Aircraft

News, explainers, and analysis about military aircraft.

Latest in Aircraft

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

Aviation Structural Mechanic (Safety Equipment) 1st Class Anthony Huffman, from Forest Grove, Oregon, conducts maintenance on aircraft in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the Pacific Ocean, July 27, 2024. Nimitz is underway conducting routine operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Anthony Lagunes)

Fighter Aircraft

Navy maintenance crews are stripping their own jets and submarines for spare parts

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Oct 6, 2025

An MQ-9 Reaper taxis on the runway after landing in support of Freedom Flag 24-1 at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Oct. 23, 2024. Freedom Flag 24-1 is an advanced, large-scale tactical exercise between the U.S. and allied partners dedicated to the protection of regional peace and stability through the adaptation of novel and collaborative training methods, ensuring readiness against a wide range of threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Maria Umanzor Guzman)

Air Force revives WWII-era squadron in South Korea as modern drone force

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Sep 29, 2025

Workers at Allen Control Systems accidentally ordered parts for a Bullfrog weapon system in rose gold rather than black. The company says the military services can order it in this color if they so please.

Someone accidentally ordered this drone-killing robot in rose gold

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Sep 23, 2025

F-35 drug missions

Fighter Aircraft

Why does the US have F-35s flying anti-cartel missions in the Caribbean?

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Sep 19, 2025

A B-2 bomber drops a JDAM.

Air Force B-2 bomber tests ship-killer bomb off of Norway

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Sep 13, 2025

US deploys MQ-9 Reaper drones to the Caribbean

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Sep 12, 2025

Rangers Test Drones

Army Rangers are testing out drones as anti-tank weapons

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Sep 8, 2025

An F-35A Lightning II performs a restricted climb over March Air Reserve Base during takeoff for a practice demonstration, April 11, 2025. The F-35A Demonstration Team showcases the power, precision, and lethality of the world’s most advanced multirole stealth fighter. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Nathan Poblete)

US sending F-35s to Puerto Rico as military buildup in the Caribbean continues

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Sep 5, 2025

A UH-1N Huey flies over Tokyo.

Hueys make their last flight at Yokota Air Base as the Air Force retires them

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Aug 31, 2025

A soldier uses the KnightFigher drone jamming device during Project Flytrap, July 28, 2025.

Project Flytrap and the Army’s answer to drone warfare

Posted on Aug 29, 2025