Featured in F-16BYThomas NewdickNov 22, 2021ShareTaiwan Has Declared Its Upgraded F-16V Fighter Jets Fully OperationalAs tensions with China rumble on, the Taiwanese president formally inducted the first wing of modernized F-16V aircraft. BYThomas NewdickNov 22, 2021ShareBYThomas NewdickNov 2, 2021ShareHundreds Of South Korean And U.S. Warplanes Are Conducting A Secretive Exercise In KoreaThe unpublicized maneuvers are being staged in the wake of a spate of potentially destabilizing missile developments on the peninsula. BYThomas NewdickNov 2, 2021ShareBYJamie HunterNov 1, 2021ShareU.S. Navy Adversary Unit Reveals Super Hornet Masquerading As Russia’s Top FighterNavy adversary squadron VFC-12 has unveiled a newly painted F/A-18E that looks like a Su-57 Felon as it commences the overhaul of its fleet. BYJamie HunterNov 1, 2021ShareBYThomas NewdickOct 19, 2021ShareTurkey In Talks To Buy More F-16s As It Struggles To Revamp Fighter Fleet (Updated)The Turkish Air Force is at a crossroads after having been dumped out of the Joint Strike Fighter program. BYThomas NewdickOct 19, 2021ShareBYTyler RogowaySep 22, 2021ShareListen To An F-16’s Intercept Of An Army Cessna That Violated Airspace Near The United Nations (Updated)We have the full air traffic control audio of the F-16 that ran down a U.S. Army Cessna after it strayed into restricted airspace over New York City. BYTyler RogowaySep 22, 2021ShareBYTyler RogowaySep 9, 2021ShareThis Gonzo-Looking Regional Jet Just Put The F-16’s New Radar To The TestNorthrop Grumman’s pair of reconfigurable CRJ testbed aircraft have been extremely busy as of late, including flying in major air combat exercises. BYTyler RogowaySep 9, 2021ShareBYJoseph TrevithickJul 31, 2021ShareHighly Modified Air Force Test Pilot School F-16 Is Now An X-PlaneThe heavily modified F-16 gets a new advanced mission after decades of supporting aerospace research and test pilot production. BYJoseph TrevithickJul 31, 2021ShareBYThomas NewdickJul 1, 2021ShareDraken Becomes The Next Red Air Private Contractor To Acquire F-16 Fighter JetsThe adversary support contractor’s impressive fleet could add as many as 40 second-hand F-16s from Dutch stocks. BYThomas NewdickJul 1, 2021ShareBYThomas NewdickJun 18, 2021ShareThe Air Force Might Make Two Distinct Versions Of Its Next Multirole Stealth FighterThe NGAD fighter will be able to tackle ground targets and could be produced in long-range and short-range versions. BYThomas NewdickJun 18, 2021ShareBYThomas NewdickMay 28, 2021ShareNavy Details Its Plans To Add Ex-Air Force F-16s To Its FleetAs the Navy accelerates plans to retire its ‘legacy’ Hornets, it badly needs new high-end aggressor jets. BYThomas NewdickMay 28, 2021ShareBYThomas NewdickMay 25, 2021ShareEarly F-35As May Get Axed Even Though Overall Readiness Has Improved SignificantlyThe Joint Strike Fighter topped the list for readiness rates last year but concerns about sustainment costs show no sign of going away. BYThomas NewdickMay 25, 2021ShareBYTyler RogowayMay 19, 2021ShareThe First Privately Owned F-16 Aggressor Jet Has Taken To The SkyIt also marks the first time a private adversary support company has flown a 4th generation fighter of any kind. BYTyler RogowayMay 19, 2021ShareBYThomas NewdickMay 17, 2021ShareIsraeli Warships Fire Missiles At Gaza While Hamas Takes Aim At Offshore Oil PlatformsAs the Israeli bombardment of Gaza continues, the conflict has now added a maritime dimension. BYThomas NewdickMay 17, 2021ShareBYTyler RogowayMay 6, 2021ShareThe Definitive Answer On Why F-16s Carry AIM-120 AMRAAMs On Their Wingtip RailsThe answer to why the Viper flies with heavier AIM-120s on its wingtips and lighter AIM-9 Sidewinders under its wings may surprise you. BYTyler RogowayMay 6, 2021ShareBYThomas NewdickMay 3, 2021ShareF-16s Are Now Getting Washed By RobotsThis is the first demonstration of an automated cleaning process that saves large amounts of labor and could become standard across the Air Force. BYThomas NewdickMay 3, 2021ShareBYThomas NewdickApr 20, 2021ShareJapan-Based USAF F-16s Flew South China Sea Mission Fully Loaded With Live Air-To-Air MissilesFlying far from their home in Japan, the four F-16s, each armed with six missiles, executed operations in one of the tensest areas of the planet. BYThomas NewdickApr 20, 2021ShareBYThomas NewdickApr 15, 2021ShareEx-Disney Employees Helped The Thunderbirds Create Their New Shortened Air Show