News & Features (Page 32)

Latest in News & Features

Both Ukrainian and Russian sources say an Su-57 Felon new-generation fighter was struck for the first time.
Russia

Su-57 Felon Struck Deep Inside Russia, Ukraine’s Spy Agency Claims (Updated)

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jun 9, 2024

In this photograph taken on February 2, 2020, Astrit Imeri, a former soldier, walks inside The Cold War Tunnel Museum at Gjirokastra, Albania. - Snaking beneath a fortress in southern Albania, a covert tunnel network built during the country's communist era captures the secrecy and paranoia that defined the long rule of former tyrant Enver Hoxha.Today communism is gone and the military bunker is a tourist attraction, still drawing rare visitors during the pandemic, when themes of fear, isolation and confinement are particularly resonant. The sprawling underground complex, now dubbed the Cold War tunnel, is part of a vast and costly "bunkerisation" project spearheaded by Hoxha, who was gripped by anxiety of a possible foreign invasion during his 40-year isolationist rule. (Photo by Gent SHKULLAKU / AFP) (Photo by GENT SHKULLAKU/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 8, 2024

There are conflicting reports about what was struck in Luhansk City during an ATACMS attack.
Russia

Ukraine Situation Report: Claims Fly Over Deadly ATACMS Missile Strike In Luhansk

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 8, 2024

CH-53K King Stallion arrives in Yuma to join VMX-1.
U.S. Homeland

CH-53K King Stallion Has Arrived At MCAS Yuma To Join VMX-1 Testers

By James Deboer

Posted on Jun 7, 2024

South Korea, one of only four nations that still operated the classic F-4 Phantom, formally retired the Cold War-era fighter today. The decommissioning ceremony saw the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) provide an “honorable discharge” for its last Phantoms, which had helped defend the nation for 55 years. The event also saw the air force looking to the future, with involvement from the F-4’s successors, including the F-35A stealth fighter. Ultimately, the Phantom will also be superseded by the locally developed KF-21.
South Korea

F-4 Phantom Vanishes Into Retirement After 55 Years Of South Korean Service

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Jun 7, 2024

The Trident Pier in Gaza has been repaired after storm damage and aid is expected to soon flow to those who need it.
Israel

Gaza Pier Repaired, Aid To Flow Soon

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 7, 2024

An Iron dome launcher being targeted by an Almas missile.
Israel

Whether Hezbollah Hit An Iron Dome Launcher Or Not, Its Almas Missiles Are A Problem For Israel

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jun 7, 2024

US President Joe Biden delivers a speech during the US ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the World War II "D-Day" Allied landings in Normandy, at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, which overlooks Omaha Beach in northwestern France, on June 6, 2024. The D-Day ceremonies on June 6 this year mark the 80th anniversary since the launch of 'Operation Overlord', a vast military operation by Allied forces in Normandy, which turned the tide of World War II, eventually leading to the liberation of occupied France and the end of the war against Nazi Germany. (Photo by Daniel Cole / POOL / AFP)
WWII

Biden Draws Parallels Between Ukraine’s Fight And World War II In D-Day Anniversary Address

By Oliver Parken

Posted on Jun 7, 2024

France has formally announced plans to transfer Mirage 2000-5 fighters to Ukraine and to try pilots to fly them.
Ukraine

Mirage 2000 Fighters To Be Sent To Ukraine From France

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 6, 2024

A USN EA-18G took out an Mi-24 with an AARGM.
Middle East

EA-18G Growler Killed A Houthi Mi-24 Hind With An AGM-88E Anti-Radiation Missile

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jun 6, 2024

Soviet-era An-22 landing
Russia

Russia’s An-22, The Biggest Turboprop Plane Ever Flown, Heads For Retirement

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 6, 2024

The Oregon Air National Guard has received its first F-15EX Eagle II fighter, marking the first delivery of one of these jets to an operational unit.
U.S. Homeland

The F-15EX Eagle II Has Arrived In Portland

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 6, 2024

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) today officially unveiled an air-launched version of its LORA (Long Range Artillery), a short-range ballistic missile originally developed for ground launch. The new weapon joins an expanding armory of ballistic missile designs adapted for air launch, including the Israel Military Industries (IMI) Rampage, also based on a long-range artillery munition.
Israel

Air LORA, Israel’s Biggest Air-Launched Ballistic Missile, Emerges From The Shadows

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 6, 2024

ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 05: (----EDITORIAL USE ONLY - MANDATORY CREDIT - ' KREMLIN PRESS OFFICE / HANDOUT' - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS----) Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with the representatives of the management of global news agencies as part of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), at Lahta Center on June 05, 2024 in St.Petersburg, Russia. During the meeting on Wednesday, Putin called Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip 'the total destruction of the civilian population.' (Photo by Kremlin Press Office/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Germany

