military

A collection of 368 posts

military

Iconic F-14 Tomcat to be Restored for Naval Aviation Museum Display

The iconic F-14 Tomcat, retired by the US Navy in 2006, is being restored, but not for a return to active service. The National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola is undertaking the project for historical preservation and public display. The F-14 was originally retired due to high maintenance costs and

military

US Air Force Retires E-11A BACN Fleet, Pivots to Starshield Satellite Network

The United States Air Force is phasing out its entire fleet of E-11A Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) aircraft. These modified Bombardier business jets, famously dubbed 'Wi-Fi in the sky,' provided a critical communications bridge for troops in difficult terrain. The decision stems from the high operational costs

military

B-21 Raider Enters Accelerated 73-Day Flight Test Program

The U.S. Air Force's new B-21 Raider stealth bomber has begun an exceptionally rapid flight test program at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The aggressive schedule aims to complete the entire test and evaluation cycle for the first aircraft in just 73 days. This acceleration is

military

Inside 'Janet Airlines': The Secretive US Government Fleet Serving Area 51

A classified airline, unofficially known as 'Janet Airlines,' operates from a private terminal at Las Vegas' Harry Reid International Airport. Its mission is to transport employees and contractors to the top-secret Area 51 facility and other secure sites within the Nevada National Security Site. The airline is

military

NATO Air Policing: Fighter Detachments Rotate Across European Skies

The FighterControl forum is actively tracking ongoing NATO Air Policing missions, with a particular focus on the alliance's eastern flank. Forum members are reporting on the continuous rotation of various allied fighter detachments. Recent movements include Spanish Hornets deploying to Lithuania for the Baltic Air Policing mission and

military

National Security Forum Attendees Tour Airpower Demonstrations at Maxwell AFB

Attendees of the National Security Forum and Gathering of Eagles programs were given a tour of static aircraft displays at Maxwell Air Force Base on June 5, 2024. The event provided civilian leaders with an up-close look at U.S. airpower capabilities and an opportunity to interact with Airmen. The

military

Inside the B-2 Spirit: A Guide to the Stealth Bomber's Sleeping Arrangements

The Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit is designed for exceptionally long-duration missions, often exceeding 30 hours. To manage crew fatigue, the stealth bomber includes a small rest area for its two-person crew. Located behind the cockpit, this space features a flat surface that serves as a cot, allowing one pilot to

military

U.S. Air Force Deploys F-22 Raptors to Kadena Air Base in Japan

The United States Air Force has deployed F-22 Raptor stealth fighters to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, as part of a rotational force. This move places America's top-tier air superiority fighters in close proximity to China. The deployment replaces the aging F-15C/D Eagle fleet that had

military

USAF's Next-Generation Air Dominance Fighter Aims to Secure Air Superiority Over Rivals

The U.S. Air Force is advancing its Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, designed to produce a sixth-generation stealth fighter to succeed the F-22 Raptor. This initiative aims to maintain American air superiority in the face of rapidly modernizing adversaries like Russia and China. The conceptual F-47 fighter, part

military

Super Hornet's Enduring Mission: Why the US Navy Continues to Rely on the F/A-18

Despite the introduction of the fifth-generation F-35C, the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet remains the backbone of the US Navy's carrier air wings. The aircraft is a versatile, multi-role fighter valued for its reliability and proven combat performance. The Navy continues to invest heavily in the Super Hornet

military

Capacity vs. Reality: Why The Royal Navy's Carriers Will Never Operate a Full F-35 Complement

The Royal Navy's Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers were designed to hold a maximum of 36 F-35B jets but will likely never deploy with a full complement. This discrepancy is primarily due to budgetary constraints that have reduced the UK's total F-35B procurement order. The existing fleet

military

China Enters Stealth Fighter Export Market with J-35, Challenging US F-35 Dominance

China has officially made its J-35 stealth fighter available for export, marking its entry into the global fifth-generation fighter market. Developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, the aircraft is being positioned as a direct competitor to the American F-35. The J-35 features a twin-engine design, which may offer an advantage in

military

China's GJ-11 'Sharp Sword' Stealth Drone Emerges as a Rival to the US B-2 Spirit

