News & Features (Page 30)

Latest in News & Features

Laser dazzlers could defend tanks from one-way attack drones.
Lasers

Laser Dazzlers For Defending Tanks Against Marauding Drones Are An Untapped Countermeasure

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jul 18, 2024

An active expendable decoy, or AED capability has been tested and integrated on U.S. F-35 stealth fighters, resulting in a decision to field this operationally. The move apparently involves the British-made Leonardo BriteCloud, a small active-radar decoy that we have discussed at length in the past and which promises to enhance the F-35’s ability to defeat various types of air defense system threats.
United Kingdom

F-35s Set To Get Missile-Luring Expendable Active Decoys

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 18, 2024

The battle for Krynky, a key fishing village in Russian-occupied Kherson Oblast, may soon be over.
Russia

Ukraine Situation Report: Bloody Battle For Key Fishing Village May Soon Be Over

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jul 18, 2024

119 F-16C Fighting Falcon 330MP AF Greece Kleine Brogel 2007
Ukraine

Greek F-16C/Ds Lined Up For Ukraine: Report

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 17, 2024

U.S. Navy Super Hornets and U.S. Air Force RC-135 Rivet Joint spy planes are flying near Venezuela.
Red Sea

F/A-18F Super Hornet Pilot Is First U.S. Female Aviator To Shoot Down An Enemy Aerial Threat

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 17, 2024

The definitive audit of all the weapons dropped by Doug Masters in his F-16 in Iron Eagle.
Hollywood

Iron Eagle: The Definitive Audit Of How Many Weapons Doug Masters Launched From His F-16

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jul 17, 2024

Experienced snipers break down how U.S. Secret Service counter-snipers handled the assassination attempt on Donald Trump.
Secret Service

Experienced Snipers Break Down The Trump Assassination Attempt

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jul 16, 2024

New questions have emerged about the future of the F/A-XX Next Generation Fighter program, the budget for which a draft Senate defense bill would slash.
U.S. Homeland

Navy’s F/A-XX Next Generation Fighter Program Would Be Gutted Under Senate Defense Bill

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 16, 2024

An EA-18G Growler scored the types first ever air-to-air kill during a recently concluded deployment.
Red Sea

EA-18G Growler Scored Its First Air-To-Air Kill

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 16, 2024

The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group expended 770 missiles and other munitions at Houthi targets over the course of a recently concluded nine-month deployment.
Red Sea

770 Weapons Expended By Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group On Historic Red Sea Deployment

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 16, 2024

In a rare and impressive gathering, every airframe in the U.S. Coast Guard fleet converged at one location on 14 June 2024.
U.S. Homeland

Every Coast Guard Aircraft Type Pictured Together In Rare ‘Family Photo’

By Oliver Parken

Posted on Jul 15, 2024

The US Marine Corps is looking at new "buckshot-like" ammunition for its rifles, advanced optics, add-on jammers, and other new counter-drone capabilities for smaller units.
Drones

Shotgun Pellet-Like Rifle Ammo, Gun-Mounted Jammers On Marine Anti-Drone Wishlist

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 15, 2024

Russia has, for the first time, published footage showing what it says is the carriage and launch of the guided, glide version of its huge FAB-3000 aerial bomb — a weapon that weighs over 6,600 pounds in its basic version. The weapon is among the more recently announced additions to the family of UMPK munitions, which add a pop-out wing kit and a guidance package to a range of existing freefall weapons, as you can read more about here.
Russia

Russia’s Giant 6,000lb Glide Bomb Seen Launched From Su-34 For First Time

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 15, 2024

While former President Donald Trump's personal protection detail should be lauded for their actions during an assassination attempt, the fact that an armed man climbed a roof less than 450 feet away with a clear line of site is a failure of Secret Service planning, a former FBI agent told us.
Secret Service

Ex-FBI Agent’s Analysis Of Secret Service’s Actions Surrounding Trump Assassination Attempt

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jul 15, 2024

Former President Donald Trump was injured in a shooting at rally in Butler County, Pennsylvania that is now being investigated as an assassination attempt.
Secret Service

Sniper Killed, Trump Injured After Deadly Shooting At Rally (Updated)

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Jul 14, 2024

Mexican cartel members have been fighting in Ukraine to learn how to use FPV drones against their rivals.
Ukraine

Ukraine’s FPV Drone Obstacle Course Teaches How To Chase Vehicles, Fly Into Windows

