UK Confirms F-35Bs Shot Down Drones as New Defences are Deployed for RAF Akrotiri
The UK MoD has confirmed that its F-35B Lightning stealth fighters engaged and destroyed drones over Jordan, as it announces additional protective measures for RAF Akrotiri.
Story: theaviationist.com/2026/03/03/u...
This is not correct. The NOTAMs advise operators to "exercise caution" while operating in the listed airspaces. It's not a flight ban.
15 Years Ago: Last Operational British Harrier Flights
On Dec. 15, 2010, sixteen Harriers took off from RAF Cottesmore for a farewell formation flight marking the end to 41 years of British Harrier operations.
Story: theaviationist.com/2025/12/15/1...
@kaigreet.bsky.social has a nice article on delivery of last QF-16. I subconsciously assumed Air Force had a bottomless supply of old fighter converted to target drones, but no--QF-4 retired 2016 and exactly 127 QF-16s were ordered, pretty recently (2012) at that! They won't last forever.
This is Apple Maps data. The app usually draws from your device's default, though on the web it's always Google.
Photo of the evening sky on May 13 2025, taken from Ghent (Belgium) at 23:53 local time. In the middle is the Big Dipper. For three other locations (Alkmaar, NL), Utrecht (NL) and Cornwall (UK), the photographs showing the bright ISS "lines" (for the same pass, due to a long camera shutter time) were added as overlay. A bottom inset shows the geometry of the parallax effect, a second inset shows the ISS ground track, taken from https://www.heavens-above.com/orbit.aspx?satid=25544. The ISS passes in the zenith, from west to east, making the calculations easier.
The low orbit (now at ~418km) of the #ISS space station creates a strong parallax effect. After stacking 📷 (thanks @huubeggen.bsky.social, @edde.bsky.social, @kaigreet.bsky.social), measuring the angular separation and using the observers' latitude, a height of 428km (+/- 20 km) was calculated.
Oh this is incredibly cool! Amazing work
Cornwall, UK :)
Tonight's ISS pass. Last minute decision to go out for it, taking advantage of the (relatively) clear skies.
#space #iss #astrophotography #photography
Recently re-elected independent Cornwall Councillor Dulcie Tudor apparently believes 2025 is the time for LGBTQ+ people to 'fuck off'.
#lgbt #cornwall #pride
Since posting my pics of the PM's visit I'm reminded once again that we seem to be the only nation that gets pissed off that the people running the country don't always use commuter trains and flights for official visits
I'm losing my mind at "should be in the Channel" comments on posts about HMS Prince of Wales, which is, in fact, in the Channel right now. Maybe it says something about those commenting.
Predannack UAV corridor to the Plymouth danger areas is also active for a few hours this afternoon. NOTAM for the Plymouth areas expires at 1500 BST.
Prince of Wales CSG escorts operating in the Plymouth danger areas along with an RAF P-8 Poseidon. The carrier itself isn't broadcasting AIS, but you can be sure it's still hanging around here.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Sec of State for Defence John Healey arrive at RNAS Culdrose on board an Airbus A400M Atlas C1 this evening. They departed out to sea on an RN helicopter, presumably for a visit to HMS Prince of Wales.
Keir Starmer is simply wrong in law. A trans woman with a Gender Recognition Certificate is considered a woman for the vast majority of legal purposes, as required by the ECHR. One would expect a former human rights lawyer to have a better grasp of legal detail.
Swedish Government Seeks Approval for Saab Gripen Sale to Peru, GlobalEye Sale to Denmark
Sweden’s Parliament has to approve the intergovernmental sales, which include four GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft and 12 Gripen E/Fs, before orders can be placed.
Story: theaviationist.com/2025/04/15/s...
B-21 Raider Expected to Arrive at Ellsworth AFB in 'Mid 2020s'
Speaking at the Black Hills Defense & Industry Symposium, U.S. Air Force and Northrop Grumman officials said their next generation bomber is ‘close’ to being ready to enter service.
Story: theaviationist.com/2025/04/15/b...
RFA Mounts Bay arriving into Falmouth earlier today, sailing past sister ship RFA Cardigan Bay.
With HMS Scott and HMS Severn also in, and RFA Argus as a recent departure, it probably surprises some that it's not actually an RN port.
cc @navylookout.bsky.social @warshipcam.bsky.social
Signal Group Chat Leaks: U.S. Secretary of Defense Lays Out Sensitive Details of Planned Airstrikes
Aircraft, weapon types, launch times, and the estimated strike windows included in the latest screenshots released by Jeffrey Goldberg of The Atlantic.
Story: theaviationist.com/2025/03/26/s...
USS Nimitz Sets Sail For Likely Final Deployment
Almost 50 years on from its commissioning date, the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) departed Naval Base Kitsap on Mar. 21, 2025, for a deployment to the Indo-Pacific.
Story: theaviationist.com/2025/03/23/u...
USAF Testing Angry Kitten EW Pod on C-130 as F-16 Integration Progresses
The F-16 has completed the test phase for the integration of the AN/ALQ-167 Angry Kitten pod, as the USAF considers the platform for other types like the C-130, KC-135, and KC-46.
Story: theaviationist.com/2025/03/13/u...
Hellfire R-9X ‘Ninja’ Missile Airstrike Shown in Newly Released Footage
The low collateral damage variant of the Hellfire missile, with pop-out blades instead of an explosive warhead, was first documented in 2019, but has remained elusive.
Story: theaviationist.com/2025/03/01/h...
U.S. Air Force Tests Harpoon Missile Integration on F-16
The 53rd TEG completed an operational taxi test with a U.S. Navy AGM-84N Harpoon Block II+ anti-ship missile loaded on a U.S. Air Force F-16.
Story: theaviationist.com/2025/02/28/u...
Estonian Independence Day Marked With B-52, F-35, and F/A-18 Flypast
Estonia celebrated its national Independence Day on Feb. 24, 2025, joined by forces from a number of NATO allies who help reinforce the nation against Russian threats.
Story: theaviationist.com/2025/02/24/e...
Royal Air Force Protector RG1 Completes Further Flight Testing
Following the type’s first UK flight in November 2023, unmanned Protector RG1s, the UK designation for MQ-9B, are now conducting regular flights from their Lincolnshire base.
Story: theaviationist.com/2025/02/13/r...
B-52 Stratofortresses Begin Bomber Task Force 25-2 Deployment at RAF Fairford
Two U.S. Air Force B-52 strategic bombers from Minot Air Force Base touched down in the UK on Feb. 11, 2025 to kick off the Bomber Task Force 25-2 deployment.
Story: theaviationist.com/2025/02/13/b...
