News &amp; Features (Page 8)

Posted on Dec 20, 2024

A Spanish Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon participating in NATO exercise Ramstein Flag 24 flies over the west coast of Greece, Oct. 4, 2024. Over 130 fighter and enabler aircraft from Greece, Canada, France, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and United States are training side by side to improve tactics and foster more robust integration, demonstrating NATO’s resolve, commitment and ability to deter potential adversaries and defend the Alliance.

Air

Spanish Typhoon Buy Signals Upward Trend For Eurofighter Spanish Typhoon Buy Signals Upward Trend For Eurofighter

Posted on Dec 20, 2024

Sea

Marine-Moving Medium Landing Ship Critical To China Fight Put On Hold Again By Navy Marine-Moving Medium Landing Ship Critical To China Fight Put On Hold Again By Navy

Posted on Dec 20, 2024

In the face of post-Cold War drawdowns, the U.S. Air Force pushed ahead with buying the famously expensive F-22 Raptor stealth fighter in part because of a perhaps unexpected reason: concerns about Syrian air defenses.

Air

Syria’s Air Defenses Helped Make The F-22A Raptor A Reality Syria’s Air Defenses Helped Make The F-22A Raptor A Reality

Posted on Dec 20, 2024

As the world’s only operator of the legendary F-14 Tomcat swing-wing fighter, the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) has a unique airpower status. A recent airshow provided the chance for a very rare close-quarters look at the Cold War-era jet, which by now has very questionable capabilities and serviceability, while there are persistent reports that it could soon be replaced entirely by Russian-provided Su-35 Flanker multirole fighters.

Air

Iranian F-14 Tomcat Encounter At An Airshow Unlike Any Other Iranian F-14 Tomcat Encounter At An Airshow Unlike Any Other

By Thomas Newdick, Živojin Banković

Posted on Dec 19, 2024

The FAA has banned drone flights over 22 New Jersey power infrastructure sites.

Air

Drone Flights Banned Over New Jersey Energy Infrastructure Sites Drone Flights Banned Over New Jersey Energy Infrastructure Sites

Updated on Dec 19, 2024

Russian President Vladimir Putin insisted today that his country is still exploring its options for retaining a pair of bases in Syria that have uniquely strategic value following the fall of longtime ally Bashar Al Assad.

Putin Claims No Final Decision Yet On Russia’s Bases In Syria Despite Withdrawals Putin Claims No Final Decision Yet On Russia’s Bases In Syria Despite Withdrawals

Posted on Dec 19, 2024

Israeli has launched airstrikes on multiple targets in Yemen, including the capital of Sana’a, in response to an overnight missile launch from Yemen toward Israel. The Israeli raids come after an uptick in attacks against Israel by the Yemen-based Houthi militant group, including two in the past week.

Air

Israeli Air Force Strikes Yemen With Popeye And Rampage Standoff Missiles Israeli Air Force Strikes Yemen With Popeye And Rampage Standoff Missiles

Posted on Dec 19, 2024

PLA Navy is expanding its reach warns the DoD.

Pentagon Warns Of China’s Increasing Capacity To Project Naval Power Far From Home Pentagon Warns Of China’s Increasing Capacity To Project Naval Power Far From Home

Posted on Dec 19, 2024

Bill Kennedy, 436th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron transit alert, marshals a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III at Dover Air Force Base, Del., April 26, 2015. The aircraft is loaded with 69 members of the Fairfax County Urban Search and Rescue Team, their supplies and equipment, and six K-9s, to assist Nepal with rescue operations after the country was struck by a 7.8-magnitude earthquake.

Air

New Jersey Base Confirms Multiple Past Drone Incursions… By Contraband Smugglers New Jersey Base Confirms Multiple Past Drone Incursions… By Contraband Smugglers

By Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 18, 2024

Swedish defense firm Saab has presented concepts for a potential new-generation crewed fighter and a series of drones that would be intended to work alongside it.

