The War Zone

Ukrainian Drone Boats Now Armed With Adapted Air-To-Air Missiles

Videos show a clash between a Ukrainian drone boat armed with an adapted AA-11 Archer and the Russian helicopter sent to hunt it.

By Thomas Newdick

Latest

We now have what looks to be the first look at the Army's uncrewed derivative of its High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, and of it firing a practice round.

Our First Look At The Army’s Unmanned HIMARS Launcher Truck Firing

The Army sees the the Autonomous Multi-domain Launcher (AML) as an important way to increase firepower, but not personnel demands.

By Joseph Trevithick

1:31 PM EDT May 6

British telephonists on duty in a bomb-proof shelter on the southwest coast of Britain, in readiness to go into action with their artillery company against invading German soldiers. (Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)

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

Who’s ready for a Bunker?

By Tyler Rogoway

9:30 PM EDT May 3

One of the JDAM-ER precision-guided bombs already supplied to Ukraine.

JDAM-ER Winged Bombs With Seekers That Home In On GPS Jammers Headed To Ukraine

Plans to give Ukraine JDAM-ERs with new seekers come as Western precision-guided munitions are reportedly suffering from Russian GPS jamming.

By Joseph Trevithick

8:02 PM EDT May 3

Russia’s Anti-Satellite Nuke Could Leave Lower Orbit Unusable, Test Vehicle May Already Be Deployed

New info has emerged from U.S. officials about Russia’s nuclear anti-satellite weapon and a test satellite that may be associated with it.

By Joseph Trevithick, Oliver Parken

7:00 PM EDT May 3

Air

Boeing Pitches F-15EX For Saudi Arabian Fighter Competition

The Typhoon and Rafale are already in the running to meet Saudi Arabia’s fighter requirement, with the Eagle II now set to challenge them.

By Thomas Newdick

5:51 PM EDT May 3

Secretive Long Range Attack Missile For Marine AH-1s Is Now Being Flight Tested

By Joseph Trevithick

8:58 PM EDT May 2

Israel Is Shooting Down A Lot Of Its Own Drones

By Joseph Trevithick

2:26 PM EDT May 2

Marine KC-130Js May Lose Their Missile-Firing Harvest Hawk Kits

By Joseph Trevithick

7:50 PM EDT May 1

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Sea

The Navy needs more SM-3 surface to air missiles says Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro.

More SM-3 Interceptors Needed After Downing Iranian Ballistic Missiles: Navy Secretary

After SM-3 successfully engaged Iranian ballistic missiles, the Navy Secretary says more are needed than the dozen per year currently planned.

By Howard Altman

8:14 PM EDT May 2

Navy Names Next Amphibious Assault Ship USS Helmand Province

By Howard Altman

3:13 PM EDT May 2

Manta Ray Underwater Drone Even More Enormous Than We Thought

By Oliver Parken

5:29 PM EDT May 1

How The Marines Plan To Fly The MV-22 Osprey Into The 2060s

By Thomas Newdick

7:27 PM EDT Apr 30

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Land

We now have a look at the Marine Corps' new uncrewed Tomahawk launch vehicle actually firing a missile.

Our First Look At Marines’ Tomahawk Missile Launching Drone Truck Firing

byJoseph Trevithick

3:17 PM EDT May 3

Marines Poised To Get Their 30mm Cannon-Armed Amphibious Combat Vehicle
byThomas Newdick
1:10 PM EDT May 2
ATACMS Volley Strikes Mass Of Russian Troops Training In Eastern Ukraine
byHoward Altman
5:14 PM EDT May 1
This Is The Army’s New M2A4E1 Bradley That Features Iron Fist Protection
byJoseph Trevithick
11:47 AM EDT May 1

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Space

If SpaceX’s Secret Constellation Is What We Think It Is, It’s Game Changing (Updated)

byJoseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

4:44 PM EDT Mar 20

Mysterious Drones Swarmed Langley AFB For Weeks
byJoseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway
7:29 PM EDT Mar 15
Russia’s “Highly Concerning” Anti-Satellite Super Weapon: What Are The Possibilities?
byJoseph Trevithick
5:34 PM EST Feb 15
Threats In Space “Extremely Concerning”: Space Force Boss
byJoseph Trevithick
9:00 PM EST Feb 14

View all

Nukes

Ukraine Situation Report: Poland “Ready” To Host Nuclear Weapons

byThomas Newdick

6:31 PM EDT Apr 22

How The U.K. Will Test Its New Nuclear Warhead Without Setting One Off
byJoseph Trevithick
5:11 PM EDT Mar 25
Russian Submarines Now Appear To Be Getting Anti-Drone “Cope Cages”
byJoseph Trevithick
8:26 PM EDT Mar 20
F-35A Is Officially Certified For Nuclear Strike
byThomas Newdick
1:52 PM EST Mar 9