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jul 13, 2024

Life in an underground shelter during World War II, Paris, March 1940
Bunker Talk

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

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jul 13, 2024

The U.S., Canada and Finland announced a plan to create an icebreaker shipbuilding program to compete with China and Russia.
Arctic

Allied Pact Aims To Close Yawning Icebreaker Gap With Adversaries

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jul 12, 2024

F-35 deliveries will resume with a limited TR-3 software load.
U.S. Homeland

F-35 Deliveries Finally Cleared To Resume, New Jets Will Be Limited To Training

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 12, 2024

Retired Marine Col. Charles Del Pizzo offered his version of the 2023 mishap in which his F-35B stealth fighter kept flying for 12 minutes after he ejected.
Japan

F-35B Pilot Seen Leaping From Jet In Japan

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 12, 2024

The US Air Force has revealed that development of a new relatively low-cost stand-off precision-guided munition is for Ukraine.
Ukraine

Air Force’s Cheap And Fast To Produce Long-Range Missile Is Being Built For Ukraine

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 12, 2024

Ukraine apparently carried out a long-range drone strike on the Russian Kapustin Yar nuclear missile test site.
Russia

Ukraine Situation Report: Russian Strategic Missile Testing Facility Attacked

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jul 11, 2024

The Senate Armed Services Committee has directed the US Navy to look at other missile-armed ship options in response to major delays with the Constellation class frigate program.
U.S. Homeland

Navy To Explore Arming Other Ships With Missiles Amid Constellation Frigate Woes

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 11, 2024

Russia says it will respond to the United States’ decision to dramatically increase its long-range fire capabilities in Europe starting in 2026. The United States will deploy to Germany a range of advanced ground-launched weapons, including the Typhon (firing both SM-6 and Tomahawk missiles) and “developmental hypersonic weapons” — a reference to the yet-to-be-fielded Dark Eagle.
Germany

U.S. Long-Range Missiles Headed To Germany As Arms Race Escalates

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 11, 2024

Northrop Grumman has offer a new and interesting look at its secretive XRQ-73 drone.
Drones

Our Best Look Yet At The XRQ-73 Hybrid-Electric Stealthy Flying Wing Drone

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jul 10, 2024

Private aerospace firm Metrea has bought France's entire fleet of KC-135 tanker in a major new bet on contractor aerial refueling services.
Europe

All Of France’s KC-135 Tankers Bought By Private Aerial Refueling Company Metrea

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 10, 2024

There is no official replacement for the F-22 Raptor, says the head of Air Combat Command. That could be another blow to the withering Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program.
U.S. Homeland

Air Force Now Says It Has No Official F-22 Raptor Replacement

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jul 10, 2024

AIM-9 Shorads system which could be similar to FrankenSAM.
Russia

Ukraine’s FrankenSAM Air Defense Concept Could Be Used To Protect USAF Bases

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 10, 2024

The Senate Armed Services Committee has directed the Pentagon to look into the possibility of transferring retired A-10 Warthog ground attack jets to Jordan.
Middle East

Surplus A-10 Warthogs Could End Up In The Jordanian Air Force

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jul 10, 2024

The transfer of F-16s from Denmark and The Netherlands to Ukraine is now underway, U.S., Danish and Dutch officials say.
NATO

Transfer Of F-16s To Ukraine Is Now Underway

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jul 10, 2024

The latest episode of Jay Leno's Garage features the "Beast" presidential limousine used to transport the President of the United States.
Presidential Transport

What We Just Learned About The “Beast” Presidential Limousine From Jay Leno’s Garage

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jul 10, 2024

Chinese soldiers are taking part in maneuvers in Belarus, adding another new dynamic to the security situation in Eastern Europe, dominated by Russia’s war in Ukraine and the fallout surrounding it. While Belarus has been a staunch ally of Russia it has, more recently, made overtures toward China, with the aim of building closer relations with it, including in the military sphere.
China

Chinese Troops Begin Drills Along Poland’s Border In Belarus

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Jul 9, 2024

Air Force special operations aviators are now training on AT-802U aircraft ahead of the arrival of their first OA-1K Sky warden light attack planes while questions grow about the program's future.
U.S. Homeland

AT-802U Trainers Arrive To Prepare USAF Aviators For A Murky Light Attack Future

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 9, 2024

A video has emerged showing a Greek warship knocking out a Houthi drone, in one of the latest such incidents in an ongoing campaign that has been waged by the Iranian-backed rebel group since last November, in the wake of the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. In this encounter, the Greek Navy frigate apparently used its 127mm main gun, reinforcing the utility of these weapons against drones, while the drone itself was seen adjusting its flight altitude to make it harder to intercept.
Middle East

