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Special Operations Aviation (Page 2)

Latest in Special Operations Aviation

Each of the U.S. Air Force's Special Operations Command's (AFSOC) new OA-1K Skyraider II light attack aircraft has a somewhat unexpected feature in its cockpit.
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

OA-1K Skyraider II Has Off-The-Shelf Rifle Sight Mounted In Its Cockpit

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 21, 2025

An OA-1K, like the one seen in the picture at the top of this story, crashed today.
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

Air Force’s Crop Duster Converted Into Attack Plane Crash Lands In Field (Updated)

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Oct 23, 2025

The U.S. Army's elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), better known as the Night Stalkers, has been exploring ways to ensure it can operate in more heavily defended airspace in the future.
Special Operations Aviation

How The Night Stalkers Are Planning To Survive In Future High-End Fights

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Oct 15, 2025

Leidos has raised the possibility of eventually integrating its Black Arrow, also known as the Small Cruise Missile, in the MQ-9 Reaper drone and the OA-1K Skyraider II light attack aircraft. The roughly 200-pound munition has, so far, been tested from C-130 variants but offers the kinds of capabilities that U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is increasingly looking at harnessing.
Special Operations Aviation

Tiny Black Arrow Cruise Missile Demonstrates A Whopping 400-Mile Range

By Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Updated on Sep 24, 2025

The last MC-12W Liberty turboprop surveillance aircraft under U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command's (AFSOC) umbrella have been retired.
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

Last Special Operations MC-12W Surveillance Planes Retired

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 15, 2025

A new variant of the AGM-114 Hellfire missile with a warhead that can be set to focus its blast in different directions depending on the target is in the works for the U.S. special operations community.
Special Operations Aviation

AGM-114 Hellfire Missile Getting Articulated Warhead Capable Of Blasting In Different Directions

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 6, 2025

U.S. special operations Long Endurance Aircraft (LEA) surveillance drones, which are based on a popular civilian powered glider design, are set to gain the ability to launch smaller uncrewed aerial systems.
Special Operations Aviation

Super Quiet Special Operations Drones Being Modified To Launch Smaller Drones

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 11, 2025

Residents of the Tucson, Arizona area were startled earlier this week by a group of helicopters, including at least one Russian-made Mi-17 Hip, making very low nighttime flights as part of what turned out to be a U.S. military exercise.
Special Operations Aviation

Secretive Russian-Made Mi-17 Helicopter Makes Unusual Appearance In Tucson

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 20, 2025

As Israel's campaign of strikes on Iran continues, a question emerges about whether some level of additional action may be required on the ground to meet the stated goal of preventing the regime in Tehran from being able to acquire nuclear weapons.
Special Operations Aviation

Loose Nukes In Iran Is A Scenario U.S. Special Operators Have Been Training For

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 18, 2025

The U.S. Army has incorporated special operations-specific requirements into the design of its Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) tiltrotor, which has led to an unspecified increase in gross weight.
160th SOAR "Nightstalkers"

Army’s Future Tiltrotor Gets Heavier So It Can Rapidly Convert Into Special Ops Variant

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 9, 2025

A U.S. Air Force AC-130J Ghostrider flies over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Jan. 31, 2025. Designed for close air support, air interdiction and armed reconnaissance, the AC-130J provides CENTCOM forces an expeditionary, direct-fire platform with 30mm and 105mm cannons. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gerald R. Willis)
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

Harpoon Anti-Ship Missile-Armed AC-130J Gunships Could Be On The Horizon

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 8, 2025

L3Harris Sky Warden test aircraft for the OA-1K Skyraider II program for the Air Force Special Operations Command.
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

OA-1K Skyraider II Walk-Around Tour With Its Test Pilot

By Jamie Hunter, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on May 7, 2025

The Black Arrow, which is intended to carry a range of different payloads and not just a kinetic warhead, arrives at a time when the Pentagon is looking at harnessing the potential of lower-cost weapons that can be readily produced at scale to meet the likely demands of future conflicts.
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

