Crooked Bough News Round-up

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

 

at 4/17/26 5:54pm

Welcome to Bunker Talk. This is a weekend open discussion post for the best commenting crew on the net, in which we can chat about all the stuff that went on this week that we didn’t cover. We can also talk about the stuff we did or whatever else grabs your interest. In other words, it’s an off-topic thread. This weeks caption reads: The Volcano Lair was the underground headquarters of the terrorist syndicate SPECTRE during the Bond film You Only Live Twice from 1967.  Also, a reminder: Prime Directives! If you want to talk politics, do so respectfully and know that there’s always somebody that isn’t going to agree with you.  If you have political differences, hash it out respectfully, stick to the facts, and no childish name-calling or personal attacks of any kind. If you can’t handle yourself in that manner, then please, discuss virtually anything else. No drive-by garbage political memes. No conspiracy theory rants. Links to crackpot sites will be axed, too. Trolling and shitposting will not be tolerated. No obsessive behavior about other users. Just don’t interact with folks you don’t like.  Do not be a sucker and feed trolls! That’s as much on you as on them. Use the mute button if you don’t like what you see.   So unless you have something of quality to say, know how to treat people with respect, understand that everyone isn’t going to subscribe to your exact same worldview, and have come to terms with the reality that there is no perfect solution when it comes to moderation of a community like this, it’s probably best to just move on.  Finally, as always, report offenders, please. This doesn’t mean reporting people who don’t share your political views, but we really need your help in this regard. The post Bunker Talk: Let’s Talk About All The Things We Did And Didn’t Cover This Week appeared first on The War Zone.

[Category: News & Features, Bunker Talk] [Link to media]

— Qatari 747-8i Gifted To Trump For Interim Air Force One Is Undergoing Test Flights

 