Greek Warship Guns-Down Houthi Drone In New Video

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 9, 2024

Russia claims Ukraine plotted to steal one of its Tu-22M Backfire bombers.
Russia

Ukraine Situation Report: Plot To Steal A Tu-22M3 Backfire Thwarted Russia Claims

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jul 9, 2024

Ukraine is developing its own air defense missile systems.
Russia

First Inside Look At Ukraine’s HAWK Air Defense Systems

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 8, 2024

The first weapon-ready plutonium pit for the future W81-! nuclear warhead has been produced.
U.S. Homeland

Problem Plagued Sentinel ICBM Program Will Press Ahead Despite Nearly Doubling In Cost

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 8, 2024

Ukraine’s unorthodox efforts to develop ways of defeating Russian drones have taken an apparent new turn, with the appearance of a light airplane carrying a sharpshooter to intercept uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs). At this stage, few details about the concept are available, but it’s notable that the aircraft in question — the Ukrainian-made Aeroprakt A-22 ultralight — is a type that we have seen in the past adapted as one-way attack drone, something you can read more about here.
Russia

Ultralight Drone Hunting Planes Now In Use In Ukraine

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 8, 2024

The Department of Energy has recieved two new AW139 helicopters specially configured for nuclear detection missions.
U.S. Homeland

AW139 Nuclear Detection Helicopters Join Department Of Energy Fleet, Replace Bell 412s

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 8, 2024

A C-130J Super Hercules rests on the flightline under a fireworks display, July 3, 2018, at Yokota Air Base, Japan.
Bunker Talk

Bunker Talk: 4th Of July Edition!

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jul 4, 2024

The Pentagon has made a new announcement about the first forward-deployments of Air Force F-35As and F-15EXs to Japan, as well as changes to the Marine Corps' F-35B force in that country.
China

USAF F-35As To Be Based In Japan Replacing Wild Weasel F-16s

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 3, 2024

Ukraine will receive more than $2 billion in additional air defense interceptors for its Patriot and NASAMS systems.
Russia

Ukraine Situation Report: $2.2B In New Air Defense Interceptors Coming From U.S.

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jul 3, 2024

The Navy's Training Air Wing 2 (TAW-2) has hit one million flight hours with the T-45 jet trainer as plans to replace that are have been delayed.
U.S. Homeland

Navy Delays Jet Trainer Replacement As T-45 Wing Hits One Million Flight Hours

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 3, 2024

In a bizarre turn of events, Chinese-made Wing Loong drones, apparently headed to Libya, have been seized by Italian authorities off the coast of southern Italy. The disassembled drones were in crates that were marked as containing parts for wind turbines, in what seems to have been an effort to evade a United Nations arms embargo imposed on Libya.
China

Chinese Wing Loong Drones Disguised As Wind Turbines Seized By Italy

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 3, 2024

The air-launched version of the hugely versatile SM-6 missile, also known as the RIM-174, has appeared on U.S. Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters at the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise, the world’s largest international maritime exercise. We now also know the missiles are designated AIM-74B, indicating an air-to-air missile, although, as we have discussed in the past, the weapon also has the potential to strike high-priority ground targets, such as air defense sites, and warships, acting as a quasi-ballistic missile.
Indo-Pacific

AIM-174 Super Hornet-Launched Variant Of SM-6 Missile Breaks Cover In Hawaii (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Jul 3, 2024

Kratos has developed a new launch trolley that allows its XQ-58 drones to take off from traditional runways.
U.S. Homeland

XQ-58 Valkyrie Can Now Take Off From Runways Thanks To New Launch Trolly System

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 3, 2024

MQ-9 with new electronic warfare pod
Drones

New Electronic Warfare Pod Turns Marine MQ-9 Reaper Into “A Black Hole”

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jul 3, 2024

Marines train with an ACV in 2022
Japan

USMC’s New ACV Amphibious Assault Vehicles Have Arrived In Japan

By Oliver Parken

Posted on Jul 2, 2024

Russia has unveiled a counter-drone interceptor, a single-use drone with an explosive warhead that’s expressly designed to bring down the kinds of Ukrainian uncrewed aerial vehicles that have taken a steady toll of Russian troops and equipment on the battlefield. The Vogan-9SP counter-drone interceptor was developed by Russia’s Red Line company, seemingly a new entrant in the field.
Russia

