Read the latest articles from The War Zone (Page 92)

The Ka-29 Helix-B helicopter was downed during a massive, multi-domain, Ukrainian drone attack
Helicopters

Russian Navy Ka-29 Assault Helicopter Downed Amid Massive Ukrainian Drone Attack

The helicopter was shot down as Ukraine sent scores of drones to strike Crimea and Russia's Krasnodar region on targets ranging from oil facilities to an airfield.

A claim has emerged that Russia has begun using 3,000-kilogram (6,600-pound) class FAB-3000 M54 bombs with pop-out wing kits against targets in Ukraine.
Tu-22

Is This Our First Look At Russia’s New Monster Glide Bomb Striking Ukraine?

Just what aircraft would launch such a large weapon remains unclear, but something so destructive with standoff range is a real concern.

AIM-120 being loaded into a NASAMS launcher
AIM-120 AMRAAM

U.S. Diverting Missiles From Foreign Customers To Ukraine Could Have Repercussions Beyond Air Defense

The bold move to divert missiles planned to foreign buyers is great for Ukraine, but it may not be viewed as positively by some customers.

A South Korean K1E1 tank participates in a joint river-crossing exercise in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi province on March 20, 2024. Russian’s President Putin has warned South Korea that it would be making “a big mistake” if it decided to supply weapons to Ukraine. While Seoul has so far condemned Moscow for its full-scale invasion of Ukraine and provided Kyiv with economic and humanitarian, it has stopped short of sending arms.
North Korea

South Korean Arms For Ukraine Would Be A Huge Deal And Putin Knows It

There are signs that South Korea might overturn its ban on weapons deliveries to Ukraine, which has prompted a dark warning from Putin.

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B stealth fighter has begun wearing some decidedly non-standard markings, very likely the most flamboyant we’ve seen on the Joint Strike Fighter so far. The upper fuselage and top surfaces of the wing the F-35B in question, operated by Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242, “Bats,” is emblazoned with a stylized motif showing the night-flying mammal, and has recently been captured by photographers at its base, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan’s Yamaguchi prefecture.
F-35B

F-35B Dons Huge Bat Insignia On Its Back

The Japan-based Joint Strike Fighter has appeared adorned with a spectacular bat motif atop its fuselage.

MH-6s belonging to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment are now flying with a multi-tone blue camouflage scheme that looks intended primarily for use in maritime operations.
160th SOAR "Nightstalkers"

Blue Camouflage MH-6 Little Birds Point To Night Stalkers’ Pacific Pivot

Now both MH-6s and MH-60s from the 160th SOAR have been seen in the blue camouflage amid a shift in focus to high-end Pacific operations.

Ukraine is ramping up its attacks on Russian ISR drones to reduce their situational awareness.
Russia

Ukraine Situation Report: Drone-On-Drone Aerial Engagements Ramp-Up

Aerial drone air-to-air combat is heating up with Ukraine pivoting to using its first person-view drones to swat Russian drones out of the sky.

The US government has approved potential sales of Switchblade 300 and ALTIUS 600M loitering munitions to Taiwan.
Loitering Munitions

Sale Of Over 1,000 Kamikaze Drones To Taiwan Points To Grand “Hellscape” Counter-China Plans

Masses of loitering munitions could engage approaching Chinese landing craft, as well as targets ashore, and overwhelm vessels in the Taiwan Strait.

Sweden has retired its long-serving SAAB 105 trainer.
Air Forces

Sweden’s Unique Little Saab 105 Jet Retired After 57 Years

Best known as a trainer, the T-tailed twinjet was also used for light attack, reconnaissance, liaison, and as a staff transport, among other roles.

NOMADS will provide short-range air defenses including in contested areas.
Short-Range Air Defense Systems (SHORADS)

Norway’s NOMADS Armored Short Range Air Defense System Unveiled

The highly mobile armored missile system has already been tested in Norway and there are reports that Germany may seek to transfer examples to Ukraine in the future.

A new report from the Government Accountability Office raises questions and concerns about the Air Force's push to retire 32 Block 20 F-22 Raptors.
F-22

Ditching Older F-22s Risks Creating Capability Gaps, New Costs

A new report raises serious questions about the Air Force's push to retire 32 Block 20 F-22s, which the service says will aid its modernization plans.

Land-launched cruise missile is being offered by Europe's MBDA.
Russia

Europe Offers Its Own Ground-Launched Long-Range Cruise Missile Among Russia Fears

The new Land Cruise Missile from MBDA, based on its Naval Cruise Missile, is designed to address the need for a ground-mobile standoff strike capability.

F-15EX has been put through its paces by testers in Eglin AFB to prepare it for service.

How USAF Testers Are Working To Field The F-15EX Fast

Leveraging foreign military sales and using a uniquely accelerated test plan has enabled a slick path to service for the F-15EX Eagle II.

NH90 special forces helicopter has entered flight testing.
Helicopters

NH90 Special Operations Helicopter Begins Flight Testing

The troubled NH90 family of helicopters has a new addition that is meant to operate in the most challenging of combat environments during special operations missions.

A Chinese nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) has surfaced in the Taiwan Strait, prompting the Taiwanese defense ministry to issue a reassurance that it has a “grasp” of the situation. The appearance of the submarine follows recent activity by People’s Liberation Army aircraft and vessels around Taiwan, which Beijing views as a breakaway province that must eventually be reunited with the mainland. However, while uncommon, all signs point to the submarine’s presence in the strait as being part of a transit back to port.
Boomers (SSBNs)

Chinese Nuclear Ballistic Missile Submarine Surfaces In Taiwan Strait

Taiwan said it was monitoring the submarine that was spotted by fishermen when it came to the surface and began moving under escort in the Taiwan Strait around dawn today.

Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornets will be used to launch prototypes of the US Air Force's Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile.
F/A-18E/F

Australian F/A-18F Super Hornets To Test Launch U.S. Air Force’s Hypersonic Cruise Missiles

Expansive ranges needed to test hypersonic weapons are in limited supply and high demand in the U.S., and the Australian outback offers better security.

USAF B-52 in flight
Air

B-52s With New Rolls Royce Engines Won’t Fly Operational Missions Until 2033

Re-engined B-52s initial operational capability date slips three years, 12 years after contract award, and radar upgrades are also delayed.

Russian turtle tank captured
Around The Globe

Ukraine Captures Its First Russian Turtle Tank

Videos and images of the captured contraption show the do-it-yourself work that went into covering the tank with scrap armor.

German defense contractor Rheinmetall is pitching a containerized launcher for use with Hero family loitering munitions.
Air

Shipping Container Launcher Packing 126 Kamikaze Drones Hits The Market

Packing scores of loitering munitions and one-way attack drones into a container that can go pretty much anywhere will soon be all the rage.

We are seeing the first image of the Houthi drone boat that struck the bulk cargo carrier M/V Tutor.
Around The Globe

First Look At Houthi Kamikaze Drone Boat That Struck Cargo Ship In Red Sea

The Houthi's crude uncrewed surface vessel was featured human dummies and approached the ship while security took no defensive action.