The War Zone

Ukraine Situation Report: M1 Abrams Tanks Withdrawn From The Fight, Officials Say

After at least five losses from a fleet of 31, Ukrainian Abrams tanks have been temporarily withdrawn from operations, according to reports.

By Thomas Newdick

Latest

American chemist and Nobel laureate Dr Willard Libby (1908 - 1980) in the fallout shelter he built himself near his home in California, USA, circa 1960. The shelter, intended to withstand a nuclear blast, burnt down in the Bel Air Fire of November 1961. Libby was on the General Advisory Committee of the Atomic Energy Commission. (Photo by/Pix/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Bunker Talk: Let’s Talk About All The Things We Did And Didn’t Cover This Week

What’s on your mind?

By Tyler Rogoway

8:00 PM EDT Apr 26

SNC has won the competition to deliver new Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) 'doomsday planes' to succeed the Air Force's E-4B Nightwatch jets.

Job Of Building The Air Force’s Next Doomsday Planes Falls To Sierra Nevada Corp.

The Survivable Airborne Operations Center aircraft will replace the USAF’s highly specialized 747-based E-4B strategic command post jets.

By Joseph Trevithick

7:43 PM EDT Apr 26

General Atomics has now confirmed that its Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone design for the US Air Force is based on its XQ-67A.

XQ-67 Confirmed To Be A Prototype For General Atomics’ Collaborative Combat Aircraft Design

The XQ-67 gives General Atomics a demonstrator that is already flying as competition to build Collaborative Combat Aircraft heats up.

By Joseph Trevithick

6:17 PM EDT Apr 26

Ukraine appears to have converted a light aircraft to serve as a remote bomber.

Ukraine Appears To Be Using Light Planes Converted Into Reusable Bomber Drones

The nearly intact Skyranger plane crashed with a bomb attached to its underside and clear indications that it was remotely piloted.

By Howard Altman

4:54 PM EDT Apr 26

Air

A US Marine Corps CH-53K recently carried the stripped-down hulk of an F-35C fighter from one base to another and refueled in mid-air along the way.

Check Out This Marine CH-53K Carrying An F-35C While Refueling From A KC-130T

The new CH-53K is the most powerful helicopter in the Pentagon’s inventory and it provides a critical long-range, heavy-lift capability.

By Joseph Trevithick

9:36 PM EDT Apr 25

Ukrainian Fighter Jets “Using iPads” To Control Western Weapons

By Thomas Newdick

7:18 PM EDT Apr 25

Have Ground Launched Small Diameter Bombs Been ‘Thrown Aside’ By Ukraine?

By Joseph Trevithick

5:56 PM EDT Apr 25

Ukraine’s Explosive-Laden Balloon Operations Against Russia

By Howard Altman

1:19 PM EDT Apr 25

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Sea

The German Navy frigate Hessen has departed the Red Sea and is headed home.

German Frigate That Fought Off Houthi Drones Heads Home After 58 Days

The Hessen repelled four Houthi drone attacks during its deployment but also accidentally targeted a U.S. Reaper drone.

By Howard Altman

2:46 PM EDT Apr 22

Russia’s Historic Submarine Rescue Ship Looks Undamaged After Claimed Strike

By Joseph Trevithick

2:21 PM EDT Apr 22

How The Ancient Greeks Waged War On The High Seas

By Dr. Joanne Ball

4:14 PM EDT Apr 18

Australia’s Ghost Shark Uncrewed Submarine Breaks Cover

By Thomas Newdick

3:47 PM EDT Apr 18

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Land

Canadian Military’s WWII-Era Browning Hi-Power Pistols Are Finally Being Replaced

byOliver Parken

5:27 PM EDT Apr 25

First Confirmed Abrams Tank Variant Captured By Russia Seen With Inner Armor Exposed
byHoward Altman
2:38 PM EDT Apr 25
Poland’s New South Korean-Built ATACMS-Like Ballistic Missile Seen Firing For The First Time
byThomas Newdick
1:13 PM EDT Apr 25
$1B U.S. Air Package To Ukraine On Its Way, ATACMS Missiles Already Secretly Provided
byHoward Altman
1:35 PM EDT Apr 24

View all

Space

If SpaceX’s Secret Constellation Is What We Think It Is, It’s Game Changing (Updated)

byJoseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

4:44 PM EDT Mar 20

Mysterious Drones Swarmed Langley AFB For Weeks
byJoseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway
7:29 PM EDT Mar 15
Russia’s “Highly Concerning” Anti-Satellite Super Weapon: What Are The Possibilities?
byJoseph Trevithick
5:34 PM EST Feb 15
Threats In Space “Extremely Concerning”: Space Force Boss
byJoseph Trevithick
9:00 PM EST Feb 14

