U.S. Army spyplane pops-up on Flightradar24 during mission south of the Korean DMZ
Online flight tracking reminds us that the secretive EO-5Cs regularly fly along the border between North and South Korea. The above screenshot was taken from Flightradar24 by Guglielmo Guglielmi, an…
Flightradar24 exposes the presence of U.S. and allied ISR planes operating over Daesh stronghold in Iraq
Several spyplanes and drones keep an eye on Mosul, ISIS headquarters in northern Iraq. As our readers know, we've been reporting about U.S. and allied planes that can be tracked…
A U.S. Global Hawk UAV might have popped up on Flightradar24
As North Korea conducted one of the largest-ever military drill a Global Hawk UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) could be tracked online. On Mar. 26, at around 12.00AM GMT, a weird…
A330 MRTT (Multi-Role Tanker Transport) adds two new combat types: UAE Mirage 2000 and F-16 Block 60. And does it live on Flightradar24.com
Airbus Military has been very busy recently adding another two combat types able to be refueled from its A330 MRTT tanker aircraft, which has been ordered in three examples by…
Forget any security concern and welcome Air Force One on Flightradar24!
In my article titled Would modern transponders have made the hijacked planes visible to radars on 9-11? about Mode-S and ADS-B usage I wrote: According to an esteem by Flightradar24.com, around…
The aircraft you don't expect to see on Flightradar24: another "black" C-32
Yesterday at 19.45 GMT Today at 22.19 GMT: Looks like Foreign Emergency Support Team C-32s are quite active these days......and doesn't care about transmitting their information directly in the Public…
The "black" USAF C-32B….Live on Flightradar24
One or two days ago, I read that Flightradar24.com had added a new feeder in Washington DC. So, on Sunday May 08, 2011 at 19.50 GMT I thought it would…
Germany’s First Tranche 4 Eurofighter Makes Maiden Flight
Airbus announced the maiden flight of the first Eurofighter acquired by the German Air Force under Project Quadriga, which will procure 38 Tranche 4 jets to replace the oldest aircraft…
Russia’s Yak-130M Light Attack Variant Completes Maiden Flight
Two years after it was first unveiled, the Yak-130M light attack aircraft has conducted its first flight as Russia aggressively pushes the jet and other fighters for international sales. The…
First F-35A Wearing Iconic Wild Weasel Tail Flash Breaks Cover On First Flight
The F-35 wearing the tail code "WW" will join Misawa's 35th Fighter Wing and fly the Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) mission from Japan. On June 16, 2026, the…
Boeing Validates MQ-28’s Radar Cross Section
Boeing conducted testing for the MQ-28 Ghost Bat’s Radar Cross Section, validating its stealth performance. Boeing announced on June 1, 2026, that it has conducted Radar Cross Section (RCS) testing…
The ‘Narcotics Hunter’ P-3 Airborne Radar
The Customs and Border Protection describes the P-3 AEW as the world’s only law enforcement airborne radar aircraft, supporting the anti-smuggling and border protection mission. A U.S. Customs and Border…
Italian MOD Says No Policy Shift On U.S. Bases, Reveals Flight Statistics For Aviano And Sigonella
Speaking before Parliament after the controversy sparked by the denied landing of a U.S. aircraft at Sigonella, Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said Italy continues to apply long-standing agreements governing U.S.…
Video Shows Saab 340 Airborne Radar Flying in Ukraine
The Saab 340 AEW, also called the S 100D Argus, will enhance Ukraine’s situational awareness when facing Russian cruise missile and kamikaze drone barrages. Ukraine appears to have received its…
Check Out These Photos of a “Naked” B-1 Bomber Venting Fuel During a Functional Check Flight
The B-1B is the Lancer 86-0115 "Rage" regenerated from the Boneyard to be returned to active service, during a post-depot functional check flight. On Feb. 26, 2026, aviation photographer Ryan…
Qatari F-15QAs Confirmed Behind Shootdown of Iranian Su-24s
CNN says Qatari and U.S. sources confirmed a F-15QA Ababil intercepted the two Iranian Su-24s “two minutes” away from Al Udeid Air Base and Ras Laffan during a low altitude…
U.S. Navy Seeking Anti-Radiation Missile Which Can Also Kill Airborne Radars
NAVAIR is looking for an advanced anti-radiation missile with a longer range than the ones in the Navy’s current inventory and which can also engage airborne targets. The Naval Air…
Reports Suggest F-35s Are Being Delivered Without Radar Amid APG-85 Delays
According to reports, U.S. F-35 might have been delivered since June 2025 with a ballast in place of the new APG-85 radar which has been suffering from delays. Recent reports…
Eurofighter Typhoon Fleet Reaches One Million Flight Hours
The Eurofighter Typhoon global fleet, counting 610 aircraft in service across nine nations, has reached the one million flight hours milestone. The Eurofighter consortium has announced on Jan. 29, 2026,…
New RAF Typhoon ECRS Mk2 AESA Radar Upgrade Contract Awarded
BAE Systems, Leonardo UK and Parker Meggitt have been awarded a £453 million contract for the supply of ECRS Mk2 AESA radars for RAF Typhoons, though at present only 40…
How the F-14 Tomcat was Top Dog: A Look at the AWG-9 Radar System
Developed by Hughes through the F-111 program, the AWG-9, mated with the AIM-54 Phoenix, made the Grumman F-14 Tomcat the most deadly fleet defense weapon of its time. Produced by…
KF-21 Boramae Completes Flight Tests Ahead of Schedule
South Korea confirms the completion of the KF-21 Boramae flight test program after 1,600 sorties, paving the way for ROKAF deliveries and Block 2 development. South Korea’s indigenous KF-21 Boramae…
X-62 VISTA to Receive Raytheon’s PhantomStrike Radar
The PhantomStrike AESA radar will be integrated on the U.S. Air Force’s X-62 VISTA as part of the recently announced Mission Systems Upgrade to expand autonomy testing. The U.S. Air…
15 Years Ago: Last Operational British Harrier Flights
On Dec. 15, 2010, sixteen Harriers took off from RAF Cottesmore for a farewell formation flight marking the end to 41 years of British Harrier operations. Originally scheduled to remain…
China’s CH-7 Flying Wing Drone Conducts First Flight
Official descriptions suggest the CH-7 has an ISTAR role, which would allow it to send back data on enemy vessels in the western Pacific and guide long-range maritime strike missiles.…
Photographer Captures Rare B-52H Drag Chute Malfunction in Mid Flight
Unusual drag chute deployment caught on camera over Fort Worth. A photographer in the Fort Worth area captured a rare and unusual incident on Dec. 11, 2025, involving a B-52H…
B-52 Upgraded with AESA Radar Arrives at Edwards AFB
The B-52H received the AN/APQ-188 AESA radar at Boeing’s San Antonio facility and has now arrived at Edwards AFB for the ground and flight testing planned throughout 2026. The U.S.…
Finland’s First F-35 Conducts Maiden Flight
The Finnish Air Force’s first F-35 conducted its first flight on Dec. 8, ahead of the official rollout ceremony next week. The Finnish Air Force has announced the maiden flight…
The Last Flight: How a British Band Soundtracked Aviation’s Greatest Mystery
Public Service Broadcasting's The Last Flight tells Amelia Earhart's story through her diary entries, backed by masterfully composed instrumentation, and they're touring Europe and North America this year. "I was…
Italy Goes Ahead with Acquisition of 29 More AW249 Attack Helicopters
Italy has launched the parliamentary process to approve the acquisition of a new batch of AW249s, which will complete the fleet of 48 attack helicopters. Italian Parliament’s documents show that…
NASA’s X-59 QueSST Conducts Maiden Flight
After some scrubbed attempts, NASA’s X-59 QueSST flew for the first time from Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale on Oct. 28, 2025. In a landmark milestone for aeronautical research,…
10 Years Ago Today: Avro Vulcan XH558’s Final Flight
Oct. 28, 2025 marks the tenth anniversary of the last time an Avro Vulcan took to the skies. Following eight years of renewed airworthiness, XH558 landed on Oct. 28, 2015…
Mysterious Object Spotted At Lockheed Martin’s Helendale Radar Cross Section Test Range
A YouTube video posted by the account Uncanny Expeditions appears to show a previously unseen object undergoing testing at Lockheed Martin’s Helendale Radar Cross Section (RCS) Test Range in California’s…
Raytheon Unveils New APG-82(V)X AESA Radar
The latest iteration of the combat-proven APG-82 radar incorporates gallium nitride (GaN) technology to enhance the radar's effectiveness and capabilities. Raytheon has unveiled a major upgrade to the APG-82 Active…
Airbus A320 ATRA Flies in IOC Configuration Ahead of Eurofighter’s AESA Radar Testing
The Advanced Technology Research Aircraft was modified with the Eurofighter’s nose to support testing of the ECRS Mk.1 AESA radar. Airbus and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) have reached another…
Scaled Composites Model 437 Vanguard Begins Envelope Expansion Flights
Scaled Composites’ Model 437 Vanguard returns to flight, expanding its envelope ahead of Northrop Grumman’s Beacon autonomy flight testing. The Scaled Composites Model 437 Vanguard has resumed flight testing at…
Indonesian Air Force’s First Rafale Takes Maiden Flight
Jakarta is procuring 16 dual-seat and 26 single seat Rafales, with deliveries expected to being by February 2026, according to Indonesian reports. The Indonesian Air Force’s (TNI Angkatan Udara -…
Second B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber Takes Flight
