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Defense & Security Intelligence

2026-01-18 20:13 UTC
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military aviation

54 articles • Page 1 of 2

Say Goodbye to China’s J-20 Mighty Dragon or J-35A: Air Force’s New F-47 NGAD Fighter Is Coming
Boeing has confirmed that production on the U.S. Air Force’s new F-47 sixth-generation fighter aircraft has begun. This milestone was achieved swiftly due to a classified flight-demonstrator program w...
VIDEO: China Flies Its First Huge Aircraft Capable of Launching Up to 100 Drones
China has successfully conducted its first flight test of an enormous aircraft designed with the capability to launch up to 100 drones, marking a significant advancement in aerial warfare and drone de...
IAF Eyes Russian Sukhoi Upgrades Amid Shrinking Fighter Fleet
The Indian Air Force plans to upgrade approximately 200 of its 272 operational Su-30MKI fighter jets through the 'Super Sukhoi' program, due to a shrinking fighter fleet. The upgrades are urgent and n...
Air Force Test Enterprise Ready for the CCA Challenge
The John A. Tirpak article from A&SF Magazine discusses how the Air Force's testing enterprise is preparing for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) challenge. The CCA initiative aims to integr...
Su-57E Likely to Cost India Half the Price of Rafale Under MRFA, Offering Full ToT, Source Code, and Cost-Effective 5th-Gen Alternative
A senior Russian official claims that the Su-57E could be half as expensive for India compared to the Rafale under the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program. This includes full technology transfe...
China’s New H-20 Stealth Bomber Might Already Be Flying
Satellite footage might confirm that China's H-20 stealth bomber could already be flying, with its flying-wing design and an estimated 8,500-kilometer range. The aircraft poses a direct threat to U.S....
New Satellite Images Reveal Russia’s ‘Helicopter Graveyard’ Filling Up
Recent satellite images indicate that Russia faces significant challenges in maintaining and producing new aircraft due to losses inflicted by Ukrainian forces. The situation is evidenced by a growing...
War in Ukraine has Significantly Strengthened Russian Aviation, NATO Does Not Understand This
The article claims that despite ongoing military conflicts, Russia's aviation capabilities have been significantly enhanced due to the war in Ukraine. It criticizes NATO for not fully understanding or...
F-35 Breaks Delivery Record, Continues Combat Success In 2025
In 2025, Lockheed Martin delivered 191 F-35 Lightning II aircraft, exceeding the previous record of 142 jets. This marks a production rate five times faster than any other allied fighter, highlighting...
Boeing Secures $12.8 Billion in Major Defense Deals for 2026
Boeing has been awarded two significant defense contracts totaling $12.8 billion. These deals are expected to bolster Boeing's position in the aerospace and defense industry ahead of the year 2026, hi...
MIDHANI Develops Indigenous Alloys For AL-31FP Turbofans Powering Su-30MKI Jets
Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI) has received provisional approval from the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC) for the development of critical materials necessary for th...
Lockheed Martin Secures $328 Million Contract for Taiwan
Lockheed Martin has been awarded a contract worth approximately $328 million by Taiwan. This acquisition pertains specifically to the procurement of defense equipment which likely includes advancement...
First Jupiter HC2 enters UK service ahead of deployment
The initial Jupiter HC2 helicopter has commenced operations at RAF Benson, signifying its entry into service within the UK fleet. This new program aims to replace older Bell 212 and 412 helicopters in...
Lockheed Martin Positions C-130J As Top Pick For IAF Tactical Airlift, Eyes Indian Production Hub
Lockheed Martin views the C-130J Super Hercules as the prime contender for India's Air Force tactical airlift procurement of up to 80 military transport aircraft. The company highlights its versatilit...
Seaplane fleet ready: What's behind Trump's move
The article discusses President Donald Trump's recent decision involving seaplanes and seeks to uncover the strategic reasons for this military initiative. It highlights possible deterrence motives ag...
Forget F-35, F-47 and FCAS: The GCAP Fighter Is Coming
Japan has confirmed a 2035 target for its next-generation General Combat Airplane (GCAP) fighter after reviewing budgets, design work, and engine progress. Collaborating with the UK and Italy, Japan a...