at 4/17/26 5:20pm

Key Takeaways Qatars 747-8i gifted for interim Air Force One use. The U.S. Air Force is testing a lavish 747-8i donated by Qatar to serve as a temporary Air Force One while awaiting delayed VC-25B deliveries. Test flights underway with expected delivery by 2026. The VC-25B Bridge Aircraft has begun test flights and is expected to be delivered to the Presidential Airlift Group by summer 2026. Limited modifications observed on the aircraft. Photos show few changes to the jets communication systems, though it includes new aerials and UHF satcom antennas. Defensive capabilities remain uncertain. The aircraft may lack comprehensive defensive systems like EMP hardening and defensive systems, raising questions about its operational use. High conversion costs and limited operational scope. With a conversion cost nearing $400 million, the jet may only be used domestically or in low-threat areas, prompting questions about its necessity. Bottom line: The U.S. Air Force is testing a Qatari 747-8i as an interim Air Force One due to delays in Boeings VC-25B deliveries. While modifications are underway, the jets limited defensive capabilities and high conversion costs raise questions about its practicality and operational use. The U.S. Air Force has begun test flights on an extremely lavish 747-8i Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) that Qatar donated to the U.S. last year for use by President Donald Trump. The jet, now dubbed VC-25B Bridge Aircraft, is set to serve in the Air Force One role while the White House awaits the extremely delayed delivery from Boeing of two fully-outfitted VC-25B Air Force One aircraft  “I can confirm that the VC-25B Bridge Aircraft has begun flight test,” an Air Force spokesperson told The War Zone Friday afternoon. “We expect the aircraft will be delivered to the Presidential Airlift Group no later than summer 2026.” Aviation Week was the first to report the news of the test flight. No paint yet pic.twitter.com/yYP7V36JSk— Kyle Gist (@kylegist) April 16, 2026 The Air Force declined to provide additional information about the testing program, including when it began or how many flights have taken place. It also remains unclear when the 747-8i will conduct real VIP missions or if it will receive a new official designation. With questions swirling about the legality and ethics of a president receiving a gift plane, the Pentagon last May took delivery of the aircraft and said it would rapidly undertake the required modifications. The jet, using the call sign VADER01, was spotted by flight trackers over Texas yesterday. It took off from Majors Field in Greenville, Texas, flew over Tulsa, Oklahoma, Amarillo and Abilene, Texas, before landing back at Majors Field. The airport is home to L3 Technologies, which is modifying the jet. The facility at Greenville is a hub for this exact kind of modification work on the Pentagons larger aircraft. Video and photos taken by aviation photographers show that the aircraft was in a white base livery, though it will reportedly get Trumps red, dark blue and white paint scheme. The aircraft was delivered from Qatar in its maroon, white and gray striped scheme originally. The donated Qatari Boeing 747-8i seen on the tarmac of Palm Beach International airport after Trump toured the aircraft on February 15, 2025. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images) ROBERTO SCHMIDT Aviation photographer TT-33 operator was kind enough to share some images with us. The photos were captured as the aircraft was landing at Majors Field yesterday. You can see more of his work here. (TT-33 operator) (TT-33 operator) (TT-33 operator) The photos show remarkably few modifications to the VC-25B Bridge Aircraft’s communications system, which already had an extensive broadband satellite communications suite when Qatar handed it over. These additions include a handfuls of new aerials and what appear to be two UHF satcom platter antennas. As TWZ has previously noted, converting any aircraft into one that is secure and safe enough to transport the president is a complex undertaking. The aircraft needs to provide constant, secure communications, including what is needed to order a nuclear strike. Historically, it also needs to be physically hardened both inside and out to withstand myriad threats, from the electromagnetic pulse of a nuclear weapon going off to incoming surface-to-air missiles to enemy intelligence-gathering efforts. To do this requires significant modifications right down to the aircraft’s outer structure. In this case, it is likely impossible for the jet to receive EMP hardening and, at least based on the limited photos available, we cannot find any clear additions that would indicate the installation of an integrated self defense suite of any kind. The VC-25As are speckled with missile approach warning sensors and many laser countermeasures turrets (DIRCM). They also include the legacy Matador infrared countermeasure system above their jet engines and APU. This is in addition to other defensive features which are less visible and remain closely guarded secrets. At the very least, this aircraft will have to feature some kind of DIRCM setup to repel shoulder-fired heat-seeking missiles, and modular units are available that can be attached in a canoe to the bottom of the aircraft. These systems, such as Elbits C-MUSIC or Northrop Grummans Guardian, are in service with foreign VVIP 747s, as well as commercial aircraft, including those flying for Israeli airline El Al. You can read all about these systems here. Still, while they offer far less defensive capacity compared to what is seen under the belly of a VC-25A, they would offer a significant layer of protection. Northrop Grummans Guardian pod is a self-contained DIRCM (includes missile approach and warning sensors and laser pointer) solution for airliner-type aircraft. (Northrop Grumman) Its also possible a more elaborate and fully integrated defensive system could be installed in the coming weeks, but its hard to imagine this would allow the jet to enter service this summer. Adding a further layer of complexity to the procurement and fielding process of any new presidential airlift aircraft, there are tight controls around sourcing spares for aircraft with this mission, and specific rules about vetting individual parts to protect against espionage and sabotage. Clearly many practices and requirements had to be relaxed in order to rush this bridge aircraft into service. USAF via FOIA There are also questions about where this jet could actually fly operationally. Without a fully specialized design meeting all the requirements for the traditional Air Force One mission, it will likely be limited to domestic use or other very low threat areas. Given all that, and its reported conversion price tag approaching $400 million, there are legitimate questions about why it is needed at all. As we noted earlier in this story, the flight test of this aircraft came as Boeing is far behind in the process of converting two other 747-8is originally built as commercial airliners into new fully customized VC-25B Air Force One aircraft. This led to the emergence of Trumps idea of procuring an ‘interim’ Air Force One. On Friday, the Air Force told us that it “is collaborating with Boeing to implement acceleration initiatives and expect the first delivery of the VC-25B in mid-2028.” If this is the case, then this bridge aircraft will have served at most around two years until the first full-up VC-25B is delivered. We have reached out to Boeing for additional details. A rendering of a future US Air Force VC-25B Air Force One jet. Boeing While it is not yet known when the bridge VC-25B will actually transport the president, we know there is great pressure to get it doing exactly that from the White House. Judging by its configuration so far, whatever possible appears to have been done to make that happen. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com The post Qatari 747-8i Gifted To Trump For Interim Air Force One Is Undergoing Test Flights appeared first on The War Zone.