AC-130 Gunship-Launched Black Arrow Small Cruise Missile Has A 400-Mile Range

By Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Posted on May 6, 2025

A CV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft assigned to the 20th Special Operations Squadron approaches the air-refueling receptacle of an MC-130 Commando II during a night flight at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, Sept. 12, 2024. The Osprey is a tiltrotor aircraft that combines a helicopter's vertical takeoff, hover, and vertical landing qualities with the long-range, fuel efficiency, and speed characteristics of a turboprop aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Gracelyn Hess)
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

Electronic Warfare Lessons From Ukraine Informing Air Force Special Operations Future

By Howard Altman

Updated on May 5, 2025

The Black Arrow, also known as the Small Cruise Missile, has completed a guided flight test, from an AC-130J Ghostrider gunships, the weapon’s manufacturer Leidos has confirmed. The Black Arrow — which is intended to carry a range of different payloads, and not just a kinetic warhead — arrives at a time when the Pentagon is looking at harnessing the potential of lower-cost weapons that can be readily produced at scale to meet the likely demands of future conflicts.
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

AC-130J Ghostrider Gunship Launches Black Arrow Small Cruise Missile In New Video

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 5, 2025

The first OA-1K light attack aircraft — recently officially named as the Skyraider II — has been delivered to Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). While the command welcomed the militarized derivative of the popular Air Tractor AT-802 crop duster, there remain serious questions about how the Air Force will actually make use of the OA-1K, as the service increasingly prepares for future high-end contingencies.
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

First OA-1K Skyraider II Handed Over To Air Force Special Operations Command

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 3, 2025

The U.S. Air Force has formally dubbed its forthcoming OA-1K light attack aircraft as the Skyraider II.
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

OA-1K Light Attack Special Ops Aircraft Officially Named Skyraider II

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 27, 2025

Boeing expects to shutter its production of the Little Bird light helicopter after fulfilling a current contract with the Thai armed forces.
160th SOAR "Nightstalkers"

Boeing’s Little Bird Helicopter Production Set To End

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 26, 2025

IDF raid on Iran underground missile base in Syria
Special Operations Aviation

Inside Israel’s Commando Raid On Iran’s Underground Missile Factory In Syria

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 3, 2025

The entire fleet of U.S. V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft has been temporarily grounded after a mishap involving an AFSOC CV-22 last month at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico.
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

V-22s Grounded Again After Special Operations Osprey Mishap

By Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 9, 2024

Bell has released a rendering showing updated design concepts for vertical takeoff and landing-capable crewed and uncrewed aircraft that feature wingtip rotors that fold away during level flight.
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

Revised Fold-Away Rotor Aircraft Concepts Emerge From Special Operations X-Plane Program

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 5, 2024

ideos purporting to show a Ukrainian drone attack on a Russian oil refinery may actually have been of a wayward civilian An-2 biplane.
Special Operations Aviation

An-2 Biplane Caused Major Scare When Russians Thought It Was A Long-Range Kamikaze Drone

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 27, 2024

Orphaned A-29 Super Tucano Attack Planes Join USAF Test Pilot School Fleet
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

Orphaned A-29 Super Tucano Attack Planes Join USAF Test Pilot School Fleet

By Thomas Newdick, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 9, 2024

Aurora Flight Sciences has released new renderings of an uncrewed fan-in-wing vertical take-off-and-landing capable demonstrator aircraft it is currently working on, as well as of a revised vision for a scaled-up stealthy cargo aircraft based on the same technology.
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

New Vision For Lift Fan Aircraft Family Grows From Special Operations X-Plane Program

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 9, 2024

U-28 retirement
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

Plans To Axe Special Operations Surveillance Planes Come Under The Microscope

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 27, 2024

The U.S. Air Force's top special operations officer says AC-130J Ghostriders will continue being armed with 105mm howitzers for the foreseeable future despite the gunships evolving to as focus shifts to preparing for high-end fights.
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

AC-130J Ghostrider Gunships Will Keep Their 105mm Howitzers, For Now

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 19, 2024

MQ-9 showcases capabilities to Joint Force during first-time Valiant Shield participation.
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

