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A notional light fighter concept has been presented by the U.S. Air Force’s senior uniformed officer, providing a thought-provoking insight on one direction that the service’s future combat fleet could take. The concept emerges as Air Force officials are increasingly questioning the requirements for the crewed sixth-generation stealth combat jet being developed as part of its Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) initiative.
NGAD

Air Force Floats Light Stealth Fighter Concept As Its Heavy Fighter Program May Be In Jeopardy

The Air Force’s top officer touted the concept as a path to develop a less expensive and more flexible fighter design, which is odd considering a top priority was the service’s NGAD heavy fighter.

A tank simulator built for online war gaming
News & Features

Guy Built This Fully-Crewed Tank Simulator That Uses Empty Soda Bottles For Shells

The home-built virtual tank simulator is operated by three people and runs World Of Tanks for its software.

Thousands of Russian troops are likely trapped in a pocket of Kursk Oblast after Ukraine destroyed three bridges over the Seim River.
Around The Globe

Thousands Of Russian Troops In Kursk Likely Trapped By Blown Bridges

Ukraine is trying to close in on Russian troops south of the Seim River to clear out another pocket of Russia's Kursk Oblast.

The U.S. Army is looking at paragliders as a way to give conventional forces, especially airborne units, new options for getting around the battlefield and surveilling enemy forces.
U.S. Army

U.S. Army Has A Plan For Paragliding Paratroopers

Paragliders could give airborne and other Army units valuable new ways to get around and perform other missions on contested battlefields.

A drone scare around the U.S. Air Force's Plant 42 in California, a major hub for advanced aerospace development work, including highly classified military programs, has led to revelations about a real wave of mysterious drone incursions in recent months.
U.S. Air Force

Palmdale UFO Scare Leads To Revelations About Mystery Drone Incursions Over Secretive Plant 42

While it isn't clear if the two are related, our investigation into the sightings has revealed that the home to Skunk Works has experienced a very concerning rash of drone incursions.

Ukrainian troops are pushing westward in Russia's Kursk Oblast as part of an effort to crea
Around The Globe

Ukraine Pushing Westward In Kursk To Create A “Buffer Zone”

After dropping multiple bridges, Ukraine's push westward, south of the Seim River, would give it more Russian territory along its border.

US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden step off of Marine One, the new model Sikorsky VH-92A, upon arrival at Soldier Field Landing zone in Chicago, Illinois, on August 19, 2024. President Biden is delivering the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention opening night.
VH-92

VH-92 Helicopter Has Finally Flown Its First ‘Marine One’ Mission (Updated)

President Joe Biden today took his first flight aboard the VH-92A Patriot helicopter after years of delays to the program.

Laser Weapon on type 071.
People's Liberation Army Navy (China)

Laser Weapon Appears On Chinese Amphibious Assault Ship

A Chinese Type 071 amphibious transport dock has emerged from a refit sporting a new laser directed energy weapon system.

Next summer, U.S. Air Force units will deploy from bases in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and elsewhere across the United States to forward locations in the Western Pacific as part of a massive new air combat exercise.
Air Combat Exercises

Air Force Units Will Flood The Western Pacific In Huge New Airpower Exercise Next Summer

The REFORPAC exercise will be a first-of-its-kind demonstration of how the Air Force expects to execute a high-end fight in the Pacific.

Turkey's GENESIS program jump started local warship production and made beached new life into the FFG-7 frigates.
Oliver Hazard Perry Class

Project GENESIS: How Turkey Resurrected Its Secondhand Oliver Hazard Perry Class Frigates

Project GENESIS not only breathed new life into the aging Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates, but it also set the country up to build its own advanced warships.

A major fire, which may still be ongoing, has reportedly broken out on the former Soviet Kiev class aircraft carrier Minsk, which has been rotting away in a man-made lagoon just off a stretch of the Yangtze River in China for years now.
Around The Globe

Soviet Aircraft Carrier Turned Failed Chinese Tourist Attraction Is On Fire (Updated)

The Kiev class carrier Minsk has been languishing in a man-made lagoon northwest of Shanghai for years.

3/12/1941- New York, NY: Hotel completes air raid shelter. A few of the Allerton House's guets showed how comfortable and practical are the conveniences incorpoarted in the new air-raid shelter completed in the sub-basement of the hotel. The shelter is approximately 45 feet underground, and an auxiliary lighting system has been installed in case the hotel's own light plant goes out of order. Here, four women are shown cooking and reclining on the bomb shelter's beds. A bannerhung on the wall next to a hurricane lamp says "God Bless America."
Bunker Talk

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

You know the drill.

Ukraine blew up a key bridge threatening Russia logistics in Kursk.
Around The Globe

Ukraine Drops Key Russian Bridge In Kursk

While losing the bridge is a blow to Russia's defense of Kursk, a key Ukrainian city in Donetsk may soon fall.

Hezbollah has released a video providing the best look so far inside its extensive network of huge underground tunnel systems, including concealed heavy multiple rocket launch systems, part of an extensive arsenal of weapons that could be employed against Israel. The release of the footage comes as tensions in the Middle East remain high, with fears of an all-out conflict between Israel and Hezbollah as well as a potential broader conflict involving Iran and other Iran-aligned militias.
Israel

Hezbollah Touts Rocket Cave Network Capable Of Underground Launches

Hezbollah forces being able to fire multiple rocket launch systems from inside tunnels could complicate Israeli targeting plans — if the video wasn't shot in Iran.

A Cessna Model 208B Grand Caravan converted into a cargo drone was among the participants in a recently concluded U.S. Air Force-led large force air combat exercise focused on preparing for a potential future conflict with China.
Air Combat Exercises

Cessna Caravan Turned Into Cargo Drone Tested At China-Focused Airpower Exercise

Small uncrewed cargo planes could support far-flung forces in a high-end fight against China, which is actively developing its own designs.

The USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) is now the first U.S. Navy supercarrier to have a complete dedicated Unmanned Air Warfare Center (UAWC).
MQ-25

Supercarrier USS George H.W. Bush Now Has First Of its Kind Drone Control Center

The Unmanned Air Warfare Centers will be used to control MQ-25 Stingray tanker drones and other future advanced uncrewed aircraft.

A 'conundrum' being moved into position in anticipation of Operation PLUTO
WWII

The Underwater Pipelines That Supplied Fuel For The Allied Invasion Of Normandy

Operation PLUTO laid fuel pipelines under the English Channel in a bid to supply much-needed petroleum to Allied forces following the Invasion of Normandy.

The Kursk logistics hub of Lgov came under fire for the first time during this 10-day-old invasion.
Around The Globe

Claims Swirl Around Strike On Key Russian Logistics Hub In Kursk (Updated)

Ukrainian forces continue to slowly push north toward Lgov, which has rail lines and sits along a key highway.

An F-16 Fighting Falcon piloted by Lt. Col. Mike May from the 85th Test and Evaluation squadron sits on the ramp at Eglin Air Force Base on October 2, 2019 with a JASSM-ER. The 85th TES released the extended range missile as part of an operational test sortie.
F-16

JASSM Stealth Cruise Missiles Now On The Table For Ukraine: Report

AGM-158 JASSM would be Ukraine’s most advanced and survivable long-range strike weapon yet.

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is moving to buy non-lethal distraction devices to mount on small hand-launched drones.
Unmanned

FBI Fielding Drones That Fire Off Deafening Bangs

Highly maneuverable drones with less-than-lethal concussion devices offer a new and indirect way to stun individuals.