RoutineFor the first time in four decades, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds demo team has completely rewritten its display program. BYThomas NewdickApr 15, 2021ShareBYThomas NewdickApr 9, 2021ShareMeet South Korea’s New KF-21 “Hawk” Indigenous FighterDeveloped under an ambitious timeline, the fighter will complement F-35s and older fighters as part of a revamped Republic of Korea Air Force. BYThomas NewdickApr 9, 2021ShareBYJoseph TrevithickMar 31, 2021ShareAir Force Shows Off Squadron Logo Highlighting Stockpile Of Nuclear Bombs In BelgiumThough an ‘open secret,’ the Belgian government does not confirm or deny it hosts these weapons, which its F-16 fighter jets could carry in a crisis. BYJoseph TrevithickMar 31, 2021ShareBYThomas NewdickMar 18, 2021ShareTaiwan’s Upgraded F-16V Fighter Jets Poised To Start Standing Alert Along The Taiwan StraitFacing an escalating threat from mainland China, Taiwan’s long-awaited enhanced F-16s are set to assume combat duties. BYThomas NewdickMar 18, 2021ShareBYJoseph TrevithickMar 11, 2021ShareF-15EX’s Future Role As A Hypersonic Missile Truck Touted Officially By The Air ForceThe formal delivery of the Air Force’s first new F-15 in years comes as the service is looking at making major changes to its force structure plans. BYJoseph TrevithickMar 11, 2021ShareBYThomas NewdickMar 10, 2021ShareBelgium’s Hard-Worked F-16 Fighter Jet Fleet Has Just Been GroundedA dramatic engine failure last month means the Netherlands has had to step in to protect Belgian airspace. BYThomas NewdickMar 10, 2021ShareBYThomas NewdickMar 3, 2021ShareGolden Horde Swarming Munitions Program Back On Target After Second Round Of TestsFour specially adapted Small Diameter Bombs were released by an F-16 near Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico. BYThomas NewdickMar 3, 2021ShareBYThomas NewdickFeb 18, 2021ShareAir Force Boss Wants Clean-Sheet Fighter That’s Less Advanced Than F-35 To Replace F-16With a “son of F-16” under study, the Air Force’s original procurement plan for the F-35 is looking increasingly precarious. BYThomas NewdickFeb 18, 2021ShareBYThomas NewdickFeb 16, 2021ShareAir Force F-35 Stealth Fighters Are Now Operating From Guam’s Austere AirfieldThe drills brought F-35s and F-16s to a jungle-encircled airstrip and are likely a glimpse into the future of tactical jet operations in the Pacific. BYThomas NewdickFeb 16, 2021ShareBYThomas NewdickFeb 4, 2021ShareFace-Off Over The Aegean: How Greek And Turkish Air Forces Stack UpWith tensions rising over energy reserves in the Aegean Sea, the disgruntled neighbors have air arms that are well-equipped and at high readiness. BYThomas NewdickFeb 4, 2021ShareBYThomas NewdickJan 28, 2021ShareFirst Contractor-Owned F-16 Aggressors Include MiG Killers, Veteran Of Iraqi Reactor Raid (Updated)The F-16s that Top Aces is set to employ as aggressor jets include some historic veterans of Israel’s past conflicts. BYThomas NewdickJan 28, 2021ShareBYTyler RogowayJan 27, 2021ShareF-35s And F-16s Set To Operate From Austere Jungle Airfield During Major Exercise On GuamThe threat of losing its runways in the Pacific theater to ballistic missile barrages has accelerated the USAF’s austere basing initiatives. BYTyler RogowayJan 27, 2021ShareBYThomas NewdickJan 27, 2021ShareThe First Contractor-Operated F-16 Aggressor Jets Are Heading To North AmericaCanada’s Top Aces will challenge U.S. fighter pilots using a fleet of ex-Israeli F-16 fighter jets based in Arizona. BYThomas NewdickJan 27, 2021ShareBYThe War Zone staffJan 23, 2021ShareAir Force Eyes Drones For Adversary And Light Attack Roles As It Mulls Buying New F-16sThe future of the U.S. Air Force’s tactical aircraft fleet is under review, with some radical ideas under discussion. BYThe War Zone staffJan 23, 2021ShareBYTyler RogowayJan 5, 2021ShareOminous Iran-Related Threat To Fly Plane Into Capitol Broadcast To Air Traffic ControllersWhile Washington’s airspace is well defended, such a threat, which mentioned revenge for the killing of Iran’s General Soleimani, can’t be discounted. BYTyler RogowayJan 5, 2021ShareBYThomas NewdickJan 5, 2021ShareGreece Joins Forces With Israel To Revamp Its Fighter Pilot Training ProgramThe Israeli firm Elbit will establish a new flight academy in Greece, equipped with M-346 advanced jet trainers. BYThomas NewdickJan 5, 2021ShareBYThomas NewdickDec 22, 2020ShareSouth Korea Scrambles Fighters