The War Zone

New Skunk Works Stealthy Tanker Concept Unveiled

The U.S. Air Force has a critical need for survivable tankers, but questions are growing about its future aerial refueling plans.

By Joseph Trevithick

Latest

Every Marine A Drone Defender Under Three Part Counter-UAS Plan

The USMC is tackling the huge threat posed by unmanned aerial systems in a holistic fashion, where every Marine could play a role.

By Hope Hodge Seck

7:04 PM EDT May 13

A Ukrainian self-propelled howitzer 2S1 Gvozdika drives past a damaged car on a road in the Vovchansk district, Kharkiv region, on May 12, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Thousands of people have been evacuated from border areas in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, as Russia kept up constant strikes on a key town as part of a cross-border offensive, officials said on May 12, 2024. The surprise Russian attack across Ukraine's northeastern border began on Friday, with troops making small advances in an area from where they had been pushed back nearly two years ago.

Ukraine Situation Report: “Fierce Battles” Rage In Kharkiv Region

Russia claims to have taken control of nine villages in the Kharkiv region, with reports of much more rapid progress than has been seen on other fronts.

By Thomas Newdick

5:58 PM EDT May 13

The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) visits Naval Station Norfolk following a seven-month deployment, May 10. Throughout the ship’s seven-month deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operations, Carney successfully destroyed Houthi-launched weapons, including land attack cruise missiles, anti-ship ballistic missiles, and unmanned systems.

USS Carney Destroyed 65 Houthi Targets During Its Cruise

The USS Carney, which just returned to the U.S. last week, made history during a tumultuous six months in the Red Sea region.

By Howard Altman

3:06 PM EDT May 13

American Special Operations Forces Are At A Crossroads

Nowhere was the great pivot to near-peer threats clearer than at this year’s special operations convention in Tampa, Florida.

By Howard Altman

2:20 PM EDT May 12

Air

A B-2 Spirit taxis at Whiteman Air Force Base

Damaged B-2 Won’t Be Repaired, Fleet To Shrink To 19 Jets (Updated)

The Air Force deeming one of its B-2s to be “uneconomical to repair” comes as it pushes ahead with work on the new B-21 Raider.

By Joseph Trevithick

6:36 PM EDT May 10

South Africa’s C-47 Dakotas Set For Retirement After 80 Years Of Service

By Thomas Newdick

4:54 PM EDT May 10

Former Korean Air 747s Slated To Become USAF Doomsday Planes (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick

2:21 PM EDT May 9

H-6 Little Bird’s Future Upended Due To Army Axing Armed Scout Helicopter

By Joseph Trevithick

1:47 PM EDT May 9

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Sea

A fourth Combatant Craft Heavy stealthy special operations boat is now on order for the Navy and testing of a loitering munition launcher for the Combatant Craft Medium is underway.

Navy’s Secretive Fleet Of Stealthy Special Operations Boats Set To Evolve

A fourth Sealion stealth boat is on order and tests of a new loitering munition launcher on a smaller type are underway.

By Joseph Trevithick

8:04 AM EDT May 10

Mako Is A Jet Ski Turned Into A Weaponized Drone

By Howard Altman

5:54 PM EDT May 9

A-10 Warthogs Escorting A Ballistic Missile Submarine Is Certainly Different

By Oliver Parken

8:28 PM EDT May 8

Rifle-Armed Robot Dogs Now Being Tested By Marine Special Operators (Updated)

By Howard Altman, Oliver Parken

10:32 PM EDT May 7

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Land

The replacement for Barrett .50 caliber riles, a well as Mk 15s in the same caliber, in U.S. special operations forces inventories may be chambered in a new smaller cartridge.

Barrett .50 Caliber Sniper Rifle Replacement For SOCOM May Fire A Smaller Round

byJoseph Trevithick

12:57 PM EDT May 10

New Russian Turtle Tank With Cage-Like Armor Emerges On Ukrainian Battlefield
byOliver Parken
5:08 PM EDT May 6
Our First Look At The Army’s Unmanned HIMARS Launcher Truck Firing
byJoseph Trevithick
1:31 PM EDT May 6
Our First Look At Marines’ Tomahawk Missile Launching Drone Truck Firing
byJoseph Trevithick
3:17 PM EDT May 3

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Space

Russia’s Anti-Satellite Nuke Could Leave Lower Orbit Unusable, Test Vehicle May Already Be Deployed

byJoseph Trevithick, Oliver Parken

7:00 PM EDT May 3

If SpaceX’s Secret Constellation Is What We Think It Is, It’s Game Changing (Updated)
byJoseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway
4:44 PM EDT Mar 20
Mysterious Drones Swarmed Langley AFB For Weeks
byJoseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway
7:29 PM EDT Mar 15
Russia’s “Highly Concerning” Anti-Satellite Super Weapon: What Are The Possibilities?
byJoseph Trevithick
5:34 PM EST Feb 15

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Nukes

Putin Orders Tactical Nuclear Drills In Response To Western “Threats”

byThomas Newdick

8:12 PM EDT May 6

Ukraine Situation Report: Poland “Ready” To Host Nuclear Weapons
byThomas Newdick
6:31 PM EDT Apr 22
How The U.K. Will Test Its New Nuclear Warhead Without Setting One Off
byJoseph Trevithick
5:11 PM EDT Mar 25
Russian Submarines Now Appear To Be Getting Anti-Drone “Cope Cages”
byJoseph Trevithick
8:26 PM EDT Mar 20

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SOF Week '24

American Special Operations Forces Are At A Crossroads

byHoward Altman

2:20 PM EDT May 12

Barrett .50 Caliber Sniper Rifle Replacement For SOCOM May Fire A Smaller Round
byJoseph Trevithick
12:57 PM EDT May 10
Navy’s Secretive Fleet Of Stealthy Special Operations Boats Set To Evolve
byJoseph Trevithick
8:04 AM EDT May 10
Mako Is A Jet Ski Turned Into A Weaponized Drone
byHoward Altman
5:54 PM EDT May 9

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Latest

BYHope Hodge Seck

7:04 PM EDT May 13

News & Features

Every Marine A Drone Defender Under Three Part Counter-UAS Plan

The USMC is tackling the huge threat posed by unmanned aerial systems in a holistic fashion, where every Marine could play a role.

7:04 PM EDT May 13

5:58 PM EDT May 13

Ukraine Situation Report: “Fierce Battles” Rage In Kharkiv Region

Russia claims to have taken control of nine villages in the Kharkiv region, with reports of much more rapid progress than has been seen on other fronts.