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Novel capabilities ensure B-2 crews can ‘aviate, navigate, communicate, strike their targets, and get home safely’ with a bomber which ‘remains ready, effective, and survivable.’ The U.S. Air Force Life-Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) has revealed a series of continuing software upgrades to the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, particularly pertaining to its communications and survivability. These […]
The post B-2 Spirit Receives New Communications and Survivability Upgrades appeared first on The Aviationist.
The 101st Gruppo (Squadron), reactivated after a period in “quadro” (dormant) status, will operate the STOVL variant of the Lightning II aircraft from Amendola Air Base. On Jul. 1, 2025, during a ceremony attended by several former members of the unit, the Aeronautica Militare (Italian Air Force) reactivated the 101° Gruppo to operate the service’s […]
The post Italian Air Force Stands Up New F-35B Squadron appeared first on The Aviationist.
Beacon would help third-partners ‘quickly mature their mission autonomy software in an integrated, operationally relevant environment.’ Scaled Composites has announced the next stage of the partnership with its parent company Northrop Grumman for the Model 437 Vanguard aircraft as part of the latter’s “Beacon autonomous testbed ecosystem” program. Beacon will leverage the Model 437 as […]
The post Model 437 Vanguard Integrated with Beacon Autonomous Testbed Ecosystem appeared first on The Aviationist.
The MoU signed at Paris Air Show 2025 paves the way for a potential multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft, as Italy looks beyond the P-72A and assesses contenders like the Kawasaki P-1. At the Paris Air Show 2025, Leonardo and Bombardier signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore a collaboration for the development of an […]
The post Leonardo and Bombardier Eye Maritime Variant of Global 6500 as Italy Weighs Fixed-Wing ASW Options appeared first on The Aviationist.
British Typhoons and Swedish Gripens are deployed to Malbork, Poland, as part of enhanced air policing measures. 15 Russian aircraft were intercepted by the Typhoons across only six days. Photographers Rich Cooper and Andy Donovan flew with the aircraft across two photo sorties on Jun. 11, 2025, where they were also joined by Polish Air […]
The post Stunning Air-to-Air Shots Capture NATO Baltic Air Policing Jets During Exceptionally Busy Deployment appeared first on The Aviationist.
Following the announcement that the Royal Air Force is regaining nuclear weapons, we explore the service’s history using nukes, explaining why they were originally abandoned in 1998. For 43 years, the RAF was at the forefront of the UK’s nuclear deterrent, with this mission making up a significant portion of the UK’s Cold War deterrent […]
The post A Brief History of Nuclear Weapons in the Royal Air Force appeared first on The Aviationist.
A U.S. F-15 and a UK police helicopter investigating drone activity came within 1,900 feet of vertical separation during a nighttime encounter. No risk of collision was identified. A National Police Air Service (NPAS) helicopter dispatched to investigate reports of drone activity near RAF Lakenheath last November had a near miss with what it believed […]
The post UK Police Helicopter Reports Near Miss with U.S. F-15 from RAF Lakenheath appeared first on The Aviationist.
The Collaborative Combat Aircraft operated for the first time outside of the Woomera Training Area during Exercise Carlsbad in April 2025 at RAAF Tindal, which hosts F-35A and MQ-4C units. Early in April 2025, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) tested the MQ-28A Ghost Bat Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) for a week at RAAF Tindal […]
The post MQ-28A Ghost Bat Tested at Operational RAAF Base appeared first on The Aviationist.
As part of the increased Danish military presence in Greenland, RDAF F-16s deployed to Kangerlussuaq on the island’s west coast and visited Pituffik Space base. Two Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) F-16AMs made a short two-hour visit to Greenland’s Pituffik Space Base on Jun. 25, 2025, to meet the U.S. Space Force’s personnel there and […]
The post Denmark Deploys F-16s to Greenland appeared first on The Aviationist.
According to the U.S. Department of Defense, Operation Midnight Hammer, the precision B-2 raid that hit key Iranian nuclear sites, had its roots in a classified mission that began over a decade ago. Operation Midnight Hammer, the airstrike that took out two of Iran’s most hardened nuclear facilities was not the result of a last-minute […]
The post The U.S. Airstrike on Iran’s Nuclear Facilities Was 15 Years in the Making appeared first on The Aviationist.