To Intercept Russian And Chinese Bombers On Joint Maneuvers (Updated)The Russian and Chinese air forces took part in the second round of joint maneuvers over the tense waters of the Sea of Japan. BYThomas NewdickDec 22, 2020ShareBYThomas NewdickDec 22, 2020ShareF-35s, F-16 Aggressors, KC-135 Tankers Put On Impressive “Elephant Walk” In AlaskaEielson Air Force Base showed off its rapid combat readiness capability on the same day it stood up a second squadron of F-35A stealth fighters. BYThomas NewdickDec 22, 2020ShareBYThomas NewdickDec 18, 2020ShareF-16s Rescue Desperate Special Operators In This Chilling Account With Gun Camera FootageF-16 pilot Edward Linch recounts a harrowing mission over war-torn Iraq that resulted in him being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. BYThomas NewdickDec 18, 2020ShareBYJamie HunterDec 15, 2020ShareInside The Air Force’s Elite Aggressor Program With One Of Its Top PilotsJourney into the shadowy world of the aggressors—where they came from, where they’re going, what it takes to become one, and what it’s like being one. BYJamie HunterDec 15, 2020ShareBYThomas NewdickDec 14, 2020ShareU.S. Slams Turkey With Sanctions For Purchase Of Russia’s S-400 Air Defense SystemThe move comes after Turkey tests its S-400 surface-to-air missile system, and there could be more consequences to come. BYThomas NewdickDec 14, 2020ShareBYTyler RogowayDec 11, 2020ShareF-16 Belonging To The Wisconsin Air National Guard Crashes In Michigan (Updated)The aircraft crashed in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula during a night training sortie. BYTyler RogowayDec 11, 2020ShareBYThomas NewdickDec 4, 2020ShareFrance Confirms That Indonesia Wants To Buy Rafale Fighter JetsThe country has been seeking a new combat aircraft, with France’s Dassault Rafale the latest in a line of candidates. BYThomas NewdickDec 4, 2020ShareBYThomas NewdickDec 2, 2020ShareThe Untold Story Of How Indonesian And Australian Jets Nearly Came To Blows Over East TimorAmid rising tensions, one Indonesian Air Force Hawk pilot had an intense aerial encounter with an Australian Hornet. BYThomas NewdickDec 2, 2020ShareBYJamie HunterNov 27, 2020ShareHow F-16 Testers Are Evolving The Jet’s New Radar Beyond The Homeland Defense MissionRapid deployment of a new AESA radar with the Air National Guard is being followed-up with advanced testing for the full suite of F-16 missions. BYJamie HunterNov 27, 2020ShareBYJamie HunterNov 27, 2020ShareNew Aggressor Squadron At Nellis Air Force Base Will Have Both F-16s And F-35s65th Aggressor Squadron will be re-established in 2021 and it will feature newer F-16s to complement its F-35s. BYJamie HunterNov 27, 2020ShareBYTyler RogowayNov 21, 2020ShareCheck Out These Stunning Images Of All Four Air Force Tactical Demo Team Jets In FormationWith a crazy air show season coming to an end, the solo demo teams joined up on a C-130 for a rare and spectacular photo session. BYTyler RogowayNov 21, 2020ShareBYThomas NewdickNov 16, 2020ShareNSA Spied On Denmark As It Chose Its Future Fighter Aircraft: ReportThe allegations suggest that European fighter manufacturers were also among the U.S. intelligence agency’s targets. BYThomas NewdickNov 16, 2020ShareBYThomas NewdickNov 5, 2020ShareSpad To The Bone: Texas F-16 Squadron Marks 75th Anniversary With Bold Paint JobThe “Lone Star State” scheme is one of the most flamboyant to have been applied to a USAF jet in recent years. BYThomas NewdickNov 5, 2020ShareBYThomas NewdickOct 29, 2020ShareTrump Administration Wants To Sell UAE A Fleet Of 50 F-35sThe plan to transfer the stealth fighters to a second Middle East operator could still face plenty of obstacles. BYThomas NewdickOct 29, 2020ShareBYJoseph Trevithick and Tyler RogowayOct 28, 2020ShareF-16 Pops Flares Grabbing Trump’s Attention After Plane Strays Into Airspace Over RallyTrump and the crowd below were not exactly sure what was going on, but cheered as the F-16 intercepted the wayward aircraft. BYJoseph Trevithick and Tyler RogowayOct 28, 2020ShareBYThomas NewdickOct 27, 2020ShareTaiwan Can Now Complicate China’s Invasion Plans By Buying Hundreds Of Harpoon MissilesIt’s now official, Washington has detailed the sale of Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems to Taiwan. BYThomas NewdickOct 27, 2020ShareBYJoseph TrevithickOct 26, 2020ShareTurkey’s Forward Deployed F-16s In Azerbaijan Have Moved To A New BaseIt seems