The second B-21 conducted its maiden flight and will now join the first one, which has been flying since 2023 at Edwards Air Force Base. The second B-21 Raider stealth…
SOCOM To Equip C-130 Fleet With APG-83 AESA Radar In Major Upgrade
Special Operations Command selected Northrop Grumman’s APG-83 SABR to replace legacy radars on AC-130J, MC-130J, and HC-130J aircraft. The U.S. Air Force has announced that Special Operations Command (SOCOM) will…
B-52 Radar Modernization Nears Flight Testing
The AN/APQ-188 radar upgrade for the B-52 is finally preparing to begin flight testing, following years of delays, cost overruns, and a program review. The U.S. Air Force’s long-running effort…
The UK’s Intelligence Flights Over Gaza: Analysis and Commentary
Let’s look at what we know about the UK’s flights over Gaza, what we can tell from them, what has been claimed, and what they might signal about UK-Israel relations.…
General Atomics’ YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft Takes Flight
The YFQ-42 becomes the first of the U.S. Air Force’s new Collaborative Combat Aircraft to enter flight testing. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has announced on Aug. 27, 2025, that its…
Last Production U-2 Returns to Flight for First Time Since 2008
80-1099 was photographed in flight for the first time in 17 years after being heavily damaged in a hydrazine fire in 2008. Aviation enthusiasts captured the aircraft in flight from…
Patriot PAC-3 MSE Demonstrates 360-Degree Engagement Capability with LTADMS Radar
The PAC-3 MSE has been coupled with the LTADMS radar to demonstrate a 360-degree engagement capability for the U.S. Army’s modernized IAMD architecture. The U.S. Army’s Patriot air defense system…
New Footage Shows Secretive RATT55 Radar Testbed Operating from Area 51’s Hangar 18
Photographer Michał Rokita captured video of the elusive Boeing 737 from near Tikaboo Peak, the closest point where civilians can view the test facility at Groom Lake known worldwide as…
BAE Systems and QinetiQ Prepare Avro RJ100 Testbed for ECRS Mk2 Radar Flight Trials
A modified Avro RJ100 will support integration of Leonardo UK’s ECRS Mk2 AESA radar for RAF Typhoons, reducing costs and accelerating development. BAE Systems and QinetiQ are preparing to modify…
Top Aces F-16 Makes First Flight in Su-57 ‘Felon’-Inspired Livery
The new paint scheme of Top Aces’ F-16 mimics that of the Russian Su-57 “Felon” fighter jet. On Aug. 4, 2025, one of Top Aces’ former Israeli Air Force F-16A…
U-2 Dragon Lady Breaks Altitude and Endurance Records During 70th Anniversary Flight
Flying from Beale AFB, a Lockheed U-2 aircraft, using the specially chosen callsign DRAGON 70, was heard communicating with ATC about a plan to set an endurance and altitude record…
Delta Regional Flight Performs ‘Aggressive Maneuver’ To Avoid B-52 Near Minot
A civilian pilot was forced to perform what has been described as an "aggressive go-around" to avoid a U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber near Minot, North Dakota. The article…
Stranded An-124 Rejoins Antonov Fleet at Leipzig
One of Antonov Airlines’ prized An-124s, which was undergoing an overhaul at the time of Russia’s full scale invasion, escaped Ukraine’s contested airspace and arrived at Antonov’s temporary base at…
High Priority C-17 Flight Fuels Speculation About RAF Lakenheath Nuclear Mission
Reach 4574, a C-17 Globemaster III, flew direct from Kirtland AFB, home to the AFMC Nuclear Weapons Centre, to RAF Lakenheath with the support of KC-46 Pegasus refueling aircraft. Ever…
Rare Sighting: Elusive RAT55 737 Radar Test Aircraft Captured in Flight Alongside B-2 Spirit
A photographer spotted the two aircraft over Death Valley earlier this year. The secretive RAT55 NT-43A is thought to be almost exclusively used to test the airborne radar signatures of…
Netherlands Completes Delivery of 24 F-16s to Ukraine
Less than a year after the first deliveries, the RNLAF completed the transfer of the last of the 24 F-16s promised to Ukraine, which will reach the country after a…
SNC’s RAPCON-X Completes Initial Flight Testing
The completion of the Flight Performance Handling & Qualification testing is a key milestone in proving the jet’s airworthiness with consistent performance for the full flight envelope. Sierra Nevada Corporation’s…
Protector RG1 Completes UK Certification Enabling Flights Outside of Restricted Airspace
The UK Military Aviation Authority issued a Military Type Certificate for the RAF’s MQ-9B Protector RG1, clearing the aircraft for flight in regular airspace. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI)…
End of an Era: Kadena Conducts Last Operational F-15 Eagle Flight
After 45 years of operations, the 18th Wing conducted its last F-15C Eagle sortie, which also represents the type's last U.S. Air Force active-duty flight. Kadena’s final F-15C/D Eagle flight…
China’s Mysterious J-36 Next-Gen Aircraft Spotted During Second Test Flight
The next-generation J-36 appears to be still in the initial phases of flight testing, flying with landing gear down and a flight data probe installed on the nose. One of…
Turkey’s Akıncı UCAV Flies with MURAD AESA Radar
Equipped with the new MURAD AESA radar, the Akıncı can track both aerial and ground targets, paving the way for a future in an air-to-air role with the integration of…
Turkey’s Bayraktar TB2T-AI Variant Takes Maiden Flight
The TB2T-AI has three new “AI computers,” a new turboprop engine and winglet. Recently, the TB2 also flew with the Antidot Electronic Warfare pods. Turkey’s Baykar Tech, maker of the…
Italy Has Already Ordered 17 AW249 Helicopters as Testing Progresses
According to Italian government’s documents, a prototype and three pre-production AW249s are currently being tested, while the initial order has been now increased to 17 helicopters. The Italian Army has increased…
Royal Air Force Protector RG1 Completes Further Flight Testing
Following the type’s first UK flight in November 2023, unmanned Protector RG1s, the UK designation for MQ-9B, are now conducting regular flights from their Lincolnshire base. Over the past week,…
Airbus, Navantia to Explore SIRTAP UAV’s Flight Operations from Spanish Juan Carlos I Carrier
The integration of SIRTAP of the Juan Carlos I will focus on command and control, combat system integration and navigation support, including take-off and landing operations. European defense and aerospace…
Airbus A320 ATRA Performs Maiden Flight After E-Scan AESA Radar Modification
The Advanced Technology Research Aircraft is equipped with the nose of a Eurofighter to test the new E-Scan Mk1 AESA radar, also known as European Common Radar System (ECRS) Mk1.…
Jared Isaacman’s Tornado F2’s Assembly Progresses, as Jet Awaits Certification and First Flight
The former Royal Air Force Tornado F2, acquired by the future NASA chief, is the specially equipped TIARA (Tornado Integrated Avionics Research Aircraft), used as a testbed for various avionics…
First Photos of Chinese KJ-3000 AEW Aircraft in Flight Emerge Online
XAC (Xi’an Aircraft Corporation) has not fallen behind CAC and SAC exposing new aircraft this year, and has now flown its Y-20B-based KJ-3000 Airborne Early Warning aircraft. Right on the…
Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243 Hit By Russian SAM, Azeri Authorities Claim
The investigation on the crash of the Embraer E190 while attempting an emergency landing is still ongoing, however reports of a possible involvement of Russian air defenses are quickly spreading…
Italy Orders New Batch Of Up To 24 Eurofighter Typhoons
Fresh on the heels of Spain’s order for 25 new Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft, Italy has now signed a contract for 24 jets to replace earlier Tranche 1 airframes. The long…
Airbus Unveils A320 Flying Testbed with New Nose for ECRS Mk.1 Radar Testing
The nose section was specifically designed and manufactured by a team of Airbus Defence and Space engineers to install the ECRS Mk.1 AESA radar on the A320 D-ATRA flying testbed.…
PLAN’s Naval Aviation University Performs J-15 Flight Training on Simulated Carrier Deck
Recently released images show J-15s of one of the brigades attached to the Naval Aviation University practicing launch and recovery operations at an unspecified coastal base where a flight deck…
2024 Fundamental for GCAP, Working to Make 2035 Goal a Reality, Says Leonardo
The three nations made important steps forward this year, establishing equal work sharing, locations and coordination of the different areas of GCAP, with the objective of cutting in half timeline…
Eurofighter Typhoon Flies with E-Scan Radar for the First Time
A Spanish Eurofighter conducted the first test flight with the E-Scan radar system which will replace the older mechanically scanned Captor-M in the Spanish and German fleets. The Spanish Air…
VMUT-2 Performs First MQ-9A Reaper Flight at MCAS Cherry Point
Marines on the East Coast will soon have their own MQ-9A Reaper training unit, which will train pilots and sensor operators from spring 2025. An MQ-9A Reaper from the VMUT-2…
Sierra Nevada Corporation’s RAPCON-X Performs Successful Inaugural Flight
The maiden flight of RAPCON-X marks a significant step forward for the U.S. Army’s ATHENA program, showcasing the future of adaptive ISR capabilities to address evolving global threats. Sierra Nevada…
All the Highlights of the 2024 China Airshow
The J-35A, Su-57 and many Flanker variants were all on the menu for this year’s China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai. The 2024 China International Aviation & Aerospace…
Take A Look At These New Photographs Of The B-21 Raider During A Test Flight