Air

These Are Saab’s Concepts For Its Next Generation Fighter, Drones These Are Saab’s Concepts For Its Next Generation Fighter, Drones

Posted on Dec 18, 2024

Air

China’s H-20 Stealth Bomber Unlikely To ‘Debut’ Until 2030s, According To U.S. Intel China’s H-20 Stealth Bomber Unlikely To ‘Debut’ Until 2030s, According To U.S. Intel

Posted on Dec 18, 2024

Top Pentagon officials offered new insights into the state of play on the battlefield, the role of North Korean troops there and how it will be paid for.

Pentagon’s Assessment Of North Koreans Fighting In Kursk, Rate At Which Ukraine Is Losing Ground Pentagon’s Assessment Of North Koreans Fighting In Kursk, Rate At Which Ukraine Is Losing Ground

Posted on Dec 18, 2024

GAO says the cruiser modernization effort was terribly ran and brought with issues.

Sea

Navy’s Cruiser Modernization A Lesson In How Not To Run Such A Program: GAO Report Navy’s Cruiser Modernization A Lesson In How Not To Run Such A Program: GAO Report

Updated on Dec 17, 2024

New satellite imagery shows the continued withdrawal of Russian forces from its Khmeimim Air Base in Syria. Russia is also massing units at its Tartus naval base in the country, which also points to plans for their impending departure.

Satellite Imagery Shows Ramp-Up In Russian Forces Massing At Bases In Syria For Withdrawal Satellite Imagery Shows Ramp-Up In Russian Forces Massing At Bases In Syria For Withdrawal

Posted on Dec 17, 2024

A new targeted strike involving the use of the secretive AGM-114R9X Hellfire missile, which features an array of pop-out sword-like blades rather than a traditional high-explosive warhead, looks to have occurred in northwestern Syria.

Air

Secretive Bladed AGM-114R9X Hellfire Missile Looks To Have Reemerged In New Syria Strike Secretive Bladed AGM-114R9X Hellfire Missile Looks To Have Reemerged In New Syria Strike

Posted on Dec 17, 2024

Camp Pendleton drone incursions have occurred in recent days.

Multiple Drone Incursions Confirmed Over Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton (Updated) Multiple Drone Incursions Confirmed Over Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton (Updated)

Updated on Dec 17, 2024

A view of the scene after Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, chief of Russia's Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Defense Troops, and his assistant were killed in an explosion in Moscow, Russia on December 17, 2024. The blast was caused by an explosive device planted in an electric scooter, Svetlana Petrenko, spokesperson for the Russian Investigative Committee, said in a video statement on Telegram.

Nuclear

Russian General Accused Of Using Chemical Weapons Assassinated By Ukraine Russian General Accused Of Using Chemical Weapons Assassinated By Ukraine

Posted on Dec 17, 2024

There is growing, but still circumstantial evidence that a Syrian Airlines Il-76 Candid cargo plane currently at Russia's Khmeimim Air Base in Syria is one that appeared to go missing in the final chaotic moments of Bashar Al Assad's regime.

Air

The Mystery Of The Syrian IL-76 Cargo Jet That Went Missing As Assad Fled The Mystery Of The Syrian IL-76 Cargo Jet That Went Missing As Assad Fled

Posted on Dec 17, 2024

North Korean Troops in Kursk, Russia are now fighting more actively on the front.

North Korean Troops Launched Large-Scale Combat Operations In Kursk: Officials North Korean Troops Launched Large-Scale Combat Operations In Kursk: Officials

Posted on Dec 17, 2024

The Russian Khmeimim Air Base in Jabla in Latakia, Syria on December 15, 2024. With the Baath regime's collapse, Russia continued to transfer its troops from Damascus, Homs and other cities across Syria to the base.

Future Of Russia’s Bases In Syria Remains In Flux, Libya Possible Alternative Future Of Russia’s Bases In Syria Remains In Flux, Libya Possible Alternative

Posted on Dec 16, 2024

A video and pictures have emerged showing testing of Chinese high-flying and high-speed uncrewed air vehicles related to a design called MD-22, including aerial releases from a TB-001 drone and a high-altitude balloon.

