Midday Launch Driven by Urgent Time‑sensitive Intelligence
Getting asked a lot why this kicked off mid day and not at night. I don't know for certain, but everything points to moving up a timeline based on time sensitive intelligence. Limitations to doing this for a large bi-national operation, but yeah, that's where I would place my bet
First Look: Black Tomahawk Missile Deployed in Iran Strikes
Black Tomahawk Cruise Missile Seen For The First Time In Strikes On Iran We may have gotten our first look at the Maritime Strike Tomahawk, and the missile appears to share the same coating as another Navy anti-ship weapon. https://t.co/4emKSQqRkJ
B‑2 Night Strikes Will Redefine Air Campaign
B-2s will likely show up tonight, making direct attacks on key targets in a way no other platform can. Yes this could include MOPs, but also lots of JDAMs against less fortified targets. They can achieve massive effects in a...
Iranian Frigate Burns After First Confirmed Warship Loss
Iranian Frigate Seen Ablaze After Being Struck In Port The imagery represents the first confirmed heavy damage or loss of Iranian warship as part of Operation Epic Fury and Roaring Lion. https://t.co/rBqi4wloja
F‑15C Launches with AIM‑7s, Likely Counter‑drone Sortie
Video shows F-15C Bazs taking off on a sortie for today's operation. It is armed with AIM-7 Sparrows, not uncommon for IAFs F-15A-Ds. Still, a bit odd for the general mission. It also does not have external tanks. Possibly on...
Unconfirmed Strikes Target Iranian Naval Bases, Preempt Mining Threat
There are unconfirmed reports that major Iranian Navy/IRGC Navy bases on the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea have been hit. This would make perfect sense to preempt a mining operation and/or attempted closure of the strait.
Iranian Strikes Target Air Defenses Ahead of Night Flights
Strikes are occurring at sites throughout Iran. While these are likely targeting some time sensitive targets, many of these strikes would be used to prepare for aircraft operations over Iran. In other words, degrading and destroying what's left of Iran's...
Israel Launches Preemptive Strike Against Iran
Iran Is Under Attack Israel has stuck Iran in what it is calling a "preemptive attack." Rolling coverage, updating in real time: https://t.co/giuwrpAOfR
US Air Refueling Boosts Israel's Fighter Effectiveness Against Iran
Israel’s Fighter Force Stands To Be Far More Effective With Full USAF Tanker Support In A War With Iran https://t.co/wX9ErK4zHX
Low Moon Illumination;
85.5% moon tonight. Far from ideal. Prime window opens back half of March. Just another indicator not a showstopper. https://t.co/7gx76w2wrn
Border Patrol’s Small Drone Accidentally Shot Down by Laser
Drone That LOCUST Laser Shot Down On Border Was Small And Belonged To The Border Patrol The accidental shoot-down comes two weeks after a major airspace closure was prompted by the use of a laser weapon along the border. https://t.co/oIROt7ecXr
Jargon‑Heavy X Threads Mask Inexpertise—Verify Sources
Big thing I am seeing on X is super authoritative sounding accounts doing long threads, on defense tech etc, that use tons of jargon and acronyms so as to look like the account is 'in the know,' when really they...
We Skip Unverified Items; Most OSINT Reports Are Fake
We get asked a lot why we didn't add this item or that item to our update posts, the answer is usually because we couldn't confirm it or can't even get to a point where we can say it's potentially...
US Tankers Depart; Citizens Urged to Exit Israel
Tankers Vacate Al Udeid Air Base As U.S. Citizens Are Urged To Leave Israel Immediately With negotiations floundering and the USS Gerald R. Ford about to arrive off Israel, the window for a major air operation is now cracked open. Latest: https://t.co/83wzAr7L3Q
Limited B‑52 Fleet Hampers Engine, Radar Upgrade Scheduling
Small B-52 Fleet Size Creates Challenges For Engine, Radar Upgrade Plans With just some B-52s equipped for the nuclear mission and all of them in high demand around the globe, finding time to install the upgrades is an issue. ...
EA-37B Compass Call Jams Enemy Comms, Cripples Kill Chains
This Is What The EA-37B Compass Call Electronic Attack Jet Can Actually Do The EA-37B is meant to disrupt enemy communications, playing havoc on their command and control and shattering their kill chains. Full interview with its makers: https://t.co/TeN3vqd4ot
EC‑130H Compass Call: Unsung Hero of Maduro Capture
Outside of the obvious platforms, the one aircraft that likely had the most impact overall on the success of Operation Absolute Resolve that saw the capture of Maduro was the EC-130H Compass Call. It is the king 'discombobulator' that few...
