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Harriers Sundown

Fighter Aircraft

A final public flight for the Marine Corps’ legendary Harrier jet

By Jeff Schogol

Posted 14 Hours Ago

A Grasshopper autonomous aerial resupply vehicle arrives at a landing zone during Exercise Trojan Footprint 26 near Krivolak, North Macedonia, May 18, 2026. Trojan Footprint is a key biennial training event, focused on posturing Allies to deter aggression and defend regional security through joint and multinational cooperation. The Grasshopper system is an aerial platform designed to expand long-range, low-cost, precision sustainment in contested environments. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Capt. Christopher Booker)

Green Berets tested glider drones for supply drops during a massive special operations exercise

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on May 26, 2026

A US marine from Regimental Combat Team-8 walks between accommodation tents at Forward Operating Base Delaram in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan on April 4, 2011. Around 140,000 foreign troops are deployed in Afghanistan within the UN-mandated, NATO-led, International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and the US-led coalition Operation Enduring Freedom, which overthrew the Taliban in late 2001. AFP PHOTO/Peter PARKS (Photo credit should read PETER PARKS/AFP via Getty Images)

Drones could mean the end of sprawling bases seen during Iraq and Afghanistan Wars

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on May 19, 2026

An OA-1K Skyraider II comes in for a landing on a dirt path July 10 on the Eglin Air Force Base, Florida range. The new Air Force Special Operations Command aircraft continues developmental testing with the 96th Test Wing and the U.S. Special Operations Command at Eglin. (Courtesy image)

Air Force now has 18 of its new Skyraider II ‘Swiss Army Knife’ aircraft, official says

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on May 19, 2026

Spc. Brandon Mack, a small unmanned aircraft system operator assigned to 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Combat Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, looks through his SMASH 2000L optic, a counter-sUAS tracking scope developed by SMARTSHOOTER, during rotation 26-02 at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California, Nov. 2, 2025. The rotation marks the first armored Transforming in Contact (TiC) 2.0 combat training center rotation, where new concepts and emerging capabilities were tested in realistic, contested scenarios. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Julian A. Winston)

Army orders rifle-mounted smart scopes to down small drones

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on May 15, 2026

Air Force HH-60

Air Force rescue units awarded rare Presidential Unit Citation

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on May 12, 2026

The LOCUST directed-energy system was deployed to the southern border earlier this year, and tested at White Sands Missile Range. AeroVironment Inc. photo.

Pentagon names five bases that will get anti-drone energy weapons

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on May 8, 2026

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Taylor Britain, an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team leader with the 74th EOD Company, conducts pre-flight checks for the 25th Infantry Division Kestrel First-Person View (FPV) drone during a First-Person View (FPV) drone live-fire exercise at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Oct. 17, 2025. Britain developed the firing system, including a mechanical and electronic safety feature on the Kestrel FPV drone. The United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) will conduct Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center (JPMRC) Rotation 26-01 from Oct. 28 to Nov. 16, 2025, in and around the Hawaiian island chain. This exercise is designed to validate the combat readiness of the 3rd Mobile Brigade (3MBDE), 25th Infantry Division Artillery (DIVARTY), and the 125th Division Signal Battalion in a joint, multinational, multi-domain training environment. JPMRC 26-01 will integrate U.S. forces, multinational partners, and joint capabilities to train tactics, techniques, and procedures required to dominate jungle and archipelagic terrain during large-scale combat operations. The exercise underscores the U.S. Army’s commitment to ensuring regional security and strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Duke Edwards)

Pentagon’s drone strategy calls for putting $54 billion DAWG in the fight

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Apr 27, 2026

A U.S Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 225, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, takes off from the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Tsushima Strait, Sept. 18, 2024.

Fighter Aircraft

How the F-35 is changing Marine airpower

Posted on Apr 23, 2026

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, 25th Infantry Division Artillery, work with Philippine Army partners to sling load a Philippine Army M101 howitzer to a CH-47 Chinook during an air assault operation as part of Exercise Salaknib 2026 at Fort Magsaysay, Philippines, April 7, 2026. The training enhances the rapid deployment of artillery assets, increasing the combined readiness of the U.S.-Philippine Alliance. Salaknib is an annual exercise designed to enhance combat readiness and strengthen the U.S.-Philippine Alliance. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Taylor Gray)

Army Chinook makes first landing without a pilot

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Apr 23, 2026

An HH-60W Jolly Green II hoists a simulated survivor during an aerial demonstration for Saluting Our Aviation Roots, Feb. 25, 2026, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. The demonstration highlighted combat search and rescue capabilities for students and families. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Bre Lewis)

Air Force wants to use lasers to help protect rescue helicopters after Iran mission

By Kyle Rempfer

Posted on Apr 22, 2026

U.S. Air Force Capt. Josiah Bierle, 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron pilot, awaits takeoff in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 30, 2025. Stationing A-10s in the CENTCOM AOR reinforces U.S. commitment to regional stability and strengthens deterrence against potential threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jonah Bliss)

Fighter Aircraft

Air Force can’t quit the A-10 Warthog, extends service into 2030

By Nicholas Slayton, Matt White

Posted on Apr 20, 2026

A Hunter Wolf unmanned ground vehicle assigned to Charlie Battery, 3rd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Mobile Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), holds a steady overwatch position with a mounted remote operated .50-caliber machine gun during a combat simulation exercise at the Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, Louisiana, April 13, 2026.. The Hunter Wolf platform has been selected by the U.S. Army for the Small Multipurpose Equipment Transport (S-MET) program. (U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Anthony Hewitt)

The Army wants an unmanned ground vehicle to evacuate wounded and resupply the front line

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Apr 19, 2026

Marines on way to Middle East seen using rifles with anti-drone smart scope

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Apr 14, 2026

U.S. Army Private First Class Ajryan Scales , assigned to XVIII Airborne Corps Signal Detachment, trains and familiarizes with the 5.56mm L-variant Drone Round to defeat small unmanned aerial systems at Oak Grove Training Center, N.C., April 9, 2026. The training offered units the chance to build proficiency and familiarize Soldiers with techniques to engage and defeat sUAS while rapidly advancing operational capabilities. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Alexis Fischer)

Soldiers with the XVIII Airborne Corps are training with anti-drone rounds

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Apr 14, 2026

Members of the 163d Attack Wing pilot an MQ-9 Reaper taxing down the runway after returning home from a milestone mission to Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, February 15th, 2024. The mission marked the first ever MQ-9 to grace the runway at Shaw AFB. This one of many examples of how the 163d ATKW is pushing innovation and the MQ-9 platform to new heights.

The Iran war took a toll on the Air Force’s Reaper fleet

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Apr 13, 2026