U.S. Navy Confirms MQ-4C Triton Crash The U.S. Navy has acknowledged the loss of an MQ-4C Triton last week in a new Mishap Summaries report released by the Naval Safety Command. As we reported

U.S. Navy Confirms MQ-4C Triton Crash

The U.S. Navy has acknowledged the loss of an MQ-4C Triton last week in a new Mishap Summaries report released by the Naval Safety Command.

Story: theaviationist.com/2026/04/15/u...

Shrapnel-Damaged KC-135 Arrives at Tinker AFB For Repairs The battle-damaged KC-135R Stratotanker photographed transiting through RAF Mildenhall has safely arrived at Tinker AFB, the hub for depot-level KC-135

The battle-damaged KC-135R Stratotanker photographed transiting through the UK has safely arrived at Tinker AFB, the hub for depot-level KC-135 maintenance, bearing large and small patches across its fuselage, wings, engines, and tail.

Full report here: theaviationist.com/2026/04/15/b...

Italian Air Force’s Raiders Wing Becomes First NATO Unit Accredited by AFSOC for Global Access Operations The certification makes the 17th Stormo Incursori (Raiders Wing) the first NATO unit recognized by U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command for a Combat

Italian Air Force’s Raiders Wing Becomes First NATO Unit Accredited by AFSOC for Global Access Operations

The certification makes the 17th Stormo the first NATO unit recognized by AFSOC for GAO capability.

Story: theaviationist.com/2026/04/14/i...

Final Class of A-10C Thunderbolt II Pilots Graduates at Davis-Monthan AFB The 357th Fighter Squadron graduated its last A-10C Thunderbolt II student pilots at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, marking the end of an era for the sole

Final Class of A-10C Thunderbolt II Pilots Graduates at Davis-Monthan AFB

The 357th Fighter Squadron graduated its last A-10C Thunderbolt II student pilots at Davis-Monthan AFB, marking the end of an era for the sole formal training unit for A-10 pilots.

Story: theaviationist.com/2026/04/13/f...

One-of-a-Kind ‘Narcotics Hunter’ P-3 Airborne Radar Spotted in California The Customs and Border Protection describes the P-3 AEW as the world’s only law enforcement airborne radar aircraft, supporting the anti-smuggling and

One-of-a-Kind ‘Narcotics Hunter’ P-3 Airborne Radar Spotted in California

The Customs and Border Protection describes the P-3 AEW as the world’s only law enforcement airborne radar aircraft, supporting the anti-smuggling and border protection mission.

Story: theaviationist.com/2026/04/13/o...

Battle Scarred Stratotanker Transits Through UK Towards the U.S. for Repairs The visibly patched-up KC-135R Stratotanker that arrived at RAF Mildenhall on Apr. 12, 2026 was among the aircraft deployed to Prince Sultan Air Base when

Battle Scarred Stratotanker Transits Through UK Towards the U.S. for Repairs

The visibly patched-up KC-135R Stratotanker that arrived at RAF Mildenhall on Apr. 12 was among the aircraft deployed to Prince Sultan Air Base when it was struck by Iran in March

Story: theaviationist.com/2026/04/12/b...

New Anti-Jam Antenna Seen on USAF F-15E Strike Eagle During Epic Fury The new Controlled Reception Pattern Antenna (CRPA) is part of the Digital GPS Anti-jam Receiver (DIGAR) system installed in the F-15E Strike Eagle

New Anti-Jam Antenna Seen on USAF F-15E Strike Eagle During Epic Fury

The new Controlled Reception Pattern Antenna (CRPA) is part of the Digital GPS Anti-jam Receiver (DIGAR) system installed in the F-15E following a contract to BAE Systems in 2022.

Story: theaviationist.com/2026/04/12/n...

Exclusive: Interview with the Chief Test Pilot of VMX-1 On the occasion of the MCAS Yuma airshow 2026, we had the opportunity to interview the Chief Operational Test Director and Chief Test Pilot of Marine

Exclusive: Interview with the Chief Test Pilot of VMX-1

On the occasion of the MCAS Yuma airshow 2026, we had the opportunity to interview the Chief Operational Test Director and Chief Test Pilot of Marine Operational Test & Evaluation Squadron (VMX) 1.

Story: theaviationist.com/2026/04/11/e...

New Images Provide Clearest View Yet of Damage to U.S.-made AN/FPS-132 Early Warning Radar in Qatar The imagery offers a closer look yet to the damage to the giant phased-array AN/FPS-132 radar struck during Iran’s attack on Qatar last month. Newly

New Images Provide Clearest View Yet of Damage to U.S.-made AN/FPS-132 Early Warning Radar in Qatar

The imagery offers a closer look at the damage to the giant phased-array AN/FPS-132 radar struck during Iran’s attack on Qatar last month.

Story: theaviationist.com/2026/04/11/e...