the Turkish F-16s left their original base of operations in Azerbaijan after the area came under Armenian attack. BYJoseph TrevithickOct 26, 2020ShareBYThomas NewdickOct 16, 2020ShareTurkey Has Reportedly Test Fired Its S-400 Air Defense System For The First TimeTurkey’s decision to test the S-400 is another defiant step that is likely to reignite tensions between it and its NATO allies. BYThomas NewdickOct 16, 2020ShareBYJoseph TrevithickOct 7, 2020ShareSatellite Images Confirm Turkish F-16 Fighters Secretly Deployed To AzerbaijanF-16s appear to have remained in Azerbaijan long after Turkey sent them there for an exercise months ago, despite denials from Ankara and Baku. BYJoseph TrevithickOct 7, 2020ShareBYJoseph TrevithickSep 29, 2020ShareTurkey And Azerbaijan Deny Turkish F-16 Fighter Shot Down Armenian Su-25 Attack JetThe Armenian claim, which is so far unsubstantiated, follows days of major fighting with Azerbaijan over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. BYJoseph TrevithickSep 29, 2020ShareBYJoseph TrevithickSep 11, 2020ShareMQ-9 Reaper, Howitzer, Rocket Toting F-16 All Shoot Down Mock Cruise Missiles In Huge TestThe Air Force demonstrated the non-traditional forms of cruise missile defense while testing its new super command and control network. BYJoseph TrevithickSep 11, 2020ShareBYTyler RogowaySep 1, 2020ShareOver 200 Guard And Reserve F-16s Can Now Carry The Dragon’s Eye Radar PodThe pod offers a bolt-on advanced radar that can scan from the sides of the jet, allowing it to do things even an advanced nose-mounted radar can’t. BYTyler RogowaySep 1, 2020ShareBYJoseph TrevithickAug 31, 2020ShareRussian Su-27 Flew Into Danish Territory After Intercepting B-52 Bomber Over The Baltic SeaThe incident took place on the same day another Flanker performed an unsafe maneuver very close to a B-52 flying over the Black Sea. BYJoseph TrevithickAug 31, 2020ShareBYThomas NewdickAug 28, 2020ShareSix B-52s Are Flying Over All 30 NATO Nations In An Unprecedented Show Of Force (Updated)The flights serve as a major show of solidarity between the U.S. and its NATO partners, sending a message that is clearly aimed at Moscow. BYThomas NewdickAug 28, 2020ShareBYJoseph TrevithickAug 24, 2020ShareSix B-52 Strategic Bombers Fly Alongside Norwegian Fighters In A Clear Signal To RussiaThe latest deployment of the nuclear-capable bombers to Europe comes amid ongoing nuclear arms control negotiations with Moscow. BYJoseph TrevithickAug 24, 2020ShareBYThomas NewdickAug 17, 2020ShareIsraeli Air Force Jets Touch Down In Germany For Historic Air Combat ExerciseThe Israeli F-16 fighters will train alongside Luftwaffe Eurofighters and conduct commemoration flypasts over sites in Dachau and Munich. BYThomas NewdickAug 17, 2020ShareBYJamie HunterAug 6, 2020ShareTaiwanese F-16s Begin Flying Patrols With Live Harpoon Anti-Ship Missiles To Deter ChinaThe armed anti-ship patrols began amid concerns over expected Chinese island-grabbing exercises in the South China Sea. BYJamie HunterAug 6, 2020ShareBYJamie HunterAug 4, 2020ShareRed Flag Is Back In Business As Two Of The Big Air Combat Exercises Kick Off SimultaneouslyTwo Red Flag exercises are underway this August as the U.S. Air Force strives to get high-end war-fighting training back on track. BYJamie HunterAug 4, 2020ShareBYJamie HunterJul 28, 2020ShareFull Scope Of Air Force’s Big Contract Awards To Private Aggressor Firms RevealedThree firms share in the spoils of the first big round of adversary air support contract awards. BYJamie HunterJul 28, 2020ShareBYJamie Hunter and Tyler RogowayJul 16, 2020ShareF-15 Uses New Infrared Search And Track Pod To Shoot Down Target With AIM-9X SidewinderLegion Pod will enable F-15s and F-16s to detect and engage even stealthy aircraft without having to turn on their radars. BYJamie Hunter and Tyler RogowayJul 16, 2020ShareBYTyler RogowayJul 14, 2020SharePilot Ejects From F-16 During Landing At Holloman Air Force Base In New MexicoIt’s the second loss of an F-16 for the base in less than a year and comes after a string of major Air Force mishaps over the last 60 days. BYTyler RogowayJul 14, 2020ShareBYTyler RogowayJul 5, 2020ShareAir Force Aggressor Squadron Has A Surprising Secondary MissionDuring a national emergency an airliner pilot may get a special surprise when a camouflaged F-16 with foreign-like markings shows up on their wing. BYTyler RogowayJul 5, 2020Share1234