Putin Threatens To Supply Weapons To “Regions” For Retaliatory Strikes On Western Targets

By Oliver Parken, Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 6, 2024

The US Navy's P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol planes are one step closer to getting new self-protection pods with towed decoys and other electronic warfare capabilities.
News & Features

Towed Decoy Pods Will Protect P-8 Poseidons From Radar-Guided Threats

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 6, 2024

Collins class submarines will not get Tomahawk land attack cruise missile capabilities.
Australia

Australia Won’t Arm Collins Class Submarines With Tomahawks

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 5, 2024

The Navy has been eying the possibility of arming its ships and submarines, as well as aircraft, with a new air-breathing hypersonic anti-ship cruise missile.
News & Features

Navy’s HALO Hypersonic Anti-Ship Missile Planned For Ships, Submarines, As Well As Jets

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 5, 2024

German contractor Diehl Defense has unveiled a new “remote carrier” — a long-range effector that can be launched from aircraft, as well as from land and sea platforms. The missile-like store, known as FEANIX, which stands for Future Effector — Adaptable, Networked, Intelligent, eXpendable, is being pitched as an adjunct to the pan-European Future Combat Air System (FCAS) next-generation air combat program, as well as for the in-service Eurofighter Typhoon.
Germany

FEANIX ‘Remote Carrier’ Aims To Be The Ultra-Adaptable Missile Of The Future

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 5, 2024

The Airbus Wingman concept aircraft, which broke cover earlier this week, was formally unveiled at the ILA Berlin aerospace show today. More details have now also come to light about the program, which Airbus leadership says should provide a unit cost that’s equivalent to one third that of a modern crewed fighter.
Germany

The Airbus Wingman Stealth Drone: What We Learned In Berlin

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 5, 2024

Russia is now installing metal cope cages on Chinese-made DesertCross All Terrain Vehicles.
Russia

Russia Adds Anti-Drone ‘Cope Cages’ To All-Terrain Buggies, Motorcycles

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 5, 2024

DONETSK OBLAST, UKRAINE - MAY 1: A drone operator, a Ukrainian soldier of the 56th Motorized Brigade with the call sign "Indianets", prepares a combat FPV drone in the Bakhmut area on May 1, 2024 in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine. Ukrainian drones operators of the 56th Motorized Brigade are using combat FPV drones to destroy enemy targets and conduct round-the-clock reconnaissance in the Bakhmut area. (Photo by Yevhenii Vasyliev/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)
Ukraine

Competition To Supply Ukraine With FPV Drones Gets Underway

By Oliver Parken

Posted on Jun 4, 2024

The latest iteration of Russia’s TOS series of thermobaric rocket launchers has been seen, apparently for the first time, in military service. The TOS-3 Dragon was shown during an official event in Russia’s southwest Saratov region, with its anti-drone screens pointing directly to experience from the war in Ukraine. With that in mind, it likely won’t be long before we start to see the TOS-3 being deployed in combat, especially as losses of the legacy TOS-1A continue to mount.
Russia

Russia’s New TOS-3 ‘Dragon’ Thermobaric Rocket Launcher Breaks Cover

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 4, 2024

Congress is moving to block the Air Force from retiring or preparing to retire any U-2 spy planes in the next fiscal year.
U.S. Homeland

U-2 Retirement Reprieve Emerges In Proposed Defense Spending Bill

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 4, 2024

South Korea will resume military drills near the border in the wake of Kim Jong-un's poop balloon incursion.
North Korea

South Korea To End Long Pause In Drills Near DMZ After Poop Balloon Incursions

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 4, 2024

A USAF Boeing F-15EX flies at low level in Nevada.

How 50 Years Of Eagle Experience Has Shaped The Advanced F-15

By Jamie Hunter

Posted on Jun 4, 2024

ERCS doomsday satellite of the Cold War
Cold War

America’s Cold War Doomsday Satellite

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jun 4, 2024

Photos have emerged showing a U.S. Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornet carrying what appears to be an air-launched version of the RIM-174 SM-6 missile, a weapon that can counter aerial threats at long ranges, as well as ground and surface targets.
U.S. Homeland

Super Hornet Armed With SM-6 Missile Spotted Over California

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 4, 2024

European aviation consortium Airbus has unveiled a new stealthy fighter-sized loyal wingman-type drone concept
Germany

Stealthy Fighter-Like Wingman Drone Concept Unveiled By Airbus (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick, Oliver Parken

Posted on Jun 4, 2024

Why no LCAC used in Gaza aid mission.
Israel

Why Aren’t U.S. Navy LCAC Hovercraft Being Used To Deliver Aid To Gaza?

