Multiple Russian Aircraft Intercepted Over Baltic Sea and Alaskan ADIZ Russian aircraft were intercepted over the Alaska ADIZ and the Baltic Sea hours after Trump suggested NATO should shoot down intruding jets. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/26/r...

Helsing Unveils CA-1 Europa Autonomous UCAV The CA-1 Europa aims to deliver affordable mass and strategic autonomy through AI-powered air combat and multi-role mission flexibility. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/25/h...

L3Harris Unveils Podded Variant of Viper Shield Electronic Warfare System The Viper Shield pod shares commonality with the internally mounted variant and would offer the same level of protection from evolving threats. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/25/l...

This Might Be Our Best Look Yet at the Chinese J-XDS Stealth Jet For the first time, the J-XDS was photographed at close distance on the ground, revealing new details. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/25/b...

RAF P-8A Poseidon Tests Mid-Air Refueling for the First Time The RAF notoriously lacks a boom air-to-air refueling capability to support the Poseidon, and the simulated refueling with a KC-135 signals steps are being taken to address the issue. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/24/r...

Spain Approves Procurement of 45 Hürjets The aircraft will be manufactured in Turkey and will undergo customization with Spanish subsystems and components at Airbus’ facilities in Spain. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/25/s...

In Depth Look at Tuesday Night’s U.S. STRATCOM Exercise B-2s launched from Whiteman AFB on a transatlantic round-trip sortie, supported by an E-6B Mercury flying from Ramstein. Let’s look at what happened. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/24/i...

Raytheon Tests Ground-Launched Variant of GBU-53 StormBreaker The new variant was designed, developed and tested in 50 days, with the test in the Mojave Desert using a COTS rocket motor. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/24/r...

Boeing to Convert USAF E-7 Rapid Prototypes in the UK Boeing will transfer two 737-700 airframes to STS Aviation in Birmingham for E-7 conversion in 2026. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/23/b...

Pratt & Whitney to Accelerate Development of XA103 NGAP Engine Pratt & Whitney will use new digital design technology to accelerate its work on the XA103, its submission for the U.S. Air Force’s Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) program. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/23/p...

Maryland ANG Ends A-10C Operations with Ceremonies in Baltimore and Hagerstown Earning the Spaatz Trophy for being the top Air National Guard flying unit only a month ago, the 104th Fighter Squadron has now officially ceased operations. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/24/m...

Ninth Bombardier Global 6000 Delivered to U.S. Air Force for BACN Program Bombardier Defense has announced the delivery of the U.S. Air Force's ninth Global 6000 for the E-11A BACN program. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/23/n...

Airbus A320 ATRA Flies in IOC Configuration Ahead of Eurofighter’s AESA Radar Testing The Advanced Technology Research Aircraft was modified with the Eurofighter’s nose to support testing of the ECRS Mk.1 AESA radar. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/23/a...

Raytheon Unveils New APG-82(V)X AESA Radar The latest iteration of the combat-proven APG-82 radar incorporates gallium nitride (GaN) technology to enhance the radar's effectiveness and capabilities. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/23/r...

J-35, J-15 and KJ-600 Shown Operating Off PLA Navy’s Fujian Carrier China has shown for the first time its newest naval aircraft launching and recovering aboard the catapult-equipped Fujian carrier. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/22/j...

First Boeing F-47 In Production, First Flight by 2028 U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff General David Allvin announced on Sept. 22, 2025 that Boeing had begun the manufacturing process for the first production F-47, with a goal of seeing it airborne by 2028. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/22/f...

Argentina’s First Airworthy F-16B Spotted in Denmark Ahead of Delivery The aircraft is among six expected to reach Argentina in December 2025, while the remaining 18 are to be delivered by 2028. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/22/a...

Indonesian Air Force’s First Rafale Takes Maiden Flight Jakarta is procuring 16 dual-seat and 26 single seat Rafales, with deliveries expected to being by February 2026, according to Indonesian reports. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/20/i...

Scaled Composites Model 437 Vanguard Begins Envelope Expansion Flights Scaled Composites’ Model 437 Vanguard returns to flight, expanding its envelope ahead of Northrop Grumman’s Beacon autonomy flight testing. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/21/m...

Skunk Works Introduce Vectis Stealth CCA Lockheed Martin says the new Group 5 survivable and lethal collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) will fly within two years. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/21/s...

Skunk Works Introduce Vectis Stealth CCA Lockheed Martin says the new Group 5 survivable and lethal collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) will fly within two years. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/21/s...

Interesting Aircraft Details You Might Have Missed Let’s take a look at some of the most interesting details you might not have noticed on your favorite aircraft. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/20/a...

MQ-9B SeaGuardian Flies in U.S. Airspace Like Piloted Aircraft Thanks to Collision Avoidance Tech Using the Detect and Avoid System, the MQ-9B operated in U.S. airspace like any other piloted aircraft, without the need for special handling. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/20/m...

New Flying Wing UAV by Chinese Academy of Sciences Emerges The aircraft is similar to another concept model revealed during the 2018 Singapore Air Show, called the Star Shadow, which was developed with an unspecified Chinese institution. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/19/f...

Our Best Look Yet at the B-21 Raider’s Engine Exhaust A new photo of the second B-21’s first flight offers a new look at the engine exhaust, which appears very similar to the B-2’s one. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/19/b...

First Japanese F-15s Arrive in UK for Atlantic Eagles Deployment The first two Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-15J Eagles arrived at RAF Coningsby highly anticipated European deployment. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/18/j...