BYThomas NewdickNov 22, 2021ShareTaiwan Has Declared Its Upgraded F-16V Fighter Jets Fully OperationalAs tensions with China rumble on, the Taiwanese president formally inducted the first wing of modernized F-16V aircraft. BYThomas NewdickNov 22, 2021Share
BYThomas NewdickNov 2, 2021ShareHundreds Of South Korean And U.S. Warplanes Are Conducting A Secretive Exercise In KoreaThe unpublicized maneuvers are being staged in the wake of a spate of potentially destabilizing missile developments on the peninsula. BYThomas NewdickNov 2, 2021Share
BYJamie HunterNov 1, 2021ShareU.S. Navy Adversary Unit Reveals Super Hornet Masquerading As Russia’s Top FighterNavy adversary squadron VFC-12 has unveiled a newly painted F/A-18E that looks like a Su-57 Felon as it commences the overhaul of its fleet. BYJamie HunterNov 1, 2021Share
BYThomas NewdickOct 19, 2021ShareTurkey In Talks To Buy More F-16s As It Struggles To Revamp Fighter Fleet (Updated)The Turkish Air Force is at a crossroads after having been dumped out of the Joint Strike Fighter program. BYThomas NewdickOct 19, 2021Share
BYTyler RogowaySep 22, 2021ShareListen To An F-16’s Intercept Of An Army Cessna That Violated Airspace Near The United Nations (Updated)We have the full air traffic control audio of the F-16 that ran down a U.S. Army Cessna after it strayed into restricted airspace over New York City. BYTyler RogowaySep 22, 2021Share
BYTyler RogowaySep 9, 2021ShareThis Gonzo-Looking Regional Jet Just Put The F-16’s New Radar To The TestNorthrop Grumman’s pair of reconfigurable CRJ testbed aircraft have been extremely busy as of late, including flying in major air combat exercises. BYTyler RogowaySep 9, 2021Share
BYJoseph TrevithickJul 31, 2021ShareHighly Modified Air Force Test Pilot School F-16 Is Now An X-PlaneThe heavily modified F-16 gets a new advanced mission after decades of supporting aerospace research and test pilot production. BYJoseph TrevithickJul 31, 2021Share
BYThomas NewdickJul 1, 2021ShareDraken Becomes The Next Red Air Private Contractor To Acquire F-16 Fighter JetsThe adversary support contractor’s impressive fleet could add as many as 40 second-hand F-16s from Dutch stocks. BYThomas NewdickJul 1, 2021Share
BYThomas NewdickJun 18, 2021ShareThe Air Force Might Make Two Distinct Versions Of Its Next Multirole Stealth FighterThe NGAD fighter will be able to tackle ground targets and could be produced in long-range and short-range versions. BYThomas NewdickJun 18, 2021Share
BYThomas NewdickMay 28, 2021ShareNavy Details Its Plans To Add Ex-Air Force F-16s To Its FleetAs the Navy accelerates plans to retire its ‘legacy’ Hornets, it badly needs new high-end aggressor jets. BYThomas NewdickMay 28, 2021Share
BYThomas NewdickMay 25, 2021ShareEarly F-35As May Get Axed Even Though Overall Readiness Has Improved SignificantlyThe Joint Strike Fighter topped the list for readiness rates last year but concerns about sustainment costs show no sign of going away. BYThomas NewdickMay 25, 2021Share
BYTyler RogowayMay 19, 2021ShareThe First Privately Owned F-16 Aggressor Jet Has Taken To The SkyIt also marks the first time a private adversary support company has flown a 4th generation fighter of any kind. BYTyler RogowayMay 19, 2021Share
BYThomas NewdickMay 17, 2021ShareIsraeli Warships Fire Missiles At Gaza While Hamas Takes Aim At Offshore Oil PlatformsAs the Israeli bombardment of Gaza continues, the conflict has now added a maritime dimension. BYThomas NewdickMay 17, 2021Share
BYTyler RogowayMay 6, 2021ShareThe Definitive Answer On Why F-16s Carry AIM-120 AMRAAMs On Their Wingtip RailsThe answer to why the Viper flies with heavier AIM-120s on its wingtips and lighter AIM-9 Sidewinders under its wings may surprise you. BYTyler RogowayMay 6, 2021Share
BYThomas NewdickMay 3, 2021ShareF-16s Are Now Getting Washed By RobotsThis is the first demonstration of an automated cleaning process that saves large amounts of labor and could become standard across the Air Force. BYThomas NewdickMay 3, 2021Share
BYThomas NewdickApr 20, 2021ShareJapan-Based USAF F-16s Flew South China Sea Mission Fully Loaded With Live Air-To-Air MissilesFlying far from their home in Japan, the four F-16s, each armed with six missiles, executed operations in one of the tensest areas of the planet. BYThomas NewdickApr 20, 2021Share