By Tyler Rogoway, Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jun 3, 2024

A SAM system inside Russia was struck by a HIMARS.
Russia

Ukraine Strikes Long-Range SAM System Inside Russia With U.S. Weapon

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 3, 2024

The Defense Innovation Unit and the US Air Force have picked four different companies design, build, and flight test new low-cost cruise missile concepts.
U.S. Homeland

‘Cheap’ Long-Range Cruise Missile Designs To Be Tested By Air Force

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 3, 2024

Ukraine Liman
Russia

Ukraine Situation Report: Kyiv’s Forces Push Back In Kharkiv

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 3, 2024

A government approved air raid shelter on display at Stern's department store
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 1, 2024

Testing at the Upside-Down Air Force, RADC
U.S. Homeland

The Fascinating Story Of The USAF’s “Upside-Down Air Force”

By Oliver Parken

Posted on May 31, 2024

Progressively clearer photos of one of Shenyang’s prototype fighters seems to reveal key features different to those found on the carrier-based J-35, as well as on the earlier FC-31 prototypes. This raises questions about China’s own plans for a potential land-based variant, as well as future export plans, with Pakistan known to have made official plans to acquire a version of the jet.
China

Land-Based Variant Of China’s J-35 Naval Stealth Fighter Makes Sense

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 31, 2024

Ukraine released satellite imagery it says showed two Russian ships damaged by U.S. donated ATACMS.
Russia

Ukraine Situation Report: Claims Swirl Around Missile Strike On Kerch Ferries

By Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Posted on May 31, 2024

The U.S. Government Accountability Office says that "unplanned weight growth" and design instability have been major factors in the huge delays with the Constellation class, and that the ship's top speed could take a hit as a result.
U.S. Homeland

Navy’s New Constellation Class Frigate Is A Mess

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 31, 2024

Ukraine can now use long-range weapons from the U.S. to strike targets in Russia near Kharkiv.
Russia

Ukraine Can Now Use U.S.-Supplied Weapons To Strike Inside Russia

By Howard Altman

Posted on May 30, 2024

Officials at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina are looking into the possibility of erecting physical barriers to protect F-15E Strike Eagles there from drones.
U.S. Homeland

Enclosures To Defend F-15Es From Drone Attacks Eyed At Seymour Johnson AFB

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 30, 2024

Tamir air-o-air variant
Israel

The Case For Arming Drone-Hunting Fighters With Iron Dome’s Tamir Missile

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on May 30, 2024

Martin baker 75 years of ejections
U.S. Homeland

Martin-Baker Ejection Seat Made Its First Of 7,722 Saves 75 Years Ago Today

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on May 30, 2024

New video purports to show the first Russian FPV drone attack on a Ukrainian sea drone.
Russia

Russian FPV Drone Seen Attacking Ukrainian Uncrewed Surface Vessel For The First Time

By Howard Altman

Posted on May 30, 2024

North Korea sent hundreds of balloons, many filled with manure, into South Korea.
North Korea

Poop-Filled North Korean Balloons Descend On The South Stoking Fears Of Deadlier Payloads

By Howard Altman

Posted on May 29, 2024

Experimental Alpha Draco hypersonic boost-glide vehicle preparing for launch, 1959.
Cold War

Alpha Draco Paved The Way In The Late 1950s For Future Hypersonic Boost-Glide Vehicles

By Oliver Parken

Posted on May 29, 2024

Russia has presented its latest take on the bizarre-looking ‘turtle tank’ concept, with a main battle tank now adapted as an armored personnel carrier, complete with the now familiar sheet-metal carapace. The new development provides another example of Russia repurposing vehicles to meet battlefield demands but also suggests deeper difficulties in fielding new-build, purpose-designed armored personnel carriers.
Ukraine

Russia Now Building ‘Turtle Tank’ Armored Personnel Carriers

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 29, 2024

In a major new development for the Ukrainian military, Sweden is to donate it Saab 340 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft equipped with Erieye radar. The aircraft is being provided as part of Sweden’s biggest military aid package for Ukraine so far and they will bring an entirely new capability for the Ukrainian Air Force, providing much enhanced air and sea surveillance and working together with its forthcoming F-16 fighters.
Northern Europe

Ukraine Getting Swedish Airborne Early Warning Radar Planes Is A Big Deal

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on May 29, 2024

Satellite imagery looks to show a recent Ukrainian strike targeted a prized Russian long-range radar system.
Russia

Prized Russian Long Range Radar System Attacked In Eastern Ukraine

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 29, 2024

F-16 Belgium ukraine
Ukraine

Ukraine Situation Report: First Of 30 Belgian F-16s To Be Delivered “This Year”

