Fighter Aircraft

News, explainers, and analysis about fighter aircraft.

Latest in Fighter Aircraft

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

By David Roza

Posted on Apr 23, 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

Marine Expeditionary Unit
Fighter Aircraft

Here’s what Marine Expeditionary Units are designed to do

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Apr 1, 2026

An F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron 87, lands on 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. 11, 2025. U.S. military forces are deployed to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility 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)
Fighter Aircraft

Navy F-18 that got the US’s first air-to-air kill in the 21st century is taking part in the Iran War

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Mar 14, 2026

NELLIS AFB, NV - APRIL 25: A United States Air Force pilot (L) and weapons system officer look out the cockpit of their F-15E Strike Eagle as the jet is prepared for takeoff at Nellis Air Force Base while participating in the Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment 2006 (JEFX 06) April 25, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada. JEFX is a biannual test of new systems and technologies by every branch of the military in an attempt to speed their introduction into the modern battlefield. This year's tests involve about 1,400 personnel from the United States, Great Britain, Canada and Australia studying new technologies during mock combat over the Nevada desert and center on finding better ways to communicate critical information between armed forces. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Fighter Aircraft

Former fighter pilots explain what it’s like to eject, following Kuwait shoot downs

By Matt White

Posted on Mar 3, 2026

Royce Williams
Fighter Aircraft

Navy pilot to receive Medal of Honor nearly 75 years after shooting down 4 MiGs

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Feb 5, 2026

F-15s in Middle East
Fighter Aircraft

F-15 squadron that took out Iranian drones returns to the Middle East

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Jan 21, 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)
Fighter Aircraft

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

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

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

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

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

Air Force Thunderbirds
Fighter Aircraft

Air Force says jets did not exceed Mach 1 in low passes over Chicago

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Aug 19, 2025

A flight of F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft sit for a weapons check prior to takeoff at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, July 28, 2025. As part of the Super Squadron Test Phase II, pilots and F-16s will be temporarily relocated to Osan Air Base aiming to consolidate air power and increase combat capability on the Korean Peninsula. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Landon Gunsauls)
Fighter Aircraft

Air Force creates a second ‘super squadron’ in South Korea

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Aug 2, 2025

Concept art of two sleek, futuristic uncrewed Collaborative Combat Aircraft flying in the clouds.
Fighter Aircraft

Air Force sets up new Experimental Operations Unit for Collaborative Combat Aircraft

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Jun 7, 2025