Sightings of the secretive B-21 Raider flying at high altitude continue. And we can't get enough of the incredible photos captured during test flights. In the last few weeks we…
Photographer Takes Breathtaking Images Of B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber During Test Flight
Sightings of the B-21 Raider stealth bomber are becoming more frequent on the U.S. West Coast, as testing of the 6th generation bomber continues. On Oct. 31, 2024, aviation photographer…
An In-Depth Look at the NGAD Review Expected to Conclude by the End of 2024
The U.S. Air Force's Next-Generation Air Dominance program is currently under a comprehensive review to reassess the requirements of the 6th generation manned fighter in face of rising costs and…
F-16 from 85th Squadron Completes First Flight with Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite
Set to replace the legacy Viper's EW systems, the new IVEWS flew for the first time in an F-16 last month. Last month, an F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 85th…
First Bulgarian F-16 Block 70 Performs Maiden Flight
Bulgaria will be the second European country to receive the newly built F-16 Block 70, with 16 fighters to be delivered as replacement for the MiG-29 fleet. Lockheed Martin announced…
Germany’s PEGASUS SIGINT Aircraft Performs Maiden Flight
The PEGASUS aircraft, based on the Bombardier Global 6000, is the first of three that will be later integrated with the Hensoldt Kalætron Integral SIGINT sensor suite for the German…
Royal Navy Wildcat Pilot Awarded After Landing Helicopter Safely With Major Engine Fault During MEDEVAC Flight
Pilot Lt Dan Burnett has received a commendation from the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society for his actions in safely recovering a Wildcat AH1 helicopter to its ship after it developed a…
Production Prototype of Turkey’s Kizilelma UCAV Makes Maiden Flight With New Engine and Sensors
The third prototype of Kizilelma is also the production prototype, which shows a number of changes, including an afterburning engine, structural differences and aerodynamic improvements for higher performance. The production…
RAF Eurofighter Typhoon Flies with Leonardo’s ECRS Mk.2 Radar For The First Time
The first flight of the new ECRS Mk.2 AESA radar on the Typhoon marks a milestone in the ongoing development of the aircraft to keep it relevant in the next…
Aurora Flight Sciences Shows Liberty Lifter Concept Of Operations
The video shows how Liberty Lifter can combine heavy-lift transport at the scale of a ship with the speed of an aircraft for fast logistics missions in a sea environment.…
Royal Air Force E-7 Wedgetail Completes First Post-Conversion Test Flight
The first of three Boeing E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning aircraft ordered by the Royal Air Force completed its first test flight on Sept. 20, 2024 following conversion at Birmingham…
Leonardo AW249 Next-Gen Attack Helicopter Takes Part In “Stella Alpina 2024” Operational Exercise
Exercise “Stella Alpina 2024” saw specialized components of the Italian Army training with new systems and technologies, including a pre-production model of the new AW249 attack helicopter and electronic warfare…
Northrop Grumman Demonstrates Multimode Sensor for Radar, Electronic Warfare and Communications
Northrop Grumman says EMRIS leverages technologies developed for other programs, combining them with an open architecture and technology from DARPA’s Arrays on Commercial Timescales program. Northrop Grumman has announced the…
B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber Returns to Edwards AFB for Major Upgrade on 35th Anniversary of First Flight
The upgrades involve integrating open mission systems architecture, new software, sensors and weapons to enhance the B-2’s survivability and combat capability. Thirty-five years after the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber first…
Mystery Flying Wing Aircraft Model Appears in Satellite Images of China’s Radar Test Facility
The Chinese mystery aircraft might not be an actual flying asset but rather a model used to test the design’s radar characteristics. A mysterious flying-wing aircraft appeared in satellite images…
Israeli Air Force Completes In-Flight Refueling Exercise In Apparent “Show of Force” to Iran
Israel flexes its aviation muscles as tensions with Iran soar, with an exercise simulating “a long-range flight deep in enemy territory” supported by aerial refueling. On Aug. 15, 2024, the…
F-22 Raptor Spotted During Rare Flight With External AIM-120 Missiles
While the feature was not fielded to operational units, the F-22 has also the capability to carry AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles externally. A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor has been…
USAF Airmen Embed with Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail Unit At Pitch Black 2024
U.S. Air Force pilots and air battle managers are getting "hand-on" experience with the E-7A Wedgetail during the latest iteration of Pitch Black. Beginning in 2022, the U.S. Air Force…
All The Highlights Of Royal International Air Tattoo 2024
F-15QA, CF-188, and many F-16s among the notable attendees of RIAT 2024. Taking place on Jul. 19-21, 2024, this year's Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) celebrated some historic milestones for…
B-2 Stealth Bomber Demoes QUICKSINK Low Cost Maritime Strike Capability During RIMPAC 2024
The U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit carried out a QUICKSINK demonstration during the second SINKEX (Sinking Exercise) of RIMPAC 2024. This marks the very first time a B-2 Spirit has…
Royal Navy’s 809 Naval Air Squadron Completes First F-35 Flight
After reforming in December 2023, 809 Naval Air Squadron has now flown its first ever independent sortie as the UK’s newest F-35B unit. Joining 617 Squadron of the Royal Air…
B-52’s Upgraded AN/ALQ-172 Self-Protection System Tested During Recent Flight
Advanced EW Upgrades Keep B-52 Stratofortress Combat-Ready. The upgraded B-52’s AN/ALQ-172 electronic warfare (EW) self-protection system was successfully tested recently, L3Harris has announced. The ALQ-172 self-protection integrated RF subsystem is…
Italy Moves Forward With Plan To Buy 24 New Eurofighter Typhoons
The Ministry of Defense requested the government’s approval for the acquisition of the 4th tranche of the European fighter jet, effectively launching the acquisition process. Shortly after the news of…
Air Force Research Laboratory Releases First Video Of XQ-67A’s Maiden Flight
The first flight of the new XQ-67A took place in February 2024 but the first air-to-air footage was just released. Developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) as part of…
B-52 Bombers Tour Scandinavia While Heading Home At The End Of Bomber Task Force 24-3
The first two bombers returned to Minot Air Force Base a month after their arrival in the U.K., integrating with Swedish, Norwegian and Finnish assets on their way back. After…
Leonardo AW249 Next Generation Gunship Helicopter Makes International Debut
The AW249 was presented Eurosatory in Paris, where Leonardo finally shared some more details about the next generation combat helicopter. Leonardo has not disclosed many details about its new AW249…
F-22 Raptor Surpasses 500,000 Flight Hours
The first 5th generation air superiority fighter of the U.S. Air Force has recently reached the important milestone, more than 25 years after its introduction in service. Lockheed Martin has…
Russia’s A-100 AEW&C Prototype Will Test New Powerful AESA Radar
The A-100 project had been delayed as sanctions cut Russia’s access to modern Western electronics and microprocessors. The Russian A-100 "Premier" AEW&C (Airborne Early Warning and Control) aircraft, currently being…
Ukraine to Get Sweden’s AWACS in First Airborne Radar Donation
The two Saab 340B AEW&C aircraft are part of a $1.3 Billion military aid package announced by Stockholm. In one of the most interesting military aviation donations to Ukraine since…
Northrop Grumman Has Just Dropped A New Inflight Photo Of The B-21 Raider
One day after the U.S. Air Force released the first air-to-air image of the B-21 Raider bomber, Northrop Grumman has made available another one. Here are all the details we…
Poland Buys US-made Radar Aerostats To Monitor Border With Russia
The Aerostat-based sensors will bolster the airspace monitoring assets deployed to the NATO Eastern Flank. Poland signed the LOA executive agreement on May 22, 2024 to procure four reconnaissance and…
Aurora Flight Sciences to Continue Design Liberty Lifter Experimental Heavy Cargo Seaplane
If Aurora’s concept passes the Preliminary Design Review by 2025, it will be expected to float, fly and then demonstrate the Liberty Lifter by late-2027 or early 2028. Following General…
ROKAF’s Last F-4E’s Carry Out Formation Flight Over South Korea
Republic of Korea Air Force Phantom II with special liveries flew in formation with its replacement, KF-21, across the Korean peninsula. On May 9, 2024, the Republic of Korea Air…
Italian Air Force F-35s Flew In Full “Stealth Mode” During Red Flag Alaska 24-1
Italy deployed Typhoons, F-35s, a KC-767, and a G550 CAEW to Alaska for the first time to take part in the two-week exercise with other U.S. assets. Interestingly, the Italian…
B-21 Raider Spotted During Test Flight
A video appears to show the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider bomber during a test flight over California. The B-21 Raider is carrying out test flights out of Edwards Air Force Base,…
F-15EX Delivery To Operational Units Nears With Maiden Flight Of First Jet Destined To 142nd FW
