The War Zone

A strong offense for the world of defense.

X-47B UCAS
Featured in The War Zone
By Tyler Rogoway Jun 5, 2020

Satellite Image Showing RQ-170 Sentinel Near MQ-9 Reaper Gives Us Best Size Estimate Yet

Estimates of the RQ-170's size have varied greatly over the years. Now we can put the debate to rest. 
By Joseph Trevithick Jun 5, 2020

Air Force Is Looking Beyond Traditional Orbits To Get An Upper Hand In Space

Concerns about new threats and challenges, especially from China, are pushing efforts both closer to and farther away from Earth.
By Joseph Trevithick Jun 4, 2020

Manned Fighter To Face Autonomous Drone Next Year In Sci-Fi Movie-Like Showdown

The planned test is part of a project to develop an artificial intelligence-driven drone that could change the face of air combat.
By Brett Tingley Jun 4, 2020

Does This Image Show The Colorado Mystery Drone Swarm? (UPDATE: It Doesn't)

The image, obtained from the FAA, appears to show a formation of craft above Nebraska and could be the best photo evidence yet of the mystery drones.
By Tyler Rogoway Jun 4, 2020

These Photos Of Ford And Nimitz Class Carriers Sailing Side-By-Side Offer Best Comparison Yet

Although they are both huge supercarriers, the futuristic-looking Ford class has major external differences from its iconic predecessor.
By Joseph Trevithick Jun 4, 2020

More Than Half Of Finland's F-18 Hornets Take Part In An "Elephant Walk" Readiness Drill

These types of exercises show off an air force's ability to launch large numbers of aircraft quickly in a crisis.
By Joseph Trevithick Jun 3, 2020

Air Force Is Buying Eight Of These Missiles That Are Set To Become Its First Hypersonic Weapons

The weapons will usher in capabilities previously only dreamed of and could be operational as early as 2022.
By Chris "Ox" Harmer Jun 3, 2020

Veteran Military Helicopter Pilot On Why Hovering Over Protestors Was Dangerous And Stupid

The maneuvers were absurd on every level and they put both the people below and the crews inside the helicopters in danger.
By Joseph Trevithick Jun 3, 2020

Navy's Highly Promising Long-Range Air Defense Busting Missile Has Taken Its First Flight

The weapon is set to arm the Super Hornet, Growler, and Joint Strike Fighter and its modular nature means it is being adapted to other roles.
By Joseph Trevithick Jun 2, 2020

Nuclear Detection Helicopter Flies Mission Around Washington D.C. Amid Unrest (Updated)

The Department of Energy's Aerial Measuring System is designed to map radiation levels after an accident, disaster, or dirty bomb attack.
By Tyler Rogoway Jun 2, 2020

About That Huge Rifle The Secret Service Sniper Was Carrying During Trump's Photo Op Walk

The highly customizable weapon has the ability to reach out and take out threats like other snipers over long distances with extreme accuracy.
By Joseph Trevithick Jun 2, 2020

This Plane Wasn't Snooping On Protesters In Los Angeles, It Was Dropping Irradiated Bugs

Military and police aerial activity across the country is surging and getting more public attention, but sometimes things aren't what they might seem.
By Joseph Trevithick and Tyler Rogoway Jun 2, 2020

Military Helicopters Descend On Washington In Bizarre Very Low-Altitude Show Of Force (Updated)

Using military helicopters to intimidate U.S. citizens is certainly a new tactic in the ongoing crisis.
By Joseph Trevithick Jun 1, 2020

Special Operators In Syria Are First American Unit To Use Computerized Sights On Their Rifles

The advanced sighting system locks onto targets, tells the shooter where to aim, and can even fire the gun for them at the right moment.
By Tyler Rogoway Jun 1, 2020

Watch A JAS-39 Gripen Fighter Fire A New Ground Attack Version Of The Sidewinder Missile

Germany had the bright idea of recycling its old Sidewinder missiles by turning them into laser-guided precision ground attack weapons. 
By Joseph Trevithick Jun 1, 2020

This Is What The Insurrection Act Of 1807 Is And How Trump Could Try To Use It

The President does have the authority to use the military to respond to domestic unrest, but his ability to invoke it now is very murky.
By Joseph Trevithick Jun 1, 2020

Air Force Reveals B-1Bs Were Practicing Decapitating Russia's Black Sea Fleet Last Week

Russia has decried that mission, as well as other American and NATO exercises around its borders in recent months, as provocative.
By Tyler Rogoway May 31, 2020

Photographer Catches Formation Of C-130 Transports Flying Through A California Canyon

The California Air National Guard Super Hercules transports were on a celebratory 'fini-flight' for a retiring member of the unit.
By Tyler Rogoway May 30, 2020

America Has Put Its Own Astronauts In Space After A Nine Year Hiatus: A Discussion Thread

It is also the first time a private contractor has put a human in orbit. 
By Tyler Rogoway May 29, 2020

Bunker Talk: Let's Chat About All The Stories We Did And Didn't Cover This Week

We can talk about F-15E stealth missile chuckers, Russia's "little green jets," geopolitics, China's wacky training facilities—you know, no big whoop.
By Joseph Trevithick May 29, 2020

Customs And Border Protection Reaper Drone Appears Over Minneapolis Protests

The unmanned aircraft looks to be surveilling the city, which has seen increasingly violent protests following the police killing of George Floyd.
By Joseph Trevithick May 29, 2020

Taiwan Wants Land-Based Harpoon Anti-Ship Missiles To Counter Growing Chinese Naval Power

The announcement comes as both of China's aircraft carriers may be preparing to work together in a first-of-its-kind exercise.
By Joseph Trevithick May 29, 2020

B-1B Bombers Fly With Ukrainian Flankers and MiGs Over The Black Sea For First Time Ever

MiGs from Poland and Romania, as well as other foreign fighter jets and tankers, also took part in the long-range training sortie.
By Tyler Rogoway May 28, 2020

Stealth Missile Marks On F-15Es All But Prove They Dealt Final Blow To Al Baghdadi's Compound

The use of Strike Eagles to launch the cruise missiles that flattened the ISIS mastermind's compound has never been officially confirmed. 
By Joseph Trevithick May 28, 2020

Close-Up Images Emerge Of Unmarked MiG-29 Fighters At Russia's Air Base In Syria

The configuration and paint schemes match up with imagery the American military has released of MiG-29s that then headed to Libya.
News
See the Original Sketches for the DeLorean Sedan That Never Was
Jun 5, 2020 4:13 PM
This Iconic Nissan Skyline GT-R R33 'Speed Wagon' Can Be Yours for $85,000
Jun 5, 2020 2:31 PM
Feast Your Eyes on the 2021 BMW M4's Massive Nostrils
Jun 5, 2020 1:33 PM
Come On and Bring the Family to This Audi RS6 Avant vs. Lamborghini Urus Drag Race
Jun 5, 2020 12:32 PM
This Time-Capsule 1980 Datsun 280ZX Hidden for Decades Is Going to Sell for a Whole Lot of Money
Jun 5, 2020 11:31 AM
The Auto Industry's Recovery May Delay Its Future
Jun 5, 2020 10:48 AM
This Is How the Original BMW X5 SUV Went From Idea to Reality
Jun 5, 2020 10:20 AM
This Wrecked 2020 Toyota Supra Has Been Reborn for Track Days
Jun 5, 2020 9:16 AM
Why Haven't You Bought a Nissan Rasheen Yet?
Jun 4, 2020 7:24 PM
This Wildly Unsafe Ram Pickup Towing a Mobile Home Is a Disaster Waiting to Happen
Jun 4, 2020 3:08 PM
See All