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

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

By Tyler Rogoway
May 31 9:30 PM EDT
Testing at the Upside-Down Air Force, RADC

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

By Oliver Parken
May 31 6:37 PM EDT
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.

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

By Thomas Newdick
May 31 2:15 PM EDT
Ukraine released satellite imagery it says showed two Russian ships damaged by U.S. donated ATACMS.

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

By Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman
May 30 9:42 PM EDT
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.

Navy’s New Constellation Class Frigate Is A Mess

By Joseph Trevithick
May 30 9:14 PM EDT
Ukraine can now use long-range weapons from the U.S. to strike targets in Russia near Kharkiv.

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

By Howard Altman
May 30 6:36 PM EDT
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.

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

By Joseph Trevithick
May 30 5:02 PM EDT
Tamir air-o-air variant

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

By Tyler Rogoway
May 30 3:37 PM EDT
Martin baker 75 years of ejections

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

By Thomas Newdick
May 30 1:25 PM EDT
New video purports to show the first Russian FPV drone attack on a Ukrainian sea drone.

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

By Howard Altman
May 30 11:51 AM EDT
North Korea sent hundreds of balloons, many filled with manure, into South Korea.

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

By Howard Altman
May 29 7:29 PM EDT
Experimental Alpha Draco hypersonic boost-glide vehicle preparing for launch, 1959.

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

By Oliver Parken
May 29 6:00 PM EDT
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.

Russia Now Building ‘Turtle Tank’ Armored Personnel Carriers

By Thomas Newdick
May 29 4:02 PM EDT
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.

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

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway
May 29 11:51 AM EDT
Satellite imagery looks to show a recent Ukrainian strike targeted a prized Russian long-range radar system.

Prized Russian Long Range Radar System Attacked In Eastern Ukraine

By Joseph Trevithick
May 28 10:13 PM EDT
F-16 Belgium ukraine

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

By Thomas Newdick
May 28 7:24 PM EDT
An F-35 Joint Strike Fighter crashed in Albuquerque New Mexico.

F-35 Crashes In New Mexico (Updated)

By Howard Altman
May 28 6:15 PM EDT
How the A-10's Avenger cannon went from terrible to terrifying.

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

By Tyler Rogoway
May 28 6:04 PM EDT
America's pier that is being used to deliver aid to Gaza broke free and is now being recovered.

Gaza Aid Pier Lasted Less Than Two Weeks Before Breaking Apart

By Howard Altman
May 28 3:58 PM EDT
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.

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

By Thomas Newdick
May 28 1:59 PM EDT
Black Flag 24-1, out of Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, run by the Air Force’s 53rd Wing.

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

By Thomas Newdick
May 28 12:39 PM EDT
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: Memorial Day Weekend Edition

By Tyler Rogoway
May 24 9:30 PM EDT
Ukrainian Abrams tanks are emerging with new factory-standard anti-drone "cope cage" armor screens and additional explosive reactive armor a month after they were reportedly pulled from the front lines due to drone threats.

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

By Joseph Trevithick
May 24 8:11 PM EDT
Taiwan under threat during second day of Chinese drills.

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

By Howard Altman
May 24 6:40 PM EDT
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 Situation Report: Kyiv Says It’s Using Air-Launched Small Diameter Bombs

By Thomas Newdick
May 24 6:14 PM EDT
Detonation of a Russian S-300 or S-400 air defense system after it came under attack from ATACMS ballistic missiles.

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

By Thomas Newdick
May 24 4:20 PM EDT
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.

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

By Joseph Trevithick
May 24 3:08 PM EDT
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’s “Punishment” Drills Around Taiwan: Day One

By Joseph Trevithick
May 23 8:52 PM EDT
B-2/B-21 comparison

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

By Tyler Rogoway
May 23 7:45 PM EDT
Su-34 launches new glide bombs

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

By Thomas Newdick
May 23 6:35 PM EDT
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.

Confessions Of A C-130 Hercules Pilot

By Thomas Newdick
May 23 3:15 PM EDT
Everything We Learned About The Next Doomsday Planes For The Air Force

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

By Joseph Trevithick
May 23 12:49 PM EDT
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has chosen designs from Northrop Grumman and Sikorsky for the next phase of its AdvaNced airCraft Infrastructure-Less Launch And RecoverY (ANCILLARY) autonomous vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) X-plane demonstration program. The effort aims to develop and test in flight an X-plane that will offer long endurance and the ability to launch and recover from ship flight decks and small austere land locations in adverse weather without additional infrastructure equipment. It’s part of an increasing focus on expeditionary deployments of the kind that will be required in a future conflict in the Pacific.