[Category: Air, Air Force One, Air Forces, News & Features, POTUS, Transports, U.S. Air Force] [Link to media]

— Iran Reopens Strait Of Hormuz, U.S. Blockade Continues (Updated)

 

at 4/17/26 11:35am

Iran says it has reopened the Strait of Hormuz, which it largely closed after being attacked by the U.S. and Israel. The move was prompted by a temporary ceasefire in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah, an Iranian proxy. However, the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports enacted on Monday remains in place, President Donald Trump announced on his Truth Social social media site. All this comes as the U.S. and Iran appear closer to reaching a deal to end the war, which we will discuss in greater detail later in this story. The temporary ceasefire between the two countries ends April 21. “In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire, on the coordinated route as already announced by Ports and Maritime Organization of the Islamic Rep. of Iran,” Sayyed Abbas Araghchi, the Iranian Foreign Minister, stated on X Friday morning. In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire, on the coordinated route as already announced by Ports and Maritime Organisation of the Islamic Rep. of Iran.— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) April 17, 2026 That route is a narrow five-mile stretch between the islands of Qeshem and Larak, roughly 15 miles from the Iranian shoreline. In a post on his Truth Social site, U.S. Trump hailed the decision but said it did not change the ongoing blockade. “THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ IS COMPLETELY OPEN AND READY FOR BUSINESS AND FULL PASSAGE, BUT THE NAVAL BLOCKADE WILL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT AS IT PERTAINS TO IRAN, ONLY, UNTIL SUCH TIME AS OUR TRANSACTION WITH IRAN IS 100% COMPLETE,” Trump stated. “THIS PROCESS SHOULD GO VERY QUICKLY IN THAT MOST OF THE POINTS ARE ALREADY NEGOTIATED.” Trump:The Strait of Hormuz is completely open and ready for business and full passage, but the naval blockade will remain in full force and effect as it pertains to Iran only, until our transaction with Iran is 100% complete! pic.twitter.com/YMGS5BUGjD— Clash Report (@clashreport) April 17, 2026 The president added that Iran has agreed to never close the Strait of Hormuz again. It will no longer be used as a weapon against the World! However, there was no immediate response from Tehran. ?????? ?. ????? ????? ?????? ???? ??:?? ?? ??? ??.??.??Iran has agreed to never close the Strait of Hormuz again. It will no longer be used as a weapon against the World! President DONALD J. TRUMP— Commentary Donald J. Trump Posts From Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) April 17, 2026 Regarding any peace deals, Trump said on his Truth Social network that the U.S.A. will get all Nuclear Dust, created by our great B2 Bombers No money will exchange hands in any way, shape, or form. This was a reference to the Operation Midnight Hammer attack on Iranian nuclear facilities last year.  Iran is believed to have about 440.9 kg of uranium enriched up to 60% of the explosive uranium isotope, U-235 stored at these locations. This deal is in no way subject to Lebanon, either, but the USA will, separately, work with Lebanon, and deal with the Hezboolah situation in an appropriate manner. Israel will not be bombing Lebanon any longer, Trump added. "The U.S.A. will get all Nuclear “Dust,” created by our great B2 Bombers No money will exchange hands in any way, shape, or form." pic.twitter.com/vkRVe30AzT— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 17, 2026 It remains to be seen how this will play out. Irans state TV, citing a senior military official, highlighted that only civilian vessels will be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz via designated routes and with permission from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy. The passage of military vessels through the strait remains prohibited, it said. Irans state TV, citing a senior military official, said "only civilian vessels will be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz via designated routes and with permission from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy." "The passage of military vessels through the strait… pic.twitter.com/1mi3rOmTgX— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) April 17, 2026 Despite the closure, ships have still transited the strategic body of water through which about a fifth of the world’s oil and gas exports pass. Ship traffic through the Strait actually increased from last month’s unusually low levels, with crossings rising and activity extending across a broader mix of vessel types and cargoes, according to the global trade intelligence firm Kpler. Traffic gradually returns to HormuzVessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has increased from last month’s unusually low levels, with crossings rising and activity extending across a broader mix of vessel types and cargoes. Movements are becoming more balanced in both… pic.twitter.com/FPjw0s3N9k— Kpler (@Kpler) April 16, 2026 There is also still the issue of mines in the section of the Strait outside the Qeshem-Larak passage. Demining is one of the issues being discussed today in an international meeting being held in Paris, a French official told us. Well discuss this meeting in a little more detail later in this story. Trump, however, claimed that Iran, with the help of the U.S.A., has removed or is removing