F-15EX-008 is the first planned to be delivered to the 142nd Fighter Wing of the Oregon Air National Guard. The introduction into operational service of the F-15EX Eagle II is…
USAF’s XQ-67A Drone Makes First Flight
AFRL announced that its new XQ-67A Off-Board Sensing Station successfully accomplished its first flight. USAF’s Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) announced that on Feb. 28, 2024, its new XQ-67A accomplished…
The First Flight Of The B-21 Revealed Some Interesting Details Of The New Bomber
Here are all the interesting things we have noticed in the images of the B-21's first flight. At 6:51 a.m on Nov. 10, 2023, local time, the B-21 Raider made…
Everything You Need To Know (And See) About The Historic First Flight Of The B-21
We have noticed a lot of interesting details in the photos and videos of the new B-21 Raider bomber during its first flight. At 6:51 a.m on Nov.10, 2023, the…
The U.S. Military Wants To Limit Flight Tracking Of Its Aircraft
The move is supposed to mitigate the operational security threats posed by open-source ADS-B systems. Earlier this year, we reported about the U.S. Air Force Air Mobility Command making a…
F-117 Stealth Jets (Fitted With Radar Reflectors) In New Photos From Alaska Exercise
The F-117s have operated from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson for NE 23-1 earlier this month. But the most interesting thing is the presence of the removable radar reflectors installed on the…
Deep Dive Into The International Flight Training School, ‘World’s Leading 5th Gen. Training System’
We have recently talked to the Chiefs of Staff of the ITAF, RAF, JASDF and RCAF and here's why the Italian training system, based on the M-346 and already chosen…
First F-16 Block 70 Jet Makes Maiden Flight
The new F-16 Block 70 is the world’s newest and most advanced production F-16. On Jan. 24, 2023, at 09.17AM ET, the first F-16 Block 70 jet carried out its…
The F-35 Lightning II Will Get A New Radar
The new APG-85 radar will replace the older APG-81 on the upcoming Block 4 fighters. Last year, the U.S. Air Force’s unfunded wish list for Fiscal Year 2023 mentioned the…
U.S. And Dutch F-35s Have Flown Without Radar Reflectors During First Week Of ‘Falcon Strike 2022’
Some of 5th gen. aircraft have operated in “full stealth mode” to train in the most realistic scenarios. As we already reported, F-35s from Italy, United States and the Netherlands…
Dissecting The Italian Defense Planning Document For 2022-2024
The Italian MoD is continuing the modernization of the military, with investments in many areas that will also sustain the national industry. The Italian government published, during the summer, the…
The New AW249 Attack Helicopter Flies For The First Time
The helicopter will replace the AH-129D Mangusta in service with the Italian Army. The first prototype of the Leonardo AW249 next-generation attack helicopter flew for the first time on August…
Ukrainian MiG-29s Are Hunting Russian Radars With AGM-88 HARM Missiles
US officials confirmed that the AGM-88 has been integrated on the Fulcrum to enhance its SEAD capabilities. The United States announced another security assistance package to support Ukraine, worth $775…
South Korea’s Domestically Developed KF-21 Boramae Makes First Flight
The KF-21 Boramae has just made its maiden flight. The first prototype of the KF-21 Boramae (Korean for “Hawk”), the next-generation fighter developed by KAI (Korea Aerospace Industries), carried out its…
Super Hornet Blown Off Flight Deck Of USS Truman In Mediterranean Sea
A U.S. Navy Super Hornet blew off deck due to very bad weather. A Super Hornet belonging to Carrier Air Wing 1 aboard USS Truman sailing in the Mediterranean Sea,…
South Korea’s KF-21 Begins Ground Tests Ahead Of Imminent First Flight
The aircraft was spotted taxiing to the runway at Sacheon airport, home of Korea Aerospace Industries’ facilities. The first prototype of the KF-21 Boramae (Korean for “Hawk”), the next-generation fighter…
Northrop Grumman Says It’s Confident On B-21’s Rollout Later This Year And First Flight in 2023
B-21 will not fly until next year. But we should be able to see it as it rolls out later in 2022. Here are the latest updates. An article published…
Romanian Air Force Supends Flight Activites With The MiG-21 LanceR
Given their "considerably high accident rate", all the Romanian MiG-21 LanceR aircraft have been grounded. The Romanian Air Force has suspended all the flight activities of the remaining MiG-21 LanceR…
Romanian F-16s Intercept Turkish Airlines Flight From Moscow To Istanbul After Bomb Threat
The Romanian Air Force F-16s in QRA (Quick Reaction Alert) were scrambled to intercept a Turkish A330 today. Turkish Airlines and Air Serbia, the only airlines to allow passengers to…
M-346 Crashes During Test Flight In Northern Italy. One Of The Two Crew Members Killed In The Incident
An M-346 destined to an export customer crashed in the mountains near Como. The crew ejected: one found dead, the other rescued and hospitalized. An M-346 aircraft crashed at approximately…
U.S. F-35s Have Flown Patrols Over Eastern Europe Without Radar Reflectors
Photos released by the U.S. Air Force prove F-35s have flown in "full stealth mode" over Poland. On Feb. 27, 2022, we reported that at least one F-35 Lightning II…
Everything You Need To Know About The Recent B-52’s 24-HR Mission Across The Med And Red Sea Regions
The BUFF took off from RAF Fairford, where it is deployed as part of Bomber Task Force Europe, and integrated with Typhoons, F-15s and F/A-18s during a long-range presence patrol.…
Take A Look At These Cool Photos Of The Delivery Flight Of The Kuwait Air Force’s First Eurofighter Typhoons
The first Eurofighter Typhoons destined to the Kuwait Air Force have been delivered. These stunning images show them during their delivery flight. On Dec. 14, 2021, the first two out…
First German C-130J Hercules Performs Maiden Flight
The aircraft is the first of six C-130Js that will be operated together with four French ones in a joint binational squadron. The Bundeswehr announced on November 8, 2021, the…
Upcoming Russian Movie Recalls The Story Of The RuAF Su-24 Shot Down In Syria And The Death Of Its Pilot
The Russian movie "Sky" is based on the shootdown of the Russian Air Force Su-24 over Syria in 2015 and the pilot killed after successfully ejecting from the Fencer with…
China’s New Carrier-Based Stealth Fighter Makes First Flight
China has flown the carrier variant of its FC-31 stealth fighter, possibly dubbed J-35 (and bearing some resemblance to the F-35C). On Oct. 27, 2021, we reported about the first…
Kuwait’s First Two Eurofighter Typhoons Break Cover, Perform First Flight
Kuwaiti Air Force Typhoons are going to be the most advanced in service among the eight Eurofighter operators. On Oct. 15, 2021, the first two Eurofighter Typhoon jets destined to…
Leonardo Celebrates 50th Anniversary Since First Flight Of Iconic Lynx Helicopter
The Lynx helicopter was the backbone of the British Army and the Royal Navy before it was replaced by the AW159 Wildcat. On Mar. 21, 1971, the yellow prototype of…
F-35A Carried Out First In-Flight Drop Of JSM (Joint Strike Missile) Anti-Ship And Land-Attack Missile
The Norwegian Defense Materiel Agency has just released the first photos from a successful test conducted in February of the Joint Strike Missile (JSM). The first drop test of a…
Here Are All The Details We Noticed In The Photos Of The New F-15EX During Its First Flight
Some interesting details can be found in the first photos of the F-15EX, which are useful also for a comparison with the F-15C that will be replaced by the new…
First Greek F-16V Performs Maiden Flight After Block 72 Upgrade
The F-16V will continue flight testing before being ferried to the U.S. for final upgrades and certification. The first F-16V of the Hellenic Air Force flew for the first time…
First AW169 In New Advanced Light Utility Helicopter Configuration Begins Flight Testing
The AW169 LUH helicopter, based on the AW169M light intermediate twin-engine helicopter, features a new skid landing gear which replaces the standard retractable gear. The first Leonardo AW169 LUH (Light…
Let’s Talk About The Su-57 And The Radar Blockers Allegedly Sighted For The First Time Inside The Felon’s Air Intake
The Su-57 Felon's radar blockers were allegedly exposed by a video part of a longer feature aired by Russian television for the centenary of the Chkalov State Flight Test Center.…
5th Generation Aerial Target Drone to Make its Maiden Flight Later This Month
5GAT ready for first flight. According to the U.S. Department of Defense the 5th generation aerial target drone is to make its maiden flight later this month. The first flight…
The APG-83 AESA Radar Reached The Full Operational Capability With The U.S. Air Force Air National Guard
The new radars were also employed recently in a cruise missile defense exercise. Northrop Grumman announced that its AN/APG-83 SABR (Scalable Agile Beam Radar) Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar…
Royal Air Force To Get New AESA Radars for the Eurofighter Typhoon
The new radar, called European Common Radar System Mark 2, will enter service in the mid-2020s. The Royal Air Force signed a £ 317 million (about USD 421 million) contract…
Second Successful Flight of X-61A Gremlin Air Vehicle (GAV) For DARPA’s Swarming Program
The DARPA Gremlins initiative aims to demonstrate aerial launch and recovery of "swarms" of low-cost reusable unmanned aerial systems (UASs). Dynetics, Inc., has successfully test-flown a second X-61A Gremlins Air…
Virgin Orbit Performs First Test Launch of LauncherOne Rocket. But Debut Flight Fails.
