Read the latest articles from The War Zone (Page 49)

U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler from Electronic Attack Squadron 135
EA-18G

EA-18G Growler Crashes Into San Diego Bay (Updated)

The electronic attack tactical jet crashed near Naval Air Station North Island, which is partially surrounded by San Diego Bay.

The first General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcons received by Ukraine fly on the Day of Ukrainian Air Force on August 4, 2024 in Unspecified, Ukraine. At the event for the Day of Ukrainian Air Force with the participation of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi, the first General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcons received by Ukraine were demonstrated.
F-16

New Shots Of Ukrainian F-16s Shine Light On Combat Missions

A photo and video reveal some of the stores used by Ukrainian Air Force Vipers after a little more than six months in service.

Russia's Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighter jet begins preparations and adaptive flight training for the upcoming 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, or Airshow China 2024, on November 7, 2024 in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province of China. The 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition will be held in Zhuhai from November 12 to 17.
Su-57

Algeria Says It’s The Su-57 Felon’s First Export Customer

Fifteen years after it was first flown, the Su-57 has won its first export in Algeria, according to the country’s state-run media.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth utilized a Silver Bullet Command and Control module on his first overseas trip.
C-17

C-17’s ‘Silver Bullet’ Airstream Trailer Pod Used By Secretary Of Defense Hegseth On First Overseas Trip

The Silver Bullet Command and Control Modules are scheduled to be replaced later this year after more than three decades of service.

Mystery Tiltrotor Aircraft Emerges
Future Vertical Lift

Mystery Tiltrotor Aircraft Emerges

The aircraft, spotted at Mojave Air & Space Port, is relatively large, with tilt-rotor nacelles on its wingtips and smaller rotors located outboard of its fuselage.

An E/A-18G Growler. (U.S. Navy)
EA-18G

How The EA-18G Growler’s Next-Generation Jamming Pod Went To War On Its First Cruise

Here is what the squadron commander and program manager said about the EA-18G's new AN/ALQ-249 jamming pods, which were thrust into combat last year.

Syrian forces prevented a large heavily armed Russian convoy from entering the port of Tartus.
Syria

Russian Military Convoy Blocked From Entering Port Of Tartus In Syria

Syrian troops turned away Russians from the port, which has acted as a critical node for the continuing withdrawal of Moscow's forces.

Three nozzle binding mishaps on KC-46 Pegasus aerial refueling tankers have cost the AIr Force nearly $23 million
KC-46

Tankers Flood Airspace Off The California Coast For China-Focused Air Combat Exercise

The latest Bamboo Eagle exercise reflects plans for ever-larger air combat exercises as part of preparations for a high-end fight with China.

Members of Marine Aerial Refueler Squadron-234, (VMGR-234) provide aerial refueling to French Mirage 2000 Fighters from a K C-130J over Djibouti, May 24, 2021. VMGR-234 supports Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) with aerial refueling operations, extending the reach of fixed and rotary wing aircraft.
Rafale

French Fighters Downed “Nearly A Dozen Drones” In Red Sea Combat

As the first Mirage 2000s arrive in Ukraine, the French Air Force confirms that these jets, as well as Rafales, have been used to shoot down Houthi drones.

The Philippine Mars flying boat made its final flight today.
Military Aviation History

The Last Mars Flying Boat Just Made Its Final Flight

The vintage maritime patrol flying boat turned water bomber's final destination will be the Pima Air and Space Museum.

The Ukrainian Air Force has shared some rare views of S-300V1 surface-to-air missile systems firing their 26-foot-long 9M83 interceptors.
S-300

Rare Look At S-300V1 Surface-To-Air Missile Systems In Action In Ukraine

The S-300V1 with its big interceptors has been one of Ukraine's only air defense systems capable of knocking down ballistic missiles.

New imagery has appeared showing the Chinese J-20 stealth fighter carrying external air-to-air missiles, mirroring the so-called ‘beast mode’ that we’ve seen on U.S. fifth-generation fighters.
J-20

China’s J-20 Fighter Is Now Flying In ‘Beast Mode’

The configuration could see the J-20 carry up to 14 air-to-air missiles today, and 16 tomorrow, but with the sacrifice of stealth.

Russian troops built a mesh net 'tunnel' to protect against Ukrainian FPV drones.
Russia

Russians Erect Mesh Net ‘Tunnel’ Over A Mile Long To Counter Ukrainian FPV Drones

Enclosing an entire roadway in mesh netting is the latest in an ongoing effort to protect against these highly maneuverable weapons.

Indian drone maker NewSpace Research and Technologies has officially unveiled a new jet-powered loyal wingman-type drone called Abhimanyu.
Loyal Wingman

Indian Naval Collaborative Drone Concept Unveiled

The Indian Navy is actively pursuing the Abhimanyu drone as a potential future companion for its crewed carrier-based aircraft.

Russian and American fighter jets join India's biggest air show The Aero India 2025 for the first time in New Delhi, India on February 10, 2025. For the first time in history, the air show is witnessing "the participation of two of the world's most advanced fifth-generation fighter aircraft - the Russian Su-57 and the American F-35 Lightning II," the Indian Defense Ministry said.
F-35A

F-35 And Su-57 Face Off In India

The unprecedented meeting of F-35 and Su-57 comes as the Indian Air Force looks at a range of possible imported combat jets to fulfill pressing needs.

(Original Caption) 12/2/1962-Nebraska- New visiual display system designed to expediate command and control of Strategic Air Commands far flung retalitory forces in operation in the Commands' underground Control Center here.
Bunker Talk

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

It may not smell great, but it's a safe from what's going on above.

Beirut bunker buster CCTV on hezbollah bunker
Israeli Air Force

Unprecedented New View Of BLU-109 Bunker Buster Strike That Killed Hezbollah’s Leadership

The video shows the moment the bunker busters struck, burrowing deep below the road and detonating with such force that the ground is lifted all around.

The Russians say they thwarted a plot to blow up FPV drone operators with explosive-laden goggles.
Russia

Explosive-Laden Goggles Sent To Russian FPV Drone Operators

Russia is searching for the perpetrators of a scheme designed to blow up the heads of FPV drones operators, or at least induce fear of their kit.

A video showing testing of the Chinese GL-6 hard-kill active protection system underscores how systems like this to provide a valuable additional layer of defense against uncrewed aerial threats, including highly maneuverable first-person view (FPV) kamikaze drones, something TWZ has previously explored in an in-depth feature.
People's Liberation Army (China)

Chinese Tank’s Active Protection System Seen Intercepting Drone-Fired Rocket Propelled Grenade

Testing of the GL-6 highlights the potential value of hard-kill active protection systems for defending tanks against drone attacks.

Tankers from the 33rd separate mechanized brigade of the Ukrainian Ground Forces fire with a Leopard 2A4 tank during a field training at an undisclosed location in Ukraine on October 27, 2024, amid the Russian invasion on Ukraine.
Leopard

Germany Kicks Off Work On Leopard 3 Main Battle Tank

Enhanced firepower, protection, and mobility are all requirements as Germany begins to look for a successor to its Leopard 2 tanks.