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By Tyler Rogoway Sep 25, 2021

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

There's warm cocoa in the bunker! 
By Tyler Rogoway Sep 24, 2021

China’s Big New Twin-Jet Long-Endurance Armed Combat Drone Emerges 

An intriguing new high- and far-flying Chinese drone design has been seen in full scale on the grounds of the upcoming Zhuhai Airshow.
By Joseph Trevithick Sep 24, 2021

Rolls Royce Will Provide Long-Awaited New Jet Engines For The B-52 Bomber Fleet

After decades of trying, the B-52 will finally get new engines, with Rolls Royce being tapped for the contract that could be worth up to $2.6B. 
By Joseph Trevithick Sep 24, 2021

China's J-16D Electronic Attack Jet Seen Sporting Jamming Pods For The First Time

The J-16D has already been broadly compared to the U.S. Navy’s EA-18G Growler, and these pods only point to further similarities in form and function.
By Thomas Newdick Sep 24, 2021

First Navy F-5 Aggressor Begins Upgrade That Will Make The Entire Fleet Far More Potent

A first F-5 Tiger II is now at Naval Air Station Patuxent River to begin testing a fleet-wide upgrade that will radically overhaul the aggressor jets.
By Joseph Trevithick Sep 24, 2021

The Last Of 17 B-1B Bombers Slated For Early Retirement Has Arrived At The Boneyard

Last year, Congress approved the Air Force's plan to divest a number of B-1Bs as it consolidates that fleet ahead of the arrival of the stealthy B-21.
By Joseph Trevithick Sep 23, 2021

It's Official: Canada's CF-18 Hornet Fighters Are Set To Get New Advanced Radars

AN/APG-79(V)4 radars are part of a badly needed upgrade package for Canada's legacy Hornets as the country continues to struggle to buy new fighters.
By Brian O'Rourke Sep 23, 2021

The Army Acquired Its Own Hovercraft In The 1980s. It Didn’t Go Well.

The Army bought LACV-30 hovercraft derived from a commercial model designed in Canada that ended up being ill-suited for hardy military tasks.
By Joseph Trevithick Sep 23, 2021

Stealthy F-117 Nighthawks Have Been Masquerading As Cruise Missiles

The “retired” F-117s are ideal surrogates for cruise missiles, which have small target signatures and threaten the U.S. and its interests abroad.
By Thomas Newdick and Tyler Rogoway Sep 23, 2021

This Is The Most Incredible Super Hornet Footage We Have Ever Seen

This WestPac 2021 cruise video from Navy Strike Fighter Squadron 154 certainly confirms the mantra: Black Knights Rule!
By Joseph Trevithick Sep 23, 2021

E-7 Wedgetail Radar Jets Eyed As A Bridge To A Space-Based System By The Air Force

The Air Force needs a replacement for its aging E-3 Sentries, and off-the-shelf E-7 Wedgetails could fill the gap until a satellite capability emerges.
By Tyler Rogoway Sep 22, 2021

RC-135 Now Flying With Donor KC-135 Engine Cover After Frightening Crosswind Landing Mishap

The RC-135 Combat Sent is back in action over the Black Sea thanks to a donor engine nacelle cover from the local KC-135 unit in England. 
By Joseph Trevithick Sep 22, 2021

Augmented Reality Dogfight Training For Fighter Pilots Has Made A Major Leap In Capability

Red 6 continues to make progress in developing its novel air-to-air training system after receiving a multi-million dollar US Air Force contract.
By Tyler Rogoway Sep 22, 2021

Editor Brian O'Rourke Has Touched Down At The War Zone

Brian brings a much-needed set of skills to The War Zone team that will help us better serve our readers and expand in exciting new ways.
By Thomas Newdick Sep 22, 2021

Mysterious Stealthy Shape That Resembles Future Fighter Concepts Spotted At Radar Test Range (Updated)

The apparent low-observable aircraft test shape appeared in broad daylight at Lockheed Martin’s Helendale radar cross-section measurement range.
By Tyler Rogoway Sep 21, 2021

Listen To An F-16's Intercept Of An Army Cessna That Violated Airspace Near The United Nations (Updated)

We have the full air traffic control audio of the F-16 that ran down a U.S. Army Cessna after it strayed into restricted airspace over New York City.
By Tyler Rogoway and Thomas Newdick Sep 21, 2021

Our Best Look Yet At 'Rapid Dragon' Cargo Plane-Launched Stealth Cruise Missiles In Action

The concept of arming airlifters with cruise missiles is evolving quickly, which is a big deal for the Air Force, and possibly other air arms as well.
By Joseph Trevithick Sep 21, 2021

Kratos' New Airwolf Combat Drone Has Launched A Switchblade Loitering Munition In Flight

Airwolf, Kratos' cheapest and smallest combat offering, is now capable of launching its own drones, leading to some very exciting possibilities.
By Thomas Newdick Sep 21, 2021

The Air Force Is Testing Robotic Loaders To Mount Hypersonic Missiles On Its Bombers

The ability to rapidly load large hypersonic missiles onto Air Force bombers that are operating from remote airfields is of increasing importance.
By Joseph Trevithick Sep 20, 2021

Boeing Unveils New Two-Stage Long-Range Air-To-Air Missile Concept

The new missile offering from Boeing uses two stages instead of one to increase range and lethality.
By Thomas Newdick and Tyler Rogoway Sep 20, 2021

Five B-21 Raider Stealth Bombers Are Now In Final Assembly

The fact that three more B-21s are now being assembled is a major indication of how fast the high-stakes bomber program is progressing. 
By Thomas Newdick Sep 20, 2021

The Air Force Blew It When It Decided Not To Give Its KC-135s Winglets 40 Years Ago

The KC-135 pioneered the winglet concept, but it never got them even after it was proven that they could save millions of gallons of gas every year.
By Tyler Rogoway Sep 20, 2021

Navy Pilot Was Electrocuted By Power Lines After Ejecting From T-45 Jet Trainer: Report

Images of a parachute caught up in power lines were seen after the crash and the pilot is now in critical condition.
By Tyler Rogoway Sep 20, 2021

Watch This RC-135 Spy Plane Make A Frightening Crosswind Landing In England (Updated)

The RC-135 Combat Sent slams down before its left wing dips dangerously low and the jet goes careening down the runway.
By Tyler Rogoway Sep 18, 2021

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

Talk amongst yourselves. 
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