China tests third prototype of next-gen combat aircraft
China has conducted a flight test of its third J-36 heavy next-generation fighter-bomber prototype on December 25, alongside a J-10C fighter. The published photos depict the new airframe with noticeab...
F-35s Only Fit for Flight Half of the Time in 2024
According to MigNews, analysis shows that only about half of F-35 fighter jets were mission-ready during the first part of 2024. The report highlights an ongoing challenge regarding the operational re...
Boeing secures $2B deal for B-52 engine upgrade
Boeing has been awarded a contract worth $2.04 billion by the U.S. Air Force to continue development of new engines for the B-52H bomber fleet under the Commercial Engine Replacement Program. The task...
ADA Accelerates TEJAS MK-2 Prototyping, AMCA Development With New Talent Hiring Drive
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) of India's Ministry of Defence has initiated a targeted recruitment drive aimed at augmenting its workforce for key indigenous fighter projects. The initiativ...
Russia Tests New Product 177 Turbofans On Su-57 Stealth Fighter Jet
On December 22, 2025, Russia's state corporation ROSTEC announced that the Su-57 stealth fighter jet successfully completed its first test flight with the new Product 177 engines. The flight took plac...
Embraer Fast-Tracks C-390 & E-Jets Talks with India Post HAL’s SJ-100 Pact, Offering Sanction-Free Local Production
India is moving quickly to advance discussions for military and commercial aircraft with Embraer following a deal with HAL. Embraer aims to provide sanction-free local production options for the C-390...
Air Force Signs $2 Billion Deal to Re-Engine Two B-52s for Testing
The Air Force has entered into a contract with Boeing worth $2 billion to upgrade the engines on two B-52 bombers and commence testing of the newly configured eight-engine setup....
From 2001 prototype to Mk1A fleet: Tejas celebrates 25 years of flight with new capability boost
The Indian Air Force commemorated the 25th anniversary of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas's first flight, marking a quarter-century since its inception. The aircraft has seen significant advance...
US Air Force eyes autonomous Northrop Grumman drone for CCA program
Northrop Grumman has made significant revisions to its original Continuous Capability Addition (CCA) proposal, leading to the development of the Talon drone system for the US Air Force. This move indi...
Israel Rearming Its Eagle Force With The New F-15IA
The Israeli Air Force has signed an agreement worth $8.58 billion for at least 25 new F-15IA jets, deepening its relationship with this aircraft model....
F-35s Were Ready for Flight Only Half the Time in 2024
In 2024, F-35 aircraft were found to be prepared and operational only half of the time due to maintenance issues or other logistical problems. This statistic highlights ongoing challenges with maintai...
Army to field Bell MV-75 aircraft this year, integrate more drones
The US Army plans to expedite the delivery of Bell MV-75 aircraft from the initial schedule between 2031 and 2032 to this year. Additionally, the service will continue to integrate more unmanned syste...
India-France 120 kN Engine Partnership to Establish Complete Aero-Engine Testing Ecosystem in India
India and France are nearing a significant agreement to co-develop a new 120 kN-class aero-engine. The focus now is on swiftly establishing an extensive testing ecosystem within India to support the e...
US Military Doomsday Plane Set for Upgrade, Appears in Los Angeles Sparking Speculation
The United States military’s 'Doomsday' planes are set to undergo an upgrade process. The appearance of the plane in Los Angeles has sparked public speculation and media attention regarding its capabi...
Why Doesn’t the US Military Have Stealth Helicopters?
The article discusses why the U.S. military does not have stealth helicopters. It explains that the physics of rotary-wing aircraft make achieving true stealth challenging due to factors such as spinn...
U.S. combat aircraft over Venezuelan capital amid explosions
Reports from Caracas indicate explosions occurring simultaneously with low-altitude flights of U.S. CH-47 Chinook helicopters. The nature and context of these events are unclear but suggest heightened...
F-35: USAF Fighter Flew Half-Year in 2024 Due to Maintenance Issues with Lockheed
The F-35 fighter jets operated by the US Air Force experienced significant maintenance issues from Lockheed Martin in 2024, limiting their operational availability to half the year. The problems appea...