The test failed prematurely because of an unknown rocket anomaly. A little less than one year after the first drop test, Virgin Orbit conducted a launch demonstration of the LauncherOne…
The F-15 Eagle’s Most Advanced Production Version Performs Its First Flight
The F-15QA is the first of 36 aircraft developed specifically for Qatar. Boeing announced that the F-15QA, the most advanced version of the F-15 Eagle, performed successfully its first flight…
Multiple Aerial Refuelings From KC-130J Tankers Keep HH-101A “Caesar” Helicopters In Flight For +6 Hours
Record flight for the Aeronautica Militare (Italian Air Force) that showcases a new capability. KC-130J tankers from the 46^ Brigata Aerea (Air Brigade), based at Pisa airport, and HH-101A helicopters…
Let’s Talk About The Israeli F-35I Adir That Appeared (Again) on Flight Tracking Websites
F-35s can be tracked online almost daily. However, the fact that the IDF allowed journalists to post the screenshots of its stealth jet tracking on FR24.com is worth a comment.…
Online Flight Tracking Provides A Look At The US Build Up In Middle East Following the Attack on US Embassy In Iraq
Here’s everything we know about the deployment that followed the attack on the US embassy in Baghdad which involved at least 30 aircraft (that could be tracked online via ADS-B).…
Let’s Talk About The Story Of A German Radar Vendor That Claims To Have Tracked Two F-35s With Passive Radar
A German radar vendor tracked the F-35 jets in 2018 from a pony farm. But it turns out the aircraft were flying with radar reflectors and ADS-B transponder (that could…
U.S. Air Force’s F-35A Jets With Radar Reflectors And External AIM-9X Missiles Carry Out First Airstrikes In Iraq
Photos of the U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft involved in an airstrike at Wadi Ashai, Iraq, show a really interesting configuration. Two U.S. Air Force F-35 belonging to…
U.S. B-52 Bombers Belonging To Task Force Deployed To UK Perform “Theater Familiarization Flights” Across Europe
Stratofortress bombers are part of a Task Force of 6 "Buffs": the largest American bomber deployment to RAF Fairford since the Iraq war in 2003. On Mar. 18, 2019, a…
F-35 Stealth Aircraft Goes “Live” On Flight Tracking Websites As It Flies Mission Over Israel
An F-35, most probably one of the Adir jets recently delivered to the Israeli Air Force, appears on Flightradar24.com: deliberate action or just a case of bad OPSEC? On Jul.…
VUP-19 DET PM MQ-4C “Triton” Drone Performs First Flight From NBVC Point Mugu
U.S. Navy's MQ-4C "Triton" belonging to the Unmanned Patrol Squadron One Nine (VUP-19) DET Point Mugu conducted first flight from Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) Point Mugu. On Jun. 27,…
Russia’s New Tu-214ON Open Skies Surveillance Aircraft Tracked Online During Flights Over Taganrog Region
The new Tu-214ON has carried out a series of test flights in southwest Russia, close to the border with Ukraine. Tupolev is continuing the testing of the new Tu-214ON (Otkrytoye…
Video Shows Ukrainian Air Force Su-24MR Fencer Buzzing The Flight Line At An Airbase in Ukraine
Here's yet another ultra-low pass of a Ukrainian combat aircraft. The following footage was reportedly filmed in 2014. It shows a Su-24MR Fencer-E performing a low pass over the flight…
Take A Look At This Unusual Drone Video Of Two Russian Su-57 Fighters In Flight
Two Su-57s flying in formation as seen from a drone. An interesting video was shared online by the Russian "Zvezda " TV channel. It shows, two Su-57 fighter aircraft flying…
Image Of Israeli F-35 Flying Off Beirut (With Radar Reflectors) As Well As More Details About The Adir’s First Strikes Emerge
A photograph of an Israeli Air Force F-35 flying (more or less..) "over" Beirut has been made public. Interestingly, the image seems to prove the stealthy aircraft was flying with…
Saab GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning & Control Aircraft Completes First Flight
Saab's new AEW&C aircraft has successfully completed its maiden flight. On Mar. 14, Saab GlobalEye, a modified Bombardier Global 6000 jet turned into surveillance platform, took off on its first…
Interesting Photos Show U.S. Air Force F-35A Stealth Jets Deployed To Japan About To Launch Without Radar Reflectors
Some recent photos of the Hill AFB F-35s deployed to Kadena Okinawa, seem to suggest the 5th Generation fighters have started operating in "stealth mode". Stealth aircraft, such as the…
America’s Secret Airline To Area 51 Is Now Hiring Flight Attendants
JANET airlines, flying non-stop to Area 51, Tonopah Test Range and other "sensitive locations" is hiring. Janet (that unofficially stands for “Just Another Non Existent Terminal”), is the name of…
With Three Flights To Batajnica, A Volga-Dnepr An-124 Cargo Has Delivered Six “New” MiG-29 Fulcrum Jets To Serbia
These are the first new (used and for the moment disassembled) combat aircraft for Serbia since 1987. Three pairs of partially disassembled MiG-29 Fulcrum jets destined to Serbia have been…
Russian Il-76 “Candid” Modified To Support Special Operations Conducts Flight Test Over The Black Sea
A special version of the Il-76MD-90A (Il-476) airlifter, developed for special forces support was tracked online during flight test recently. A really interesting aircraft was spotted conducting flight testing over…
New Search For Avro Arrow Flight Models Lost 60 Years Ago in Lake Ontario Has Begun
Scale Model Flight Test Prototypes Sunk in Lake May Provide Clues to Mystery. The Canadian-built CF-105 Avro Arrow is many things in aviation history, but more than anything else, it…
Russian Su-24 Fencer Combat Aircraft (Closely Watched By Swedish JAS 39 Gripen Jets) Buzz Dutch Navy Frigate In The Baltic
Russian Fencers have started buzzing NATO warships in the Baltic Sea again. On May 17, two Russian Su-24M Fencer attack jets flew quite close to the Royal Netherlands Navy Frigate…
Watch a US guided missile destroyer launch Tomahawk cruise missiles against Houthi rebels radar sites in Yemen
The guided missile destroyer USS Nitze (DDG 94) launched a TLAM strike against three coastal radar sites in Houthi-controlled territory on Yemen's Red Sea coast. On Oct. 13, at around…
Before Topgun Days: a book reveals how F-14 Tomcat Radar Intercept Officers were trained
Behind the scenes of the making of an F-14 Tomcat RIO. Although the Grumman F-14 Tomcat had evolved into a multi-mission strike fighter when it was eventually retired from U.S.…
Japan’s X-2 “Shinshin” indigenous stealth jet makes first flight
The first Japanese stealth jet made its maiden flight. The first prototype of the indigenous stealth war plane that Japan Air Self-Defense Force will operate in the air defense role,…
There were seven French tankers in flight last night. Exercise or real operation?
Many French C-135s flying at the same time recently. One of our readers has spotted something quite unusual: as many as 7 French Air Force tankers were flying in southwestern…
How An F-15E Strike Eagle Shot Down An Iraqi Mi-24 Gunship With A GBU-10 Bomb During Operation Desert Storm
The impressive story of the only air-to-air victory achieved by the F-15E Strike Eagle. Developed to replace the General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark, the McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) F-15E is a…
Online flight tracking exposes FBI Aerial Surveillance over San Bernardino Mosque after Terrorist Attack
FBI aircraft have been particularly active over San Bernardino, California, during and after the mass shooting. As already highlighted on Twitter, several assets, including FBI planes and media helicopters, could…
“Turkish Air Force F-16s ambushed the Su-24 Fencer”: here’s Russia’s version of the controversial shootdown
Here's the Russian version of the Su-24 shootdown. On Nov. 24, a Su-24M Fencer bomber was shot down by a TuAF F-16 near the Turkey-Syria border. The Turkish Air Force…
Here’s the alleged Audio of the Turkish Air Force warning the Russian Su-24 before downing it
Hear a Turkish Air Force radar station warning an unknown aircraft about to enter the Turkish airspace. On Nov. 24, a Russian Air Force Su-24M belonging to the contingent deployed…
Updated: Turkey has just shot down a Russian Sukhoi Su-24 near the border with Syria
Images coming from Syria show a Su-24 Fencer in flames. And it's Russian. On Nov. 24, 2015, the Turkish Air Force shot down what appears to be a Sukhoi Su-24…
All the theories about the crash of Metrojet Flight 7K9268 into the Sinai Peninsula
What we know and what we don't know about the crash of Metrojet A321 in Egypt. On Oct. 31, at around 04.13 UTC, Metrojet flight 7K9268, an A321 flying from…
Russian Su-30SM, Su-24 violate Turkish airspace. Flanker locks on TuAF F-16 for +5 minutes
It looks like a Sukhoi Su-30SM deployed to Syria has had a close encounter with Turkish Air Force F-16s past the Syria-Turkey border. Russian planes deployed to Syria violated the…
Latest imagery shows 28 Russian aircraft (12 Su-24s, 12 Su-25s and 4 Su-30s) on the ground at airbase in Syria
Imagery taken on Sept. 21 shows 28 aircraft on the ground at Latakia airbase. A satellite image has finally unveiled the whole Russian Air Force contingent made of 28 combat…
Online flight tracking provides interesting details about Russian air bridge to Syria
Once again, Flightradar24.com provides an insight into military operations. This time, the Russian air bridge to Syria. Some days ago we explained how everyone (including low-tech terrorists "armed" with a…
Mystery surrounds video showing Alitalia flight escorted by two German Eurofighters
A quite unusual sight for the passengers of an Alitalia Airbus 320 from Amsterdam escorted by two German Eurofighters for about 20 minutes. A video of two German Eurofighter Typhoon…
Video of China’s Stealthy J-31 aircraft’s (quite smoky) flight display practice at Zhuhai airshow
The Shenyang J-31 "Falcon Eagle" to debut at Zhuhai airshow, China's biggest commercial and defense air show, near Hong Kong. The first prototype of Shenyang J-31 Falcon Eagle, China’s second…
War in the Web 2.0 era: how Air Forces deal (or don’t) with Internet-based flight tracking tools
During Libya air war, you could track Canadian tankers circling over the Mediterranean Sea while they refueled allied planes heading to bomb Gaddafi. Three years later, nothing has changed. Flightradar24…
[Photo] Ukrainian Antonov An-124 cargo visits NAF El Centro, California
An An-124 recently visited at Naval Air Facility (NAF) El Centro to load British Chinooks for their return to the UK. On Aug. 14, an Antonov 124 of the “Antonov…
With U.S. airstrikes in progress airspace over Iraq has been closed to civilian flights
One of the busiest commercial routes went over Iraq. Until it was closed because of the U.S. air strikes against ISIS positions. Even if the situation in Iraq was already…
US, European airlines cancel all flights to Israel after rocket lands near Tel Aviv airport
Tel Aviv airport is almost isolated following the decision of several U.S. and European airlines to cancel all flights to Israel amid concern for the continuing rocket attacks. Malaysia Airlines…
Russian Radars back to Cuba
Putin is about to reactivate a Russian radar reconnaissance center in Cuba. The radar station is to use the existing infrastructure located just 100 miles off the coast of Florida…
NASA shows off Hi-Tech aircraft involved in Alternative Fuel Effects on Contrails and Cruise Emissions flight experiment
NASA displayed an impressive array of hi-tech aircraft used in its Alternative Fuel Effects on Contrails and Cruise Emissions (ACCESS II) flight experiment during a media day for reporters from…
The crazy story of the Nigerian Air Force C-130H Hercules’s flight to Cambridge in 2011
The Nigerian C-130H-30 that had arrived at Cambridge in August 2011, was eventually air tested. Here is its weird story. On Apr. 16, Nigerian Air Force C-130H-30, registration NAF918, conducted…
First AgustaWestland HH-101A “Caesar” for the Italian Air Force makes first flight
The first AW101 for the Italian Air Force, designated the HH-101A “CAESAR”, made its maiden flight at AgustaWestland’s Yeovil facility in the UK The new helicopter, in an interesting black…
Can you believe neither Malaysian nor Thai radars saw the Malaysia Airlines MH370 crashing?
Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 might have flown for some time (from 2 to 5 hours, depending on the reports and sources) before disappearing. Provided this is true, why did nobody…
Third Prototype of China’s Stealth Jet Makes Maiden Flight and Shows Improvements
Chengdu J-20 Stealth Fighter Jet "2011" has eventually made its maiden flight. A composite image shows how different third prototype is from the the first one. The third prototype of…
Cessna’s Scorpion low cost tactical jet makes first flight
Textron has announced that Cessna Aircraft Scorpion Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR)/Strike aircraft has conducted its maiden flight on Dec 12. The aircraft took off from McConnell Air Force Base in…
Russia deploys radar able to track military jets across whole of eastern Europe
A radar that is able to track targets at ranges of over 3,000 km has been activated within the Russian air defense system on Dec. 2, 2013. The Kolkino radar…
Video shows U.S. Navy’s new gigantic drone on its first flight
On May 22, 2013, the Triton high-altitude unmanned aircraft successfully completed its first flight from Northrop Grumman's Palmdale manufacturing plant, California. The unmanned aerial vehicle took off at 07:10AM and…
Take a seat next to the B-52 heavy bomber’s Radar Navigator
The following video brings you on board a U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress during a mission from Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. http://youtu.be/J9YcoYfqNh4 Anything related to the most iconic U.S.…
[Updated] Airbus A330 Multi-role Tanker Transport loses refueling boom in flight. Again.
According to Flight Global an Airbus A330 Multi-role Tanker Transport (MRTT) which is destined for the UAE has lost its refueling boom whilst in flight at around 7.20pm local time on…
[Animation] The Queen's Diamond Jubilee flypast over London as seen from a radar-like computer display
Click on the image to start animation The following animation showing the Queen's Diamond Jubilee flypast over Buckingham palace was recorded on PlanePlotter by John Locker. In this animation we…
Russian Tu-214R intelligence gathering plane exposed! First photo of the new spyplane during test flight lands on the Web.
Evgeny Volkov is the name of the photographer who took the first picture of a flying Russian Tu-214R known to date. The image Evgeny has uploaded to the Russianplanes.net portal,…
China's Light Attack Helicopter Z-19: a silent (rather than radar evading) chopper
The new Z-19 does not have a cool name, but it does have some very interesting features. The use of the word 'Stealth' is probably a little too strong a…
Airspace violations – Episode 8 – Iran Air Flight 655 shot down by USS Vincennes
Previous episodes: Archive The following episode took place about 24 years ago. However, it occurred in the Strait of Hormuz, saw the direct involvement of U.S. warships operating in the…
Would modern transponders have made the hijacked planes visible to radars on 9-11?
As everybody know by now, on Sept. 11 2001, the first thing terrorists did as soon as they reached the cockpit of the four hijacked planes was turning the transponder…
Operation Unified Protector (was Odyssey Dawn) explained (Day 24)
Previous debriefings: Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Day 11 Day 12 Day 13 Day 14…
A400M test flight
An interesting flight could be monitored on Feb. 28, 2011, thanks to Flightradar24: a test flight of the Airbus A-400M F-WWMT (which uses the Mode S and it is "seen"…
Airspace violations – Episode 7 – Korean Air Lines Flight 007
Tragedy on the way home. On Sept. 1, 1983, a civilian B-747 flying with registration HL7442 as Korean Air Lines Flight 007 (KAL 007, KE 007) was shot down by…
Flight checks at Pratica di Mare
On Sept. 30, Giovanni Maduli went to Pratica di Mare to spot some of the aircraft operating on the largest Italian airbase. He then sent me the following pictures. Interestingly…
Radio Comms, Tracks And All The Details About The Interception Of The ‘Ghost Jet’ Last Week
The "Ghost Private Plane" flew across Europe escorted by fighter jets who unsuccessfully tried to establish a radio contact, before tragically crashing in the Baltic Sea. A clip provides all…
The Space Shuttle Enterprise flying over New York City
On Apr. 27, Space Shuttle Enteprise, atop a NASA B747 SCA (Shuttle Carrier Aircraft) N905NA, from Washington Dulles airport, using radio callsign “Bovic 15 Heavy”, flew over New York City…
X-62 VISTA Conducts AI-Controlled Intercepts with IRST Pod
AI agents, using data from a Legion Infrared Search and Track pod, controlled the X-62 VISTA and executed 27 autonomous intercepts of airborne targets throughout eight flights. The U.S. Air…
A-10 Flies Armed Airborne Escort in Exercise with a Ballistic Missile Submarine
The Ohio class ballistic missile submarine USS Nebraska (SSBN 739) received an airborne escort while surfaced in the Pacific Ocean, exercising with a U.S. Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II. As…
KC-135 Damaged In Fatal Mid Air Collision Transits Home with Donor Tail
The surviving KC-135R Stratotanker from the incident over Iraq in March which saw another Stratotanker lost with six fatalities has been repaired with a replacement vertical stabilizer taken from another…
Second Prototype of Turkey’s Kaan Begins Taxi Trials
The Kaan’s second prototype is undergoing taxi testing, with Turkish officials indicating that the aircraft may begin flight testing before the end of 2026. One of the two new prototypes…
Japanese Warship Launches First Ever Tomahawk Missile
JS Chōkai, a Kōngo class destroyer, is the first Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ship to be equipped with the BGM-109 Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM). Though an extensive operator of…
Kizilelma UCAV Drops Munitions from Internal Bays for the First Time
After initially testing weapon release from underwing pylons, the Kizilelma UCAV now progressed to the employment of munitions from the internal weapon bays. Turkey’s Baykar Kizilelma fighter-drone used its internal…
Singapore in “Exploratory” Talks on Possible GCAP Involvement
The Republic of Singapore has expressed its first interest in joining a 6th Generation fighter programme only a week after Canada joined GCAP as an observer. As reported by Janes…
The Aviationist’s Highlights from Farnborough International Airshow 2026
As Farnborough International Airshow has come to a close, The Aviationist brings you some of the highlights, from the unveiling of BAE System’s Brontanax to the USAF F-35A that interrupted…
C-2 Greyhound Flies for the Last Time
The U.S. Navy’s C-2A Greyhound conducted its last ever flight, landing at Naval Air Station Pensacola to be inducted into the National Naval Aviation Museum. Following the final flight operations…
14 Year Old Boy Linked to Hoax Phone Call Causing QRA Intercept of Qatari Airliner
Greater Manchester Police are investigating a hoax bomb threat made against a Qatar Airways Boeing 777, which led to an emergency response by Royal Air Force Quick Reaction Alert (QRA)…
New RAF H-47ER Chinooks Revealed Sporting 160th SOAR Style Black Paint Scheme
Images released by Boeing of the Royal Air Force’s next batch of Chinook helicopters confirm long-standing reports of their similarity to the U.S. MH-47G variant. The new-build Chinooks will supplant…
Leonardo Secures Indonesian M-346F Deal, Advances AW149 Talks and Eyes Ukrainian Drone Cooperation
Leonardo will provide Indonesia with 12 M-346F Block 20 light fighter aircraft and negotiate a contract for AW149 helicopter, while looking at a potential cooperation with the Ukrainian drone industry.…
F-16’s AVEN Thrust Vectoring Nozzle Integrated with X-BAT’s F110-GE-129 Engine
In a critical milestone towards the first flight later this year, Shield AI and GE Aerospace integrated the X-BAT with the AVEN thrust vectoring system which was tested in the…
Blackbird Beginnings: The A-12 Oxcart Story
The well-known SR-71 owes its roots to a more obscure predecessor, the A-12 developed by the famous Lockheed ‘Skunk Works’ as a successor for the U-2. When Francis Gary Powers…
Ukraine to Receive 16 Rafales and License for SCALP and Aster-30 Production
Ukraine will procure 16 Rafales and receive the license to manufacture SCALP and Aster-30 missiles, whilst two SAMP/T batteries will be immediately delivered. Ukraine will receive four Rafale aircraft as…
France Clears Rafale to Use 68 mm Rockets Against Drones
France has cleared the Rafale for the use of 68 mm laser guided rockets in the Counter-UAS role, following trials launched in February 2026. France has approved the use of…
Italy Leads NATO’s First Fully Multi-Domain Task Force X for the Integration of Autonomous Systems
In one of NATO’s most ambitious experimentation campaigns, Task Force X – Central Mediterranean tested the integration of uncrewed capabilities across the five operational domains. From Jun. 22 to Jul.…
Canada Inks $564 Million Joint Strike Missile Deal with Kongsberg
The Joint Strike Missile will equip Canada’s F-35 fleet, giving it the ability to carry internally stand-off weapons. Canada has chosen Kongsberg’s Joint Strike Missile (JSM) as its new air-to-surface…
NATO Announces MQ-4C Triton Acquisition
As part of new procurements announced at the summit in Ankara, NATO will buy up to five MQ-4C Triton to complement the RQ-4Ds of the AGS Fleet and reinforce maritime…
The UK’s £298B Defence Investment Plan At A Glance: 6th Generation Force Design or Creative Accounting?