View all

Modern Day Marine ’24

Our First Look At Marines’ Tomahawk Missile Launching Drone Truck Firing

byJoseph Trevithick

3:17 PM EDT May 3

Secretive Long Range Attack Missile For Marine AH-1s Is Now Being Flight Tested
byJoseph Trevithick
8:58 PM EDT May 2
Navy Names Next Amphibious Assault Ship USS Helmand Province
byHoward Altman
3:13 PM EDT May 2
Israel Is Shooting Down A Lot Of Its Own Drones
byJoseph Trevithick
2:26 PM EDT May 2

View all

Latest

BYThomas Newdick

5:30 PM EDT May 3

News & Features

Ukraine Situation Report: U.K. Says Its Donated Weapons Can Be Used To Hit Targets In Russia

The United Kingdom has also pledged to Ukraine its biggest arms package of the conflict so far, worth over $3 billion a year.

Storm shadow missile can be used against targets in Russia UK says.

5:30 PM EDT May 3

1:38 PM EDT May 1

China’s H-6K Bomber Seen Firing Air-Launched Ballistic Missile For First Time

A newly released video shows the Chinese air-launched ballistic missile in action, dropped by an H-6K bomber.

Footage has been published, apparently for the first time, showing a Chinese H-6 bomber dropping one of the shadowy air-launched ballistic missiles known by the designation 2PZD-21. The missile is part of a growing armory of Chinese aero-ballistic missiles and is widely understood to be a ‘carrier-killer’ weapon designed to be used as part of the country’s anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) strategy. However, many questions remain about the role of the weapon and its capabilities.

1:38 PM EDT May 1

4:47 PM EDT Apr 30

F-16 Crashes Near Holloman Air Force Base In New Mexico (Updated)

Although details remain limited at this time, we know the pilot was able to safely eject before impact.

A 49th Wing F-16 Viper takes off Jan. 19, 2022, at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. Holloman is the Air Force’s premiere training base for F-16 Viper and MQ-9 Reaper aircrew. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Adrian Salazar)

4:47 PM EDT Apr 30

4:27 PM EDT Apr 30

Marines To More Than Triple Size Of Air Defense Forces By 2029

The Marines’ growing number of air and missile defense units are set to begin receiving new Iron Dome and counter-drone systems next year.

US Marine Corps units are set to begin receiving new Iron Dome and counter-drone systems next year as part of a larger air and missile defense push.

4:27 PM EDT Apr 30

3:50 PM EDT Apr 30

Could Ukraine Get Israel’s Mothballed Patriot Air Defense Batteries?

As Ukraine sits in dire need of air defenses, Israel will reportedly place all its Patriot systems into storage over the next two months.

Israel is mothballing its Patriot air defense systems, will Ukraine get them?

3:50 PM EDT Apr 30

2:27 PM EDT Apr 30

Kaman’s Kargo Logistics Drone For The Marines Now In Flight Test

The multi-copter, now flying in prototype form, is competing for a U.S. Marine Corps autonomous resupply vehicle requirement.

The Kaman Corporation has announced the first flight of its KARGO UAV, a rotary-wing drone intended for autonomous, expeditionary resupply. The design is aimed for the U.S. Marine Corps, for which Kaman previously developed the K-MAX unmanned helicopter. The KARGO UAV is now competing in the Marines’ Medium Autonomous Resupply Vehicle — Expeditionary Logistics (MARV-EL) program, with a winner due to be selected this summer.

2:27 PM EDT Apr 30

10:40 PM EDT Apr 29

Poland’s Future F-35s Have Been Officially Named “Husarz”

The name for Poland’s F-35s, chosen via a public competition, draws on the nation’s military history for inspiration.

10:40 PM EDT Apr 29

7:25 PM EDT Apr 29

Ukraine Situation Report: Frontline Defenses Deteriorating Under Russian Pressure

Ukraine is falling back in areas as Russia’s onslaught intensified, with tired troops in need of more ammo, which they hope arrives soon.

Ukraine is losing ground as it awaits for badly needed ammunition.

7:25 PM EDT Apr 29

6:10 PM EDT Apr 29

Ukraine May Now Be Using WWI-Style Air Combat Tactics Against Drones

Ukraine appears to have used the propeller-driven Soviet-era trainer in an effort to down Russian aerial drones.

6:10 PM EDT Apr 29

4:20 PM EDT Apr 29

E-4B Doomsday Plane Replacement Concept Art Has Some Interesting Features

The Survivable Airborne Operations Center concept from Sierra Nevada Corp. has major similarities and differences with its E-4B predecessor.

SAOC will replace the E-4B, now we have a better idea of what it will look like.