DARPA’s Naval VTOL X-Plane Drone Program Narrows Down To Two Designs

By Thomas Newdick
May 22 7:36 PM EDT
An uncrewed ground vehicle launching quadcopter

Army Tests Quadcopter Swarm-Launching Uncrewed Ground Vehicle For Clearing Mines

By Oliver Parken
May 22 5:32 PM EDT
B-21 raider first air-to-air image

First Aerial View Of B-21 Raider Offers New Insights

By Tyler Rogoway
May 22 3:56 PM EDT
U-2's new radar is going to the Army's HADES surveillance jet.

Radar Developed For U-2 To Go On Army Intel-Gathering BizJets

By Joseph Trevithick
May 22 12:35 PM EDT
Aurora Flight Sciences has unveiled a new uncrewed fan-in-wing aircraft concept as part of ongoing work for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

Revised Lift Fan Aircraft Concept Emerges From Special Ops X-Plane Program

By Joseph Trevithick
May 21 7:53 PM EDT
The quiet closing out of the Air Force's SHiELD program and issues the Army has been having with is laser-armed DE M-SHORAD variants of the 8x8 Stryker reflect broader hurdles facing directed energy weapons of this type.

U.S. Military Laser Weapon Programs Are Facing A Reality Check

By Joseph Trevithick
May 21 3:19 PM EDT
Airbus’ UH-72 Unmanned Logistics Connector Sets Its Sights On The USMC’s Future Fleet Requirements

Airbus’ UH-72 Unmanned Logistics Connector Sets Its Sights On The USMC’s Future Fleet Requirements

By The War Zone
May 21 3:07 PM EDT
A comprehensive breakdown of what U.S. Navy missiles actually cost.

What The Navy’s Ship-Launched Missiles Actually Cost

By Tyler Rogoway
May 21 12:04 PM EDT
KHARKIV REGION, UKRAINE - MAY 18:  A mortar unit with a 120 mm mortar prepares to perform a combat mission on May 18, 2024 in the Kharkiv region, near the border with Russia. Ukrainian soldiers from the 92nd assault brigade were involved in holding back the Russians on the border with Russia. In recent days Russian forces have gained ground around the Kharkiv region, which Ukraine had largely reclaimed in the months following Russia's initial large-scale invasion in February 2022.

Ukraine Situation Report: Russia Advances On Vovchansk

By Thomas Newdick
May 20 7:55 PM EDT
Personnel from China's PLA engage in counter FPV-drone training

Chinese Soldiers Train To Fend Off FPV Drones

By Oliver Parken, Tyler Rogoway
May 20 6:21 PM EDT
Lockheed Martin, in cooperation with elements of the US Department of Defense, has successfully shot down a mock cruise missile with a PAC-3 MSE interceptor fired from a Mk 70 launcher derived from the Mk 41 Vertical Launch System.

Successful Patriot Interceptor Test From Naval Vertical Launcher Is A Big Deal

By Joseph Trevithick
May 20 2:55 PM EDT
While the situation is clearly still confused, multiple reports suggest that one or perhaps two Russian Navy vessels have been seriously damaged or destroyed in the latest Ukrainian attack on the Black Sea Fleet. The two vessels in question are the Project 22800 Karakurt class missile corvette Tsiklon and the Project 266M Akvamarin class minesweeper Kovrovets.

Rumors Swirl Around Attacks On Russian Black Sea Fleet Warships (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick
May 20 1:12 PM EDT
Flourescent light and two metal doors - concrete bunker style. Lausanne Switzerland

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

By Tyler Rogoway
May 17 9:30 PM EDT
Private jet registration can be hidden by FAA based on new bill.

Congress Has Made Fully Obscuring Aircraft Ownership Information A Reality

By Oliver Parken
May 17 8:56 PM EDT
Ukraine has launched large-scale drone attacks against Russia.

Ukraine Situation Report: Kyiv Launches Massive Drone Attack On Russia

By Thomas Newdick
May 17 3:49 PM EDT
US Army Green Berets are getting specialized drone training ahead of a rotational deployment that could include temporary training stint in Ukraine.

Green Beret A-Teams Training On FPV Drones Being Driven By War In Ukraine

By Joseph Trevithick
May 17 1:42 PM EDT
Defense officials say a notice to airmen was issued for a Russian space launch booster, not a military exercise.

