News•Mar 6, 2026
Typhoon Spotted Loaded With Rocket Pods for the First Time
An RAF Eurofighter Typhoon was photographed at BAE Systems Warton carrying two seven‑round LAU‑131 rocket pods, marking the first visual confirmation of the aircraft equipped with APKWS‑II guided rockets. The Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II, originally a laser‑guided upgrade for Hydra‑70 rockets, has proven effective against both surface targets and small unmanned aerial systems. Recent U.S. fighter integrations and live‑fire trials suggest the UK is evaluating the same capability to provide a low‑cost, high‑volume counter‑UAS option. While the RAF has not officially confirmed a procurement, the images hint at imminent testing ahead of the delayed Defence Investment Plan.
By The Aviationist
News•Mar 4, 2026
Breaking: Israeli F-35I Shoots Down Iranian Yak-130 Over Iran
On March 4, 2026, the Israeli Air Force confirmed that an F‑35I Adir shot down an Iranian Yak‑130 over Tehran, marking the first time an F‑35 has downed a manned fighter. The Yak‑130 was reportedly on a counter‑drone mission, equipped...
By The Aviationist
News•Feb 26, 2026
U.S. Air Force C-146 Wolfhound Damaged During Exercise in the Philippines
A U.S. Air Force C‑146A Wolfhound collided with a concrete barrier while attempting a road take‑off during a joint training exercise in Laoac, Pangasinan, injuring all five crew members. The drill, conducted with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, was...
By The Aviationist
News•Feb 23, 2026
B-2 Spirit Flies with Adaptable Communications Suite 4.0
Sierra Nevada Corporation and Northrop Grumman have completed the first flight of a B‑2A Spirit equipped with the Adaptable Communications Suite (ACS) 4.0. The upgrade embeds a secure, open‑mission computing environment that plugs the bomber into the Combined Joint All‑Domain Command...
By The Aviationist
News•Feb 20, 2026
Russian MOD Shows U.S. F-35, F-16 Intercepting Tu-95MS And Su-35S Off Alaska
On February 19, 2026 the U.S. Air Force deployed two F‑35As, two F‑16Cs, an E‑3 AWACS and tanker support to intercept a Russian formation of two Tu‑95MS bombers, two Su‑35S fighters and a Beriev A‑50 AEW aircraft transiting the Alaskan...
By The Aviationist
News•Feb 20, 2026
U.S. Navy Seeking Anti-Radiation Missile Which Can Also Kill Airborne Radars
NAVAIR has issued a Sources Sought notice for an Advanced Emission Suppression Missile (AESM) that would exceed the range of the current AGM‑88G and add the ability to engage both air‑to‑air and air‑to‑ground targets. The missile must integrate with the...
By The Aviationist
News•Feb 19, 2026
Pratt & Whitney Shows F-47-Like Fighter in Latest XA103 Adaptive Engine Video
Pratt & Whitney released a new video showcasing its XA103 adaptive engine alongside a speculative F‑47‑style fighter design. The rendering features a twin‑engine, tailless aircraft with canards, differing from official Air Force images and likely serving as a concept illustration....
By The Aviationist
News•Feb 18, 2026
Second and Third Prototypes of Turkey’s Kaan Fighter Have Emerged
Turkey’s Kaan fifth‑generation fighter has advanced to its second and third prototypes, designated P1 and P2, with static testing slated for 2026. The airframes show notable design tweaks, including a rearward‑shifted engine intake, wider nose, and a Tulgar helmet‑mounted display....
By The Aviationist
News•Feb 17, 2026
Japan’s EC-2 Stand-Off Jammer Aircraft Breaks Cover
Japan’s Ministry of Defense unveiled the EC‑2 Stand‑Off Jammer, a new electronic‑warfare aircraft derived from the Kawasaki C‑2 transport. The prototype, spotted at Gifu Air Base, replaces the single‑airframe EC‑1 that has served since 1986. Four EC‑2s are planned, with...
By The Aviationist
News•Feb 15, 2026
Dutch Defence Secretary Boldly Claims F-35 Software Could Be ‘Jailbroken’
Dutch Defence Secretary Gijs Tuinman told Dutch radio that the F‑35’s software could potentially be “jailbroken,” hinting at a future where the Netherlands might operate the jet without U.S. approval. He stopped short of confirming any concrete plan, noting the...
By The Aviationist
News•Feb 13, 2026
Italy Evaluating F-35 Highway Operations To Boost Fleet Survivability
Italy’s air force is assessing the use of highway strips to land and operate its F‑35A fighters if traditional bases become vulnerable. The idea, voiced by Lt. Gen. Silvano Frigerio at a Rome geopolitics forum, mirrors Cold‑War dispersal tactics and...
By The Aviationist
News•Feb 9, 2026
PLA Navy’s J-15 Reportedly Seen Carrying YJ-15 Anti-Ship Missile for the First Time
China’s supersonic YJ‑15 anti‑ship cruise missile was reportedly photographed mounted on a J‑15T carrier‑borne fighter, marking its first confirmed air‑launched deployment. The missile, unveiled at the September 3, 2025 parade, is believed to exceed Mach 5 and reach 1,200‑1,800 km, extending the PLAN’s standoff...
By The Aviationist
News•Feb 9, 2026
New Video Shows Ukrainian F-16 Scoring Gun Kill on Russian Drone
Ukrainian Air Force F‑16s have been captured on video using their M61 20 mm Vulcan cannon to shoot down a Russian Shahed (Geran‑2) drone, marking the clearest gun‑kill footage to date. The engagement highlights a broader shift toward gun‑based interceptions, which are...
By The Aviationist
News•Feb 7, 2026
UK Reinforces RAF Akrotiri With Deployment of Six F-35Bs
The United Kingdom moved six F‑35B Lightning jets from RAF Marham to RAF Akrotiri, escorted by two Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft, to reinforce the base’s defensive posture amid heightened Middle‑East tensions. Akrotiri already hosts ten Typhoon FGR4s, ISR platforms and U.S. U‑2 assets,...
By The Aviationist
News•Feb 7, 2026
Elbit Is Working on an Electronic Warfare, ISR Variant of C-390 Millenium
Elbit Systems displayed a concept version of Embraer’s C‑390 Millennium configured for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) and signals intelligence (SIGINT) at the Singapore Airshow. The model incorporates an EO/IR ball turret, a chin‑mounted MS‑110 multispectral pod and wing‑tip electronic‑warfare pods....
By The Aviationist