4:20 PM EDT Apr 29

12:44 PM EDT Apr 29

China’s New Aircraft Carrier Pulls Away From Its Pier Ahead Of Sea Trials

China’s first domestically designed aircraft carrier will introduce the People’s Liberation Army Navy to ‘cat and trap’ naval air operations.

China’s latest aircraft carrier, the Fujian, appears poised to leave port to begin its first at-sea trials. The development comes soon after five aircraft mockups appeared on the deck of the flattop, as you can read about here. Once the Fujian goes to sea, it will mark a hugely important step in the development of China’s naval aviation, with the carrier being the first of its kind to be fully locally designed and also its first to launch aircraft via catapults rather than by a ‘ski jump’ takeoff ramp.

BYThomas Newdick

12:44 PM EDT Apr 29

Sea

Features from the Archive

Ukrainian Drone Boats Now Armed With Adapted Air-To-Air Missiles

Our First Look At The Army’s Unmanned HIMARS Launcher Truck Firing

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

JDAM-ER Winged Bombs With Seekers That Home In On GPS Jammers Headed To Ukraine

Russia’s Anti-Satellite Nuke Could Leave Lower Orbit Unusable, Test Vehicle May Already Be Deployed

Boeing Pitches F-15EX For Saudi Arabian Fighter Competition

Secretive Long Range Attack Missile For Marine AH-1s Is Now Being Flight Tested

Israel Is Shooting Down A Lot Of Its Own Drones

Marine KC-130Js May Lose Their Missile-Firing Harvest Hawk Kits

More SM-3 Interceptors Needed After Downing Iranian Ballistic Missiles: Navy Secretary

Navy Names Next Amphibious Assault Ship USS Helmand Province

Manta Ray Underwater Drone Even More Enormous Than We Thought

How The Marines Plan To Fly The MV-22 Osprey Into The 2060s

Land

Our First Look At Marines’ Tomahawk Missile Launching Drone Truck Firing

Marines Poised To Get Their 30mm Cannon-Armed Amphibious Combat Vehicle

ATACMS Volley Strikes Mass Of Russian Troops Training In Eastern Ukraine

This Is The Army’s New M2A4E1 Bradley That Features Iron Fist Protection

Space

If SpaceX’s Secret Constellation Is What We Think It Is, It’s Game Changing (Updated)

Mysterious Drones Swarmed Langley AFB For Weeks

Russia’s “Highly Concerning” Anti-Satellite Super Weapon: What Are The Possibilities?

Threats In Space “Extremely Concerning”: Space Force Boss

Nukes

Ukraine Situation Report: Poland “Ready” To Host Nuclear Weapons

How The U.K. Will Test Its New Nuclear Warhead Without Setting One Off

Russian Submarines Now Appear To Be Getting Anti-Drone “Cope Cages”

F-35A Is Officially Certified For Nuclear Strike

Modern Day Marine ’24

Our First Look At Marines’ Tomahawk Missile Launching Drone Truck Firing

Secretive Long Range Attack Missile For Marine AH-1s Is Now Being Flight Tested

Navy Names Next Amphibious Assault Ship USS Helmand Province

Israel Is Shooting Down A Lot Of Its Own Drones

Latest

Ukraine Situation Report: U.K. Says Its Donated Weapons Can Be Used To Hit Targets In Russia

China’s H-6K Bomber Seen Firing Air-Launched Ballistic Missile For First Time

F-16 Crashes Near Holloman Air Force Base In New Mexico (Updated)

Marines To More Than Triple Size Of Air Defense Forces By 2029

Could Ukraine Get Israel’s Mothballed Patriot Air Defense Batteries?

Kaman’s Kargo Logistics Drone For The Marines Now In Flight Test

Poland’s Future F-35s Have Been Officially Named “Husarz”

Ukraine Situation Report: Frontline Defenses Deteriorating Under Russian Pressure

Ukraine May Now Be Using WWI-Style Air Combat Tactics Against Drones

E-4B Doomsday Plane Replacement Concept Art Has Some Interesting Features

China’s New Aircraft Carrier Pulls Away From Its Pier Ahead Of Sea Trials

Features from the Archive

Ryan Aeronautical Had Big Plans for the Vertifan Jump Jet

The B-21 Raider Bomber Combined Test Force Has A Ridiculously Sinister Shakespearean Motto

These Handy Graphics Show The Entire Inventories Of The Israeli And Canadian Air Forces

Here’s How Hypersonic Weapons Could Completely Change the Face of Warfare

The Story Of The Jet That Would Have Delivered South Africa’s Nuclear Bomb

Watch This Rafale Fighter Drop Like A Brick During Crazy Approach To A Mountain Airport

Confessions Of An E-2C Hawkeye Radar Operator

GE Really Wants To Sell You A 30mm Cannon Pod In this Classic Marketing Reel