Swedish Armed Forces Release Photo Showing JAS 39 Gripens Escorting Russian Kilo-Class Submarine

The Russian submarine shadowed by the Swedish Gripens was transiting the Kattegat, a strategic waterway linking the Baltic approaches with the North Sea system

Story: theaviationist.com/2026/04/11/s...

UK MoD Places Order for Skyhammer Low-Cost Air Defence System, First Deliveries Next Month

Cambridge Aerospace will deliver a ‘significant number’ of its low-cost Skyhammers, designed to counter attack drones like the Shahed 136 at ranges of over 30km.

Story: theaviationist.com/2026/04/10/u...

NORAD’s F-16s Practice Air Defense Operations from Remote Alaskan Airfield F-16s of the 18th Fighter Interceptor Squadron were deployed to the remote King Salmon airport to demonstrate NORAD’s readiness to respond to potential

NORAD’s F-16s Practice Air Defense Operations from Remote Alaskan Airfield

F-16s of the 18th Fighter Interceptor Squadron were deployed to the remote King Salmon airport to demonstrate NORAD’s readiness to respond to potential threats throughout Alaska.

Story: theaviationist.com/2026/04/08/n...

MQ-4 Triton Disappears over Persian Gulf after Squawking Comms Link Loss The MQ-4 Triton was flying a patrol mission over the Persian Gulf, before signaling through the transponder a loss of the communication link with the

MQ-4 Triton Disappears over Persian Gulf after Squawking Comms Link Loss

The MQ-4 Triton was flying a patrol mission over the Persian Gulf, before signaling through the transponder a loss of the communication link with the pilot and initiating a descent.

Story: theaviationist.com/2026/04/09/m...

Italian MOD Says No Policy Shift On U.S. Bases, Reveals Flight Statistics For Aviano And Sigonella Speaking before Parliament after the controversy sparked by the denied landing of a U.S. aircraft at Sigonella, Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said Italy

Italian MOD Says No Policy Shift On U.S. Bases, Reveals Flight Statistics For Aviano And Sigonella

After the recent controversy, Guido Crosetto said Italy continues to apply long-standing agreements governing U.S. military activity.

Story: theaviationist.com/2026/04/08/i...

Chilean KC-135 Tanker Refuels USAF F-35As on their Way to FIDAE 2026 Expo For the first time, a Chilean KC-135 refueled two U.S. F-35s that will take part in FIDAE 2026, marking the traditionally strong strategic ties between

Chilean KC-135 Tanker Refuels USAF F-35As on their Way to FIDAE 2026 Expo

For the first time, a Chilean KC-135 refueled two U.S. F-35s that will take part in FIDAE 2026, marking the traditionally strong strategic ties between Chile and the U.S.

Story: theaviationist.com/2026/04/07/c...

The A-10C Can Now Use Probe and Drogue Refueling A new Probe Refueling Adapter, developed in response to an urgent combatant command requirement, allows A-10s to significantly expand its refueling

The A-10C Can Now Use Probe and Drogue Refueling

A new Probe Refueling Adapter, developed in response to an urgent combatant command requirement, allows A-10s to significantly expand its refueling options as it is currently dependent on the KC-135.

Story: theaviationist.com/2026/04/07/a...

New Details Emerge About Rescue Mission Deep Inside Iran New details were released during a White House press conference which described the rescue of the crew of DUDE 44, the F-15E Strike Eagle that went down

New Details Emerge About Rescue Mission Deep Inside Iran

New details were released during a White House press conference which described the rescue of the crew of DUDE 44, the F-15E Strike Eagle that went down in Iran.

Story: theaviationist.com/2026/04/07/n...

YFQ-42A Dark Merlin CCA Crashes in California During Test GA-ASI confirmed a YFQ-42 crashed during take-off and testing has now been paused temporarily, with an investigation already launched. A prototype of the

YFQ-42A Dark Merlin CCA Crashes in California During Test

GA-ASI confirmed a YFQ-42 crashed during take-off and testing has now been paused temporarily, with an investigation already launched.

Story: theaviationist.com/2026/04/07/y...

USAF F-16s Flying With AGM-158 JASSMs in Operation Epic Fury Against Iran Long-range JASSM strikes still continue on Iranian targets, particularly against missile and drone production facilities. U.S. Air Force F-16s currently

USAF F-16s Flying With AGM-158 JASSMs in Operation Epic Fury Against Iran

Long-range JASSM strikes still continue on Iranian targets, particularly against missile and drone production facilities.

Story: theaviationist.com/2026/04/06/u...

Lady of Larissa Flies Again: Incredible New Footage Emerges of the Secretive RQ-180 Spy Drone New videos give an even clearer view - unquestionably our best ever - of the legendary classified stealth drone, previously seen making an emergency

Lady of Larissa Flies Again: Incredible New Footage Emerges of the Secretive RQ-180 Spy Drone

New videos give an even clearer view - unquestionably our best ever - of the legendary classified stealth drone.

Story: theaviationist.com/2026/04/06/i...

