

U.S. Forces Seize Fleeing Russian-Flagged Oil Tanker In North Atlantic (Updated)

By Howard Altman, Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jan 7, 2026

The U.S. Army has released the first images showing parts of the design of a very early prototype of the next-generation iteration of the Abrams tank, or M1E3.

Our First Glimpse At The M1E3 Abrams Next-Gen Tank Demonstrator

Posted on Jan 7, 2026

Despite parallels drawn between the two operations, one asset that featured prominently in the Bin Laden mission in 2011 that looks to have been notably absent in the force that descended on Caracas over the weekend is stealthy Black Hawk helicopters.

Why Stealth Black Hawks Weren’t Used For Maduro Capture Mission

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jan 6, 2026

The crew of the fleeing Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera released a video showing the ship being pursued by a U.S. Coast Guard Legend class cutter.

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Seen Pursuing Fleeing Russian Oil Tanker For First Time (Updated)

Posted on Jan 6, 2026

Royal Canadian Air Force Maj. Gen. Chris McKenna tells us how NORAD is helping defend the high north.

Americas

Canadian NORAD Commander On What It Will Take To Defend The High North

Posted on Jan 6, 2026

A newly published video interview with a Ukrainian Air Force fighter pilot sheds more light on the operations of the country’s F-16 fleet in its war with Russia. The interview with the pilot, whose name is not provided, is a rare opportunity to hear about how the Ukrainian Air Force has gone about introducing its first Western fighter jet. The Viper is now heavily engaged on various fronts, combatting cruise missiles and drones, as well as striking ground targets, including in close proximity to friendly troops.

Ukraine

Ukrainian F-16 Pilot’s Account Of The Challenges Of The Air War

Posted on Jan 6, 2026

Multiple video clips offer strong evidence that kamikaze drones were among the capabilities the U.S. military brought to bear during the operation to capture Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro over the weekend.

Did The U.S. Use Kamikaze Drones To Strike Venezuela?

Updated on Jan 6, 2026

Shahed-136 crashed with a shoulder-fired heat seeking missile attached.

Russia

Russian Shahed-136 Kamikaze Drones Now Carrying MANPADS Missiles

Posted on Jan 6, 2026

A surge of aircraft from the U.S. to the U.K. has sparked speculation of a SOF aviation buildup.

Europe

U.S. Special Ops Aircraft Arriving In UK Could Point To Looming Oil Tanker Boarding Operation

Posted on Jan 5, 2026

U.S. Will Now “Run” Venezuela After Maduro Capture: Trump (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Jan 4, 2026

Details are still emerging about the U.S. operation to capture Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro. We now have access to satellite imagery that, while not answering all the questions about how Operation Absolute Resolve unfolded, provides an intriguing look at some of the key locations where it played out.

Destruction Seen At Caracas Base That Was A Focus Of The U.S. Military Operation

Posted on Jan 4, 2026

RQ-170 Sentinel Stealth Drone Supported Maduro Capture Mission

Posted on Jan 3, 2026

160th SOAR took part in operation to strike targets in Venezuela and capture Maduro.

U.S. Has Captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (Updated)

By Tyler Rogoway, Howard Altman Howard Altman

Updated on Jan 3, 2026

In a building called the "Blue Cube" on the military airbase, a group of Air Force officers and enlisted men montior the flight of the space shuttle. From this location the space shuttle is controlled after it is launched from Cape Canaveral in Florida. Typically the Air Force only monitors space flights with classified military cargo and equipment. | Location: Near San Jose, California, USA.

Bunker Talk: Welcome To 2026 Pal

Posted on Jan 2, 2026

Lt.Kyrylo Budanov has been named Ukraine's new presidential chief of staff.

Russia

Ukrainian Spy Master Kyrylo Budanov Explains His New Job As Top Zelensky Aid

Posted on Jan 2, 2026

Evidence that the United States employed AGM-114 Hellfire or AGM-179A Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) missiles in a covert strike on a target in Venezuela has now emerged.

Missile Fragments Add To Evidence MQ-9 Reaper Drone Carried Out Venezuela Strike

Posted on Jan 2, 2026

A U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon flies a routine mission over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 31, 2025. Equipped with state-of-the-art radars, sensors and an air-to-air refueling capability, the P-8A is scheduled to receive periodic future enhancements to keep pace with the submarine warfare threat.

Baltic Sea

Danish P-8 Sale Set To Boost Poseidon’s Northern Footprint

Posted on Jan 2, 2026

China has converted a cargo ship to a arsenal ship and drone carrier.

Indo-Pacific

Chinese Cargo Ship Converted To Launch Advanced Combat Drones Emerges (Updated)

Updated on Jan 2, 2026

Iran

Iranian Strike-Surveillance Drones Are Now Operating In Venezuela

Updated on Jan 1, 2026

The Diefenbunker is a decommissioned military bunker (now a museum) built as an emergency shelter for the government of Canada. The facility, located in Carp (near Ottawa, Ontario), was built at the height of the Cold War and opened in 1961 by the Canadian Forces.

