The War Zone

E-4B Doomsday Plane Replacement Concept Art Has Some Interesting Features

The Survivable Airborne Operations Center concept from Sierra Nevada Corp. has major similarities and differences with its E-4B predecessor.

By Tyler Rogoway

Latest

Poland’s Future F-35s Have Been Officially Named “Husarz”

The name for Poland’s F-35s, chosen via a public competition, draws on the nation’s military history for inspiration.

By Oliver Parken

10:40 PM EDT Apr 29

Ukraine is losing ground as it awaits for badly needed ammunition.

Ukraine Situation Report: Frontline Defenses Deteriorating Under Russian Pressure

Ukraine is falling back in areas as Russia’s onslaught intensified, with tired troops in need of more ammo, which they hope arrives soon.

By Howard Altman, Thomas Newdick

7:25 PM EDT Apr 29

Ukraine May Now Be Using WWI-Style Air Combat Tactics Against Drones

Ukraine appears to have used the propeller-driven Soviet-era trainer in an effort to down Russian aerial drones.

By Howard Altman, Thomas Newdick

6:10 PM EDT Apr 29

China’s latest aircraft carrier, the Fujian, appears poised to leave port to begin its first at-sea trials. The development comes soon after five aircraft mockups appeared on the deck of the flattop, as you can read about here. Once the Fujian goes to sea, it will mark a hugely important step in the development of China’s naval aviation, with the carrier being the first of its kind to be fully locally designed and also its first to launch aircraft via catapults rather than by a ‘ski jump’ takeoff ramp.

China’s New Aircraft Carrier Pulls Away From Its Pier Ahead Of Sea Trials

China’s first domestically designed aircraft carrier will introduce the People’s Liberation Army Navy to ‘cat and trap’ naval air operations.

By Thomas Newdick

12:44 PM EDT Apr 29

Air

SNC has won the competition to deliver new Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) 'doomsday planes' to succeed the Air Force's E-4B Nightwatch jets.

Job Of Building The Air Force’s Next Doomsday Planes Falls To Sierra Nevada Corp. (Updated)

The Survivable Airborne Operations Center aircraft will replace the USAF’s highly specialized 747-based E-4B strategic command post jets.

By Joseph Trevithick

9:30 PM EDT Apr 27

XQ-67 Confirmed To Be A Prototype For General Atomics’ Collaborative Combat Aircraft Design

By Joseph Trevithick

6:17 PM EDT Apr 26

Ukraine Appears To Be Using Light Planes Converted Into Reusable Bomber Drones

By Howard Altman

4:54 PM EDT Apr 26

Check Out This Marine CH-53K Carrying An F-35C While Refueling From A KC-130T

By Joseph Trevithick

9:36 PM EDT Apr 25

View all

Sea

The German Navy frigate Hessen has departed the Red Sea and is headed home.

German Frigate That Fought Off Houthi Drones Heads Home After 58 Days

The Hessen repelled four Houthi drone attacks during its deployment but also accidentally targeted a U.S. Reaper drone.

By Howard Altman

2:46 PM EDT Apr 22

Russia’s Historic Submarine Rescue Ship Looks Undamaged After Claimed Strike

By Joseph Trevithick

2:21 PM EDT Apr 22

How The Ancient Greeks Waged War On The High Seas

By Dr. Joanne Ball

4:14 PM EDT Apr 18

Australia’s Ghost Shark Uncrewed Submarine Breaks Cover

By Thomas Newdick

3:47 PM EDT Apr 18

View all

Land

Ukraine Situation Report: M1 Abrams Tanks Withdrawn From The Fight, Officials Say

byThomas Newdick

7:37 PM EDT Apr 26

Have Ground Launched Small Diameter Bombs Been ‘Thrown Aside’ By Ukraine?
byJoseph Trevithick
5:56 PM EDT Apr 25
Canadian Military’s WWII-Era Browning Hi-Power Pistols Are Finally Being Replaced
byOliver Parken
5:27 PM EDT Apr 25
First Confirmed Abrams Tank Variant Captured By Russia Seen With Inner Armor Exposed
byHoward Altman
2:38 PM EDT Apr 25

View all

Space

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
Threats In Space “Extremely Concerning”: Space Force Boss
byJoseph Trevithick
9:00 PM EST Feb 14

View all

Nukes

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
F-35A Is Officially Certified For Nuclear Strike
byThomas Newdick
1:52 PM EST Mar 9

View all

Uncrewed

The US Air Force has chosen Anduril and General Atomics to move ahead in Increment 1 of its Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone program.