MQ-9 Reapers Gathered In Florida, Simulated Fighting Over South China Sea

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Sep 13, 2024

Secretive ultra-quiet special operations drones, now designated RQ-29s, that have been operating in the Middle East for years might now be headed for the Pacific.
Special Operations Aviation

Super Quiet Special Operations Drones May Migrate To Pacific Theater

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 14, 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.
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

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

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 9, 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.
160th SOAR "Nightstalkers"

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

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 28, 2024

MH-6s belonging to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment are now flying with a multi-tone blue camouflage scheme that looks intended primarily for use in maritime operations.
160th SOAR "Nightstalkers"

Blue Camouflage MH-6 Little Birds Point To Night Stalkers’ Pacific Pivot

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 20, 2024

NH90 special forces helicopter has entered flight testing.
Special Operations Aviation

NH90 Special Operations Helicopter Begins Flight Testing

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 18, 2024

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.
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

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

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 21, 2024

Green berets on Shemya
Special Operations Aviation

American Special Operations Forces Are At A Crossroads

By Howard Altman

Posted on May 12, 2024

The famed Little Bird helicopters used by the Army's elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment are seeing a 'resurrection' after the Army's cancellation of the Future Armed Reconnaissance Aircraft program, but their future is still murky.
160th SOAR "Nightstalkers"

H-6 Little Bird’s Future Upended Due To Army Axing Armed Scout Helicopter

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 9, 2024

We now have our first look at a mini-cruise missile U.S. Special Operations Command is developing that could arm AC-130J gunships and other aircraft.
Special Operations Aviation

Our First Look At The Tiny Cruise Missile That Aims To Arm AC-130 Gunships

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 9, 2024

An annual special operations capability demonstration has included paragliding Marines on a mock drone hunt.
Special Operations Aviation

Marine Special Operations Paragliding Capabilities Emerge At Demonstration In Tampa

By Howard Altman, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 8, 2024

US Special Operations Command says it has 'hit pause' on plans to convert an MC-130J special operations tanker/transport in a floatplane.
Special Operations Aviation

C-130 Floatplane Program Put ‘On Pause’ By Special Operations Command

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 8, 2024

The next version of the famed Little Bird helicopter for the US Army's elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment has reportedly been dubbed the MH-6R.
160th SOAR "Nightstalkers"

New Night Stalker Little Bird Helicopters Now Dubbed MH-6R (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 27, 2024

USSOCOM is looking for companies that can provide AESA radars for its C-130 fleet.
Special Operations Aviation

AESA Radars For AC-130J, MC-130J Sought By SOCOM

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jan 27, 2024

The US military has released an unusual video showing an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship conducting live-fire training the Caribbean. This comes as a major crisis in the region between Guyana and Venezuela.
Special Operations Aviation

Unusual AC-130J Gunship Caribbean Training Video Released

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 12, 2023

Night Stalker Ship Training
160th SOAR "Nightstalkers"

Night Stalker MH-60 Executes Sneak Mock Assault On Navy Ship In Awesome Video

By Oliver Parken

Posted on Nov 9, 2023

An MH-60M Black Hawk helicopter in the latest configuration utilized by the US Army's elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and with a unusual paint job recently visited a civilian airport in Alabama.
160th SOAR "Nightstalkers"

Night Stalker MH-60 Black Hawk Spotted In Blue Camouflage

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 29, 2023

Newly released pictures give a great look at just how loaded down with sensors and other specialized system the MH-60M Black Hawks assigned to the US Army's elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment really are.
160th SOAR "Nightstalkers"

Special Ops MH-60 Seen Absolutely Crammed With Modifications

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Sep 21, 2023

Air Force Special Operations Command is looking at expanding its ability to land on beaches around the world as part of a shift toward "runway agnostic" operations.
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

Special Ops C-130s Using Beaches As Runways Eyed For Pacific Fight

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 19, 2023

Personnel from the U.S. Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, also known as the Night Stalkers, recently took part in an exercise focused in part on the defense of strategic Shemya Island.
160th SOAR "Nightstalkers"

