military

A collection of 681 posts

military

A-10 'Warthogs' Practice Austere Landings in Texas Expeditionary Exercise

The 357th Fighter Squadron recently conducted an expeditionary combat exercise at Fort Bliss, Texas, showcasing the capabilities of the A-10C Thunderbolt II. Pilots practiced operating from a temporary dirt landing strip, a key component of the Air Force's Agile Combat Employment (ACE) doctrine. The training involved landing,

military

Netherlands Becomes First International Partner in US Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft Program

The Netherlands has officially become the first international partner to join the U.S. Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. This strategic initiative focuses on the development of unmanned 'loyal wingman' drones. These advanced autonomous aircraft are designed to operate alongside the Royal Netherlands Air

military

China's J-20 Stealth Fighter Advancements Pose a Growing Threat to US Naval Operations

China's Chengdu J-20 'Mighty Dragon' is evolving into a significant challenge for the U.S. Navy. The stealth fighter's advancements, including a reported 2,000-kilometer 'kill chain,' threaten to undermine American naval dominance in the Indo-Pacific. Its combination of

military

US Air Force Arms MQ-9 Reaper Drones with Air-to-Air Missiles for Self-Defense

The U.S. Air Force is upgrading its MQ-9 Reaper drones by equipping them with AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. This strategic enhancement is designed to provide the drones with a self-defense capability against hostile aircraft. The move transforms the Reaper from a purely surveillance and

military

Edge of Space: The Military Aircraft with the Highest Service Ceilings in Service Today

A select group of military aircraft can operate at extreme altitudes, far surpassing commercial airliners. These jets are designed for critical missions like high-altitude reconnaissance and interception. Among the highest flyers still in service are the Lockheed U-2 'Dragon Lady,' which can soar above 70,000

military

US Air Force Begins Phasing Out T-38 Talon in Favor of Boeing's T-7A Red Hawk

The United States Air Force is officially beginning the retirement process for its T-38 Talon trainer jet after more than sixty years of service. This iconic supersonic aircraft has been instrumental in training generations of fighter and bomber pilots. The aging fleet is being replaced by the modern Boeing-

military

US Air Force Releases First-Ever Overhead Image of B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber

The U.S. Air Force has unveiled new images of the B-21 Raider, including the first publicly released overhead shot of the next-generation stealth bomber. The photographs were taken during the aircraft's ongoing flight test program at Edwards Air Force Base, California. This new top-down

military

Royal Air Force A400M Conducts Emergency Medical Airdrop to Remote Tristan da Cunha

The Royal Air Force has executed a critical long-range mission to Tristan da Cunha, the world's most remote inhabited island. An A400M Atlas transport aircraft flew a 30-hour round trip from RAF Brize Norton to respond to a medical emergency. The aircraft airdropped a team of

military

U.S. Air Force Expands EA-37B Fleet as Electronic Warfare Demands Grow

The U.S. Air Force is moving to expand its next-generation electronic warfare capabilities by ordering three additional EA-37B Compass Call aircraft. This action is part of a larger strategy to replace the aging EC-130H fleet with a more advanced platform. The new EA-37B, based on

military

Mexico Initiates Process to Replace Veteran F-5 Tiger II Fighter Fleet

The Mexican Air Force is moving to replace its aging fleet of Northrop F-5E/F Tiger II fighter jets after more than four decades of service. The aircraft, first delivered in 1982, are nearing the end of their operational life, with only a few of the original twelve still

military

Russia Unveils New Geran-5 Long-Range Combat Drone During Victory Day Rehearsals

Russia has publicly revealed a new long-range combat drone, the Geran-5, during rehearsals for the Victory Day parade in Moscow. This marks the first public appearance of the new unmanned aerial vehicle, which was displayed on a launch vehicle. The Geran-5 is considered a successor to the

military

South Korea's KF-21 Boramae Fighter Deemed 'Combat-Fit', Paving Way for Production

South Korea's new KF-21 Boramae fighter jet has been provisionally declared 'combat-fit' by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). This significant milestone follows the successful completion of extensive performance evaluations, including flight and ground tests. Key capabilities verified include flights at supersonic speeds, advanced

military

Pakistan Reportedly Pursuing Chinese J-35 Stealth Fighter to Bolster Air Force

Pakistan is reportedly in discussions to acquire China's Shenyang J-35 fifth-generation stealth fighter. This potential procurement is viewed as a strategic move to counter India's acquisition of French Rafale jets and maintain a balance of power in the region. The addition of the J-

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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-

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

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.

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