A screenshot from the DoD video. The Pentagon released the MQ-9 video showing the Su-27 Flanker making one pass dumping fuel and another pass leading to the collision. As already reported on Mar. 14, 2023, a Russian Su-27 Flanker fighter jet and a US MQ-9 Reaper Remotely Piloted Aircraft were involved in an inflight collision over the …
U.S. Air Force
Russian Su-27 Flanker Collides With U.S. MQ-9 Reaper Over The Black Sea
A composite image showing a US MQ-9 and a Russian Su-27 flying in close proximity (file photos edited by The Aviationist for illustration purposes only) The Russian aircraft struck the RPA’s propeller forcing the U.S. to bring the Reaper down in international waters. A Russian Su-27 Flanker fighter jet and a US MQ-9 Reaper Remotely …
U.S. Air Mobility Command Removes Tail Numbers And Unit Markings From Aircraft For OPSEC
A U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules aircraft starts engines at the Luis Muniz Marin International Airport in Carolina, Puerto Rico, Feb. 18, 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Courtney Sebastianelli) C-130s and KC-135s have been spotted flying in a plain grey livery with low-visibility USAF roundels and a small US flag …
Two B-52s Fly Over Tallinn For Estonia Independence Day
File photo of a B-52 during a flyover (Image credit: USAF) The scheduled flyover sent the social media on a frenzy. On Feb. 24, 2023, two B-52 Stratofortress bombers assigned to 5th Bomb Wing from Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, carried out a low approach flyby over Tallinn, Estonia. The appearance of the strategic …
Japan Says It Strongly Presumes China Sent Three Spy Balloons Into Its Airspace
A balloon spotted in Sendai, Japan, on June 17, 2020. A balloon spotted in Sendai, Japan, on June 17, 2020. (Image credit: Sendai Astronomical Observatory) Three mysterious balloon-shaped flying objects were spotted inside the Japanese airspace in 2019, 2020 and 2021. “As a result of further analysis of specific balloon-shaped flying objects that have been …
Artificial Intelligence Successfully Piloted The X-62 VISTA
The X-62A Variable Stability In-Flight Simulator Test Aircraft, or VISTA, flies over Palmdale, Calif., Aug. 26, 2022. A joint Department of Defense team executed 12 artificial intelligence, or AI, flight tests in which AI agents piloted the X-62A VISTA to perform advanced fighter maneuvers at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Dec. 1-16, 2022. (U.S. Air …
Some V-22 Osprey Tiltrotors Grounded To Implement Solution To Hard Clutch Engagements
File photo. A CV-22 Osprey from the 21st Special Operations Squadron flies in support of exercise Resolute Dragon 22 over Kamifurano Maneuver Area, Hokkaido, Japan, Oct. 11, 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jessica Avallone) The fix will solve the issue in the short term, while the faulty component is redesigned for a …
U.S. F-22 Has Shot Down An Unidentified Object That Violated Canadian Airspace
File photo of an F-22 firing an AIM-9X Sidewinder. Third kill for the U.S. F-22 Raptor. This time over Canada. Another day, another “unidentified object” has been shot down by a U.S. Air Force F-22. It’s the third “kill” scored by a Raptor in a few days: the first one was the famous Chinese high …
DARPA Completes Final Hypersonic Airbreathing Weapon Concept Test
Artist’s concept of the Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapons Concept (HAWC) vehicle after booster separation. (Image: Lockheed Martin) The data acquired will be used for the More Opportunities HAWC program and other hypersonic technologies. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) recently announced the successful completion of the final test of the Hypersonic Airbreathing Weapon Concept, accomplishing …
Pre-Loaded Bombs Installed On B-1B Lancer Bomber For First Time In 30 Years
The Launcher Load Frame sits outside of a B-1 B Lancer prior to loading at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, Jan. 9, 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Josiah Brown) (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Josiah Brown) Weapons Loaders at Dyess Air Force Base revived a capability unused for three decades. …