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The air war currently unfolding between India and Pakistan is exceedingly murky, but one aspect that seems almost certain is the use of the Chinese-made PL-15 active-radar-guided air-to-air missile (AAM) by Pakistan. So far, Pakistan claims to have shot down five Indian aircraft and at least one Indian official has reportedly confirmed the crash of three aircraft but cautioned that the reasons were not clear. Unverified imagery suggests that one of the Indian Air Force’s prized Rafale multirole fighters may have been shot down. Regardless, the fighting between the two nuclear-armed states is the most intense for decades, now with the growing risk of the situation spiraling further out of control.
Rafale

China’s PL-15 Air-To-Air Missile Appears To Have Been Used In Combat For The First Time

The apparent use of China's PL-15 by Pakistan in the recent eruption of hostilities with India comes as Rafale shoot-down claims swirl.

Hornet crashed aboard the USS Harry S Truman
F/A-18E/F

Super Hornet Crashes Landing On USS Truman, Its Second F/A-18 Loss In A Week

USS Harry S. Truman has been striking the Houthis, with the other F/A-18 rolling off the deck during an attack on the ship by the rebels last week.

India Strikes, Pakistan Responds, Claims Of Aircraft Losses Mount (Updated)
India

India Strikes, Pakistan Responds, Claims Of Aircraft Losses Mount (Updated)

Indian attacks on targets inside Pakistani-controlled territory prompted an immediate reaction, and there are fears of further escalation.

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

Leidos is looking at also making the Black Arrow available for ground and sea-based launch platforms, from HIMARS to warships.

AeroVironment has rolled out a new long-range loitering one-way attack drone called Red Dragon that the company designed to operate with very "limited user interaction."
Loitering Munitions

Red Dragon Highly-Autonomous One-Way Attack Drone Unveiled

AeroVironment's Red Dragon, which is said to already be combat proven, can find its own targets and doesn't need GPS for precision navigation.

Raytheon has begun test flights of its compact PhantomStrike radar, which features an active electronically scanned array (AESA) and gallium nitride (GaN) technology. Most significantly, the manufacturer claims that PhantomStrike — which has already been ordered by Poland — brings all the benefits of an AESA antenna at a much lower price point than other radars in its class.
Loyal Wingman

PhantomStrike Low-Cost Lightweight AESA Radar Flies For First Time

The air-cooled AESA is a major contender to equip fighter-like loyal wingman drones, along with other air, land and sea platforms.

Can The OA-1K Skyraider II Actually Be Useful In A Pacific Fight?
Light Air Support

Can The OA-1K Skyraider II Actually Be Useful In A Pacific Fight?

The USAF thinks air-launched drones, standoff weapons, and its ability to fly from remote locations may give the OA-1K relevance in high-end combat.

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)
Russia

Electronic Warfare Lessons From Ukraine Informing Air Force Special Operations Future

Observations from Ukraine about rapidly adapting platforms and systems to changing battlefield realities is also driving major change in AFSOC.

XQ-58 rocket launch from its rail launcher system.
XQ-58

Kratos Close To “A Couple” Final Versions Of XQ-58 Valkyrie For The Marines

As the USMC moves along with XQ-58 testing, Kratos has its sights on the second increment of the USAF's Collaborative Combat Aircraft tender.

Small missile for CCA and fighter aircraft sought by USAF.
F-35

Air Force Looking For Cheap Air-To-Air Missile Half The Size Of AMRAAM

The Air Force is eyeing a pint-sized, extended-range, low-cost missile to arm Collaborative Combat Aircraft and crewed fighters.

AIM-9 Sidewinder-Armed Ukrainian Drone Boat: What We Know
Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs)

AIM-9 Sidewinder-Armed Ukrainian Drone Boat: What We Know

The legacy AIM-9 is a highly-proven and available weapon that has a ship-launched past, but doing so from Ukraine's drone boats presents interesting challenges.

The planned live-fire sinking of a decommissioned warship at the Balikatan exercise in the Philippines was struck a blow after the ship in question sunk before navies had a chance to pummel it with weapons. The World War II-era corvette BRP Miguel Malvar (PS-19) was being positioned at the start of the exercise, which continued regardless, including other live-fire events.
Sea

Ship Sinks Just Before Being Pummeled With Weapons In Pacific Exercise

Built in World War II, the decommissioned Philippine Navy corvette sank just hours before it was due to be sacrificed in a U.S.-Filipino sinking exercise.

Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov told us that Ukraine used drone-boat AIM-9 missiles to down two Russian SU-30 Flankers over the Black Sea.
Ukraine

Two Russian Su-30 Flankers Downed By AIM-9s Fired From Drone Boats: Ukrainian Intel Boss

The event marks the first time drone boats downed fighters and the first successful use of AIM-9 missiles to take down any aircraft via drone boat.

The Marines are investigating the use of the REGENT Viceroy sea glider to deliver troops, cargo and perform other functions in contested areas.
Logistics Ships

Seaglider Aims To Deliver Small Groups Of Marines Low Over The Waves

Eyeing a future fight in the Pacific, the USMC is seeking craft that can swiftly and efficiently move small loads of troops and materiel to austere locales.

NANTWICH, ENGLAND - MAY 24: The nuclear strike mapping room view inside the former RAF Hack Green secret nuclear bunker on May 24, 2023 in Nantwich, England. Hack Green played a central role in the defence of Britain for almost sixty years. It was chosen during WW2 to protect the land between Birmingham and Liverpool from hostile attack and as a location for the new RADAR equipment. The bunker went on to be used for shelter and protection during the Cold War. As relations between East and West thawed many of the UK's nuclear bunkers were sold off. The Secret Bunker is now privately owned by the Siebert family and is run as a museum trust. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Bunker Talk

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

We are running out of light bulbs.

A US Army soldier with an XM7 rifle.
Assault Rifles

Army Captain Slams New XM7 Rifle As “Unfit,” Sig Sauer Says Otherwise (Updated)

The infantry officer and Expeditionary Warfare School student presented his findings, which lambasted the new rifle for its ergonomics, weight, and durability.

Procurement of the MQ-1C Gray Eagle for the U.S. Army may end, with the drone being among the platforms that the service could lose under a wide-ranging force-structure overhaul. The development comes as the drone’s manufacturer continues to develop modernized versions of the Gray Eagle, as well as add new equipment and capabilities.
Air

Stop Buying MQ-1C Gray Eagle Drones Army’s Top Leadership Decrees

The Army's top leadership wants to end procurement of the MQ-1C, a type which they have branded “obsolete.”

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 07: U.S. President Donald Trump (R) speaks alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with a model of Air Force One on the table, during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on April 7, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump is meeting with Netanyahu to discuss ongoing efforts to release Israeli hostages from Gaza and newly imposed U.S. tariffs. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Air Force One

Is An ‘Interim’ Air Force One Replacement Even Feasible?

Reports state that Trump is looking to convert a Qatari royal flight 747 into a less exquisite Air Force One as Boeing's delays on the VC-25Bs stack up.

Marine AH-1Z Attack Helicopter’s Mystery Missiles Identified
AH-1

Marine AH-1Z Attack Helicopter’s Mystery Missiles Identified

The modular Red Wolf launched effects weapon could give Marine AH-1Zs a key new standoff strike tool and open the door to other capabilities.

Marine MV-22 Ospreys Won’t Get Tanker Capability To Refuel F-35Bs Anytime Soon
MV-22

Marine MV-22 Ospreys Won’t Get Tanker Capability To Refuel F-35Bs Anytime Soon

MV-22 tanker capability was a priority over a decade ago, but now, even as range has become more critical than ever, the program is going nowhere.