General Atomics, Anduril Move Ahead In Collaborative Combat Aircraft Drone Program (Updated)

byJoseph Trevithick

7:31 PM EDT Apr 24

Next Big Challenge For AI Dogfighting Is Keeping Track Of Enemies Up Close
byJoseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway
2:59 PM EDT Apr 24
Minigun-Armed Mojave Drone Now Blasting Targets At 6,000 Rounds Per Minute
byJoseph Trevithick
1:57 PM EDT Apr 23
Russian Troops Deploy Huge Smokescreen To Hide From Marauding Drones
byHoward Altman
7:23 PM EDT Apr 22

View all

Latest

BYOliver Parken

10:40 PM EDT Apr 29

News & Features

Poland’s Future F-35s Have Been Officially Named “Husarz”

The name for Poland’s F-35s, chosen via a public competition, draws on the nation’s military history for inspiration.

10:40 PM EDT Apr 29

7:25 PM EDT Apr 29

Ukraine Situation Report: Frontline Defenses Deteriorating Under Russian Pressure

Ukraine is falling back in areas as Russia’s onslaught intensified, with tired troops in need of more ammo, which they hope arrives soon.

7:25 PM EDT Apr 29

6:10 PM EDT Apr 29

Ukraine May Now Be Using WWI-Style Air Combat Tactics Against Drones

Ukraine appears to have used the propeller-driven Soviet-era trainer in an effort to down Russian aerial drones.

6:10 PM EDT Apr 29

4:20 PM EDT Apr 29

E-4B Doomsday Plane Replacement Concept Art Has Some Interesting Features

The Survivable Airborne Operations Center concept from Sierra Nevada Corp. has major similarities and differences with its E-4B predecessor.

SAOC will replace the E-4B, now we have a better idea of what it will look like.

4:20 PM EDT Apr 29

12:44 PM EDT Apr 29

China’s New Aircraft Carrier Pulls Away From Its Pier Ahead Of Sea Trials

China’s first domestically designed aircraft carrier will introduce the People’s Liberation Army Navy to ‘cat and trap’ naval air operations.

12:44 PM EDT Apr 29

9:30 PM EDT Apr 27

Job Of Building The Air Force’s Next Doomsday Planes Falls To Sierra Nevada Corp. (Updated)

The Survivable Airborne Operations Center aircraft will replace the USAF’s highly specialized 747-based E-4B strategic command post jets.

9:30 PM EDT Apr 27

8:00 PM EDT Apr 26

Bunker Talk: Let’s Talk About All The Things We Did And Didn’t Cover This Week

What’s on your mind?

American chemist and Nobel laureate Dr Willard Libby (1908 - 1980) in the fallout shelter he built himself near his home in California, USA, circa 1960. The shelter, intended to withstand a nuclear blast, burnt down in the Bel Air Fire of November 1961. Libby was on the General Advisory Committee of the Atomic Energy Commission. (Photo by/Pix/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

8:00 PM EDT Apr 26

7:37 PM EDT Apr 26

Ukraine Situation Report: M1 Abrams Tanks Withdrawn From The Fight, Officials Say

After at least five losses from a fleet of 31, Ukrainian Abrams tanks have been temporarily withdrawn from operations, according to reports.

7:37 PM EDT Apr 26

6:17 PM EDT Apr 26

XQ-67 Confirmed To Be A Prototype For General Atomics’ Collaborative Combat Aircraft Design

The XQ-67 gives General Atomics a demonstrator that is already flying as competition to build Collaborative Combat Aircraft heats up.

General Atomics has now confirmed that its Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone design for the US Air Force is based on its XQ-67A.

6:17 PM EDT Apr 26

4:54 PM EDT Apr 26

Ukraine Appears To Be Using Light Planes Converted Into Reusable Bomber Drones

The nearly intact Skyranger plane crashed with a bomb attached to its underside and clear indications that it was remotely piloted.

Ukraine appears to have converted a light aircraft to serve as a remote bomber.