all sea mines! pic.twitter.com/sAvCuT4R67— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 17, 2026 The Strait of Hormuz and Qeshem and Larak islands. (Google Earth) We have reached out to shippers and maritime analysis and security firms to get a clearer picture of what this decision means from their perspectives. This is good news, a spokesman for Hapag-Lloyd told us. There are still some open questions on our end, but they might be resolved within the next 24 hours. Top priority for the passage is safety and security for the seafarers the vessel and the cargo of our customers. If all open issues are cleared (i.e. insurance coverage, clear orders of Iranian government/military about the exact sea corridor to be used and the sequence of ships leaving) we would prefer to pass the strait as soon as possible. Our crisis committee is in session and will try to resolve all open items with the relevant parties within the next 24-36 hours. The reopening of the Strait “marks a turn for global shipping, as it allows over 750 vessels previously trapped in the Middle East Gulf to begin clearing approximately $17 billion in stranded energy and dry bulk cargoes,” Kpler told us. “As of April 17, 2026, there are 862 vessels currently operating within the Mideast Gulf. The core of the backlog is composed of approximately 187 laden tankers carrying roughly 172 million barrels of crude and refined products, along with a specialized cluster of 15 LNG vessels that remain almost entirely stalled following the collapse of recent ceasefire talks.” The Strait reopening and a looming new round of peace talks appears to have provided a boost to the world economy. Oil prices are falling by more than 10%, and Wall Street is rallying toward another record after Iran said the Strait of Hormuz is fully open, which would allow oil tankers to exit the Persian Gulf again and carry crude to customers worldwide, The Associated Press reported. The S&P 500 rallied 0.7% as U.S. stocks sprinted toward the finish of a third straight week of big gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1%, and the Nasdaq composite added 1%. Stocks have rallied more than 11% since late March on hopes that the United States and Iran can avoid a worst-case scenario for the global economy, the wire service added. BREAKING: President Trump and Irans foreign minister say the Strait of Hormuz is now fully open. Crude oil prices tumble 10% after the announcements. https://t.co/d44au7X8UP— The Associated Press (@AP) April 17, 2026 UPDATES UPDATE: 1:34 PM EDT Trump told Axios that U.S. and Iranian negotiators will probably meet this weekend, and he expects them to hammer out a final deal to end the war. The deal should come “in a day or two,” Axios reporter Barak Ravid added on X. Trump tells me he expects Iran deal "in a day or two". My story on @axios https://t.co/8ECaGSR6C6— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) April 17, 2026 UPDATE: 1:28 PM EDT Trump told Reuters on Friday that the U.S. will work with Iran to recover its enriched uranium ​and bring it back to the United States. Were going to get ‌it together. Were going to go in with Iran, at a nice leisurely pace, and go down and start excavating with big machinery Well bring it back to the United ​States, Trump said during a phone interview. The ⁠United States will work ‌with Tehran to recover its enriched uranium and bring ​it back to ‌the United States, President Donald Trump told Reuters on Friday."Were going to get it together. ‌Were going to go in with Iran, at ⁠a nice leisurely pace, and go ‌down ​and… pic.twitter.com/ZfwJTFrIbr— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) April 17, 2026 UPDATE: 1:17 PM EDT Seyyed Mohammad Mehdi Tabatabaei, a spokesperson for Iran’s president, pushed back on Trump’s claim that Iran promised never to close the Strait again. “The Twitter rhetoric and baseless statements of the enemy are aimed at stripping the Iranian nation of their sense of pride for the great victories they have achieved through their resolute defense,” he stated on X. “The conditional and limited reopening of a portion of the Strait of Hormuz is solely an Iranian initiative, one that creates responsibility and serves to test the firm commitments of the opposing side. If they renege on their promises, they will face dire consequences.” لفاظی‌های توئیتری و اظهارات بی‌پایه دشمن، در جهت سلب احساس افتخار ملت ایران برای پیروزی‌های بزرگی است که در دفاع مقتدرانه کسب کرده‌اند. بازگشایی مشروط و محدود بخشی از تنگه هرمز ، صرفا ابتکاری ایرانی، مسئولیت‌آفرین و برای آزمون تعهدات قطعی طرف مقابل است. بدعهدی کنند، بد می‌بینند.— سيد مهدي طباطبايي (@tabaei1356) April 17, 2026 UPDATE 12:51 PM EDT Iran considers the continuation of the U.S. blockade on its ports a ceasefire violation and would close the Strait of Hormuz again if the blockade is not lifted, the IRGC-affiliated Fars News reported citing an informed source close to the Supreme National Security Council. Weve reached out to the White House for comment. Iranian official to Fars:If the maritime blockade continues, it will be considered a violation of the ceasefire, and the Strait of Hormuz transit route will be closed.