A drone enters NATO airspace. What happens next?
A Spanish F/A-18 destroyed a drone over Romania on 16 August. We trace the NATO air-defence chain from first radar contact to fighter engagement.
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Peru Selects L3Harris Viper Shield for F-16 Block 70 Fleet
Viper Shield provides a digital layer of protection around the aircraft, enabling pilots to counter enemy radars, missiles, and other electronic threats. Peru’s acquisition will enhance the offensive and defensive capabilities of its F-16 Block 70s while improving interoperability with other operators of the aircraft.
US AIR FORCE TESTS HOW SMALL TEAMS WILL OPERATE ITS NEW UNCREWED FIGHTERS
Buying hundreds of relatively inexpensive uncrewed fighters is only part of the challenge facing the U.S. Air Force . The service also needs to operate them without creating a manpower and logistics burden comparable to that of conventional fighter squadrons.
China’s J-16 Fighters Reach Egypt, Expanding Beijing’s Combat Reach
Six J-16 fighters supported by KJ-500 airborne command-and-control and Y-20 strategic airlift are testing China’s expeditionary combat reach across Pakistan, Egypt and the strategically vital Suez corridor.
Africa’s largest military spender emerges as likely buyer of Russia’s new Il-78 tanker aircraft after receiving Su-57 stealth fighter jets
Months after delivering the first Su-57E stealth fighters to Algeria, Russia has unveiled a new Il-78MK-90A aerial refuelling tanker in export configuration, raising speculation that the aircraft could join Algeria’s growing fleet of Russian-built military aircraft and support systems.
Switzerland’s First F-35 Fighter Jets Are Under Construction in Italy
Though the Swiss aircraft will be mostly built in Italy, they will be finished in Texas and tested in Arkansas before their return to Europe.
US Air Force trials portable command centres for collaborative combat aircraft
Highly portable command and control systems that can be rapidly deployed and operated anywhere in the world could prove critical to the USAF's future drone wingman operations.
China’s Mirror-Coated J-35 Ignites New Stealth Arms Race With US F-35C
The unusual surface has acquired the Chinese nickname “Galaxy Battleship,” while its visual resemblance to experimental mirror-like treatments previously tested aboard American F-22A Raptors and F-35C Lightning IIs has intensified international scrutiny of the aircraft.
Bulgaria’s Second Batch of F-16 Block 70s Faces Delivery Delays Until 2030
Lockheed Martin’s delivery of the second batch of eight F-16 Block 70 fighters to Bulgaria could be delayed from the end of 2027 to the second quarter of 2030 due to production difficulties. However, company representatives informed Bulgarian Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov at an August 14 meeting that the revised timeline is not final and that Lockheed will take all steps to minimize the schedule delays.
Ukraine using Slovak MiG-29s to destroy Russian bridges (Ukraine Battlefield update, Day 1,637)
A new detailed photograph and fresh information have emerged on the missions of former Slovak MiG-29s. Last week, Ukraine’s air force lost one aircraft of this type. However, it is not known whether it was an original Ukrainian aircraft or one of those donated. On Tuesday, the Russians also said they had shot down another MiG-29 in the Donetsk region.