BYHoward Altman

4:54 PM EDT Apr 26

News & Features

Features from the Archive

E-4B Doomsday Plane Replacement Concept Art Has Some Interesting Features

Poland’s Future F-35s Have Been Officially Named “Husarz”

Ukraine Situation Report: Frontline Defenses Deteriorating Under Russian Pressure

Ukraine May Now Be Using WWI-Style Air Combat Tactics Against Drones

China’s New Aircraft Carrier Pulls Away From Its Pier Ahead Of Sea Trials

Job Of Building The Air Force’s Next Doomsday Planes Falls To Sierra Nevada Corp. (Updated)

XQ-67 Confirmed To Be A Prototype For General Atomics’ Collaborative Combat Aircraft Design

Ukraine Appears To Be Using Light Planes Converted Into Reusable Bomber Drones

Check Out This Marine CH-53K Carrying An F-35C While Refueling From A KC-130T

German Frigate That Fought Off Houthi Drones Heads Home After 58 Days

Russia’s Historic Submarine Rescue Ship Looks Undamaged After Claimed Strike

How The Ancient Greeks Waged War On The High Seas

Australia’s Ghost Shark Uncrewed Submarine Breaks Cover

Land

Ukraine Situation Report: M1 Abrams Tanks Withdrawn From The Fight, Officials Say

Have Ground Launched Small Diameter Bombs Been ‘Thrown Aside’ By Ukraine?

Canadian Military’s WWII-Era Browning Hi-Power Pistols Are Finally Being Replaced

First Confirmed Abrams Tank Variant Captured By Russia Seen With Inner Armor Exposed

Space

If SpaceX’s Secret Constellation Is What We Think It Is, It’s Game Changing (Updated)

Mysterious Drones Swarmed Langley AFB For Weeks

Russia’s “Highly Concerning” Anti-Satellite Super Weapon: What Are The Possibilities?

Threats In Space “Extremely Concerning”: Space Force Boss

Nukes

Ukraine Situation Report: Poland “Ready” To Host Nuclear Weapons

How The U.K. Will Test Its New Nuclear Warhead Without Setting One Off

Russian Submarines Now Appear To Be Getting Anti-Drone “Cope Cages”

F-35A Is Officially Certified For Nuclear Strike

Uncrewed

General Atomics, Anduril Move Ahead In Collaborative Combat Aircraft Drone Program (Updated)

Next Big Challenge For AI Dogfighting Is Keeping Track Of Enemies Up Close

Minigun-Armed Mojave Drone Now Blasting Targets At 6,000 Rounds Per Minute

Russian Troops Deploy Huge Smokescreen To Hide From Marauding Drones

Latest

Poland’s Future F-35s Have Been Officially Named “Husarz”

Ukraine Situation Report: Frontline Defenses Deteriorating Under Russian Pressure

Ukraine May Now Be Using WWI-Style Air Combat Tactics Against Drones

E-4B Doomsday Plane Replacement Concept Art Has Some Interesting Features

China’s New Aircraft Carrier Pulls Away From Its Pier Ahead Of Sea Trials

Job Of Building The Air Force’s Next Doomsday Planes Falls To Sierra Nevada Corp. (Updated)

Bunker Talk: Let’s Talk About All The Things We Did And Didn’t Cover This Week

Ukraine Situation Report: M1 Abrams Tanks Withdrawn From The Fight, Officials Say

XQ-67 Confirmed To Be A Prototype For General Atomics’ Collaborative Combat Aircraft Design

Ukraine Appears To Be Using Light Planes Converted Into Reusable Bomber Drones

Features from the Archive

The U.S. Coast Guard May Be Flying a Unique Stealthy Spy Plane

This Is What A Continental Army Soldier Carried During The Revolutionary War

Check Out The Crazy Radar That Lies Beneath The MC-130H Combat Talon II’s Gonzo Nose

This Is What It Looks Like When You Get Intercepted By An F-15C Eagle

The Mysterious Cold War Case Of Unidentified Aircraft Descending On Loring Air Force Base

Check Out This F-15E Strike Eagle Spewing Sparks After Takeoff

SR-71 Blackbird’s Predecessor Looked Even Cooler With Canards

The Mysterious Saga Of America’s Hunt For A Stealth Special Operations Transport, Part 1