Night Stalker Helicopters Train To Defend Strategic Alaskan Island

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 23, 2023

A recent US guerrilla warfare exercise shows signs of influences from the conflict in Ukraine.
Special Operations Aviation

Guerrilla Warfare Exercise In West Virginia Looks Heavily Influenced By Ukraine War

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 29, 2023

AC-130 Gunship Laser Weapon Program’s Future Is Looking Blurry
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

AC-130 Gunship Laser Weapon Program’s Future Is Looking Blurry

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on May 11, 2023

Half Of Night Stalker Black Hawks, Little Birds Replaced With High-Speed Types By 2030s
160th SOAR "Nightstalkers"

Half Of Night Stalker Black Hawks, Little Birds Replaced With High-Speed Types By 2030s

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 10, 2023

MAC MC-130
Special Operations Aviation

Amphibious C-130 Won’t Fly For Two To Three More Years

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on May 9, 2023

Retirement Of MC-130H Speeds Up MC-130J Low-Flying Radar Upgrade
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

Retirement Of MC-130H Speeds Up MC-130J Low-Flying Radar Upgrade

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 11, 2023

MQ-9 Special Operations Sky Guardian
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

USAF Special Ops Buys MQ-9B SkyGuardians To Test Air-Launched Drone Concepts

By Emma Helfrich

Posted on Mar 7, 2023

MAC MC-130
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

C-130 Seaplane Program Put On Back Burner (Updated)

By Howard Altman

Updated on Feb 2, 2023

Special Ops C-130 Tests Pallet-Dropped Cruise Missiles In The Arctic
Special Operations Aviation

Special Ops C-130 Tests Pallet-Dropped Cruise Missiles In The Arctic

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 9, 2022

Raid Newport Beach harbor helicopter
Special Operations Aviation

Helicopter-Borne Commandos ‘Raid’ Yacht In Newport Beach Harbor For Charity

By Oliver Parken

Posted on Oct 18, 2022

US Special Operators Carry Out Helicopter Raid On ISIS Leader In Syria (Updated)
Special Operations Aviation

US Special Operators Carry Out Helicopter Raid On ISIS Leader In Syria (Updated)

By Howard Altman

Posted on Oct 6, 2022

C-130 Amphibian
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

C-130 Seaplane Should Fly In 2023 Says Air Force Special Ops Commander

By Howard Altman

Posted on Sep 21, 2022

AT-802U Armed Overwatch
Special Operations Aviation

Modified Crop Duster Chosen For Special Ops Armed Overwatch Mission

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Aug 2, 2022

Night Stalkers Syria
160th SOAR "Nightstalkers"

Nighttime U.S. Helicopter Raid Captures ‘Senior Daesh Leader’ In Syria (Updated)

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 16, 2022

Elite British SAS Soldier’s Action-Packed Account Of The Falklands War
Special Operations Aviation

Elite British SAS Soldier’s Action-Packed Account Of The Falklands War

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 14, 2022

This Is Our Best Look Yet At The MH-6’s Plank-Mounted Machine Gun
160th SOAR "Nightstalkers"

This Is Our Best Look Yet At The MH-6’s Plank-Mounted Machine Gun

By Emma Helfrich

Posted on May 20, 2022

Little Bird’s Future Laid Out In New Night Stalkers Aviation Plan
Special Operations Aviation

Little Bird’s Future Laid Out In New Night Stalkers Aviation Plan

By Dan Parsons

Posted on May 19, 2022

U.S. Says Its Diplomats Are Out Of Ukraine After U.S. Special Ops Planes Tracked Near Polish Border (Updated)
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

U.S. Says Its Diplomats Are Out Of Ukraine After U.S. Special Ops Planes Tracked Near Polish Border (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Feb 22, 2022

Unmanned Resupply Gliders Will Take Part In Largest Special Operations Exercise (Updated)
Special Operations Aviation

Unmanned Resupply Gliders Will Take Part In Largest Special Operations Exercise (Updated)

By Brett Tingley

Updated on Feb 14, 2022