The long awaited Defence Investment Plan has finally been published for public viewing and it seemingly generates more questions for UK Defence than it answers. In one of his last…
New Report Blames Russia’s Shadow Fleet for Europe Drone Incursions
A report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) assesses that it is ‘highly likely’ many of recent drone incidents throughout Europe were ordered by Moscow as part of…
Inside the 20th Squadron, Italy’s Eurofighter Operational Conversion Unit
An exclusive look inside the Italian Air Force's Typhoon Operational Conversion Unit, where pilots are trained through advanced simulation, live flying and progressive tactical training. Grosseto Air Base has been…
U.S. Air Force Plans Major Investment into UK Bases
Lakenheath, Mildenhall, and Fairford will all receive a portion of a $4.2 billion investment into U.S. bases in the UK, according to documents seen by The Guardian. A presentation given…
Indonesia Won’t Produce the KF-21 Locally
Contrary to the original plans, Indonesia will not co-produce the KF-21 Boramae locally, opting for a direct procurement from South Korea. The old differences between South Korea and Indonesia over…
UK Defence Investment Plan Confirms Shadow Withdrawal
The Royal Air Force's fleet of Beechcraft B350ER Shadow ISR aircraft will be retired from service in the near future, a move anticipated since the cancellation of the troubled R2…
C-2 Greyhound Flies Off an Aircraft Carrier for the Last Time
The C-2A Greyhound conducted its last ever catapult launch from a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, ending its 60-year Carrier On-board Delivery mission. The U.S. Navy’s C-2A Greyhound has flown off…
Italian MQ-9A Destroyed In March Kuwait Attack After Italy Kept It In Place To Avoid Appearing Involved In Iran War
According to the most read Italian newspaper, the Italian Air Force Reaper remained at Ali Al Salem Air Base after Rome decided against relocating it to avoid any move that…
MQ-28 Ghost Bat to Take Part in Exercise Valiant Shield 2026
The MQ-28 will join the flight operations of Exercise Valiant Shield 2026 to refine tactics, techniques, and procedures, and evaluate its contribution as a force multiplier. The Pacific Air Forces…
New Images Show RAF Protector RG1 Operating from Akrotiri with ‘Outdragon’ SIGINT Pod
The UK Ministry of Defence has published new photos of the first deployments of the MQ-9B Protector RG1 to RAF Akrotiri on Cyprus, including some of the best official views…
USMC F-35Bs Fly for the First Time from Finnish Highway During Ramstein Flag
U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II from VMFA-224 conducted landing and takeoff operations on a highway strip in Finland during Exercise Ramstein Flag 2026. For the first time, F-35B Lightning…
White House Officials Hint That VC-25A 92-9000 Just Flew its Last Mission as Air Force One
White House staffers have posted sentimental tributes to the jet that President Trump used as Air Force One for the 2026 G7 Summit in France, hinting that 92-9000 may have…
U.S. Air Force Releases Names of Fallen B-52 Crew Members
The U.S. Air Force released the names of the eight people killed when a B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards AFB. The U.S. Air Force’s 412th Test Wing…
Nighthawks over Panama: The Story of the F-117’s First Combat
Seeking Panama’s dictator Manuel Noriega on multiple drug trafficking charges, the U.S. deployed one of their most secretive and effective weapons for the first time in the darkness of Dec.…
Canada to Negotiate M-346 Procurement
The Canadian and Italian Prime Ministers launched the negotiations to procure the M-346 advanced jet trainer for the Royal Canadian Air Force. Canada’s Prime Minister, Mark Carney, and Italy’s Prime…
Breaking: B-52 Stratofortress Bomber Crashed at Edwards AFB
Images posted online show a massive plume of black smoke rising from Edwards Air Force Base, before the base confirmed an ongoing B-52H Stratofortress mishap. A U.S. Air Force B-52H…
France Begins Work on ASN4G Hypersonic Nuclear Missile
The new ASN4G hypersonic missile would replace the ASMPA-R currently carried by the Rafale, strengthening France’s nuclear deterrent. France has given the go-ahead to defense major MBDA to proceed with…
Boeing Unveils New Capabilities for MQ-28 Ghost Bat
Boeing unveiled at ILA Berlin 2026 the new capabilities within the MQ-28 Ghost Bat’s roadmap, including internal weapon bays and larger wings. Boeing has unveiled at the ILA Berlin 2026…
Airbus Unveils U760 Ravenstorm UCCA
Airbus unveiled at the ILA Berlin 2026 exhibition the new U760 Ravenstorm Uncrewed Collaborative Combat Aircraft, designed for air-to-air, air-to-ground and electronic warfare missions. On the sidelines of the International…
NASA’s X-59 QueSST Goes Supersonic
NASA’s X-59 QueSST flew faster than the speed of sound for the first time, expanding into the supersonic portion of its flight envelope. NASA’s experimental X-59 QueSST (Quiet SuperSonic Technology) conducted its…
FRCE Delivers First F-35Bs with Technology Refresh-3 Upgrades
The Fleet Readiness Center East completed the conversion of its first F-35Bs from the TR-2 to the TR-3 configuration, which will support the future Block 4 upgrades. A major milestone…
End of an Era: U.S. Marine Corps Celebrates AV-8B Harrier II Sundown
The U.S. Marine Corps honored the legacy of the AV-8B Harrier II and the Marines who served with it in a ‘Sundown Ceremony’ at MCAS Cherry Point, home to the…
Turkey’s Hava SOJ Electronic Warfare Aircraft Seen in Clearest Visual Yet
New visuals of the Hava SOJ aircraft allow a closer look at the modifications to the Bombardier Global 6000 jet needed to house the EW payload, while also revealing other…
Image Shows Russia Fielded a New A-50U Airborne Early Warning Aircraft
After three aircraft destroyed by Ukraine, Russia is gradually reinforcing its AEW&C fleet with the addition of a new A-50U. An image emerged on May 31, 2026, appears to show…
New Photos Offer Clearest View Yet Of Temporary Repairs On Another KC-135 Damaged During Iran War
The battle-damaged Alaskan ANG KC-135R departed RAF Mildenhall on its way home from Operation Epic Fury, showing the massive temporary repairs performed to make the aircraft airworthy for the return…
MQ-9B SeaGuardian Shows Off Four Sonobuoy Pods for Anti-Submarine Warfare
The MQ-9B, in the midst of the adaptation to the ASW role, was shown with four Sonobuoy Dispensing System pods, after being previously photographed with only two pods. An MQ-9B…
Canada Begins Talks With Saab For GlobalEye AEW&C Purchase
The Canadian government has announced that it is entering into discussions with Saab for the supply of the GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft, beating out the American Boeing and L3Harris. On May…
The MQ-28 Ghost Bat is Now Flying in the U.S.