View all

Nukes

Ukraine Situation Report: Poland “Ready” To Host Nuclear Weapons

byThomas Newdick

6:31 PM EDT Apr 22

How The U.K. Will Test Its New Nuclear Warhead Without Setting One Off
byJoseph Trevithick
5:11 PM EDT Mar 25
Russian Submarines Now Appear To Be Getting Anti-Drone “Cope Cages”
byJoseph Trevithick
8:26 PM EDT Mar 20
F-35A Is Officially Certified For Nuclear Strike
byThomas Newdick
1:52 PM EST Mar 9

View all

Uncrewed

The US Air Force has chosen Anduril and General Atomics to move ahead in Increment 1 of its Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone program.

General Atomics, Anduril Move Ahead In Collaborative Combat Aircraft Drone Program (Updated)

byJoseph Trevithick

7:31 PM EDT Apr 24

Next Big Challenge For AI Dogfighting Is Keeping Track Of Enemies Up Close
byJoseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway
2:59 PM EDT Apr 24
Minigun-Armed Mojave Drone Now Blasting Targets At 6,000 Rounds Per Minute
byJoseph Trevithick
1:57 PM EDT Apr 23
Russian Troops Deploy Huge Smokescreen To Hide From Marauding Drones
byHoward Altman
7:23 PM EDT Apr 22

View all

Latest

BYTyler Rogoway

8:00 PM EDT Apr 26

News & Features

Bunker Talk: Let’s Talk About All The Things We Did And Didn’t Cover This Week

What’s on your mind?

8:00 PM EDT Apr 26

7:43 PM EDT Apr 26

Job Of Building The Air Force’s Next Doomsday Planes Falls To Sierra Nevada Corp.

The Survivable Airborne Operations Center aircraft will replace the USAF’s highly specialized 747-based E-4B strategic command post jets.

7:43 PM EDT Apr 26

7:37 PM EDT Apr 26

Ukraine Situation Report: M1 Abrams Tanks Withdrawn From The Fight, Officials Say

After at least five losses from a fleet of 31, Ukrainian Abrams tanks have been temporarily withdrawn from operations, according to reports.

7:37 PM EDT Apr 26

6:17 PM EDT Apr 26

XQ-67 Confirmed To Be A Prototype For General Atomics’ Collaborative Combat Aircraft Design

The XQ-67 gives General Atomics a demonstrator that is already flying as competition to build Collaborative Combat Aircraft heats up.

6:17 PM EDT Apr 26

4:54 PM EDT Apr 26

Ukraine Appears To Be Using Light Planes Converted Into Reusable Bomber Drones

The nearly intact Skyranger plane crashed with a bomb attached to its underside and clear indications that it was remotely piloted.

4:54 PM EDT Apr 26

10:01 PM EDT Apr 25

Despite Mortar Attack, U.S. Is Satisfied With Gaza Beachhead Security

Construction began today on a temporary pier off the coast of Gaza aim at providing humanitarian aid to millions of Palestinians.

Despite an attack near the location where the U.S. is building a pier to pour aid into Gaza, the Pentagon is satisfied with security plans.

10:01 PM EDT Apr 25

9:36 PM EDT Apr 25

Check Out This Marine CH-53K Carrying An F-35C While Refueling From A KC-130T

The new CH-53K is the most powerful helicopter in the Pentagon’s inventory and it provides a critical long-range, heavy-lift capability.

9:36 PM EDT Apr 25

7:18 PM EDT Apr 25

Ukrainian Fighter Jets “Using iPads” To Control Western Weapons

The Pentagon’s top weapons buyer talked about Ukraine’s success in using tablets to integrate Western weapons on its Soviet jets.

The Ukrainian Air Force is using iPads, or similar tablets in the cockpits of its Soviet-era jets to enable rapid integration of modern Western air-to-ground weapons — something that TWZ predicted back in 2022. This has been confirmed by Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Dr. William LaPlante. While many questions remain about the tablet and how it works, there’s now more footage showing it fitted in cockpits.

7:18 PM EDT Apr 25

5:56 PM EDT Apr 25

Have Ground Launched Small Diameter Bombs Been ‘Thrown Aside’ By Ukraine?

A senior Pentagon official has alluded to a recently deployed long-range ground-launched weapon suffering from Russian jamming and other issues.

A senior U.S. official has strongly implied that Ground Launched Small Diameter Bombs sent to Ukraine have performed so poorly for a variety of reasons that they have been removed from service.

