Aircraft

News, explainers, and analysis about military aircraft.

Latest in Aircraft

CV-22 Ospreys assigned to the 21st Special Operations Squadron (SOS) approach an MC-130J Commando II for aerial refueling over the Sea of Japan, Mar. 17th, 2023. The 21st SOS utilizes the unique capabilities of the Osprey to conduct long range infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply missions for special operation forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Trevor Gordnier)

Air Force crew reacted rapidly to sudden power failure in Osprey mishap

Posted on Jan 13, 2026

U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Dec. 19, 2025) A U.S. Air Force chaplain prays over an A-10 Thunderbolt II at a base in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 19, 2025. (U.S. Air Force Photo)

An A-10 taking part in Syria airstrikes sports ‘Metroid’ nose art

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Jan 12, 2026

An F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron 213, launches from the flight deck of the world’s largest aircraft carrier, Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), while underway in the Caribbean Sea, Dec. 28, 2025. U.S. military forces are deployed to the Caribbean in support of the U.S. Southern Command mission, Department of War-directed operations, and the president's priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland. (U.S. Navy photo)

More than 150 fighters, bombers and other aircraft took part in Venezuela strike

By Nicholas Slayton

Updated on Jan 4, 2026

Airman 1st Class Charles Crumlett, 335th Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew member, prepares a weapon to be loaded during the 4th Quarter Load Crew of the Quarter competition, Jan. 26, 2018, at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina. The purpose of the weapons load competition is to showcase the weapons crews highly developed skills with precise loading capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kenneth Boyton)

Fighter Aircraft

Lack of supervision contributed to Alaska airman’s death, report finds

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Dec 31, 2025

A patch celebrating the legacy of the A-10 mission is worn by a newly appointed dedicated crew chief during the final A-10 dedicated crew chief ceremony at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Oct. 31, 2025. The 357th Fighter Generation Squadron owns the remaining A-10Cs utilized by the Air Force, and will see their final divestment in late 2026. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ericha Parish)

Air Force A-10 patch marks an ‘end of an errrrra’

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Dec 15, 2025

Air National Guard airmen from the 119th Maintenance Squadron prepares an MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for flight during the Northern Strike 2025 exercise at the Alpena, Mich. Combat Regional Training Center, August 2-16, 2025. Northern Strike is one of the Department of Defense’s largest reserve component readiness exercises, is taking place now across Michigan. (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Sr. Master Sgt. Michael Knodle)

Congress wants to screen drone operators for PTSD, depression

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Dec 14, 2025

241231-N-TN409-1156 U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Dec. 31, 2024) Two U.S. Navy pilots in an F/A-18F Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11, prepare for launch from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (Official U.S. Navy photo)

Fighter Aircraft

Navy cruiser mistook fighter jets for incoming missiles during chaotic night

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Dec 4, 2025

Two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs, assigned to the F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team, fly in formation prior to conducting air-to-air refueling over Utah, July 1, 2025.

Why are so many US military aircraft painted grey?

Posted on Nov 25, 2025

A Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier II with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 263 (Reinforced) on the flight deck of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima in the Caribbean Sean, Sept. 7, 2025.

Marine Harriers are in the Caribbean just ahead of retirement

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Nov 21, 2025

SAINT LAWRENCE ISLAND, Alaska (Sept. 11, 2022) A West Coast-based Naval Special Warfare operator conducts security utilizing a SHIELD AI Nova I drone during Operation Noble Defender. Sensors, artificial intelligence, and machine learning software capabilities coupled with the development of layered denial, and defeat mechanisms capable of addressing current and emerging threats are fundamental to national defense. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Alex Smedegard)

Navy SEALs want to start a 10-day school to learn drone warfare

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Nov 17, 2025

Staff Sgt. Kristopher Garbea, with the unmanned aerial system Platoon, 1st Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, prepares a reconnaissance drone for flight during Saber Junction 25 (SJ25) at the Joint Multinational Readiness Training Center at Hohenfels, Germany Sept. 9, 2025. Soldiers within the unit developed Purpose Built Attritable System drones to use against simulated enemy forces at SJ25. This exercise ensures that the 2nd Cavalry Regiment and allied forces are prepared to act decisively in response to emerging threats, crises, or opportunities. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Shenicquia Fulton)

The Army is going to buy a million drones

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Nov 7, 2025

No clear winner emerged from teams of Marines, Army Rangers, Navy SEALs and Air Force airmen competed in a "Drone Crucible" in September.

No clear winner in military’s first ‘drone crucible’

By Drew F. Lawrence

Posted on Oct 29, 2025

250730-N-IP140-1119 U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (July 30, 2025) An F/A-18F Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22, launches from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during flight operations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (Official U.S. Navy photo)

Fighter Aircraft

Two USS Nimitz aircraft crash within an hour in separate mishaps

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Oct 26, 2025

A turboprop plane rests in a field after crashing, two power poles askew in the front.

The Air Force’s special operations crop duster crashed in a field in Oklahoma

By Nicholas Slayton

Updated on Oct 25, 2025

Marine Maj. Tyler R. Braconi was identified as the pilot killed in the crash of a AH-1Z attack helicopter Oct. 16.

Marine pilot killed in California helicopter crash ‘was one of the greats,’ squadron says

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Oct 21, 2025

A S-70UAS U-Hawk, a modified uncrewed Black Hawk helicopter.

This wild new Black Hawk prototype is part drone, part Transformer

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Oct 13, 2025