Study is looking at new-build F-15, F-16 or F/A-18E/Fs A senior USAF officer has said that Air Combat Command is studying the viability of purchasing new fourth-generation fighter aircraft. Up to 72 aircraft could be purchased to equip a single…

Tu-22M3s strike as part of large strategic bomber force Some fourteen Tu-22M3 ‘Backfires’ from Mozdok attacked IS targets in the east of Syria. While Kh-555 ALCMs appear to have been used from the Tu-95MS and Kh-101s from the Tu-160s, videos…

Russia launches heavy bomber strikes in Syria A series of images and videos of airstrikes by Russian strategic bombers has been released. The images depict Tu-22M3 ‘Backfire’, Tu-95 ‘Bear’ and Tu-160 ‘Blackjack’ strategic bombers employing Air Launched Cruise Missiles (ALCMs)…

New USAF bomber competition winner announced On 27 October, the USAF announced the contract award of engineering and manufacturing development and early production for the Long Range Strike Bomber, or LRS-B, to Northrop Grumman Corp. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said…

Draken International wins USAF aggressor contract Draken International has won a new adversary support contract from the USAF, using its A-4Ks and new L-159s to generate cost savings for the Air Force by preserving its F-16s and F-15s. On September…

IOC for the STOVL Lightning II The US Marine Corps’ F-35B Lightning II aircraft reached initial operational capability today with a squadron of 10 F-35Bs ready for world-wide deployment on July 31. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 (VMFA-121), based in…

Lakenheath Wing Commander talks to Combat Aircraft A career F-15C pilot, Col Robert Novotny is the current commander of the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath. In an exclusive interview with Combat Aircraft, which will appear in our August issue,…

Organisers of the RAF Cosford Air Show today confirmed details of displays marking the 70th Anniversary of VE-Day planned for Sunday 14th June, along with the exciting news that the University of Wolverhampton will be sponsoring the VE70 theme at…

VMFA-121 ‘Green Knights’ at MCAS Yuma are gearing up to declare initial operating capability in July VMFA-121 ‘Green Knights’ — the Marine Corps’ first front line F-35B Lightning II unit — is preparing to declare Initial Operating Capability (IOC) on…

Dassault Aviation said that Qatar has agreed to purchase 24 Rafale aircraft to equip its air force. Dassault reports that the contract between the State of Qatar and Dassault Aviation will be signed on Monday May 4 in Doha, in…