Air

China Launches Hypersonic Test Planes From Drones, Balloons China Launches Hypersonic Test Planes From Drones, Balloons

Posted on Dec 16, 2024

Taiwan has received its first batch of M1A2T Abrams main battle tanks as it continues its drive to modernize its armed forces, which face an expanding military threat from Beijing. While the upgrade for the Republic of China Army (ROCA) — which was still operating 1950s-era M41A3 Walker Bulldog light tanks until the last couple of years — is obvious, there are still questions over how suitable the big and heavy Abrams is for the island’s defensive requirements.

Land

M1A2 Abrams Tanks Arrive In Taiwan M1A2 Abrams Tanks Arrive In Taiwan

Posted on Dec 16, 2024

Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio is the latest U.S. military installation to report drone overflights.

Air

Drone Incursions Closed Wright-Patterson Air Force Base’s Airspace Friday Night Drone Incursions Closed Wright-Patterson Air Force Base’s Airspace Friday Night

Posted on Dec 15, 2024

Solid Steel Bunker Door - Access to an abandoned bunker

Bunker Talk: Let’s Talk About All The Things We Did And Didn’t Cover This Week Bunker Talk: Let’s Talk About All The Things We Did And Didn’t Cover This Week

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Dec 14, 2024

A recently released video from the cockpit of a Ukrainian Air Force Su-27 Flanker provides an unprecedented close-quarters view of the fighter lobbing GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs (SDB) toward a Russian target.

Air

Cockpit Video Of Ukrainian Su-27 Lobbing GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs Cockpit Video Of Ukrainian Su-27 Lobbing GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs

Posted on Dec 13, 2024

Yachts are increasingly getting counter-drone systems

Sea

Counter-Drone Systems For Yachts Are Growing In Popularity Counter-Drone Systems For Yachts Are Growing In Popularity

By Eric Tegler

Updated on Dec 13, 2024

Air

Russian Forces Appear To Be Pulling Out Of Prized Syrian Air Base Russian Forces Appear To Be Pulling Out Of Prized Syrian Air Base

Posted on Dec 13, 2024

A U.S. C-17 Globemaster military transport aircraft takes off from Ramstein Air Base. A conference on the Ukraine war was held at the U.S. air base.

Air

U.S. Air Force Confirms Drone Sightings Over Ramstein Air Base In Germany U.S. Air Force Confirms Drone Sightings Over Ramstein Air Base In Germany

Posted on Dec 13, 2024

The U.S. Army has finally test-fired its Dark Eagle hypersonic missile from its trailer-based launcher after attempting to do so for some two years.

Land

Army’s Dark Eagle Hypersonic Missile Finally Blasts Out Of Its Launcher Army’s Dark Eagle Hypersonic Missile Finally Blasts Out Of Its Launcher

Posted on Dec 13, 2024

Federal, state, and local authorities have not been able to corroborate any claimed visual sightings of mysterious drones in the skies over New Jersey, according to a top White House spokesperson.

Air

None Of The New Jersey Visual Drone Sightings Have Been Corroborated: White House None Of The New Jersey Visual Drone Sightings Have Been Corroborated: White House

Updated on Dec 13, 2024

A Standard-Missile 6 is fired from a Mk 70 mobile missile launcher in 2023.

Littoral Combat Ships To Sail With Mk70 Vertical Launchers Strapped To Their Decks Littoral Combat Ships To Sail With Mk70 Vertical Launchers Strapped To Their Decks

Posted on Dec 12, 2024

Apparent drones spotted in the skies over New Jersey, some as big as six feet across, look to be operating in a coordinated manner not consistent with hobbyists, according to state and local officials.

Air

Drones Over New Jersey Show Signs Of Coordination, Elude Helicopters: State Officials Drones Over New Jersey Show Signs Of Coordination, Elude Helicopters: State Officials

Posted on Dec 12, 2024

We have gotten our best look at a Ukrainian 9K33 Osa (SA-8 Gecko) mobile short-range air defense system (SHORADS) armed with the Soviet-era R-73 (AA-11 Archer) infrared-guided air-to-air missile. While other such systems have typically integrated Western missile armament on existing Ukrainian ground-based air defense systems — known as ‘FrankenSAMs’ — this one is notable for combining a Soviet-era SHORADS vehicle with Soviet-era missiles.

