Read the latest articles from The War Zone (Page 22)

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.
AGM-114 Hellfire

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

Hellfires equipped with the new warheads will give MQ-9s and AC-130s the flexibility to engage widely different targets with the same missile.

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has provided us with a look at the future, stealthier version of its KF-21 fighter, which is now known as the KF-21EX. Concept artwork of the refined version of the jet has been released, with internal weapons carriage being its distinguishing feature. This is part of an effort to make the KF-21 more survivable in the face of ever more capable air defense systems, although the resulting aircraft will not offer the same level of low observability as the F-35, which is also operated by South Korea.
Republic of Korea Air Force

South Korea’s KF-21 Fighter To Get Stealthier With Internal Weapons Bays

Adding internal weapons bays to the KF-21 will make it better able to penetrate air defenses while dropping heavy bunker-busting weapons.

A 9th Reconnaissance Wing TU-2S Dragon Lady piloted by Cory “ULTRALORD” Bartholomew, 1st Reconnaissance Squadron (RS) assigned flight safety officer and U-2 instructor pilot, and Lt. Col. “JETHRO”, 1st RS instructor pilot and U-2 chief pilot, lands at Beale Air Force Base (AFB), California, Aug. 1st, 2025. “ULTRALORD” and “JETHRO”’s flight took place on the 70th anniversary of the U-2’s first flight and broke the endurance records for the U-2, flying longer than 14 hours and traveled over 6,000 nautical miles. This flight tested the capabilities of the U-2 and its pilots to its limit and showcased Beale AFB’s capacity as a power projection platform to rapidly respond to adversary actions anywhere in the world. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Frederick A. Brown)
U-2

U-2 Pilot On What It Took To Make Record-Setting 14-Hour Flight A Reality

The U-2 just flew the longest mission of its flying career on the 70th anniversary of its first flight, but the type's future is very much in doubt.

A fuel venting issue has emerged in some of the U.S. Air Force's new F-15EX Eagle II fighters, which has reportedly left them sidelined.
F-15

F-15EX Fuel Venting Troubles Emerge, Boeing Testing Fixes

A fuel venting issue has reportedly sidelined a number of the Air Force's new F-15EX Eagle II fighters.

The latest addition to China’s growing family of Shenyang J-15 carrier-based fighter series, the J-15DT electronic warfare version, appears to have entered operational service. Crucially, this electronic attack Flanker is equipped for operations aboard catapult-equipped aircraft carriers like the Fujian, which recently began to host fixed-wing aircraft trials. Progress with the J-15DT points not only to China’s the scope of carrier aviation ambitions, but the growing focus on catapult assisted takeoff but arrested recovery (CATOBAR) operations, which offer many advantages.
Flankers

Our Best Look At China’s New J-15DT Carrier-Based Electronic Warfare Jet

The J-15DT electronic attack jet is optimized for new catapult-equipped aircraft carriers, but may well also embark on older Chinese flattops.

Another chinese stealthy tailless combat jet emerges.
Loyal Wingman

New Chinese Stealth Tactical Jet Breaks Cover

We breakdown the possibilities of what this new stealth aircraft could be and its potential mission.

An upgraded derivative of Japan's Mogami class frigate has won a competition to become the Royal Australian Navy's next major surface warship.
Royal Australian Navy

Japan’s Futuristic Mogami Frigate Will Be Australia’s Next Warship

Australia is now set to operate a fleet of Mogami class frigates through a first-of-its kind defense export deal for post-World War II Japan.

GMARS
M142 HIMARS

Wheeled Launcher With Double The Weapons Of HIMARS Completes First Successful Test Firing

Rheinmetall and Lockheed developed the Global Mobile Artillery Rocket System as demand for guided-rocket launchers grows, especially in Europe.

Tracking Moving Aircraft Via Radar Satellites Instead Of Surveillance Jets Still Far From Reality
Early Warning/DSP/SBIRS

Tracking Moving Aircraft Via Radar Satellites Instead Of Surveillance Jets Still Far From Reality

Space Force says it is more focused on new satellites to track surface targets amid concerns about slashing the E-7 early warning jet program.