Half of Turkey's Desired F-35s Cannot Fly: Have Been Grounded for Months
Reports indicate that approximately half of the F-35 aircraft ordered by Turkey cannot fly and have been grounded for several months. This issue presents challenges in Turkey’s air force capabilities ...
C-130J Super Hercules Emerges As The Favourite Choice For IAF Transport Fleet As Lockheed Plans Production Hub In India
Lockheed Martin aims to position the C-130J Super Hercules as the preferred aircraft for the Indian Air Force's Medium Transport Aircraft procurement. Plans are underway to acquire up to 80 units to r...
US aircraft flying close to Iranian airspace
The article discusses instances of US military aircraft conducting flights near the borders and territorial waters of Iran....
Astra Microwave Secures New Orders For Integration of Software Defined Radio Systems For IAF
Astra Microwave Products Limited has secured new orders from India's defence sector to integrate advanced Software Defined Radio (SDR) systems onto the Indian Air Force's MiG-29 fighter jets. This dev...
The U.S. Navy’s F/A-18 Super Hornet Is No Stealth Fighter
In 2026, despite being deemed obsolete for independent Day One strikes against advanced defenses of countries like China and Russia due to its lack of stealth capability, the F/A-18 Super Hornet remai...
Turkey says electrical failure reported before Libyan military jet crash
A Dassault Falcon 50 jet carrying the Chief of Staff of Libya's army reported an electrical failure shortly before crashing near Ankara on Tuesday evening, according to Turkey’s head of communications...
Lockheed Martin pitches C-130Js as ‘best’choice for IAF’s tactical airlift requirement,plans production hub in India
US aerospace company Lockheed Martin is advocating the C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft as the optimal choice to meet India’s requirement for up to 80 military airlifters, emphasizing potentia...
Beyond Induction: The Elusive Quest For Operational Maturity In Combat Aircraft
The article highlights that discussions on military aviation procurements often focus solely on induction timelines, the formal entry of an aircraft into service, rather than operational maturity. Ope...
Why Did The American 'Day of Judgment Plane' Fly?
The article discusses a recent incident involving an unidentified U.S. military aircraft being referred to colloquially as the ‘Day of Judgment plane.’ It explores reasons behind its flight operations...
DC Skies Filled with Fighter Jets Chasing UFOs in 1952
In 1952, Washington DC experienced sightings of unidentified flying objects (UFOs), leading to a high volume of US fighter jet interceptions. The incidents remain part of ongoing military and societal...
Air Force crew reacted rapidly to sudden engine failure in Osprey mishap
The crew of an Air Force CV-22 Osprey, which experienced a hard landing due to a sudden engine failure in late 2024, had recently completed safety training that prepared them for such emergencies. The...
Procedural Failures, Poor Supervision Led to F-22 Maintainer Death: Report
An accident investigation report published in March 2024 has revealed that an Air Force maintenance team's failure to adhere to prescribed procedures while working on the weapons bay of a Lockheed Mar...
U.S. surveillance drone crashes in Afghanistan
A U.S. surveillance drone crashed near Maidan Shahr, the provincial capital of Afghanistan's Maidan Wardak province, on January 1, 2026. The debris was found about 40 kilometers southwest of Kabul....
Congressional probe of DCA collision faults Army, seeks Pentagon review
A congressional investigation into a recent aircraft collision at Washington's Reagan National Airport has criticized the US Army for its role in the incident and is calling on the Department of Defen...
ADA’s Two-Day National Seminar ‘Aeronautics 2047’ Begins In Bangalore
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) initiated a two-day national seminar titled 'Aeronautics 2047' at the Centre for Airborne Systems in Bengaluru on January 4, 2026. The Chief of the Air Staff,...
At least 2 killed in Mexican Navy plane crash near Galveston, Texas
A Mexican Navy aircraft carrying one-year-old medical patient and seven other passengers crashed off the coast of Galveston, Texas, resulting in at least two fatalities. The incident occurred on Monda...
‘Mini’ B-52 Bomber: The A-6 Intruder Has A Message for the U.S. Navy
The Grumman A-6 Intruder was introduced into U.S. Navy and Marine Corps service in 1963 as America’s first dedicated all-weather carrier-based attack aircraft. This twin-engine jet could carry up to 1...
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