The War Zone

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Aggressors: Fights on!
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By Jamie Hunter Jul 16, 2020

Tom Cruise’s Original “Maverick” Fighter Pilot Helmet From Top Gun Is Up For Auction

The helmet is part of a major auction of famous movie props with the auction house estimating that it will fetch around $50,000.
By Tyler Rogoway Jul 16, 2020

Firefighters Evacuated From Still Burning USS Bonhomme Richard After It Lists Towards Pier (Updated)

As the fire aboard the ship approaches the four-day mark, its stability has shifted, prompting an evacuation of the vessel and its pier.
By Joseph Trevithick Jul 15, 2020

The Pentagon Moves To Launch Its Own Experimental Mini Space Station

The goal is for the space-based platform to support various test, training, and other missions, possibly with humans aboard in the future.
By Brett Tingley and The War Zone staff Jul 15, 2020

Newly Released FAA Documents Give Unprecedented Look Into Colorado Drone Swarm Mystery

Hundreds of pages of documents provide consistent detailed descriptions of the drones and conclude the military wasn't behind the operation.
By Jamie Hunter Jul 15, 2020

Boeing Says India And Israel Are The Focus For Future Advanced F-15 Eagle Sales

With the Air Force contracting Boeing for as many as 200 F-15EXs, additional exports of advanced Eagles could soon follow suit. 
By Jamie Hunter Jul 15, 2020

This Rare Cockpit Video Of Chinese Fighter Pilots Dogfighting Offers Unique Insights

The video shows J-10 pilots going at it in air-to-air combat up-close and personal while speaking English and using western brevity codes.
By Aaron Amick Jul 15, 2020

Veteran Sailor On Why Navy Ships Can Be Most Vulnerable In Port And How To Change That

USS Bonhomme Richard's catastrophic fire should prompt big changes to in port practices. The Navy should start by looking at its nuclear vessels.
By Joseph Trevithick Jul 14, 2020

Air Force Close To Test Firing Low-Cost Cruise Missile As Work On Swarming Munitions Progresses

The service is developing inexpensive stand-off munitions that can be networked together and with other weapons.
By Jamie Hunter Jul 14, 2020

South Korea Has Already Started A Search For New Airborne Early Warning Radar Planes

Australia has also signaled that it wants to look for a new platform to replace or at least augment its 737-based E-7 radar jets. 
By Joseph Trevithick Jul 14, 2020

Navy Says At Least One Fire Continues To Burn On The USS Bonhomme Richard

The service says the ship is stable and structurally sound, but that it's too early to assess its salvageability.
By Jamie Hunter Jul 14, 2020

This Crazy Video Of An F-14 Tomcat Blasting By Another At High-Altitude Will Make Your Day

VF-31 ‘Tomcatters” F-14D is seen raging through the skies during the final weeks of the type's service in 2006.
By Tyler Rogoway Jul 14, 2020

Pilot Ejects From F-16 During Landing At Holloman Air Force Base In New Mexico

It's the second loss of an F-16 for the base in less than a year and comes after a string of major Air Force mishaps over the last 60 days. 
By Joseph Trevithick and Jamie Hunter Jul 13, 2020

Here Is Our First Look At One Of Boeing's New F-15EX Eagle Fighter Jets For The Air Force

Air Force just awarded Boeing a contract worth nearly $23 billion related to these aircraft, which includes the purchase of the first lot.
By Tyler Rogoway Jul 13, 2020

Two Decks Are Thought To Separate Fire On USS Bonhomme Richard From 1M Gallons Of Fuel (Updated)

The Navy says it is throwing everything it has at fighting the blaze on the stricken amphibious assault ship as it enters into its 28th hour. 
By Joseph Trevithick Jul 13, 2020

First KC-10 Extender Tanker Jet Heads To The Boneyard For Retirement (Updated)

The type's first retirement comes 40 years nearly to the day after its first flight and as Congress works to delay such retirements.
By Tyler Rogoway Jul 13, 2020

USS Bonhomme Richard's Bridge Engulfed In Flames As Fire Rages Into The Night (Updated)

The blaze appears to have migrated to the ship's superstructure that is packed full of sensors, communications gear, weapons, and much more. 
By Tyler Rogoway Jul 12, 2020

Amphibious Assault Ship USS Bonhomme Richard Is On Fire At Naval Base San Diego (Updated) 

Smoke is billowing from the ship as firefighters from around San Diego have moved in to try to stop the blaze. 
By Tyler Rogoway Jul 11, 2020

This Lecture By An F-22 Test Pilot On The Raptor's Flight Control System Is Bonkers

The video highlights just how much fly-by-wire automation is needed to make the Raptor's super maneuverability a reality.
By Tyler Rogoway Jul 10, 2020

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

We can talk about Topgun's new stealth fighter syllabus, geopolitics, all the action in the South China Sea —you know, no big whoop.
By Joseph Trevithick Jul 10, 2020

Trump Says He's Working To Get 10 More Icebreakers For The Coast Guard From "A Certain Place"

If this comes to fruition, it would be a huge boost for the service's icebreaking capacity as competition in the Arctic region grows.
By Tyler Rogoway Jul 10, 2020

Veteran Flight Tester On How The YA-7F Strikefighter Was Really A Jet Recycling Program

The YA-7F program aimed to field a new battlefield interdiction jet for pennies on the dollar by using spare engines and airframes. And it worked.
By Jamie Hunter Jul 10, 2020

Approval Of Mega F-35 Sale For Japan Is A Huge Step Towards Its Aircraft Carrier Ambitions

Japan would become the second-largest Lightning II operator in the world if it bought all 105 jets in the proposed deal.
By Joseph Trevithick Jul 10, 2020

American Surveillance Aircraft Have Been Flooding Into The Airspace South Of Taiwan (Updated)

For the past three weeks, there has been a big increase in U.S. military air activity in the Bashi Channel between Taiwan and the Philippines.
By Joseph Trevithick Jul 9, 2020

Meet The Navy's First Female African American Tactical Jet Pilot

Lieutenant J.G. Madeline Swegle's achievement comes 46 years after the Navy got its first female tactical jet pilot.
By Jamie Hunter Jul 9, 2020

How The F-35 Triggered Topgun's Biggest Syllabus Revamp In Nearly Four Decades

Not since the introduction of the F/A-18A Hornet in the 1980s has the famed schoolhouse had to adapt to such an advance in air combat capability.
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Wheelchair-Accessible VW Bus Donated to Man With Special-Needs Child by Total Stranger
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