Ford Carrier Nears Israel as Talks Stall, Strikes Likely
USS Gerald R. Ford’s Imminent Arrival Off Israel Comes As Negotiations Grind On While both sides seem hopeful about future talks, the window for strikes is now opening and will only get wider with each passing day. Latest: https://t.co/nUQkwDjIwV
Passive EO/IR Sensors Threaten Manned Combat Aircraft
Passive EO/IR sensors are a real bitch to contend with for manned combat aircraft. It was fully known that the Houthis had this capability and employed it with missiles for years. Fully integrated IADS with advanced IRST etc is really...
China’s Spy Satellite Surge Forces Space Force to Strike
China’s Growing Armada Of Spy Satellites Is Pushing Space Force To Go On The Offensive "You can't run away from a bully forever. Sometimes you got to turn around and punch," Space Force Combat Forces boss says. https://t.co/bcXu5Jsyyp
Key Questions About a Potential US Air War on Iran
The Massive Questions Surrounding A Major American Air War Against Iran With the U.S. at the precipice of war with Iran, we break down the glaring questions surround such an operation and the reasoning for it. Feature: https://t.co/rvgr7kX92g
Anduril Fury Echoes T‑38/F‑5 Hybrid Design
Anduril's Fury has major T-38/F-5 vibes from the underside. Sort of like if an F-16 had too many drinks with an F-5E while on deployment and this thing popped out 9 months later. (Anduril photo) https://t.co/dI5yXAf6JZ
Sentinel ICBM Warhead Count Remains Unclear Amid New Features
Number Of Nuclear Warheads New Sentinel ICBMs Will Carry Now An Open Question We now know much more about the USAF's sprawling plans for new Sentinel ICBM silos with features not found on Minuteman III. https://t.co/AY6pVLb4xg
US Deploys F‑16s, F‑
F-16s Arrive To Protect Diego Garcia, F-22s Forward Deploy To Israel As tensions between Iran and the United States threaten to erupt into war, much may depend on the result of the next round of nuclear talks in Geneva. Latest: https://t.co/CIQAJK8qQX
Israeli Media's Attack Warnings Remain Unreliable Predictions
Israel media thinks the attack has been coming on many nights for weeks. The chances continue to rise, but don't take this as a hard indicator in any way. Totally unreliable.
US Fighters Must Base in Israel Amid Limited Options
As we have mentioned, very limited basing options for this due to threats and (supposed) airspace restrictions. US fighters basing in Israel was a given.
AI Enables F‑35 to Rapidly Identify Enemy Defenses
AI Is Now Helping The F-35 Spot Enemy Air Defenses New artificial intelligence technology is giving the F-35 the ability to pick out confusing threat emissions and get them properly identified faster. https://t.co/Kq5RxLhQzc
YFQ‑44A Fury Drone Begins AMRAAM Integration Testing
YFQ-44A Fury Now Flying With AIM-120 AMRAAM Missile The USAF says its Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone program has entered the weapons integration and captive carry testing phase. New: https://t.co/gL0UcfTkZm
Northrop Grumman Renames Fighter Drone Talon Blue
Talon Blue Is The New Name For Northrop Grumman’s YFQ-48A ‘Fighter Drone’ Talon harkens back to the company's T-38 Talon heritage, while Blue is likely a reference to Tacit Blue, which was a technological leap at the dawn of...
General Minihan Warns U.S. Airlift Shortfalls Amid China Threat
Straight Talk On State Of U.S. Airlift Capabilities From General Who Ran Air Mobility Command General Minihan's frankness about the China threat ended his career, but now as a civilian, he has much more to say. Exclusive: https://t.co/voeW7vfCc8
Defense Budget Must Prioritize Airlift Over Kinetic Weapons
If they are really going to do a $1.5T defense budget, additional heavy airlift assets (C-17 line restart or whatever) absolutely needs to be in that and in a big way. It's more important than the kinetic stuff (which even...
Marines Retire Harvest Hawk Kits, Ending C‑130 Close‑air Support
KC-130J’s Hellfire Missile-Firing Harvest Hawk Kits Retired By Marines Developed to turn USMC C-130s into close air support platforms during the Global War on Terror, Harvest Hawk's relevance has waned. https://t.co/FWdjbg1wcs
Iran Hints at Quick Nuclear Deal Amid US Military Buildup
Iran Signals Possible “Fast Deal” To Be Made In Nuclear Talks As U.S. Military Build-Up Grinds On Iran may be softening its negotiating stance as pressure builds in the form of hundreds of combat aircraft and dozens of warships arrayed around...