Boeing confirmed that the MQ-28 Ghost Bat has conducted three flights at the Point Mugu Sea Range after initially flying only in Australia. Boeing has announced on May 27, 2026,…
U.S. Air Force Launches Speedline to Accelerate F-15E EPAWSS Upgrade
The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center has established a dedicated EPAWSS Speedline at the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex to accelerate the fielding of the new defensive suite on the…
ITPS Canada Orders the M-346T Block 20
The ITPS Canada has ordered six M-346T Block 20, with options for six more, to support the expansion of NATO and Allied tactical fighter pilot training. Leonard has announced that…
China’s ‘Bohai Sea Monster’ Ekranoplan Emerges in Clearest Images Yet
New images of the Chinese ekranoplan show the presence of underwing weapons pylons, suggesting a strike role in addition to rapid support and resupply for amphibious operations in the South…
Hürjet Spotted Flying with Underwing Weapon Pylons
One of the Hürjet prototypes was spotted while flying with underwing weapon pylons, possibly hinting at TAI’s intention to pitch the jet in the highly competitive light attack aircraft market.…
Romanian F-16s Shoot Down Rogue Drone in Estonian Airspace
Romanian F-16s deployed as part of the Baltic Air Policing shot down a rogue drone, possibly of Ukrainian origin, which entered Estonian airspace from Russia. The Estonian Defense Forces have…
Russia Starts Testing Twin-Seat Variant of Su-57 Felon
According to a post by the popular FighterBomber Telegram channel, Russia has started the taxi trials of a twin-seat variant of the Su-57, with a new cockpit reminiscent of the…
The Hainan Island Incident: 25 Years Later we Interview one of the Pilots
We get a first-hand account from the third pilot onboard the EP-3 and his experiences while being held by the Chinese, as well as being released and coming home. On…
GA-ASI and U.S. Air Force Test APKWS Guided Rockets on MQ-9A Reaper
GA-ASI and the U.S. Air Force tested the MQ-9A Reaper with APKWS laser-guided rockets, firing at both air and ground targets at the Nevada Test and Training Range. General Atomics…
Stealing a MiG-29 was a Piece of Cake – Sort of. Alexander Zuyev’s Great Escape – Part 2
In the second part of this story, we cover the day Soviet Air Force Captain Alexander M. Zuyev defected in a MiG-29 fighter after executing a brilliant and bold plan…
Stealing a MiG-29 was a Piece of Cake – Sort of. Alexander Zuyev’s Great Escape – Part 1
In 1989 Soviet Air Force Captain Alexander M. Zuyev defected in a MiG-29 fighter after executing a brilliant and bold plan, shocking the Soviet Union’s communist rulers and handing the…
U.S. Air Force Launches Analysis of Requirements for Possible B-52 Successor
The U.S. Air Force is launching next year a Heavy Bomber Analysis of Alternatives which will allow to determine requirements for future B-52 upgrades or an entirely new heavy bomber.…
A U.S. Navy F-14D Tomcat Might Return to the Skies Thanks to Congress’ “Maverick Act”
Three U.S. Navy F-14D Tomcats would be transferred to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Commission in Huntsville, Alabama, and one might be made flyable again, following the approval of…
First Nigerian M-346FA Flies with Complete Livery
Nigeria is acquiring 24 M-346FA jets, the light fighter variant of the M-346 trainer, as part of the modernization of its air force. For the first time, an M-346FA destined…
Peru Selects F-16 Block 70 Fighters Amid Political Crisis
Despite government calls to delay the acquisition and two ministers resigning, Peru appears to have already committed funds for the acquisition of 12 F-16 Block 70 fighters. Peru has selected…
FRCSW Completes First In-House F/A-18 Super Hornet Block III Upgrade
The Fleet Readiness Center Southwest completed its first fully in-house Block III Super Hornet upgrade, combining the work with the ongoing Service Life Modification effort. The Fleet Readiness Center Southwest…
Russian Tu-22M3 Bombers Carrying Long-Range Supersonic Missile Intercepted Again Over the Baltic
Swedish, Romanian and French fighters intercepted Russian Tu-22M3 ‘Backfire’ strategic bombers, carrying Kh-22N/Kh-32 supersonic cruise missiles, on two consecutive days over the Baltic Sea. For the third time in just…
Raytheon Confirms Delivery of Next Generation Jammer Pods for Australian EA-18G Growlers
Raytheon confirmed that Australia has received last year its first Next Generation Jammer pods to replace the ALQ-99 pods currently used by the RAAF’s EA-18G Growlers. Raytheon has confirmed on…
SNC’s ATHENA-S ISR Jets Are Now Operational with the U.S. Army
Sierra Nevada Corporation announced that two Contractor-Owned Contractor-Operated ATHENA-S jets finished testing and are now operational in support of the U.S. Army’s Aerial-ISR mission. Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) has announced…
Paramount Confirms Top Gun 3 with Tom Cruise Returning as Pete Mitchell
A new sequel will see Pete “Maverick” Mitchell’s return in Top Gun 3, with producer Jerry Bruckheimer saying Tom Cruise had liked a proposed storyline for the new film. After…
U.S. Navy Confirms MQ-4C Triton Crash
The U.S. Navy has acknowledged the loss of an MQ-4C Triton last week in a new Mishap Summaries report released by the Naval Safety Command. As we reported last week,…
New Anti-Jam Antenna Seen on USAF F-15E Strike Eagle During Epic Fury
The new Controlled Reception Pattern Antenna (CRPA) is part of the Digital GPS Anti-jam Receiver (DIGAR) system installed in the F-15E Strike Eagle following a contract to BAE Systems in…
Exclusive: Interview with the Chief Test Pilot of VMX-1
On the occasion of the MCAS Yuma airshow 2026, we had the opportunity to interview the Chief Operational Test Director and Chief Test Pilot of Marine Operational Test & Evaluation…
UK MoD Places Order for Skyhammer Low-Cost Air Defence System, First Deliveries Next Month
Cambridge Aerospace, an emerging UK manufacturer, will deliver a 'significant number' of its low-cost Skyhammer air defence systems, designed to counter attack drones like the Shahed 136 at ranges of…
Michigan ANG A-10s Depart Lakenheath to Bolster Middle East Forces
After arriving in late March, twelve A-10C Thunderbolt IIs from Michigan's 107th Fighter Squadron successfully departed RAF Lakenheath on Apr. 8 towards the U.S. Central Command region. The twelve attack…
Lady of Larissa Flies Again: Incredible New Footage Emerges of the Secretive RQ-180 Spy Drone
New videos give an even clearer view - unquestionably our best ever - of the legendary classified stealth drone, previously seen landing in Greece last month. Last month, we reported…
USAF F-16s Flying With AGM-158 JASSMs in Operation Epic Fury Against Iran
Long-range JASSM strikes still continue on Iranian targets, particularly against missile and drone production facilities. U.S. Air Force F-16s currently deployed in support of Operation Epic Fury have been shown…
Crossing the ‘Line of Death’ at 2,125 MPH: SR-71 Battle Damage Assessment after ‘El Dorado Canyon’
In the aftermath of Operation El Dorado Canyon, the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird was sent across Qaddafi’s 'Line of Death' for a high-risk overflight of Libya to deliver critical battle damage…
Mission to Recover Downed F-15E Aircrew Puts Combat Search And Rescue in the Spotlight
The loss of an F-15E Strike Eagle in Iran prompted specialized Combat Search and Rescue units to spring into action, with a multitude of assets working together to recover all…
Iran’s RQ-170 Clone Destroyed in U.S. Strikes, CENTCOM Video Shows
A video shared by CENTCOM shows the destruction of an Iranian clone of the RQ-170 Sentinel, which was reverse-engineered after crashing in Iran 15 years ago. An Iranian clone of…
Updated: A-10 Thunderbolt II Crashed Near the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Officials Tell NYT
Almost the same time as an F-15E Strike Eagle went down over Iran, the U.S. Air Force lost an A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft near the Strait of Hormuz. U.S.…
New Photos Provide Clearest View Yet of Secretive NT-43A RAT55’s Dorsal Turret and Enclosure
The deployment of the one-of-a-kind 737 to MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, to support the Artemis II launch, provided aircraft spotters and photographers with an unprecedented opportunity for a closer…
Airbus Tests Armed ‘Bird of Prey’ Interceptor Drone
The ‘Bird of Prey’ platform was developed as a simple, cost-effective counter-drone system that can engage attack UAVs with low-cost air-to-air missiles. Airbus Defence and Space announced on Mar. 30,…
USAF E-3 AWACS Loss in Saudi Arabia Puts Spotlight on E-7 Wedgetail Procurement
The destruction of a U.S. Air Force E-3G Sentry AWACS in Saudi Arabia has reignited debate about the procurement of the E-7A Wedgetail. The loss of a U.S. Air Force…
WB-57 and Secretive RAT-55 Spotted Rehearsing for NASA’s Artemis Launch
The secretive U.S. Air Force NT-43A RAT55 was spotted flying with a NASA callsign in one of the areas reserved for the launch of the Artemis II mission, opposite to…
Two EA-37Bs Arrive at RAF Mildenhall on Possible First Operational Deployment
Two EA-37B Compass Call aircraft stopped at RAF Mildenhall for fuel during what may be the type’s first operational deployment abroad, reports suggesting Turkey as their destination. Two U.S. Air…
China’s Y-9FQ Next Gen ASW Aircraft Intercepted for the First Time Over East China Sea
The Y-9FQ ‘High New 15’ made its debut at the Sep. 3, 2025, Victory Day parade in Beijing, and has now been intercepted for the first time by Japan. A…
Spain Continues to Deny Airspace to U.S. Aircraft Involved with Operation Epic Fury
Spanish newspaper El País reported further on earlier news regarding Spain's position on U.S. military action against Iran, with the country's Prime Minister confirming all related flight plans have been…
Northrop Grumman Testbed With AIM-260-Like Nose Spotted Flying Alongside Raytheon’s VOODOO 1 at Eglin AFB
The two testbeds, known by their callsigns SCAN 06 and VOODOO 1, carried out concurrent operations in Eglin’s highly instrumented airspace. For three consecutive days, on Mar. 24, 25 and…
USMC F-35Cs and USS Tripoli ARG Arrive in the Middle East
A month after the start of the hostilities, the U.S. Marine Corps is increasing its presence in the Middle East with the arrival of a F-35C squadron and the USS…
First Production KF-21 Boramae Rolled Out of Factory in South Korea
The first serial production KF-21 Boramae fighter jet has rolled out of the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) factory in a major milestone for the program. The first of 40 serial…
New Images Show B-2 Spirit Bombers Departing for Iran Mission with Unknown White Patches on Wings
Recently released photos show B-2 stealth bombers preparing to launch for a mission over Iran last week, with multiple unidentified white patches added along the leading edges of their wings.…
DOT&E Says No Combat-Capable TR-3-Configured F-35s Were Delivered in FY2025
The latest Director, Operational Test & Evaluation report says no combat-capable F-35 TR-3 aircraft have been delivered to the U.S. military until September 2025 because of the truncated software. The…
Epic Fury is Now in the Fourth Week, with More U.S. Assets Deploying
Four weeks after the launch of Epic Fury, additional F-16Cs, EA-18Gs and E-2Ds are flying to the Middle East, the USS Boxer ARG is enroute and rumors say the 82nd…
B-52s are now Launching from RAF Fairford Loaded with JDAM Bombs
After initially employing only AGM-158 JASSM stand-off weapons, B-52s are now launching from RAF Fairford with the external pylons fully loaded with GBU-31 JDAM bombs. After weeks flying only with…
The Tomcat’s Six Pack: The F-14 Six on Six Phoenix Test
Designed for fleet air defense, the F-14 was armed with a potent long-range missile and, with a powerful new radar, could engage multiple airborne targets at once. The United States…
