The Pic of the Day: NASA’s research aircraft collection

A collection of NASA’s research aircraft on the ramp at the Dryden Flight Research Center in July 1997: X-31, F-15 ACTIVE, SR-71, F-106, F-16XL Ship #2, X-38, Radio Controlled Mothership and X-36. July 16, 1997   NASA Photo / Tony Landis

Claiming the Arctic: Russia to begin sending intercept fighters on North Pole patrols

For the first time since the Cold War, Russia has announced plans to begin flying regular fighter patrols over the North Pole with an eye toward intercepting American military aircraft. According to sources within the Russian Ministry of Defense, two squadrons of MiG-31BM intercept fighters will be tasked with conducting routine patrol operations over the […]

The Pic of the Day: Chasing the Dragon Lady

A U-2 Dragon Lady takes off as a chase car driver watches the successful launch Dec. 19, 2017, at Beale Air Force Base, California. Due to a limited range of view, the chase car driver’s job is to communicate and assist the pilot as they take off and land.   U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior […]

The Pic of the Day: U.S. Air Force F-16CM Fighting Falcon

A U.S. Air Force F-16CM Fighting Falcon sits in the 20th Maintenance Group weapons standardization hangar prior to a monthly qualification load at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Jan. 10, 2019. Load crews across the 55th, 77th and 79th Aircraft Maintenance Units are required to perform monthly qualifications to remain proficient in various munitions.   […]

Russia’s stealth fighter is basically dead in the water

When Russia first set to work on what would become the Sukhoi Su-57 (internally the T-50 at the time), it had a singular aim: utilizing 21st century stealth characteristics to produce a fighter capable of standing toe to toe with the best the United States had to offer, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and F-22 […]

Pentagon paints a grim picture of the F-35 despite them entering combat operations

The latest Pentagon assessment of the F-35 program has reached the media, and with the long-delayed fighter finally entering combat operations with the Marine Corps late last year, one would think the report would offer some good news for the most advanced fighter on the planet. Unfortunately, it doesn’t. In fact, those first F-35s to […]

The Pic of the Day: Super Hornet over Afghanistan

A U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet peels away from a 28th Expeditionary Aerial Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker after refueling during a mission in support of Operation Freedom Sentinel over Afghanistan, Dec. 14, 2018. The Super Hornet is deployed to highlight the mobility, flexibility and power projection capabilities of the U.S. Navy.   U.S. Air Force […]

Pentagon paints a grim picture of the F-35 despite them entering combat operations

The latest Pentagon assessment of the F-35 program has reached the media, and with the long-delayed fighter finally entering combat operations with the Marine Corps late last year, one would think the report would offer some good news for the most advanced fighter on the planet. Unfortunately, it doesn’t. In fact, those first F-35s to […]