MBDA Unveils SPEAR Glide Weapon at DSEI MBDA has revealed a new variant of the SPEAR weapon system that provides a low-cost addition to the Royal Air Force’s arsenal. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/18/m...

Marine One Malfunction Forces President Trump to Switch Helicopter Marine One diverted to Luton Airport while ferrying Trump to begin his trip home from a state visit to the UK. Press Secretary confirmed the helicopter had a minor hydraulic issue. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/18/m...

VAW-117 E-2D Hawkeye Spotted with Kill Markings from Last Year's Middle East Deployment The markings underline the Hawkeye’s critical role in the defense against drones and missiles during the events in the Middle East in late 2024. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/18/v...

First Kawasaki C-2 Arrives in UK for Atlantic Eagles Deployment In the first UK visit for the type outside of an airshow, Kawasaki C-2 58-1218 arrived at RAF Coningsby in stunning evening light on Sept. 17, 2025. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/17/k...

China’s Legacy J-6 Converted Into UAV Shown Publicly for the First Time Reports indicated the PLA Air Force is converting its older J-6, J-7 and J-8 jets into UAVs and UCAVs to be used from airfields in the Taiwan Strait. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/17/c...

China’s 300th J-20 Spotted at Changchun Air Show The PLA Air Force is steadily fielding the J-20, with at least 50 new jets delivered since June 2024, reaching a fleet of at least 300 J-20s. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/17/c...

Royal Navy Declares Malloy T-150 Ready for Front-Line Operations Malloy’s eight-rotor T-150 logistics drone has recently been used for ship-to-ship resupply during the HMS Prince of Wales’ CSG 25 deployment. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/16/r...

Beechcraft M-346N Begins U.S. Showcase Tour for Navy UJTS Textron Aviation Defense will showcase the Beechcraft M-346N’s capabilities as a “ready-now” solution for the U.S. Navy Undergraduate Jet Training System. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/16/b...

F-22 Fires Longest Known AIM-120 AMRAAM Shot in History Recently disclosed tests with the F-22 set a new record for the AIM-120 AMRAAM in 2024, part of the form, fit, function refresh (F3R) development effort. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/16/l...

Greece Considers More F-35s Over F-16 Block 50 Upgrade - Reports Talks with Lockheed Martin to upgrade Greece’s 38 F-16C/D Block 50s remain stalled, while new jets won’t arrive before 2031 and will need upkeep soon after. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/15/g...

U.S. Conduct Second Strike on Smuggling Boat in the Caribbean President Trump announced the second lethal strike by the U.S. military as part of the counter-drugs operations. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/15/u...

Germany Receives First A400M Equipped with DIRCM Protection System The Luftwaffe is equipping 23 A400Ms with DIRCM systems, supplied by Elbit Systems, to conduct tactical operation in scenarios with MANPADS threat. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/15/g...

Japanese F-15s Depart Chitose for Atlantic Eagles Deployment A highly anticipated deployment of Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-15 Eagles to Europe is now beginning, with aircraft departing Chitose Air Base bound first for Eielson AFB, Alaska. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/15/j...

F-35Bs Touch Down in Puerto Rico as U.S. Increases Presence in the Caribbean The first of ten F-35s arrived in Puerto Rico, notably showing their unit insignias removed. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/14/f...

U.S. Army AH-64E Apaches Demonstrate Spike NLOS in CENTCOM AOR The first live shoot of the Spike NLOS by a conventional aviation unit shows Apache crews can conduct extended-range precision strikes against targets obscured by terrain or distance. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/13/u...

NATO Launches Operation Eastern Sentry After Drone Incursions Operation Eastern Sentry boosts NATO’s eastern defenses after Russian drones violated Polish airspace, raising tensions along the Alliance’s flank. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/13/n...

B-52s Arrive at RAF Fairford for Exercise Cobra Warrior 25-2 Two B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers arrived in the UK from Barksdale AFB on Sept. 12 ahead of Exercise Cobra Warrior 25-2, which kicks off next week. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/12/b...

MQ-9 Reaper Launches Switchblade 600 Loitering Munition for First Time GA-ASI and AeroVironment demonstrate first-ever air launch of Switchblade 600 from MQ-9A, advancing drone mothership concepts for smaller UAS. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/11/m...

Su-22 Fitter Bows Out of Polish Service This week, over 40 years after entering service, the swing-wing Su-22 Fitter fighter bomber was withdrawn from the Polish Air Force in a farewell ceremony held at Mirosławiec. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/12/s...

Trapani-Birgi To Host First F-35 Training Center Outside U.S. The airbase will become the first location outside the U.S. for international F-35 pilot training, as Italy further consolidates its position as a global leader in advanced training. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/12/t...

DSEI 2025 News Roundup: GCAP Updates, Royal Navy UAVs, Deep Strike Missiles, and More As this year’s exhibition prepares for its final day at ExCel London, let’s cast our eyes over some of the stories that have emerged so far from the major industry event. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/11/d...

Second B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber Takes Flight The second B-21 conducted its maiden flight and will now join the first one, which has been flying since 2023 at Edwards Air Force Base. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/11/s...

Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems Team Up for New Adaptable Multi-Effect Unmanned System On Sep. 9, 2025, the companies announced a partnership to develop a range of uncrewed autonomous air systems. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/10/l...

F-16s and F-35s Shoot Down Russian Drones over Poland Warsaw confirms Russian drones violated its airspace overnight, marking the first direct engagement of Russian assets over NATO territory. Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/10/r...