BYThomas NewdickApr 15, 2021ShareEx-Disney Employees Helped The Thunderbirds Create Their New Shortened Air Show RoutineFor the first time in four decades, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds demo team has completely rewritten its display program. BYThomas NewdickApr 15, 2021Share
BYThomas NewdickApr 9, 2021ShareMeet South Korea’s New KF-21 “Hawk” Indigenous FighterDeveloped under an ambitious timeline, the fighter will complement F-35s and older fighters as part of a revamped Republic of Korea Air Force. BYThomas NewdickApr 9, 2021Share
BYJoseph TrevithickMar 31, 2021ShareAir Force Shows Off Squadron Logo Highlighting Stockpile Of Nuclear Bombs In BelgiumThough an ‘open secret,’ the Belgian government does not confirm or deny it hosts these weapons, which its F-16 fighter jets could carry in a crisis. BYJoseph TrevithickMar 31, 2021Share
BYThomas NewdickMar 18, 2021ShareTaiwan’s Upgraded F-16V Fighter Jets Poised To Start Standing Alert Along The Taiwan StraitFacing an escalating threat from mainland China, Taiwan’s long-awaited enhanced F-16s are set to assume combat duties. BYThomas NewdickMar 18, 2021Share
BYJoseph TrevithickMar 11, 2021ShareF-15EX’s Future Role As A Hypersonic Missile Truck Touted Officially By The Air ForceThe formal delivery of the Air Force’s first new F-15 in years comes as the service is looking at making major changes to its force structure plans. BYJoseph TrevithickMar 11, 2021Share
BYThomas NewdickMar 10, 2021ShareBelgium’s Hard-Worked F-16 Fighter Jet Fleet Has Just Been GroundedA dramatic engine failure last month means the Netherlands has had to step in to protect Belgian airspace. BYThomas NewdickMar 10, 2021Share
BYThomas NewdickMar 3, 2021ShareGolden Horde Swarming Munitions Program Back On Target After Second Round Of TestsFour specially adapted Small Diameter Bombs were released by an F-16 near Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico. BYThomas NewdickMar 3, 2021Share
BYThomas NewdickFeb 18, 2021ShareAir Force Boss Wants Clean-Sheet Fighter That’s Less Advanced Than F-35 To Replace F-16With a “son of F-16” under study, the Air Force’s original procurement plan for the F-35 is looking increasingly precarious. BYThomas NewdickFeb 18, 2021Share
BYThomas NewdickFeb 16, 2021ShareAir Force F-35 Stealth Fighters Are Now Operating From Guam’s Austere AirfieldThe drills brought F-35s and F-16s to a jungle-encircled airstrip and are likely a glimpse into the future of tactical jet operations in the Pacific. BYThomas NewdickFeb 16, 2021Share
BYThomas NewdickFeb 4, 2021ShareFace-Off Over The Aegean: How Greek And Turkish Air Forces Stack UpWith tensions rising over energy reserves in the Aegean Sea, the disgruntled neighbors have air arms that are well-equipped and at high readiness. BYThomas NewdickFeb 4, 2021Share
BYThomas NewdickJan 28, 2021ShareFirst Contractor-Owned F-16 Aggressors Include MiG Killers, Veteran Of Iraqi Reactor Raid (Updated)The F-16s that Top Aces is set to employ as aggressor jets include some historic veterans of Israel’s past conflicts. BYThomas NewdickJan 28, 2021Share
BYTyler RogowayJan 27, 2021ShareF-35s And F-16s Set To Operate From Austere Jungle Airfield During Major Exercise On GuamThe threat of losing its runways in the Pacific theater to ballistic missile barrages has accelerated the USAF’s austere basing initiatives. BYTyler RogowayJan 27, 2021Share
BYThomas NewdickJan 27, 2021ShareThe First Contractor-Operated F-16 Aggressor Jets Are Heading To North AmericaCanada’s Top Aces will challenge U.S. fighter pilots using a fleet of ex-Israeli F-16 fighter jets based in Arizona. BYThomas NewdickJan 27, 2021Share
BYThe War Zone staffJan 23, 2021ShareAir Force Eyes Drones For Adversary And Light Attack Roles As It Mulls Buying New F-16sThe future of the U.S. Air Force’s tactical aircraft fleet is under review, with some radical ideas under discussion. BYThe War Zone staffJan 23, 2021Share
BYTyler RogowayJan 5, 2021ShareOminous Iran-Related Threat To Fly Plane Into Capitol Broadcast To Air Traffic ControllersWhile Washington’s airspace is well defended, such a threat, which mentioned revenge for the killing of Iran’s General Soleimani, can’t be discounted. BYTyler RogowayJan 5, 2021Share
BYThomas NewdickJan 5, 2021ShareGreece Joins Forces With Israel To Revamp Its Fighter Pilot Training ProgramThe Israeli firm Elbit will establish a new flight academy in Greece, equipped with M-346 advanced jet trainers. BYThomas NewdickJan 5, 2021Share