5:56 PM EDT Apr 25

5:27 PM EDT Apr 25

Canadian Military’s WWII-Era Browning Hi-Power Pistols Are Finally Being Replaced

The pistol, which has been in service with the Canadian military since 1944, leaves behind a significant legacy as Sig’s P320 replaces it.

BYOliver Parken

5:27 PM EDT Apr 25

News & Features

Features from the Archive

Ukraine Situation Report: M1 Abrams Tanks Withdrawn From The Fight, Officials Say

Bunker Talk: Let’s Talk About All The Things We Did And Didn’t Cover This Week

Job Of Building The Air Force’s Next Doomsday Planes Falls To Sierra Nevada Corp.

XQ-67 Confirmed To Be A Prototype For General Atomics’ Collaborative Combat Aircraft Design

Ukraine Appears To Be Using Light Planes Converted Into Reusable Bomber Drones

Check Out This Marine CH-53K Carrying An F-35C While Refueling From A KC-130T

Ukrainian Fighter Jets “Using iPads” To Control Western Weapons

Have Ground Launched Small Diameter Bombs Been ‘Thrown Aside’ By Ukraine?

Ukraine’s Explosive-Laden Balloon Operations Against Russia

German Frigate That Fought Off Houthi Drones Heads Home After 58 Days

Russia’s Historic Submarine Rescue Ship Looks Undamaged After Claimed Strike

How The Ancient Greeks Waged War On The High Seas

Australia’s Ghost Shark Uncrewed Submarine Breaks Cover

Land

Canadian Military’s WWII-Era Browning Hi-Power Pistols Are Finally Being Replaced

First Confirmed Abrams Tank Variant Captured By Russia Seen With Inner Armor Exposed

Poland’s New South Korean-Built ATACMS-Like Ballistic Missile Seen Firing For The First Time

$1B U.S. Air Package To Ukraine On Its Way, ATACMS Missiles Already Secretly Provided

Space

If SpaceX’s Secret Constellation Is What We Think It Is, It’s Game Changing (Updated)

Mysterious Drones Swarmed Langley AFB For Weeks

Russia’s “Highly Concerning” Anti-Satellite Super Weapon: What Are The Possibilities?

Threats In Space “Extremely Concerning”: Space Force Boss

Nukes

Ukraine Situation Report: Poland “Ready” To Host Nuclear Weapons

How The U.K. Will Test Its New Nuclear Warhead Without Setting One Off

Russian Submarines Now Appear To Be Getting Anti-Drone “Cope Cages”

F-35A Is Officially Certified For Nuclear Strike

Uncrewed

General Atomics, Anduril Move Ahead In Collaborative Combat Aircraft Drone Program (Updated)

Next Big Challenge For AI Dogfighting Is Keeping Track Of Enemies Up Close

Minigun-Armed Mojave Drone Now Blasting Targets At 6,000 Rounds Per Minute

Russian Troops Deploy Huge Smokescreen To Hide From Marauding Drones

Latest

Bunker Talk: Let’s Talk About All The Things We Did And Didn’t Cover This Week

Job Of Building The Air Force’s Next Doomsday Planes Falls To Sierra Nevada Corp.

Ukraine Situation Report: M1 Abrams Tanks Withdrawn From The Fight, Officials Say

XQ-67 Confirmed To Be A Prototype For General Atomics’ Collaborative Combat Aircraft Design

Ukraine Appears To Be Using Light Planes Converted Into Reusable Bomber Drones

Despite Mortar Attack, U.S. Is Satisfied With Gaza Beachhead Security

Check Out This Marine CH-53K Carrying An F-35C While Refueling From A KC-130T

Ukrainian Fighter Jets “Using iPads” To Control Western Weapons

Have Ground Launched Small Diameter Bombs Been ‘Thrown Aside’ By Ukraine?

Canadian Military’s WWII-Era Browning Hi-Power Pistols Are Finally Being Replaced

Features from the Archive

No, Passive Radar Isn’t Going To Make Stealth Technology Obsolete Anytime Soon

Have You Ever Seen An AV-8B Harrier Use The Meatball To Land On An Amphibious Assault Ship?

Surface-Launched Version Of The Tomcat’s AIM-54 Phoenix Missile Nearly Armed Cold War Carriers

Watch This F-22 Raptor Execute A Mind-Blowing Inverted Somersault At Altitude

Pocket Force Of Stealthy Avenger Drones May Have Made Returning F-117s To Service Unnecessary

This Photo Of A Pair Of A-10 Warthogs Is Mesmerizing

The Secretive U-2 Spy Plane Missions Flown Out Of Norway’s Bodø Airbase

A Hornet Weapon Systems Officer’s View of the Navy’s Suffocating Jet Crews