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 28, 2024

An F-35 Joint Strike Fighter crashed in Albuquerque New Mexico.
U.S. Homeland

F-35 Crashes In New Mexico (Updated)

By Howard Altman

Posted on May 28, 2024

How the A-10's Avenger cannon went from terrible to terrifying.
Video

How The A-10’s Avenger Cannon Went From Terrible To Terrifying

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on May 28, 2024

America's pier that is being used to deliver aid to Gaza broke free and is now being recovered.
U.S. Homeland

Gaza Aid Pier Lasted Less Than Two Weeks Before Breaking Apart

By Howard Altman

Posted on May 28, 2024

The first official photos have appeared showing a Soviet-era ground-based air defense system upgraded with Western surface-to-air missiles — a so-called ‘FrankenSAM.’ The images, published by Ukraine’s Operational Command East, show a tracked self-propelled Buk-M1 system — known in the West as SA-11 Gadfly — which is said to have been adapted to fire the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow, a missile that previously provided point defense for numerous NATO and allied warships.
Russia

Ukraine’s FrankenSAM That Uses RIM-7 Sea Sparrow Missiles Breaks Cover

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on May 28, 2024

Black Flag 24-1, out of Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, run by the Air Force’s 53rd Wing.
China

Massive China-Focused Black Flag Test Exercise Flies Deep Into The Virtual Realm

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 28, 2024

250,000 American flags are placed at the foot of every headstone in the Arlington National Cemetery for Memorial Day Weekend. Arlington National Cemetery has evolved from a place of necessity to a national shrine to those who have honorably served our Nation during times of war – including every military conflict in American history – and during times of peace. The cemetery is the final resting place for service members, veterans, and their families. “Service to country” is the common thread that binds all who are honored and remembered here. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Sarah Villegas
Bunker Talk

Bunker Talk: Memorial Day Weekend Edition

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on May 25, 2024

Ukrainian M1 Abrams Tanks Get Elaborate ‘Cope Cages,’ Soviet Explosive Reactive Armor
Ukraine

Ukrainian M1 Abrams Tanks Get Elaborate ‘Cope Cages,’ Soviet Explosive Reactive Armor

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 25, 2024

Taiwan under threat during second day of Chinese drills.
Taiwan

China Stages Mock Strikes On Taiwan In Day 2 Of “Punishment” Exercise

By Howard Altman

Posted on May 24, 2024

Ukraine is one of three countries, along with Bulgaria and Japan, that will recieve a new tranche of Small Diameter Bombs under a $6.9 billion contract with Boeing.
Ukraine

Ukraine Situation Report: Kyiv Says It’s Using Air-Launched Small Diameter Bombs

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 24, 2024

Detonation of a Russian S-300 or S-400 air defense system after it came under attack from ATACMS ballistic missiles.
Russia

ATACMS Obliterates Russian Air Defense System As It Desperately Tries To Defend Itself

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 24, 2024

Satellite imagery confirms an attack on a Russian strategic early warning radar site, which could point to a new and worrisome dimension to the conflict around Ukraine.
Russia

Strike On Russian Strategic Early Warning Radar Site Is A Big Deal

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 24, 2024

Nearly 50 warplanes, along with ships and assets ashore, took part in the first day of what Chinese authorities have dubbed "punishment" drills encircling Taiwan following the inauguration of the island's latest President.
China

China’s “Punishment” Drills Around Taiwan: Day One

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 24, 2024

B-2/B-21 comparison
U.S. Homeland

B-21, B-2 Comparison Image Shows Just How Weird The Raider’s Windows Really Are

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on May 23, 2024

Su-34 launches new glide bombs
Russia

Russia’s Small Diameter Bomb-Like Weapon Seen In Action For The First Time

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 23, 2024

Exercise TARTAN SPIRIT has tested, trained and integrated critical capabilities to ensure they are ready for any operational missions. From scenario driven training to Tactical Landing Zones, this Exercise takes personnel from RAF Brize Norton, the RAF’s largest station and home to the UK’s Air Mobility Force, Prestwick Airport is the Deployable Operating Base and West Freugh the Forward Operating base. II Squadron RAF Regiment deployed alongside the Air Mobility Force to further strengthen their tactics, training and techniques alongside various aircraft. These skills are essential for ensuring RAF aircraft can operate safely across the globe. By training together we continue to provide integrated and scaleable Air Force Protection capability whilst preparing all RAF personnel for the rigours of operations, providing them with critical skills to survive, operate and maintain their operational edge.
People

Confessions Of A C-130 Hercules Pilot

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 23, 2024

Everything We Learned About The Next Doomsday Planes For The Air Force
U.S. Homeland

Everything We Learned About The Next Doomsday Planes For The Air Force

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 23, 2024