Russian Rocket Booster, Not Military Exercise, Prompts Airspace Warning Off California

By Howard Altman
May 17 12:46 PM EDT
The War Zone has now obtained additional high-resolution imagery better showing the extent of the destruction at Russia's Belbek Air Base from recent Ukrainian strikes.

MiG-31 Foxhounds Confirmed Destroyed In New Imagery Of Belbek Air Base

By Joseph Trevithick
May 16 8:25 PM EDT
Sailors aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) guide training ordnance into the ship’s forward vertical launch system (VLS) cells during a proof-of-concept evolution in San Diego, Oct. 4. MV Ocean Valor conducted its first at-sea vertical launch system reload with Spruance, demonstrating the ability of the U.S. Navy to re-arm surface vessels who employ VLS.

Eying China Threat, Congress Pushes Navy On At-Sea Rearming

By Howard Altman
May 16 6:48 PM EDT
Satellite imagery of Russia's Belbek Air Base on the occupied Crimean Peninsula shows damage from Ukrainian strikes earlier this week.

Damage To Russia’s Belbek Air Base In Crimea Seen After Ukrainian Strikes

By Joseph Trevithick
May 16 2:49 PM EDT
The US military has finished installing a floating pier for the Gaza Strip. It means officials are now poised to begin ferrying badly needed humanitarian aid into the enclave besieged over seven months of intense fighting in the Israel-Hamas war.

U.S. Navy Completes Gaza Aid Pier, Deliveries Imminent (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick
May 16 1:27 PM EDT
A picture emerging on social media of a Patriot mock-up sparked conspiracy theories about Ukraine selling a system to China.

Mock-Up Patriot System Sparks China-Ukraine Conspiracy Theories

By Howard Altman
May 15 5:23 PM EDT
Heckler & Koch is looking at selling versions of its existing product line chambered in Soviet-designed cartridges, driven in part by the conflict in Ukraine.

Heckler & Koch Eyes Adapting Its Rifles To Fire Soviet-Designed Ammo

By Joseph Trevithick
May 15 4:56 PM EDT
NASA's DC-8 airborne science laboratory banks low over the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, Calif., upon arrival Nov. 8, 2007.

NASA’s DC-8 Flying Lab Flies Into Retirement, Making The Type Nearly Extinct

By Thomas Newdick
May 15 3:56 PM EDT
Wreckage of S-400 engagement radar at airbase of Belbek in Crimea, May 15, 2024.

Russia’s Belbek Airbase In Crimea Hammered By Ukrainian Long-Range Strike (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick
May 15 10:01 AM EDT
The Viper Demo team has painted their jet in the YF-16's scheme to commemorate the type's 50th anniversary.

Viper Demo Team Secretly Painted Jet In YF-16 Scheme To Celebrate Type’s 50th Anniversary

By Tyler Rogoway
May 15 9:04 AM EDT
A Chinese stealth vessel at sea

China’s Mysterious Stealthy Warship Has Headed Out To Sea (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick, Oliver Parken
May 14 8:12 PM EDT
An uncrewed version of the UH-72B Lakota helicopter is among the types now in the running to become of the Marine Corps' next logistics drones.

UH-72 Lakota Drone In The Running To Haul Cargo For The USMC

By Joseph Trevithick
May 14 6:43 PM EDT
The United Kingdom has announced plans to build up to six new Multi Role Support Ships (MRSS), a new class of amphibious warfare vessels that will join an ambitious shipbuilding program that now includes a total of 28 warships and submarines. The new MRSS vessels will also accommodate drones, a growing area of interest for the U.K. Royal Navy.

Royal Navy To Get Up To Six New Amphibious Warships

By Thomas Newdick
May 14 4:51 PM EDT
Congress says the Navy's CMV-22B Ospreys can only fly 30 minutes from a divert airfield, limiting their ability to provide carrier onboard delivery services.

Navy CMV-22B Ospreys Only Allowed To Fly 30 Minutes From A Divert Airfield: Congress

By Howard Altman
May 14 3:19 PM EDT
Members of Congress are pushing to block the US Air Force from retiring more than half of its F-15E Strike Eagles.

Move To Block F-15E Strike Eagle Cuts Being Made In Congress

By Joseph Trevithick
May 14 2:29 PM EDT
T-6 ejection seat mishap

T-6 Pilot Dies In Ejection Seat Accident

By Oliver Parken
May 14 2:10 PM EDT