— Clash Report (@clashreport) April 17, 2026 With new talks potentially set to be held in Pakistan over the weekend, the U.S. and Iran are negotiating over a three-page plan to end the war, Axios reported Friday morning. One of the key elements under discussion is “that the U.S. would release $20 billion in frozen Iranian funds in return for Iran giving up its stockpile of enriched uranium,” the outlet noted, citing two U.S. officials and two additional sources briefed on the talks. The Memo of Understanding (MoU) also states the two sides are negotiating over a voluntary moratorium on nuclear enrichment by Iran. It also deals with the Strait of Hormuz, “though the sources said there are still significant gaps on that issue,” Axios posited. Its unclear if the MOU refers to Irans ballistic missiles and its support for regional proxies. SCOOP: The U.S. and Iran are negotiating over a three-page plan to end the war, with one element under discussion being that the U.S. would release $20 billion in frozen Iranian funds in return for Iran giving up its stockpile of enriched uranium. https://t.co/w84Yd8JHgp— Axios (@axios) April 17, 2026 “Trump is directly talking to the Iranians,” U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) told Fox News.  “He is negotiating himself,” Graham proffered. “He was on the phone with the Iranians a couple of days ago, and it got rather sporty—to the point that Trump loudly told Iran what would happen if they keep playing games. He actually lost his voice. I’d hate to be the Iranian on the receiving end of that.” Senator Graham:Trump is directly talking to the Iranians. He is negotiating himself. He was on the phone with the Iranians a couple of days ago, and it got rather sporty—to the point that Trump loudly told Iran what would happen if they keep playing games. He actually lost… pic.twitter.com/rMPjT9SYYc— Clash Report (@clashreport) April 17, 2026 Despite rising hopes that the war in Iran could soon end, the country’s deputy foreign minister on Friday rejected any call for a temporary ceasefire. Instead, Tehran is seeking a comprehensive end to conflict across the Middle East, Saeed Khatibzadeh told reporters today. That includes fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, currently paused on the first full day of a shaky 10-day ceasefire. “We are not accepting any temporary ceasefire,” Khatibzadeh said on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum hosted by Turkey’s Foreign Affairs Ministry. Any end to the fighting must include all conflict zones “from Lebanon to the Red Sea,” he added, describing it as a “red line” for Iran. The cycle of violence “should end here once and for all,” Khatibzadeh continued, according to Al Jazeera. BREAKING: Iran rejects temporary ceasefire, seeks end to war across region: Deputy FM LIVE updates: https://t.co/AC8viz7Ien pic.twitter.com/VdGBqhs9ym— Al Jazeera Breaking News (@AJENews) April 17, 2026 The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC) said it is ready to resume fighting if needed. The Army and the IRGC have their “finger on the trigger” and are “prepared to deliver a powerful, destructive, and regret-inducing response to any aggressive or criminal action by the US-Israeli enemy and their allies against the Iranian nation,” the IRGC said Friday. Army, IRGC have ‘finger on trigger’ for ‘powerful’ response to any aggression: IRGChttps://t.co/OZyqKAJhAN pic.twitter.com/ZZSPMs8x1N— IRNA News Agency ☫ (@IrnaEnglish) April 17, 2026 As we noted earlier in this story, the leaders of nearly three dozen nations  met mostly virtually at a conference in Paris today to discuss the future of the Strait of Hormuz. Co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the conference on the Initiative for Maritime Navigation in the Strait of Hormuz looked at ways of protecting shipping after the fighting ends. Starmer said the U.K. and France will lead a multinational mission to “protect freedom of navigation” in the Strait as soon as conditions permit. He added that the mission would be “strictly peaceful and defensive, with the aim of reassuring commercial shipping and supporting mine clearance efforts. Starmer invited other countries to join, saying that roughly a dozen countries had committed to contributing assets. BREAKING: Sir Keir Starmer has said reopening the Strait of Hormuz is a global necessity and responsibility.European leaders have been meeting in Paris to discuss the waterway which Iran has claimed is now "open" https://t.co/vCWan5mrYT Sky 501 pic.twitter.com/2G3vbmmoj4— Sky News (@SkyNews) April 17, 2026 Kaja Kallas, European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the European Commission, said leaders also discussed ensuring that Iran imposes no tolls on passage through the Strait. “Any pay-for-passage scheme will set a dangerous precedent for global maritime routes,” she stated on X. “Iran has to abandon any plan to levy transit fees. Europe will play its part in restoring the free flow of energy and trade, once a ceasefire takes hold.” Kallas added that the EU’s Aspides naval mission is already operating in the Red Sea “and can be quickly strengthened to protect shipping across the region. This could be the fastest way to provide support.” Yesterday, a spokesman for Aspides told us that there were no changes in its mission. Under international law, transit through waterways like the Strait of Hormuz must remain open and free of charge. This is what leaders made clear in their call on reopening the Strait today.Any pay-for-passage scheme will set a dangerous precedent for global maritime routes.… pic.twitter.com/Jeufv4hQou— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) April 17, 2026 Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com The post Iran Reopens Strait Of Hormuz, U.S. Blockade Continues (Updated) appeared first on The War Zone.

