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Military Aviation

All articles tagged with #military aviation

Rare clip sparks debate over Soviet Su-7's 1962 nuclear drop
defense1 month ago

Rare clip sparks debate over Soviet Su-7's 1962 nuclear drop

A circulating clip analyzed by The War Zone appears to show a Soviet Su-7 dropping a live 244N tactical nuclear bomb during a 1962 Semipalatinsk test, though the footage may depict an IAB-500 imitation; air-dropped nuclear tests were extremely rare (roughly 200–250 of more than 2,000 tests) and largely moved underground or to sea after the 1963 Partial Test Ban Treaty. The event sheds light on toss-bombing techniques (PBK/LABS-style) and the persistence of nuclear delivery capabilities in Soviet aviation, while Western intelligence noted related LABS-style training by Su-7s in East Germany.

Rendering Shows Night Stalker-Configured MV-75A Cheyenne II for 160th SOAR
defense1 month ago

Rendering Shows Night Stalker-Configured MV-75A Cheyenne II for 160th SOAR

The Army unveiled a Night Stalker-configured MV-75A Cheyenne II rendering, showing a nose radar and turret (likely Silent Knight), a DVEPS-style forward aperture, and an in-flight refueling probe, plus an extensive antenna suite. The baseline MV-75A remains in development, with the service planning to replace about half of the 160th SOAR’s MH-60Ms and a modular open-architecture design to ease upgrades. Fielding timing is unclear: officials have floated first examples possibly next year, but the original 2031 fielding timeline remains cited in other remarks.

Tiny Prop Plane, Giant Carrier: A Tense Arabian Sea Intercept
world1 month ago

Tiny Prop Plane, Giant Carrier: A Tense Arabian Sea Intercept

A small Piper prop plane, flown by Sam Rutherford and co-pilot Shannon Wong, was buzzed by US Navy F/A-18s over the Arabian Sea near Oman while en route to India. With radio contact initially failing, the carrier’s jets pressed for a 15-degree course change. Rutherford balanced fuel and safety as two fighters circled the single-engine plane for about 30 minutes before easing off once they were clear of the carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and the route. The incident underscored ongoing Middle East tensions; CNN reported no comment from Central Command.

Saudi Arabia Expands Maritime Patrol Capabilities with Armed C-27Js
defense3 months ago

Saudi Arabia Expands Maritime Patrol Capabilities with Armed C-27Js

Saudi Arabia will receive four C-27J tactical airlifters outfitted for armed maritime patrols with torpedoes, anti-ship missiles and depth charges, plus a dedicated mission suite and sensors for surface and undersea tracking. The aircraft can be reconfigured to standard transports, with deliveries expected to begin in 2029. This follows earlier C-27J purchases for firefighting and medevac, and Leonardo notes a potential MC-27 special-forces variant around 2029–30; possible weapons include the Marte-ER anti-ship missile and MU-90 torpedo amid a recent Saudi deal with WASS for MU-90.

RAF engineer’s unplanned Lightning takeoff without helmet or radio ends with 12-minute landing
technology4 months ago

RAF engineer’s unplanned Lightning takeoff without helmet or radio ends with 12-minute landing

In 1966, RAF Lyneham engineer Walter “Taffy” Holden accidentally took off in an English Electric Lightning during a ground test, without a helmet, canopy, or radio and with the ejector seat disabled. After a tense ~12 minutes aloft and two failed landing attempts, he managed to land the jet safely, and the aircraft XM135 later went on display at the Imperial War Museum Duxford.

China's J-35A Stealth Fighter Set to Debut Amidst Global Military Rivalry
military1 year ago

China's J-35A Stealth Fighter Set to Debut Amidst Global Military Rivalry

China's People’s Liberation Army Air Force has unveiled its second stealth fighter jet, the J-35A, ahead of its debut at Airshow China 2024. The J-35A, a medium-sized fighter with stealth capabilities, is seen as a significant advancement in China's military aviation, potentially rivaling the US F-35. The aircraft is designed for both land and carrier operations, with the carrier-based version already tested on China's Liaoning aircraft carrier. This development marks China's growing capabilities in stealth technology and multi-role combat aircraft.

"Inside a B-52 Bomber Mission Near China's Border"
military-aviation2 years ago

"Inside a B-52 Bomber Mission Near China's Border"

CNN gained exclusive access to a 33-hour B-52 bomber mission, showcasing the challenges and capabilities of the iconic aircraft. The flight covered over 13,000 miles, demonstrating the B-52's enduring role in US air power. Despite its age, the B-52 remains a cornerstone of the US bomber fleet, with plans for modernization to keep it flying for decades to come. The mission highlighted the aircraft's adaptability and the complex nature of military operations near China and North Korea.

"Russian Su-27 Fighter Shot Down Over Black Sea in Friendly Fire Incident"
military-aviation2 years ago

"Russian Su-27 Fighter Shot Down Over Black Sea in Friendly Fire Incident"

Ukrainian officials claim that a Russian Su-27 fighter jet was shot down by its own forces over Crimea, with the pilot ejecting safely. Conflicting reports suggest the jet may have been hit by anti-aircraft weapons or suffered a technical malfunction. Russia's aviation losses have been mounting, with recent missile raids taking out several warplanes, including Su-27s and other aircraft.

"Resumed Osprey Flights: Unresolved Details and New Maintenance Plan"
military-aviation2 years ago

"Resumed Osprey Flights: Unresolved Details and New Maintenance Plan"

The US military has cleared the V-22 Osprey to fly again after grounding the fleet due to a fatal crash in Japan. While officials have identified the part that failed, they have not disclosed it, and the corrosion of the wreckage may prevent a full understanding of the failure. The Ospreys will return to flight with unspecified operational limitations, phased reintroduction, increased maintenance checks, and refresher training for pilot instructors.