General Atomics Names Fighter Drone “Dark Merlin”
Dark Merlin Is Now General Atomics’ YFQ-42A ‘Fighter Drone’s’ Nickname Merlins are small but fierce birds that attack in groups and are known for their stealthy attacks. https://t.co/H0oZhFL1j9
Air Campaign Timelines Misreported; Reality Differs From Sources
The timeline predictions for a major air campaign from major outlets have not matched the reality of the plus up. Nor did the original strikes “that were cancelled”claim. Unnamed sources vs actually understanding the realities of the force posture and...
F‑16s Deploy Angry Kitten Pods for Enhanced EW Protection
F-16s Heading To Middle East Equipped With Angry Kitten Electronic Warfare Pods The Angry Kitten pods will give the fourth-generation fighters often tasked with the Wild Weasel missions much-needed extra protection. https://t.co/MR26YH0w6Z
USS Gerald R. Ford Sails Into Mediterranean Amid Rising Tensions
Supercarrier USS Gerald R. Ford Has Crossed Into The Mediterranean The carrier's rush to the Middle East comes as the military build-up in the region appears to be approaching its crescendo. Latest: https://t.co/ZPLyQ1iOa3
All Satellite-Visible Jet Spots at Jordan Base Fully Occupied
Every designated tactical jet parking space visible from satellite is taken at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. Base is packed and this doesn't include all the shades and shelters we can't see under.
Navy Pursues New AWACS‑Killer Anti‑Radiation Missile
Hunt For Anti-Radiation Missile That Can Down Enemy Radar Planes Kicked-Off By Navy The 'AWACS killer' Advanced Emission Suppression Missile will also be able to strike air defenses on land and sea. https://t.co/BNrywXdNe7
KC‑390 Boom Variant Offers Agile Air Force Tanker
Based on the news today of Northrop Grumman and Embraer teaming up for next generation tanker capabilities, this is a must read from four years ago: KC-390 With A Boom Could Be The Agile Tanker The Air Force Needs https://t.co/lrJn7Owfc3
UK Blocks US Access to Bases, Hampering Iran Bombing Campaign
U.K. Denying U.S. Use Of Key Bases Would Impact Bombers’ Role In Iran Air Campaign The U.K. is reportedly preventing the U.S. from using Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford to attack Iran. https://t.co/YUPo74NyHL
US Must Test Agile Combat Employment Against Iranian Threat
If this goes down with Iran, the USAF should put its Agile Combat Employment (ACE) playbook to the test. Having billions and billions in hard to replace fighter aircraft packed on ramps at a couple bases is not a recipe...
Navy F-16Cs Set for Aggressor Paint Schemes
I would expect the Navy F-16Cs will finally be getting aggressor paint jobs now that they go through a tailored depot program. I have a feeling we will be impressed.
Russia Turns to Balloon Internet After Starlink Loss
Russia Eyes Balloon Communications System To Fill Massive Gap Left After Losing Starlink SpaceX has cut off Russia's access to Starlink and now Moscow is scrambling to find a replacement. https://t.co/YIhWYjTEhE
ICBM Guard Teams Must Adopt New Tactics for Sentinel Silos
ICBM-Guarding Security Forces Will Need Fresh Tactics To Defend New Sentinel Silos Security Forces tasked with defending Minuteman III ICBMs currently train for everything from retaking captured silos to repelling ground assaults. https://t.co/6zokg3hmvu
Iran, China, Russia Joint Drill Threatens US Middle East Plans
What Iran’s Naval Exercise With China And Russia In The Strait Of Hormuz Actually Means The Maritime Security Belt 2026 exercise comes as the U.S. is flowing forces to the Middle East ahead of a possible attack on Iran. https://t.co/28TZDJkik0
Aging E‑3 Fleet Deployed to Iran, Highlighting Capability Gaps
Major Deployment Of Rickety E-3 Sentry Fleet For Iran Crisis Highlights Worrisome Gaps The shrunken E-3 fleet isn't getting any younger, and a replacement is still far off while demand for its services would be far greater in the Pacific. Story: https://t.co/bX9Y8kMlqE
Rapid Escalation Risks, but Limits Curb China‑Taiwan Invasion
You see the timeline for movements for the Iranian contingency. Also the size of the force available. Now think about China turning one of their big 'exercises' into a sudden invasion of Taiwan. Yes things can be sped up, but...
US Deploys Missing Assets, Prepares Possible Iran Attack
Final Pieces Moving Into Place For Potential Attack On Iran The latest flurry of U.S. assets heading to the Middle East includes many of the missing capabilities needed for a sustained air campaign. Latest: https://t.co/26hU8ux1aD
F-16 Scramble Finds Balloons, Not UFOs Over Nevada
F-16s Find Balloons, Not UFOs, After Sunday Scramble: NORAD Alert F-16s out of California scrambled to hunt down mysterious targets over Nevada and California twice on Sunday. Story: https://t.co/oQhqC5oK7H
