Read the latest articles from The War Zone (Page 6)

KC-135 from Edwards air force base refueling a B-21 for the first time.
B-21

B-21 Raider Seen From Above For The First Time

A new image of aerial refueling trials gives us our first full overhead look at the B-21 and a glimpse at some very interesting features.

The U.S. Navy has confirmed that an MQ-4C Triton surveillance drone crashed back on April 9.
MQ-4C

Navy MQ-4C Triton Surveillance Drone Crash In The Middle East Finally Confirmed

The MQ-4C had been flying over the Persian Gulf on April 9 when it suddenly disappeared from online flight tracking sites.

While several ships have transited the Strait of Hormuz, CENTCOM says its blockade is working.
Iran

Navy Turns Around Ships Trying To Run Blockade Of Iran (Updated)

Meanwhile, CENTCOM says the blockade is working as communications between Washington and Tehran continue in hopes of more in-person talks.

An F-35A Lightning II from Eglin Air Force Base flies with a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 121st Air Refueling Wing, June 16, 2024, before the Columbus Air Show. This year’s event featured more than 20 military and civilian planes, including a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 121st Air Refueling Wing, which served as the base of operations for military aircraft participating in the show.
F-35A

Air Guard Warns Of Dire Consequences If At Least 72 Fighters Aren’t Bought Annually

Air National Guard leaders have called upon Congress to approve multiyear funding for 72 to 100 new fighters annually.

The US Air Force has been work working to improve the ability of HC-130J Combat King II combat search and rescue aircraft carrying Angry Kitten pods to receive reprogramming updates in near-real-time via satellite.
C-130

Angry Kitten Jamming Pod Testing On HC-130J Focuses On Receiving Threat Updates Via Satellite

Being able to rapidly reprogram Angry Kitten pods remotely based on the real-time threat environment would be hugely valuable.

OMAN - APRIL 08: A view of the vessels heading towards the Strait of Hormuz following the two-week temporary ceasefire reached between the United States and Iran on the condition that the strait be reopened, seen in Oman on April 08, 2026.
Iran

Naval Blockade Of Iran Now In Full Effect (Updated)

Maritime restrictions have been put in place by the U.S. along the entire Iranian coastline, not just the Strait of Hormuz.

A new Ukrainian surface-to-air missile appears to have made its first public appearance. The weapon is apparently an example of the Koral (also sometimes spelled Coral), the development of which has been known about for some time, as part of an effort to field homegrown ground-based air defense systems, something that the head of Ukraine’s Brave1 defense tech incubator discussed with TWZ in the past.
Ukrainian Army

This May Be Our Best Look At Ukraine’s Secretive New Surface-To-Air Missile

The Koral surface-to-air missile apparently made its public debut as part of a recent lineup of homegrown weapon systems.

A flurry of activity by American minesweeping vessels in the Pacific comes as the U.S. military has said it is sending additional forces to help clear Iranian mines from the Strait of Hormuz.
Naval Mines

Flurry Of Navy Minesweepers Appear To Be Heading Toward The Middle East

The migration of U.S. Navy minesweeping assets west from the Pacific indicates preparations are underway for a major de-mining operation.

The Marines are keeping an eye on the progress of a seaglider drone.
Unmanned

Regent Squire Wing-In-Ground Effect Drone Demonstrator Makes First Flight

Squire is designed to take on multiple roles and the Marines say they are monitoring the aircraft's progress.

KC-135 seen with battle damage repairs landing at RAF Midlenhall.
KC-135

KC-135 Tanker Covered In Shrapnel Patches Seen Landing In UK

A KC-135 damaged in an Iranian strike has made its way to RAF Mildenhall in the UK thanks to field repairs.

TWZ Carrier Tracker as of April 12 2026 monitoring American carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups.
Carrier Tracker

Carrier Tracker As of April 12, 2026

Trump orders U.S. Navy to blockade Strait of Hormuz as a third carrier strike group steams towards the CENTCOM area of responsibility.

A new and not immediately recognizable launcher has emerged on the U.S. Navy's Arleigh Burke class destroyer USS Carl M. Levin.
Drones

U.S. Navy Destroyer Equipped With New Launcher For Unknown Weapons

The Arleigh Burke class destroyer USS Carl M. Levin has received an interesting new addition to its aft upper deck.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg receives a brief from U.S. Air Force Gen. John Hyten, commander of U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), during an orientation of the command’s battle deck at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., April 6, 2018. During his visit, Stoltenberg toured the command’s global operations center and participated in discussions with Hyten, other senior leaders and subject matter experts on the continuing U.S. commitment to supporting NATO and allies. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Julie R. Matyascik)
Bunker Talk

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

A tactical pause?

Hezbollah is stepping up its FPV attacks on the IDF.
Unmanned

Hezbollah Ramping Up FPV Drone Attacks On IDF In Lebanon

As Israel drives deeper into Lebanon, it is presenting more targets for Hezbollah's FPV drones.

OMAN - APRIL 08: A view of the vessels passing through Strait of Hormuz following the two-week temporary ceasefire reached between the United States and Iran on the condition that the strait be reopened, seen in Oman on April 08, 2026. (Photo by Shady Alassar/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Iran

Iran’s Chokehold On Hormuz Remains On The Eve Of Peace Talks In Pakistan (Updated)

The list of contested issues that the U.S. and Iran will have to come to some form of agreement on is long and complex.

A graphic showing aircraft losses during EPIC FURY.
Air

Operation Epic Fury U.S. Aircraft Losses Visualized

Here are all the known American aircraft losses during the nearly six week-long war with Iran.

Navy Calls It Quits On Attack Submarine USS Boise’s Never Ending Overhaul
Los Angeles Class

Navy Calls It Quits On Attack Submarine USS Boise’s Never Ending Overhaul

The USS Boise has been stuck in limbo for more than a third of its career, and was still years and billions of dollars away from returning to service.

A Bahraini F-16 fighter recorded the first air-to-air kill for the Block 70/72 version of the jet during the conflict in the Middle East earlier this month.
F-16

Bahrain First To Claim F-16 Block 70 Air-To-Air Kills

The Bahraini advanced F-16 shot down two Iranian drones during the conflict in the Middle East earlier this month.

A former Pentagon official offers unique insights into the creation of the LUCAS drone.
Drones

How America’s Shahed-136 Kamikaze Drone Clone Suddenly Became An “Indispensable” Weapon Of War

Michael Horowitz, who pushed for the LUCAS drone program while at the Pentagon, offers unique insights into its genesis and future.

Israeli F-16 departs for combat mission.
Iran

Iran Ceasefire Hangs In Balance As Israel Bombards Lebanon (Updated)

Energy prices are climbing amid concerns that shipping through the strait remains minimal even after the U.S.‑Iran ceasefire announcement.