Crossing the ‘Line of Death’ at 2,125 MPH: SR-71 Battle Damage Assessment after ‘El Dorado Canyon’ In the aftermath of Operation El Dorado Canyon, the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird was sent across Qaddafi’s 'Line of Death' for a high-risk overflight of Libya

Crossing the ‘Line of Death’ at 2,125 MPH: SR-71 Battle Damage Assessment after ‘El Dorado Canyon’

In the aftermath of El Dorado Canyon, the SR-71 was sent across Qaddafi’s 'Line of Death' for a high-risk overflight of Libya to deliver critical BDA.

Story: theaviationist.com/2026/04/05/c...

U.S. Rescues Downed F-15E WSO Deep Inside Iran The mission to rescue the isolated airman inside Iran has been described as one of the most challenging and complex in the history of U.S. special

U.S. Rescues Downed F-15E WSO Deep Inside Iran

The mission to rescue the isolated airman inside Iran has been described as one of the most challenging and complex in the history of U.S. special operations.

Story: theaviationist.com/2026/04/05/u...

U.S. Rescues Downed F-15E WSO Deep Inside Iran The mission to rescue the isolated airman inside Iran has been described as one of the most challenging and complex in the history of U.S. special

U.S. Rescues Downed F-15E WSO Deep Inside Iran

The mission to rescue the isolated airman inside Iran has been described as one of the most challenging and complex in the history of U.S. special operations.

Story: theaviationist.com/2026/04/05/u...

Iran’s RQ-170 Clone Destroyed in U.S. Strikes, CENTCOM Video Shows A video shared by CENTCOM shows the destruction of an Iranian clone of the RQ-170 Sentinel, which was reverse-engineered after crashing in Iran 15 years

Iran’s RQ-170 Clone Destroyed in U.S. Strikes, CENTCOM Video Shows

A video shared by CENTCOM shows the destruction of an Iranian clone of the RQ-170 Sentinel, which was reverse-engineered after crashing in Iran 15 years ago.

Story: theaviationist.com/2026/04/04/i...

Mission to Recover Downed F-15E Aircrew Puts Combat Search And Rescue in the Spotlight The loss of an F-15E Strike Eagle in Iran prompted specialized Combat Search and Rescue units to spring into action, with a multitude of assets working

Mission to Recover Downed F-15E Aircrew Puts Combat Search And Rescue in the Spotlight

The loss of an F-15E in Iran prompted specialized CSAR units to spring into action, with many assets working together to recover all missing aircrew. Here’s how.

Story: theaviationist.com/2026/04/04/c...

A-10 Thunderbolt II Crashed Near the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Officials Tell NYT Almost the same time as an F-15E Strike Eagle went down over Iran, the U.S. Air Force lost an A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft near the Strait of

A-10 Thunderbolt II Crashed Near the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Officials Tell NYT

Almost the same time as an F-15E Strike Eagle went down over Iran, the U.S. Air Force lost an A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft near the Strait of Hormuz. Pilot rescued.

Story: theaviationist.com/2026/04/03/a...

DARPA’s X-65 Active Flow Control Demonstrator is Taking Shape Aurora Flight Sciences and DARPA are continuing the assembly of the X-65 CRANE demonstrator, targeting a first flight by 2027. Aurora Flight Sciences’

DARPA’s X-65 Active Flow Control Demonstrator is Taking Shape

Aurora Flight Sciences and DARPA are continuing the assembly of the X-65 CRANE demonstrator, targeting a first flight by 2027.

Story: theaviationist.com/2026/04/03/d...

Iranian Media Posts Debris From USAF F-15E Claimed to Have Been Downed Earlier Today Although Iranian media claimed an F-35 has been shot down, images from the crash site clearly show debris belonging to an F-15E Strike Eagle. On Apr. 3,

Iranian Media Posts Debris From USAF F-15E Claimed to Have Been Downed Earlier Today

Although Iranian media claimed an F-35 has been shot down, images from the crash site clearly show debris belonging to an F-15E Strike Eagle.

Developing story: theaviationist.com/2026/04/03/i...

Global Combat Air Programme Awards First Contract with Edgewing The first joint international contract has been awarded for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), focusing on key design and engineering activities. The

Global Combat Air Programme Awards First Contract with Edgewing

The first joint international contract has been awarded for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), focusing on key design and engineering activities.

Story: theaviationist.com/2026/04/02/g...

CENTCOM Confirms EA-37B Compass Call Deployed as Part of Op. Epic Fury The EA-37B was added to the list of assets involved in Operation Epic Fury, although the aircraft have not yet arrived in the CENTCOM AOR. Following the

CENTCOM Confirms EA-37B Compass Call Deployed as Part of Op. Epic Fury

The EA-37B was added to the list of assets involved in Operation Epic Fury, although the aircraft have not yet arrived in the CENTCOM AOR.

Story: theaviationist.com/2026/04/02/c...