Russia Jumps Into Purpose-Built Drone-Hunting Drone Weapons Space

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 2, 2024

Israeli AH-64 helicopter gunship pilots have provided an extensive account of their operations during the surprise attack on the country by Hamas militants last October 7. Their accounts — provided to the Israeli media — give a rare insight into the Israeli Air Force’s immediate response to the first invasion of Israeli territory since 1948.
Israel

Israeli AH-64 Apache Commanders Describe Brutal Reality Of October 7 Missions

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 2, 2024

Russian missile strike on airfield in Ukraine.
Russia

Ukraine Situation Report: Russia Strikes Airbase In Drone-Directed Missile Attack

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jul 2, 2024

The US Air Force is taking a second look at the crewed sixth-generation stealth combat jet it is developing under the Next Generation Air Dominance initiative to see where costs could be cut, even at the cost of losing certain capabilities.
Drones

Next Generation Air Dominance Fighter’s Future Increasingly Uncertain

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 2, 2024

Billionaire Jared Isaacman Is going to fly a Tornado F2A.
U.S. Homeland

Tornado F2 Set To Become Most Advanced Flying Fighter In A Private Individual’s Hands

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 1, 2024

Anduril and General Atomics have shared new details about progress and challenges, including on production and autonomy issues, as part of the Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.
Drones

Construction Of First Collaborative Combat Aircraft Drone Has Begun At General Atomics

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 1, 2024

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle from Royal Air Force Lakenheath's 494th Fighter Squadron returns to formation after receiving fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker from the Fairchild Air Force Base's 92nd Aerial Refueling Squadron, over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 2, 2024. The U.S. Air Force is globally postured to protect and defend freedom of coalition allies and regional partners within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to maintain peace and stability across the region.
U.S. Homeland

Flying The F-15E Strike Eagle In Air-To-Air Combat, From Dogfighting To Drone Hunting

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 1, 2024

Piggyback bomber at a Nazi airfield In WWII.
WWII

Recalling The Nazis’ Bizarre Piggyback Bombers 80 Years After They Went To War

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 30, 2024

The US Air Force's Air Mobility Command has outlined a critical need to give its fleets new counter-drone defenses they can use wherever they go.
Drones

Built-In Counter-Drone Defenses Sought For Air Force Transports, Tankers

By Eric Tegler, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 29, 2024

An officer of the Swiss Civil defence of the canton of Geneva closes the door of a private concrete nuclear fallout shelter located underneath a residential building in the city of Meyrin near Geneva on March 25, 2022. - Russia's invasion of Ukraine has awakened long-slumbering anxiety interest in Switzerland in concrete nuclear fallout shelters built across the country during the Cold War, with spots available for every single resident. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP) (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/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 29, 2024

A small group of Russian soldiers has held out in a bombed-out building in Vovchansk
Russia

Ukraine Situation Report: Besieged Russian Troops Holding Out In Bombed-Out Factory

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 29, 2024

M270 MLRS
Russia

Ukraine May Have Lost An M270 MLRS For The First Time

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 28, 2024

The Russian Navy’s first new Project 23550 combat icebreaker has made an important step toward service entry. The Unusually for an icebreaker, the Ivan Papanin is armed, with the option to further increase its firepower in the future, a reflection of Russia’s preparations for a potential future confrontations in the increasingly strategic Arctic region.
Russia

Russian’s New Combat Icebreaker Starts Sea Trials

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 28, 2024

The US Army's elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment has been testing Arctic and desert camouflage options on top of a now well-known multi-tone blue scheme.
Arctic

160th SOAR Night Stalkers Testing Arctic, Desert Vinyl Camo Wraps As Global Missions Evolve

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 28, 2024

A video has emerged showing a Ukrainian MiG-29 toss-bombing a munition, a critical tactic that helps limit the exposure of the launching platform to enemy defenses.
Russia

Watch A Ukrainian MiG-29 Toss A Bomb Across The Front Lines

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 28, 2024

North Korea says it has successfully tested a ballistic missile fitted with a multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) payload — one that contains several warheads, each capable of hitting a different target. Meanwhile, South Korea claims that the test was a failure. Whether successful or not, the emergence of MIRV technologies is another indicator of North Korea’s rapidly developing strategic arsenal, which is growing in size and capabilities despite sanctions.
North Korea

Conflicting Claims Surround North Korea’s Test Of Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 27, 2024