Land

Ukraine’s SA-8 Gecko ‘FrankenSAM’ Adapted To Fire Air-To-Air Missiles Seen In New Detail Ukraine’s SA-8 Gecko ‘FrankenSAM’ Adapted To Fire Air-To-Air Missiles Seen In New Detail

Posted on Dec 12, 2024

Any plans the Air Force might have for new hardened aircraft shelters or other physical defenses at bases are prominently absent from a new infrastructure modernization strategy rolled out today.

Air

Plans For New Hardened Aircraft Shelters Notably Absent From New USAF Base Modernization Strategy Plans For New Hardened Aircraft Shelters Notably Absent From New USAF Base Modernization Strategy

Posted on Dec 12, 2024

Hysteria about drones over New Jersey obscures the fact that there is a real national security concern.

Coast Guard Ship Stalked By Unidentified Aircraft, Iran Drone Mothership Claim Shot Down By DoD Coast Guard Ship Stalked By Unidentified Aircraft, Iran Drone Mothership Claim Shot Down By DoD

Posted on Dec 12, 2024

he U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy could soon be tasked with exploring whether extending the range of existing AIM-120 and AIM-9 air-to-air missiles is one path to help right-size stocks of those weapons.

Air

Extended Range AIM-120s, AIM-9s Eyed To Meet Future Air-to-Air Missile Demands Extended Range AIM-120s, AIM-9s Eyed To Meet Future Air-to-Air Missile Demands

Posted on Dec 11, 2024

Mohamed Bashir, who heads HTS's so-called "Salvation Government", holds a press conference in the rebel-held northwestern Syrian city of Idlib on November 28, 2024. The Syrian rebels now in power in Damascus have appointed Mohammed al-Bashir as head of a transitional government that will be in place until March 1, state media said on December 10, 2024. (Photo by Omar HAJ KADOUR / AFP) (Photo by OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP via Getty Images)

New Syrian Prime Minister Assumes Power Amid Airstrikes, Continued Fighting New Syrian Prime Minister Assumes Power Amid Airstrikes, Continued Fighting

Posted on Dec 11, 2024

Imagery has appeared showing Russia’s Sukhoi Su-57 Felon new-generation fighter fitted with a new type of thrust-vectoring engine nozzle. The radical-looking design is intended to improve the low-observable features of the Felon, although the future of the new engine nozzle is far from certain.

Air

Su-57 Felon’s Two-Dimensional Thrust-Vectoring Engine Nozzle Breaks Cover Su-57 Felon’s Two-Dimensional Thrust-Vectoring Engine Nozzle Breaks Cover

Posted on Dec 10, 2024

Land

Tilting Mark 41 Launcher Emerges During Guam’s First Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Test Tilting Mark 41 Launcher Emerges During Guam’s First Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Test

By Geoff Ziezulewicz, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 10, 2024

North Korea is set to receive MiG-29 Fulcrum and Su-27 Flanker fighter aircraft from Russia in return for Pyongyang having sent thousands of troops to fight in Moscow’s war in Ukraine. This is the assessment of the commander of United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), after much speculation about the nature of the support that might be headed to North Korea to reward that country for its growing military backing of Russia. The prospect of fighter aircraft being transferred by Russia is something that TWZ has discussed in the past.

Air

Russia Giving North Korea MiG-29s And Su-27s Isn’t That Straightforward Russia Giving North Korea MiG-29s And Su-27s Isn’t That Straightforward

Posted on Dec 10, 2024

Pictures and videos have now emerged of the aftermath of Israeli strikes on the Syrian port of Latakia overnight, which destroyed at least six Soviet-era Osa II class missile boats.

Israel Lays Waste To Syria’s Missile Boats (Updated) Israel Lays Waste To Syria’s Missile Boats (Updated)

Posted on Dec 10, 2024

Israel strikes targets in Syria after Assad falls.

