Image of China’s long rumored ‘stealth drone’ surfaces on Chinese internet

For around a decade, rumors have swirled about China’s advanced unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) with the most-metal of names, the Dark Sword. It’s been no secret that the Dark Sword has been in development, but for the most part, that development has been slow going. Artist’s renderings, scale models, and a whole lot of […]

Top Gun 2 is going to need some bad guys, here are some top contenders

Late last week, Tom Cruise broke the internet with a single image overlaid with the words, “Feel the need.” The line, of course, alludes to the famous bit of dialogue between Cruise’s Maverick and his Radar Intercept Officer/best friend Goose (“I feel the need — the need for speed!”) but perhaps the most memorable moment […]

SOFREP Pic of the Day: Air Force pilots show what their planes can do

Air Force Maj. Paul “Loco” Lopez, the Air Combat Command F-22 Demonstration Team’s commander, performs during the AirPower Over Hampton Roads air and space expo at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., May 18, 2018. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Areca T. Bell Watch an F-22 Raptor air maneuverability demonstration below:

Can Top Gun 2 repeat the original’s success as a recruitment tool?

The world was a different place in 1986. Mike Tyson won his first title that year, making him the youngest man ever to do so. A brand new Ford Mustang cost less than $7,500, and Tom Cruise was the face of what may have been the most successful military recruitment campaign in U.S. history. Here […]

US scrambles F-22s to intercept Russian bombers near Alaska again — you shouldn’t dismiss it

Russia’s Tu-95 Bear long range bombers are not an entirely uncommon presence near American or allied airspace. These long range, heavy payload bombers are often flown within other country’s Air Defense Identification Zones, prompting a response from domestic intercept fighters tasked with identifying and escorting the Russian aircraft away from their sovereign airspace. While not […]

Summarizing the News: What’s the deal with the F-35 lately?

In today’s media climate, even the most ardent follower of the news could be forgiven for falling behind on the complex issues of the day. Between work, family, friends, and the other obligations that make up everyday life, it’s a miracle anyone has time to devote some thought and concern to the plight of civilians […]

Narrative Warfare: A brief rundown of Russian propaganda in Syria

In the weeks leading up to and following a joint air campaign against Syrian chemical weapons facilities carried out by the  U.S., U.K., and France, Russia has repeatedly attempted to gain control of the narrative through misleading statements and outright fabrications about the reasons for the strike and its outcomes. These brazen claims may seem […]

Lockheed Martin F-35 factory in Italy set to go on strike today

Lockheed Martin’s flagship F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is facing more bad news, as contractors working at the company’s Italian assembly line recently announced plans for a strike set to take place on Tuesday. Lockheed and its local partners employ over 600 workers at Italy’s Cameri Air Base, which is where the final assembly work is […]

An Air Force F-22 raptor belly flopped at Topgun school over the weekend

An F-22 Raptor participating in the Air Force’s Topgun program appears to have retracted its landing gear too early during take off, resulting in the fifth generation fighter slamming back into the ground and skidding to a stop over the weekend. The incident, which took place at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska, has been […]