Bunker Talk: Happy New Year Edition!

Posted on Jan 1, 2026

Finland seized the Fitburg, a cargo vessel accused of damaging an undersea telecom cable linking FInland and Estonia

Baltic Sea

First Ship Seized For Undersea Cable Cutting Since NATO’s Baltic Sentry Began

Posted on Dec 31, 2025

China

Secretive Taiwanese Land Attack Cruise Missile Seen On The Move

Posted on Dec 31, 2025

Israel

Israel Rearming Its Eagle Force With The New F-15IA

Posted on Dec 30, 2025

Over the past week or so, U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drones have been spotted carrying increasingly greater numbers of AGM-114 Hellfire missiles on sorties from Puerto Rico.

MQ-9 Reapers Flying With Unusually Heavy Weapons Loads Over Caribbean

Posted on Dec 30, 2025

A screen grab from a video shows installation of the Oreshnik missile system on December 30, 2025 in Belarus. Belarus has placed a military unit equipped with the Russian-made Oreshnik mobile ground-based missile system on combat duty, according to official information. The unitâs launch, communications, security, and technical crews completed additional training before becoming operational. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has previously said that up to 10 Oreshnik ballistic missile systems could be deployed in the country.

Russia

Russia Claims Oreshnik Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile Now “On Combat Duty” In Belarus

Posted on Dec 30, 2025

New imagery of Chinese catapult-capable low-observable combat drones, or possibly mockups thereof, together with some unusual trucks, may point to plans to launch them from the ground, as well as ships.

China

Is This China’s Truck-Mounted Electromagnetic Catapult?

Updated on Dec 30, 2025

TAIWAN - DECEMBER 29: (----EDITORIAL USE ONLY - MANDATORY CREDIT - TAIWAN'S MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE/HANDOUT' - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS----) A screen grab from a video shows fighter jet as Taiwanâs Ministry of National Defense said the islandâs armed forces conducted rapid response exercises on Monday in response to aircraft and naval activity by Chinaâs Peopleâs Liberation Army in Taiwan on December 29, 2025. In a statement posted on social media, the ministry said the armed forces closely monitored the situation and carried out joint sea and air operations involving all service branches.The ministry said Taiwanâs Coast Guard also remained on high alert as part of the response. No further details on the scale or duration of the activities were immediately provided. China launched joint military drills Monday around Taiwan in a stern warning against 'Taiwan Independence' separatist forces and external interference, according to state-run media.The Eastern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) dispatched fighter jets, bombers and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in coordination with long-range rocket forces to conduct drills code-named 'Justice Mission 2025' in the Taiwan Strait and areas to the north, southwest, southeast and east of Taiwan Island, Xinhua news agency reported, citing Shi Yi, a spokesperson for the theater command.

China

China Launches Snap “Warning” Drills Around Taiwan Simulating A Total Blockade

Posted on Dec 29, 2025

In a phone call to ABC radio in New York, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed an attack inside Venezuela. The White House has yet to offer any proof.

Trump Doubles Down On Claim U.S. Attacked Inside Venezuela (Updated)

Updated on Dec 29, 2025

The Chinese military has published a video showing what it says is the launch of a YJ-20 hypersonic anti-ship missile from one of its Type 055 ‘super destroyers.’

China

YJ-20 High-Speed Anti-Ship Missile Seen In Action On China’s Type 055 Super Destroyer

Posted on Dec 29, 2025

Type 076 seen carrying loyal wingman drone mockup or prototype.

China

Chinese Loyal Wingman Drone Design Appear Set For Deck Trials

Updated on Dec 27, 2025

Ukraine has expanded its uncrewed surface vessel attacks to the Dnipro River.

Russia

Ukraine Now Using Drone Boats To Attack Russian Riverine Targets

Posted on Dec 26, 2025

China has shown an cargo ship packed with launchers, radar, and close-in-weapon systems.

Indo-Pacific

Chinese Cargo Ship Packed Full Of Modular Missile Launchers Emerges

Posted on Dec 25, 2025

Boys at a Dr Barnardo's home have fun in the air raid shelter they built themselves at Christmas, 17th December 1940. (Photo by David Parker/Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Bunker Talk: Silent Night Edition

Posted on Dec 24, 2025

China

Chinese Fighter Jet Exports Set To Grow Significantly

Posted on Dec 24, 2025

The presence of U.S. special operations forces is growing in the Caribbean.

CV-22B Osprey, MC-130J Commando II Special Ops Aircraft Deploy To Puerto Rico

Posted on Dec 23, 2025

INDOPACOM will hire contractor amphibious aircraft for new pilot program in Pacific.

Indo-Pacific

Pentagon To Contract Fleet Of Seaplanes For The Pacific

Posted on Dec 23, 2025

The U.S. Navy has confirmed to TWZ that construction of the first two Trump class "battleships" is not expected to start until the early 2030s.

