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South Korea has presented, for the first time, imagery of its Hycore hypersonic cruise missile, showing the future weapon during its flight testing. The Hycore is part of a fast-growing arsenal of advanced weapons that Seoul is developing, primarily to counter North Korea. As well as the hypersonic cruise missile, South Korea is notably also working on an air-launched ballistic missile (ALBM) and increasingly capable sea-based ballistic missiles, including for launch submarine launch.
Air-launched hypersonic cruise missiles

South Korea’s Hypersonic Cruise Missile Emerges In New Test Photos

Seoul’s Hycore hypersonic cruise missile is being eyed for launch from warships, submarines, and aircraft, as well as from the ground.

Evidence has emerged that Ukraine has topped up its hard-worked fleet of MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters from a somewhat surprising source: Azerbaijan. While the number of aircraft involved is not considerable, any addition to the MiG-29 fleet will be welcome for the Ukrainian Air Force, which has also received Fulcrums donated by Poland and Slovakia and which has suffered steady attrition since Russia’s full-scale invasion began.
MiG-29

Ukraine Now Flying Former Azerbaijani MiG-29 Fulcrum

At least one former Azerbaijan MiG-29 Fulcrum appears to have escaped destruction in a Russian airstrike and entered Ukrainian Air Force service.

We now have our first look at a U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike actually firing air-to-air optimized variants of the laser-guided 70mm Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) rocket.
F-15

F-15E Strike Eagle Fires Drone Killing Laser-Guided Rockets In New Images

The USAF rushed to add laser-guided rockets to the F-15E's arsenal this year amid growing drone and missile threats in the Middle East.

The massive military parade in Beijing yesterday has provided us with a much closer look at some of the country’s new air combat drones, the gradual emergence of which, in the run-up to the event, prompted much discussion. Of these drones, one, in particular stands out, this being a stealthy tailless design that is also notably large, and which is overall indicative of high performance.
UCAVs

China Unveils Large Unmanned Stealth Fighter Design During Military Parade

The still-unnamed fighter-sized drone is clearly optimized for high performance, likely with supersonic capabilities, as well as low observability.

A very large directed energy laser weapon was among the new capabilities officially rolled out for the first time at a massive military parade in China.
Lasers

China’s Imposing LY-1 High-Power Laser Weapon Unveiled At Huge Military Parade

The LY-1 is reportedly designed primarily for protecting ships against drones and missiles, but appears to also have a role on land.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the deadly attack on a suspected Venezuelan drug smuggling boat is only the beginning.
South America

Deadly Airstrike On Cartel Boat Signals Major Shift In U.S. Drug Interdiction Strategy (Updated)

The U.S. Secretary of Defense has announced that the U.S. will continue killing drug smugglers who traverse the Caribbean.

China’s New DF-61 Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Breaks Cover
ICBMs

China’s New DF-61 Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Breaks Cover

China has reportedly been developing new generation ICBMs for years now amid a larger buildup of its nuclear arsenal.

Afghan-Specific Version Of M1117 Armored Car Looks Bound For Second Life In Ukraine
Air

Afghan-Specific Version Of M1117 Armored Car Looks Bound For Second Life In Ukraine

The improved Mobile Strike Force Vehicle notably includes additional protective features over the M1117s already in Ukrainian service.

The U.S. struck a Venezuelan cartel drug boat with drugs on board in the south Caribbean
South America

U.S. Strikes Venezuelan Drug Boat In The Southern Caribbean (Updated)

The incident in the Caribbean comes as the U.S. has deployed at least eight warships to the region to counter cartel drug trafficking.

The Marines and Navy are conducting amphibious landing training in Puerto Rico as tensions with Venezuela mount.
South America

U.S. Amphibious Landing Exercise Underway In Puerto Rico As Tensions With Venezuela Mount

The amphibious training in Puerto Rico comes as the U.S. has at least eight warships in the Caribbean and just struck a Venezuelan drug boat.

The U.S. Air Force's top officer in the Pacific says a key takeaway from China's huge military parade tomorrow will be that "we are not deterred."
U.S. Air Force

Top USAF General In Pacific “Not Deterred” By Drones, Missiles To Be Showcased At Huge Chinese Parade

The head of U.S. Pacific Air Forces has put out his own strategic messaging ahead of a major show of force in Beijing.

First Look At Ukraine’s New Glide Bomb On A MiG-29
MiG-29

First Look At Ukraine’s New Glide Bomb On A MiG-29

Looking very similar to the Russian UMPK glide bomb kit, Ukraine will hope its analog of the air-launched munition is similarly difficult for hostile air defenses to counter.

An informational brochure titled "Protect Your Family from Atomic Bomb Fallout" features an abstract illustration insinuation an explosion on the cover, circa 1961. (Jim Heimann Collection/Getty Images)
Bunker Talk

Bunker Talk: Labor Day Edition Part 2

Hop over here to close the long holiday weekend out.

Yak52 drone hunters
Ukrainian Air Force

This Is How Ukrainian Yak-52 Crews Hunt Russian Drones

Although only small in number, the propeller-driven trainers and their crews' World War I tactics are claimed to be enjoying success in bringing down Russian drones.

Get smart bunkerU
Bunker Talk

Bunker Talk: Labor Day Edition Part 1

"Missed it by THAT much!"

The Pentagon has created a new task force to speed up delivery of counter-small drone systems, but regulatory impediments remain.
Unmanned

New Pentagon Task Force Aims To Accelerate Drone Defense At Home And Abroad

The DoD's new task force will speed delivery of counter-small drone systems and coordinate the military's response to the threat, but regulatory hurdles remain.

Boeing has provided a new rendering for its F/A-XX proposal and it’s remarkably similar to concept artwork that has already been released for its F-47, selected for the U.S. Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) ‘fighter’ initiative. While it’s important to not read too much into the final appearance of either of those aircraft, based on these concepts, the new rendering does, at least, correspond with Boeing’s previous suggestions that the F/A-XX and F-47 would incorporate some commonality.
F-47

Boeing’s New F/A-XX Next Gen Naval Fighter Concept Looks Familiar

Boeing's official art showing its F/A-XX contender is unsurprisingly similar to the F-47, which the company is building for the Air Force.

Kratos has confirmed it is working together with Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) on a derivative of its jet-powered MQM-178 Firejet target drone called the Chien Feng IV.
Unmanned

Taiwan Teams Up With Kratos On Jet-Powered Kamikaze Drone

The Chien Feng IV, derived from Kratos' MQM-178 Firejet target drone, could offer major boost to Taiwan's standoff strike arsenal.

A second Ukrainian military unit is now operating M1 Abrams tanks, most likely donated by Australia.
M1 Abrams

M1 Abrams Tanks Now Being Operated By A Second Ukrainian Unit

The infusion of new armor, most likely from Australia, comes as most of Ukraine's U.S.-donated Abrams tanks have been lost.

The U.S. Air Force is hoping to finally kick off flight testing of the new AN/APQ-188 radar for the B-52 shortly.
B-52

B-52 Radar Upgrade Flight Testing Expected To Finally Begin Soon

Serious delays and cost growth had prompted a review of the B-52 Radar Modernization Program's core requirements.