BYThomas NewdickDec 22, 2020ShareSouth Korea Scrambles Fighters To Intercept Russian And Chinese Bombers On Joint Maneuvers (Updated)The Russian and Chinese air forces took part in the second round of joint maneuvers over the tense waters of the Sea of Japan. BYThomas NewdickDec 22, 2020Share
BYThomas NewdickDec 22, 2020ShareF-35s, F-16 Aggressors, KC-135 Tankers Put On Impressive “Elephant Walk” In AlaskaEielson Air Force Base showed off its rapid combat readiness capability on the same day it stood up a second squadron of F-35A stealth fighters. BYThomas NewdickDec 22, 2020Share
BYThomas NewdickDec 18, 2020ShareF-16s Rescue Desperate Special Operators In This Chilling Account With Gun Camera FootageF-16 pilot Edward Linch recounts a harrowing mission over war-torn Iraq that resulted in him being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. BYThomas NewdickDec 18, 2020Share
BYJamie HunterDec 15, 2020ShareInside The Air Force’s Elite Aggressor Program With One Of Its Top PilotsJourney into the shadowy world of the aggressors—where they came from, where they’re going, what it takes to become one, and what it’s like being one. BYJamie HunterDec 15, 2020Share
BYThomas NewdickDec 14, 2020ShareU.S. Slams Turkey With Sanctions For Purchase Of Russia’s S-400 Air Defense SystemThe move comes after Turkey tests its S-400 surface-to-air missile system, and there could be more consequences to come. BYThomas NewdickDec 14, 2020Share
BYTyler RogowayDec 11, 2020ShareF-16 Belonging To The Wisconsin Air National Guard Crashes In Michigan (Updated)The aircraft crashed in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula during a night training sortie. BYTyler RogowayDec 11, 2020Share
BYThomas NewdickDec 4, 2020ShareFrance Confirms That Indonesia Wants To Buy Rafale Fighter JetsThe country has been seeking a new combat aircraft, with France’s Dassault Rafale the latest in a line of candidates. BYThomas NewdickDec 4, 2020Share
BYThomas NewdickDec 2, 2020ShareThe Untold Story Of How Indonesian And Australian Jets Nearly Came To Blows Over East TimorAmid rising tensions, one Indonesian Air Force Hawk pilot had an intense aerial encounter with an Australian Hornet. BYThomas NewdickDec 2, 2020Share
BYJamie HunterNov 27, 2020ShareHow F-16 Testers Are Evolving The Jet’s New Radar Beyond The Homeland Defense MissionRapid deployment of a new AESA radar with the Air National Guard is being followed-up with advanced testing for the full suite of F-16 missions. BYJamie HunterNov 27, 2020Share
BYJamie HunterNov 27, 2020ShareNew Aggressor Squadron At Nellis Air Force Base Will Have Both F-16s And F-35s65th Aggressor Squadron will be re-established in 2021 and it will feature newer F-16s to complement its F-35s. BYJamie HunterNov 27, 2020Share
BYTyler RogowayNov 21, 2020ShareCheck Out These Stunning Images Of All Four Air Force Tactical Demo Team Jets In FormationWith a crazy air show season coming to an end, the solo demo teams joined up on a C-130 for a rare and spectacular photo session. BYTyler RogowayNov 21, 2020Share
BYThomas NewdickNov 16, 2020ShareNSA Spied On Denmark As It Chose Its Future Fighter Aircraft: ReportThe allegations suggest that European fighter manufacturers were also among the U.S. intelligence agency’s targets. BYThomas NewdickNov 16, 2020Share
BYThomas NewdickNov 5, 2020ShareSpad To The Bone: Texas F-16 Squadron Marks 75th Anniversary With Bold Paint JobThe “Lone Star State” scheme is one of the most flamboyant to have been applied to a USAF jet in recent years. BYThomas NewdickNov 5, 2020Share
BYThomas NewdickOct 29, 2020ShareTrump Administration Wants To Sell UAE A Fleet Of 50 F-35sThe plan to transfer the stealth fighters to a second Middle East operator could still face plenty of obstacles. BYThomas NewdickOct 29, 2020Share
BYJoseph Trevithick and Tyler RogowayOct 28, 2020ShareF-16 Pops Flares Grabbing Trump’s Attention After Plane Strays Into Airspace Over RallyTrump and the crowd below were not exactly sure what was going on, but cheered as the F-16 intercepted the wayward aircraft. BYJoseph Trevithick and Tyler RogowayOct 28, 2020Share
BYThomas NewdickOct 27, 2020ShareTaiwan Can Now Complicate China’s Invasion Plans By Buying Hundreds Of Harpoon MissilesIt’s now official, Washington has detailed the sale of Harpoon Coastal Defense Systems to Taiwan. BYThomas NewdickOct 27, 2020Share