China is advancing its military aviation capabilities with the development of the GJ-11 'Sharp Sword', a large, stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicle. With its flying-wing design and internal weapons bay, the drone bears a strong resemblance to the iconic American B-2 Spirit stealth bomber. The GJ-11 is designed

military

NATO's Urgent Overhaul: Nations Race to Replace Aging Fighter Fleets

NATO members are accelerating the replacement of their aging Cold War-era fighter jets due to mounting operational and maintenance challenges. The high costs of sustaining older platforms like the F-16 and Panavia Tornado are a primary driver for this modernization. This strategic shift is also a response to the evolving

military

US Air Force Unveils First-Ever Overhead Image of B-21 Raider

The U.S. Air Force has released new photographs of the B-21 Raider, including the first-ever direct overhead view of the next-generation stealth bomber. The images were captured during a flight test in May at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Built by Northrop Grumman, the B-21 is a high-tech, long-range

military

Russia Claims Future MiG-41 Interceptor Will Target Hypersonic Missiles

Russia is reportedly developing the Mikoyan PAK DP, or MiG-41, as a next-generation interceptor to replace its aging MiG-31 fleet. According to Russian defense sources, the aircraft is being designed to achieve hypersonic speeds and operate in near-space altitudes. Its most ambitious claimed capability is the ability to intercept and

military

US Air Force Requests $1 Billion for AI-Powered Unmanned Wingmen Aircraft

The U.S. Air Force is seeking a significant budget allocation to advance its aerial combat strategy. The service has formally requested $1 billion to fund the development and procurement of AI-powered unmanned wingmen. These Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) are designed to fly alongside manned fighter jets, acting as autonomous

military

More Than a Fighter: How the NGAD Program Is Redefining 6th-Generation Air Dominance

The Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program represents a fundamental shift in air combat, moving beyond the concept of a single advanced aircraft. Often speculated as the "F-47," the program's core is a manned 6th-generation fighter integrated into a wider "system of systems." This

military

Satellite Imagery Reveals Two B-2 Sized Stealth Drones at Secret Chinese Airbase

Recent satellite imagery has revealed what appear to be two new, large stealth drones at a remote Chinese airbase in Xinjiang. The unmanned aircraft, spotted at the Lop Nur airfield, feature a flying wing design with a wingspan comparable to the American B-2 Spirit bomber. One drone mirrors the classic

military

China Unveils New Stealth Drone with Wingspan Rivaling B-2 Spirit Bomber

China has reportedly developed a new stealth drone featuring a wingspan comparable to the American B-2 Spirit bomber. Believed to be the MD-22, this unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was displayed at the Zhuhai Airshow. The aircraft utilizes a flying wing design for low observability and is described as a high-altitude,

military

Dominance in the Skies: A Breakdown of the World's Most Powerful Fighter Jets

A new analysis ranks the most formidable fighter jets currently in service, evaluating them on metrics like speed, stealth, and advanced avionics. The list is dominated by fifth-generation aircraft, which represent the pinnacle of modern aerial combat technology. America's F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II are prominently featured

military

Italy's F-35 Production Line Delivers Advanced Fighter Jets to NATO Allies

Italy is now a key manufacturing hub for one of the world's most advanced fighter jets, the F-35 Lightning II. The Final Assembly and Check-Out (FACO) facility in Cameri, operated by Leonardo, is one of only two F-35 final assembly lines outside the United States. This strategic site

military

Israel Finalizes Multi-Billion Dollar Deal for Advanced US Fighter Jets

Israel has officially concluded a major defense agreement with the United States to procure a new fleet of advanced fighter jets. The multi-billion dollar deal is expected to include additional F-35 Lightning II stealth aircraft and new F-15EX Eagle II jets. This acquisition is aimed at significantly upgrading the Israeli

military

Conceptual F-47 Design Offers Glimpse into Sixth-Generation Fighter Capabilities

Designer Rodrigo Avella has unveiled the F-47, a conceptual design for a sixth-generation fighter jet. This visionary aircraft is intended to showcase the potential future of air dominance, succeeding the USAF's F-22 Raptor and F-15 Eagle. The F-47 concept emphasizes advanced stealth characteristics, superior maneuverability, and the integration

military

Israel Approves Major Air Force Expansion with New F-35 and F-15 Squadrons

Israel's Defense Minister has approved a significant expansion of the Israeli Air Force through the acquisition of two new fighter squadrons. The procurement includes a third squadron of 25 F-35 "Adir" stealth fighters, bringing the country's total to 75. Additionally, the plan greenlights the