Trump Class Battleship Construction Won’t Begin Until 2030s

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 23, 2025

President Donald Trump has rolled out plans for new Trump class warships for the U.S. Navy.

Lasers

What We Know About The Trump Class “Battleship”

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Dec 23, 2025

A U.S. Air Force EC-130H Compass Call electronic warfare plane was seen landing in Puerto Rico.

EC-130H Compass Call Electronic Warfare Plane Joins Growing U.S. Force In Caribbean

Posted on Dec 23, 2025

The U.S. Navy has confirmed to TWZ that the armament package for its first "flight" of its new FF(X) frigates will not include a built-in Vertical Launch System (VLS).

Navy’s New Frigate Will Not Have A Vertical Launch System For Missiles

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 22, 2025

Russia

Sabotage Attack On Russian Su-30 Fighters Shown In Video

Posted on Dec 22, 2025

The U.S. Air Force has formally designated Northrop Grumman’s Project Talon drone as the YFQ-48A and described it as a "strong contender" to be part of its future Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) fleets.

Drones

YFQ-48A ‘Fighter Drone’ Designation Given To Northrop Grumman’s Talon By USAF

Posted on Dec 22, 2025

F-35A Joint Strike Fighters from the Vermon Air National Guard's 158th Fighter Wing have arrived in Puerto Rico for Operation Southern Spear.

USAF F-35As Have Arrived In The Caribbean

Posted on Dec 20, 2025

Drones

Marines Seeking 10,000 First-Person View Drones At $4K A Pop

Posted on Dec 20, 2025

F-117 combat debut in Panama happened 36 years ago today.

The F-117 Nighthawk First Went To War 36 Years Ago Today

Updated on Dec 20, 2025

220203-N-PI330-1018 Camp Shelby, Mississippi (February 3, 2023) Seabees, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 (NMCB 133), go to bunkers during a simulated missile strike on Camp Shelby, Mississippi, February 3, 2023. NMCB 133 is at Camp Shelby, Mississippi conducting a field training exercise operating as part of Navy Expeditionary Combat Command conducting the advanced phase of the force readiness training plan (FRTP). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Andrew Waters/Released)

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

Posted on Dec 19, 2025

The Navy is eyeing distributed construction to help speed up delivery of the FF(X) frigates.

This Will Be The Navy’s New FF(X) Frigate

Posted on Dec 19, 2025

In a significant escalation of the ‘tanker war’ between Russia and Ukraine, which has so far played out mainly in the Black Sea, Ukrainian aerial drones have struck a tanker belonging to Russia’s so-called ‘shadow fleet’ in the Mediterranean.

Mediterranean

Ukraine Strikes Russia-Linked Tanker In The Mediterranean With ‘Bomber Drone’

By Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 19, 2025

A U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft appeared near the Venezuelan coast today

E-3 Sentry Joins U.S. Combat Aircraft Tracked Off Venezuelan Coast

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Dec 19, 2025

The U.S. Navy personnel in the Middle East have test-launched a Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System (LUCAS) long-range kamikaze drone from the Independence class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) USS Santa Barbara.

Iran

Littoral Combat Ship Launches Shahed-136 Kamikaze Drone Clone

Updated on Dec 18, 2025

A top Canadian Air Force general breaks down the role of his nation's future F-35A stealh fighters and the challenges of integrating them into the force and NORAD.

Canada

Canadian NORAD Commander’s View On Future F-35 Fighter Force

Posted on Dec 18, 2025

Ukraine

MiG-31 Foxhound Among Russian Air Defense Assets Targeted In Crimean Drone Strike

Posted on Dec 18, 2025

The first full deployment of the U.S. Army's new Sentinel A4 air defense radar will be in the area around Washington, D.C., also known as the National Capital Region (NCR).

U.S. Homeland

Army’s New Sentinel A4 Radar’s First Full Deployment Will Be Defending Nation’s Capital

Posted on Dec 17, 2025

Austria is buying 12 M-346F Block 20 light combat aircraft from Italian defense contractor Leonardo, as part of an overhaul of its air force, the Luftstreitkräfte. Austria already operates 15 Eurofighter Typhoons, procured under controversial circumstances, but these jets have notably limited capabilities and high operating costs, which has seen previous efforts to offload them.

Europe

Austria Buys M-346F Light Fighters

Posted on Dec 17, 2025

Ukraine

Ukraine To Get More S-300 Interceptors With Norway’s Help

Posted on Dec 17, 2025

The U.S. Air Force has confirmed it is buying two Boeing 747-8 airliners from German flag carrier Lufthansa.

Civil Aviation

USAF Buying Lufthansa 747s To Serve As Future Air Force One Trainers, Spare Parts Sources

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 17, 2025

The Pentagon has sent more KC-135 refueling jets to the Dominican Republic as part of the Trump administration's pressure campaign on Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro.

More KC-135 Tankers Deploy To The Caribbean