BYJoseph TrevithickOct 26, 2020ShareTurkey’s Forward Deployed F-16s In Azerbaijan Have Moved To A New BaseIt seems the Turkish F-16s left their original base of operations in Azerbaijan after the area came under Armenian attack. BYJoseph TrevithickOct 26, 2020Share
BYThomas NewdickOct 16, 2020ShareTurkey Has Reportedly Test Fired Its S-400 Air Defense System For The First TimeTurkey’s decision to test the S-400 is another defiant step that is likely to reignite tensions between it and its NATO allies. BYThomas NewdickOct 16, 2020Share
BYJoseph TrevithickOct 7, 2020ShareSatellite Images Confirm Turkish F-16 Fighters Secretly Deployed To AzerbaijanF-16s appear to have remained in Azerbaijan long after Turkey sent them there for an exercise months ago, despite denials from Ankara and Baku. BYJoseph TrevithickOct 7, 2020Share
BYJoseph TrevithickSep 29, 2020ShareTurkey And Azerbaijan Deny Turkish F-16 Fighter Shot Down Armenian Su-25 Attack JetThe Armenian claim, which is so far unsubstantiated, follows days of major fighting with Azerbaijan over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. BYJoseph TrevithickSep 29, 2020Share
BYJoseph TrevithickSep 11, 2020ShareMQ-9 Reaper, Howitzer, Rocket Toting F-16 All Shoot Down Mock Cruise Missiles In Huge TestThe Air Force demonstrated the non-traditional forms of cruise missile defense while testing its new super command and control network. BYJoseph TrevithickSep 11, 2020Share
BYTyler RogowaySep 1, 2020ShareOver 200 Guard And Reserve F-16s Can Now Carry The Dragon’s Eye Radar PodThe pod offers a bolt-on advanced radar that can scan from the sides of the jet, allowing it to do things even an advanced nose-mounted radar can’t. BYTyler RogowaySep 1, 2020Share
BYJoseph TrevithickAug 31, 2020ShareRussian Su-27 Flew Into Danish Territory After Intercepting B-52 Bomber Over The Baltic SeaThe incident took place on the same day another Flanker performed an unsafe maneuver very close to a B-52 flying over the Black Sea. BYJoseph TrevithickAug 31, 2020Share
BYThomas NewdickAug 28, 2020ShareSix B-52s Are Flying Over All 30 NATO Nations In An Unprecedented Show Of Force (Updated)The flights serve as a major show of solidarity between the U.S. and its NATO partners, sending a message that is clearly aimed at Moscow. BYThomas NewdickAug 28, 2020Share
BYJoseph TrevithickAug 24, 2020ShareSix B-52 Strategic Bombers Fly Alongside Norwegian Fighters In A Clear Signal To RussiaThe latest deployment of the nuclear-capable bombers to Europe comes amid ongoing nuclear arms control negotiations with Moscow. BYJoseph TrevithickAug 24, 2020Share
BYThomas NewdickAug 17, 2020ShareIsraeli Air Force Jets Touch Down In Germany For Historic Air Combat ExerciseThe Israeli F-16 fighters will train alongside Luftwaffe Eurofighters and conduct commemoration flypasts over sites in Dachau and Munich. BYThomas NewdickAug 17, 2020Share
BYJamie HunterAug 6, 2020ShareTaiwanese F-16s Begin Flying Patrols With Live Harpoon Anti-Ship Missiles To Deter ChinaThe armed anti-ship patrols began amid concerns over expected Chinese island-grabbing exercises in the South China Sea. BYJamie HunterAug 6, 2020Share
BYJamie HunterAug 4, 2020ShareRed Flag Is Back In Business As Two Of The Big Air Combat Exercises Kick Off SimultaneouslyTwo Red Flag exercises are underway this August as the U.S. Air Force strives to get high-end war-fighting training back on track. BYJamie HunterAug 4, 2020Share
BYJamie HunterJul 28, 2020ShareFull Scope Of Air Force’s Big Contract Awards To Private Aggressor Firms RevealedThree firms share in the spoils of the first big round of adversary air support contract awards. BYJamie HunterJul 28, 2020Share
BYJamie Hunter and Tyler RogowayJul 16, 2020ShareF-15 Uses New Infrared Search And Track Pod To Shoot Down Target With AIM-9X SidewinderLegion Pod will enable F-15s and F-16s to detect and engage even stealthy aircraft without having to turn on their radars. BYJamie Hunter and Tyler RogowayJul 16, 2020Share
BYTyler RogowayJul 14, 2020SharePilot Ejects From F-16 During Landing At Holloman Air Force Base In New MexicoIt’s the second loss of an F-16 for the base in less than a year and comes after a string of major Air Force mishaps over the last 60 days. BYTyler RogowayJul 14, 2020Share
BYTyler RogowayJul 5, 2020ShareAir Force Aggressor Squadron Has A Surprising Secondary MissionDuring a national emergency an airliner pilot may get a special surprise when a camouflaged F-16 with foreign-like markings shows up on their wing. BYTyler RogowayJul 5, 2020Share