Read the latest articles from The War Zone (Page 309)

B-1B Bomber That Was Just Retired Almost Got Scrapped More Than A Decade Ago
B-1

B-1B Bomber That Was Just Retired Almost Got Scrapped More Than A Decade Ago

The newly-retired B-1B bomber had already gotten a second lease on life after suffering a major fire on Guam.

Air Force Boss Wants Clean-Sheet Fighter That’s Less Advanced Than F-35 To Replace F-16
F-16

Air Force Boss Wants Clean-Sheet Fighter That’s Less Advanced Than F-35 To Replace F-16

With a "son of F-16" under study, the Air Force's original procurement plan for the F-35 is looking increasingly precarious.

The Air Force Finally Has Its First New AT-6E Wolverine Light Attack Aircraft
Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

The Air Force Finally Has Its First New AT-6E Wolverine Light Attack Aircraft

The Air Force plans to use its small fleet of AT-6Es to help develop a low-cost network for allies and partners, not fly combat missions.

Requirements For New Air Force Doomsday Planes Seem To Preclude Anything But 747s
Air Force One

Requirements For New Air Force Doomsday Planes Seem To Preclude Anything But 747s

The Air Force says it wants "a very large platform" to replace its existing 747-based E-4B airborne command center aircraft.

Russia Claims Its Su-57 Felon Fighter Has Been Testing A New Hypersonic Missile
Russia

Russia Claims Its Su-57 Felon Fighter Has Been Testing A New Hypersonic Missile

Unverified statements suggest Russia is working on an all-new hypersonic air-to-ground missile.

Here’s Our Best Look Yet At Russia’s Secretive Space Cannon, The Only Gun Ever Fired In Space
Cold War

Here’s Our Best Look Yet At Russia’s Secretive Space Cannon, The Only Gun Ever Fired In Space

Based on a design that was intended to protect bombers, the R-23M cannon had an unusual and closely guard design, to begin with.

Air Force F-35 Stealth Fighters Are Now Operating From Guam’s Austere Airfield
F-35

Air Force F-35 Stealth Fighters Are Now Operating From Guam’s Austere Airfield

The drills brought F-35s and F-16s to a jungle-encircled airstrip and are likely a glimpse into the future of tactical jet operations in the Pacific.

Take A Rare Look Inside Russia’s Doomsday Ballistic Missile Warning System
Cold War

Take A Rare Look Inside Russia’s Doomsday Ballistic Missile Warning System

As Russia's early warning network marks 50 years of service, one of its satellite control centers opened its doors.

This Montage Of Bad U-2 Landings Shows How Hard It Is To Tame The Dragon Lady
U-2

This Montage Of Bad U-2 Landings Shows How Hard It Is To Tame The Dragon Lady

Veteran U-2 pilot describes what it takes to enter the elite cadre of Dragon Lady drivers, including learning to land the notoriously touchy jet.

Contractor For U.S.-Led Coalition Dead, U.S. Serviceperson Injured After Rocket Attack In Iraq (Updated)
Iraq

Contractor For U.S.-Led Coalition Dead, U.S. Serviceperson Injured After Rocket Attack In Iraq (Updated)

The rocket attack in Iraq's northern Kurdish region has left additional coalition contractors, as well as bystanders, injured.

This Marine One VH-60N Had Its Iconic Paint Job Blotted Out For Historic Afghanistan Trip
Marine One

This Marine One VH-60N Had Its Iconic Paint Job Blotted Out For Historic Afghanistan Trip

We have never seen Marine One ditch its high-profile scheme before this image came to our attention.

All You Need To Know About Italy’s F-35 Carrier That Just Arrived In The US
U.S. Homeland

All You Need To Know About Italy’s F-35 Carrier That Just Arrived In The US

The Italian Navy's flagship aircraft carrier is about to begin operations with the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter off the U.S. East Coast.

The Navy Wants To Get Rid Of Its Nearly Brand New Patrol Boats
Cyclone Class

The Navy Wants To Get Rid Of Its Nearly Brand New Patrol Boats

The Navy is looking to have all of its Mk VI patrol boats, the oldest of which it acquired just six years ago, decommissioned by the end of the year.

Code Brown As This F-4 Phantom Nearly Collides With A Mosque’s Minaret
F-4

Code Brown As This F-4 Phantom Nearly Collides With A Mosque’s Minaret

The head-up display footage is a reminder of just how fast things can go from calm to terrifying in the fighter flying business.

The Oddly Shaped USS Grayback Was A Cold War Submarine Like No Other
Special Missions Submarines

The Oddly Shaped USS Grayback Was A Cold War Submarine Like No Other

The remarkable sub's story includes launching fighter-sized cruise missiles, attempting to rescue Vietnam War PoWs, and getting painted bright orange.

Russia’s New Helicopter-Transportable Armored Buggy Looks Like A Plague Doctor Mobile
Russia

Russia’s New Helicopter-Transportable Armored Buggy Looks Like A Plague Doctor Mobile

Russia wants an armored, mine resistant truck that can be easily airlifted. Apparently, this thing is what they came up with.

Obscure 23-Year Old Navy SAM Was So Ahead Of Its Time That It’s Still In High Demand Today
U.S. Navy

Obscure 23-Year Old Navy SAM Was So Ahead Of Its Time That It’s Still In High Demand Today

The SM-2 Block IIIB's dual-mode guidance system is still unique among the missiles the Navy's fleet uses to defend against aerial threats.

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

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

We can talk about funky Russian armored vehicle designs, missiles that shoot missiles, submarine collisions—you know, no big whoop!

There’s One Place In The World Where AC-47 Spooky Gunships Still Fly
South America

There’s One Place In The World Where AC-47 Spooky Gunships Still Fly

Veterans of the country's counterinsurgency campaigns, the Colombian Air Force's antique Fantasma gunships are still going strong.

Super Bowl Flyover Offered A Glimpse Of A Future Where Multiple Bomber Types Join Forces In Combat
U.S. Homeland

Super Bowl Flyover Offered A Glimpse Of A Future Where Multiple Bomber Types Join Forces In Combat

The Air Force is exploring how B-1Bs and B-52Hs can work together more directly, including targeting "handoffs" involving stealthy cruise missiles.