Read the latest articles from The War Zone (Page 63)

Recent satellite imagery shows a curious white-colored object at the end of the runway at a remote airstrip in northwestern China.
X-37B

Mysterious Object Appears At Remote Chinese Airfield Linked To Spaceplane Program

The remote airstrip with one of the longest runways in the world is where at least one Chinese spaceplane flight looks to have concluded in 2020.

The Pentagon says more tests are required to verify that the 25mm automatic cannon mounted internally on the F-35A variant of the Joint Strike Fighter is indeed now an effective weapon.
F-35A

F-35A’s 25mm Gun Still Needs Tests To Verify It Works

The internal 25mm cannon on the F-35A has been beset by serious problems over the years that left it unable to shoot straight.

An advanced Russian air defense radar system is among the equipment captured by anti-regime forces in Syria as they continue their rapid push south, with the potential for serious repercussions in the wider region. The Podlet-K1 radar system, also known by the designation 48Ya6-K1, is one of the more modern pieces of equipment in its class and would be a significant intelligence windfall if it finds its way into Western hands.
S-300

Russia’s Advanced Podlet-1K Radar Captured By Anti-Assad Forces In Syria

Among many pieces of equipment now in anti-regime forces' hands, the modern air defense radar system may well be the most prized.

USS Boxer at sea. (U.S. Nav)
Amphibious Vehicles

The Navy’s Amphibious Fleet Is In Really Bad Shape

The 'Gator Navy' is facing a major readiness crisis with no near-term relief in sight, according to a scathing report from the Government Accountability Office.

Russian fighter base in Syria
Russian Air Force

Russia’s Prized Bases Along The Mediterranean In Syria Could Be At Risk

With Russia's resources being poured into its war in Ukraine, defending its naval base and airfield in Syria would be more of a challenge than three years ago.

The Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) recently commissioned the first of its new KDX-III Batch 2 destroyers, also known as the Sejong Daewang class. Among the many advanced features incorporated in these warships, especially striking is the latest version of the Korean Vertical Launch System — KVLS-II — which is initially planned to hold surface-to-air missiles, but which could well also add land attack cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles.
South Korea

South Korea’s New Destroyer Is Designed To Fire Ballistic Missiles

South Korea's Jeongjo the Great destroyer is the first of a group of warships fitted with supersized vertical launch system cells.

A U.S. official said U.S. forces backed an SDF raid on ISIS troops in eastern Syria.
Syria

Claims Swirl Around U.S. Strikes In Eastern Syria (Updated)

The U.S. insists that it supported an operation against ISIS that had no connection with anti-Assad offensive, reports state otherwise.

South Korean military forces have descended on the country's parliament building and other parts of the capital Seoul following President Yoon Suk Yeol's unexpected declaration of martial law.
North Korea

Surprise Martial Law Declaration Throws South Korea Into Turmoil (Updated)

South Korean troops appeared at the country's parliament and elsewhere in the capital after President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration.

The Qatari landing ship dock Al Fulk.
Amphibious Assault Ships

Qatar’s Strange New Warship Combines Air Defense Frigate And Amphibious Assault Ship Roles

The 'unique' Al Fulk has vertical launch systems, a big flight deck, a deck gun, and a well deck, all in a relatively efficient package.

Russian and Syrian airstrikes are slowing the advance by anti-government rebels.
Syria

Airstrikes Slow Advance Of Anti-Assad Forces In Syria

While the anti-regime fighters continue to push south, Russian and Syrian airpower is putting those movements under increasing pressure.

The last of the classic Cold War-era MiG-21 Fishbed fighters in Europe have ben stood down from operational duties. Assigned to NATO, the Croatian Air Force was the last European operator of the MiG-21, a type that originally entered service back in 1959 and which had been a presence over the continent ever since then, in the hands of over a dozen different nations.
MiG-21

Final MiG-21 Fishbeds Stand Down From Active Duty In Europe

End of an era marked as Croatian MiG-21s end their operational duties ahead of their replacement by Dassault Rafales.

A U.S. Air Force F-16C Viper fighter has conducted the first release of a test version of the Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW) missile.
F-16

Stand-In Attack Missile Released From Fighter For First Time In USAF Test

Flight testing of the Stand-In Attack Weapon, under development to help the USAF strike key time-sensitive targets, is now fully underway.

Additional photos provide a much more detailed look at the mysterious Chinese flattop that TWZ was first to report on, and which recently went to sea, apparently for its first trials. While the function of this vessel remains unknown, the recently published photos do confirm that it’s intended to operate rotary-wing aircraft (perhaps in addition to fixed-wing drones), but there are no obvious signs of catapults or arrester cables of the kind that would be used for operating heavier fixed-wing types. There is also no indication that the vessel has a floodable well-deck like those found on many amphibious warfare ships.
People's Liberation Army Navy (China)

Detailed Deck View Emerges Of China’s Mysterious Aircraft Carrier-Like Ship

New photos of the flattop reveal additional details, but the precise role of this intriguing vessel remains unclear.

German firm Helsing says production of its HX-2 kamikaze drone, thousands of which are expected to be sent to Ukraine, is underway.
Loitering Munitions

AI-Enabled HX-2 Kamikaze Drones Now In Production For Ukraine

The German HX-2 will give Ukraine a new way to strike targets at stand-off ranges, but also reflects trends beyond that conflict.

Rebel forces have taken most of Aleppo.
Iran

Aleppo Has Fallen, Assad’s Forces Regrouping As Rebels Blitz South

The rebel forces' blitz south is impressive, but holding all that territory will be put to the test if a robust response materializes.

Fighters fire towards Syrian Army troops in the Rashidin district on the outskirts of Aleppo on November 29, 2024, as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) jihadists and allied factions continue their offensive in the Aleppo province against government forces. The jihadists along with Turkey-backed factions launched this week a shock offensive against Syrian regime troops and sparked the deadliest battle the country has seen in years, with the violence killing so far 242 people, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The war monitor said most of the victims were combatants on both sides but also including civilians.
Iran

Rebel Forces Enter Syria’s Second Largest City Of Aleppo

A surprise offensive launched against the Assad regime earlier this week has made startling progress in northwest Syria.

050714-N-5345W-093 Atlantic Ocean (July 14, 2005) – Landing Signal Officers watch as an F-14B Tomcat, assigned to the "Swordsmen" of Fighter Squadron Three Two (VF-32), catches an arresting wire with its tail hook aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Truman is currently conducting carrier qualifications and operations off the East Coast and is also participating in a Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) with USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). JTFEX is a key component in the training cycle of an aircraft carrier and carrier air wing in the U.S. Navy Fleet Response Plan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Kristopher Wilson (RELEASED)
Bunker Talk

Bunker Talk: Turkey Day Edition

It's all gravy baby!

Mystery drones have flown over USAF bases in the UK for an eighth day.
B-52

Drone Incursions Over USAF Bases In UK Enter Second Week

A week into the drone incursion flap in the United Kingdom and there remain many more questions than answers.

An old-time Navy thanksgiving.
U.S. Navy

Navy Ship Menus From Thanksgivings Past

A look way back at what U.S. Navy sailors ate for Thanksgiving while on the high seas.

One especially interesting detail about the Phoenix Ghost family of kamikaze drones has now emerged: the different types can be configured to launch attacks straight down while passing overhead rather than having to careen into their targets and detonate.
Loitering Munitions

Warheads In Phoenix Ghost Kamikaze Drones Blast Straight Down Like Air Burst Artillery Rounds

Air-bursting top-down attacks offer benefits against troops and softer-skinned targets in trenches or behind cover, as well as ones out in the open.