Syria’s Suddenly Permissive Airspace Prompts Flurry Of Foreign Airstrikes (Updated) Syria’s Suddenly Permissive Airspace Prompts Flurry Of Foreign Airstrikes (Updated)

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Dec 10, 2024

What will happen to highly strategic Russian air and naval bases in Syria is now very much now an open question following the downfall of long-time strongman Bashar Al Assad and his flight to Moscow.

Fate Of Russia’s Prized Syria Bases: What We Know Fate Of Russia’s Prized Syria Bases: What We Know

Posted on Dec 10, 2024

The United Kingdom has taken an important step toward its Tempest next-generation fighter, with the start of a trials campaign for the Flight Test Aircraft (FTA), nicknamed Excalibur, which will serve as a flying laboratory for the new combat aircraft. Based on a Boeing 757 airliner, the FTA joins a growing band of dedicated trials aircraft that are being used to prove out technologies for current and future-generation fighter programs, also in the United States and China.

Air

UK’s 757-Based ‘Excalibur’ Avionics Testbed For Tempest Future Fighter Emerges UK’s 757-Based ‘Excalibur’ Avionics Testbed For Tempest Future Fighter Emerges

Posted on Dec 9, 2024

HMAS Brisbane fires a Tomahawk Weapon System off of the cost of San Diego, United States of America.

Sea

Australian Navy Fires Tomahawk Cruise Missile For The First Time Australian Navy Fires Tomahawk Cruise Missile For The First Time

Posted on Dec 9, 2024

Sea

Ukraine’s Drone Boats Are Now Shooting Machine Guns At Russian Helicopters, Boats Ukraine’s Drone Boats Are Now Shooting Machine Guns At Russian Helicopters, Boats

Posted on Dec 9, 2024

A huge underground bunker complex, said to be beneath the mansion of Maj. Gen. Maher al-Assad, the disposed dictator’s brother. Maher al-Assad was best known as the leader of the Syrian Army’s elite Fourth Armored Division.

Descend Into The Depths Of The Assad Regime’s Massive Bunker Descend Into The Depths Of The Assad Regime’s Massive Bunker

Posted on Dec 9, 2024

A portrait of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is pictured with its frame broken, in a Syrian regime's Political Security Branch facility on the outskirts of the central city of Hama, following the capture of the area by anti-government forces, on December 7, 2024. Syria's embattled government said on December 7 it was setting up a ring of steel around Damascus, state media reported, as rebels on a lightning advance said they were bearing down on the city. The leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Islamist group which has headed the assault, told fighters to prepare to take Damascus, just over a week into a renewed offensive in the long dormant conflict. (Photo by OMAR HAJ KADOUR / AFP) (Photo by OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP via Getty Images)

The Assad Regime Has Fallen, Claims Swirl Around Possible Crash Of His Escape Jet (Updated) The Assad Regime Has Fallen, Claims Swirl Around Possible Crash Of His Escape Jet (Updated)

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Dec 8, 2024

Storage-tunnel for nuclear missiles at an abandoned soviet military in Brandenburg State, Germany

Bunker Talk: Let’s Talk About All The Things We Did And Didn’t Cover This Week Bunker Talk: Let’s Talk About All The Things We Did And Didn’t Cover This Week

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Dec 7, 2024

The USS Zumwalt's hypersonic missile launchers are now installed.

Sea

USS Zumwalt Returns To The Water With A Hypersonic Missile Launcher Upgrade USS Zumwalt Returns To The Water With A Hypersonic Missile Launcher Upgrade

Posted on Dec 6, 2024

Air

Former Trump Acting SECDEF Talks About The Future Of Big Ticket Defense Programs Former Trump Acting SECDEF Talks About The Future Of Big Ticket Defense Programs

Posted on Dec 6, 2024

Gen. Bussiere said the number and speed of delivery of the B-21 is a “valid discussion” to have “based on the age of the B-1 and B-2” and the advancing strategic capabilities of Russia and China.