Massive $3.5B AIM-120 order placed.
AIM-120 AMRAAM

Biggest AIM-120 Missile Order Ever Just Signed By Pentagon

Raytheon was awarded a $3.5 billion contract to provide AIM-120s to 19 nations as concerns over the supply of anti-air missiles grow.

U-2 dragon lady's 70th anniversary record setting.
U-2

U-2 Just Set New Records On The 70th Anniversary Of Its First Flight (Updated)

Though targeted for retirement by the U.S. Air Force, the U-2 still brings a lot of capabilities to the table.

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, CO - DECEMBER 9: Around-the-clock crews monitor U.S. skies from the command center of the Northern Command December 9, 2002 located deep within Cheyenne Mountain at the foot of the Rocky Mountains near Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Cold War-era station now monitors homeland security as well as foreign nuclear threats. Every commercial plane in U.S. air space is monitored from the center. Crews reporting unruly passengers or planes that drop from radio contact are given special attention since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. (Photo by Kevin Moloney/Getty Images)
Bunker Talk

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

Your eyes will adjust to the darkness... In time.

Signs are growing that China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is close to demonstrating its ability to launch and recover aircraft from its first catapult-equipped aircraft carrier, the Fujian, if it has not done so already.
People's Liberation Army Navy (China)

China Teases First Catapult Launches From Its New Carrier Fujian

Launching jets in an operational manner would be a critical milestone for China's first catapult-equipped aircraft carrier.

Ukraine rescued a stranded soldier via drone and electric bike
Russia

Drone-Dropped Electric Bikes Save Ukrainian Soldier Trapped Behind Enemy Lines

The operation is a glimpse of what's to come as self-rescue with the help of drones and new mobility technologies is becoming a necessity.

The Senate Appropriations Committee has advanced a draft defense spending bill that would reverse the Pentagon's plan to freeze the U.S. Navy's F/A-XX next-generation carrier-based combat jet program.
E-7

Congress Moves To Save Gutted F/A-XX 6th Generation Naval Fighter Program

A draft defense spending bill would also reverse the Pentagon's decision to axe the Air Force's E-7 radar plane program.

Russia's use of jet-powered Shahed drones adds another layer of pressure on Ukraine's air defenses.
Russia

Russia’s Jet Powered Shahed Kamikaze Drone Is A Big Problem For Ukraine

The altitude and speed at which the drones fly makes them far more difficult to shoot down, requiring increasingly scarce higher-performance SAMs.

The Navy's new plans for a family of uncrewed surface vessels (USV), focused more on modular, containerized payloads than specific hull designs, are coming into sharper focus.
U.S. Navy

Navy Unmasks Its Vision For Fleet Of Uncrewed Modular Surface Attack Craft

The Navy's plans for a family of MASC drone vessels are centered on containerized missile launchers and sensor packages.

F-35C Crashes At Naval Air Station Lemoore (Updated)
F-35

F-35C Crashes At Naval Air Station Lemoore (Updated)

NAS Lemoore is the Navy's master strike fighter base on the west coast.

Mexican cartel members reportedly fought Russians in Ukraine to learn how to use FPV drones against domestic rivals.
U.S. Homeland

Cartel Members Fought In Ukraine To Learn FPV Drone Skills: Report

Obtaining hands-on experience in how to employ FPV drones as weapons in Ukraine could radically speed up the learning curve for Mexican cartels.

The U.S. Navy is scrapping a P-8A Poseidon that ended up in Hawaii’s Kaneohe Bay back in 2023, marking the first total loss of one of these aircraft.
P-8

Navy Scraps P-8 Poseidon That Ran Off The Runway In Hawaii Two Years Ago

The P-8A had suffered significant damage in the mishap, which was compounded further by sitting in salt water for roughly two weeks.