Air

B-21 Raider Numbers Could Be Boosted With Existing Production Capacity B-21 Raider Numbers Could Be Boosted With Existing Production Capacity

Posted on Dec 6, 2024

Homs, Syria.s third-largest city, is close to being captured by rebels opposed to Bashar Al-Assad.

Syrian Rebels Closing In On Homs, Cutting Off Damascus From Coast An Imminent Possibility (Updated) Syrian Rebels Closing In On Homs, Cutting Off Damascus From Coast An Imminent Possibility (Updated)

Posted on Dec 6, 2024

Russian President Vladimir Putin has raised the possibility of forward deploying new conventionally-armed Oreshnik missiles capable of carrying multiple warheads in neighboring Belarus in the latter half of next year.

Land

Experimental Ballistic Missile Russia Used On Ukraine Could Be Headed To Belarus Experimental Ballistic Missile Russia Used On Ukraine Could Be Headed To Belarus

Posted on Dec 6, 2024

Sea

USS Carney’s Red Sea Operations Highlight 5-inch Deck Gun’s Anti-Air Capability USS Carney’s Red Sea Operations Highlight 5-inch Deck Gun’s Anti-Air Capability

Posted on Dec 6, 2024

The Pentagon has released a summary of a new classified strategy to guide efforts to protect American forces abroad and across the U.S. homeland from growing drone threats.

Air

This Is The New ‘Counter-Drone Strategy’ Just Unveiled By Pentagon This Is The New ‘Counter-Drone Strategy’ Just Unveiled By Pentagon

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 5, 2024

Air

Future Of NGAD Fighter Punted To Trump Administration Future Of NGAD Fighter Punted To Trump Administration

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Dec 5, 2024

An anti-government fighter remotely fires rockets against regime forces, in the northern outskirts of Syria's west-central city of Hama on December 4, 2024. Syrian government forces pressed a counterattack against Islamist-led rebels around the key city of Hama on December 4 after suffering a string of staggering losses further north, a war monitor said.

Anti-Assad Forces’ Capture Of Strategic Hama A Critical Stop On Road To Damascus Anti-Assad Forces’ Capture Of Strategic Hama A Critical Stop On Road To Damascus

Updated on Dec 5, 2024

Bell has released a rendering showing updated design concepts for vertical takeoff and landing-capable crewed and uncrewed aircraft that feature wingtip rotors that fold away during level flight.

Air

Revised Fold-Away Rotor Aircraft Concepts Emerge From Special Operations X-Plane Program Revised Fold-Away Rotor Aircraft Concepts Emerge From Special Operations X-Plane Program

Posted on Dec 5, 2024

Russia is massing for a possible attack across the Dnipro River to draw in Ukrainian troops.

Russia Massing For Possible Cross-River Offensive In South Ukraine Russia Massing For Possible Cross-River Offensive In South Ukraine

Posted on Dec 4, 2024

A recent drill by the Russian Armed Forces in the Mediterranean has provided us with a more detailed view of the shadowy Zircon hypersonic missile, a weapon that has only been glimpsed in the past and shown up in the form of fragments after being combat tested in Ukraine. The maneuvers come as Russia’s position in Syria — home to its two major Mediterranean bases — increasingly looks to be under threat, as rebels continue their rapid advance south, threatening the rule of Bashar al-Assad, a key Kremlin ally.

Sea

Our Best Look At Russia’s Shadowy Zircon Hypersonic Missile Our Best Look At Russia’s Shadowy Zircon Hypersonic Missile

Posted on Dec 4, 2024

Recent satellite imagery shows a curious white-colored object at the end of the runway at a remote airstrip in northwestern China.

Space

Mysterious Object Appears At Remote Chinese Airfield Linked To Spaceplane Program Mysterious Object Appears At Remote Chinese Airfield Linked To Spaceplane Program

Posted on Dec 4, 2024

The Pentagon says more tests are required to verify that the 25mm automatic cannon mounted internally on the F-35A variant of the Joint Strike Fighter is indeed now an effective weapon.

Air

F-35A’s 25mm Gun Still Needs Tests To Verify It Works F-35A’s 25mm Gun Still Needs Tests To Verify It Works