[Category: News & Features, Around The Globe, Iran, Iran Nuclear Crisis, Middle East, Navies, Nuclear, Nuclear Proliferation, POTUS, Sea, U.S. Navy] [Link to media]

— MV-75 Will Be Reconfigurable For Medevac Mission Via Kit, Not Purpose-Built Like HH-60

 

at 4/17/26 11:25am

U.S. Army officials say the modular design of the services new MV-75A Cheyenne II tiltrotor will make it easier to reconfigure baseline versions for the medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) mission. This also means that the aircraft can be readily restored to a configuration optimized for the air assaults. The Army currently operates HH-60 Black Hawk MEDEVAC helicopters purpose-built for this role. The service says the Cheyenne II will give commanders in the field important new flexibility, as well as help streamline the acquisition and fielding of the tiltrotors. Army officials have touted the MV-75s modularity in the context of the MEDEVAC role, also commonly referred to as the “dustoff mission, on several occasions this week at the Army Aviation Association of America’s (AAAA) 2026 Warfighting Summit. TWZ has been in attendance at the conference, which wraps up today. A recenter rendering showing what the baseline MV-75A configuration is expected to look like. Bell The Army plans to supplant a significant portion of its existing H-60 Black Hawk helicopters with MV-75s in the coming years. A subset of the services current Black Hawk fleet consists of the aforementioned HH-60 variants outfitted for the MEDEVAC role. Standard UH-60 transports can also be used to retrieve casualties, but are not equipped with the same array of specialized features found on the dustoff variants, which you can read more about here. An Army HH-60 Dustoff helicopter, seen forward-deployed in Iraq in 2025. US Army There are also plans for a special operations-specific configuration of the Cheyenne II, which TWZ has already explored separately. The MV-75, as I mentioned, thats our signature system. Unmatched range. Unmatched speed. Unmatched mission flexibility, Army Maj. Gen. Clair Gill, the Program Acquisition Executive for Maneuver Air, told attendees at AAAA on Wednesday. Were going to build a modular aircraft that we can use for multiple purposes. So its going to have a capability that we can put a MEDEVAC plug into it, and generate medical capability for the warfighter. With MV-75, were no longer going to have a purpose-built [MEDEVAC] variant. Its going to be what we like to call a configuration. No longer is tail number 25 coming off the product line going to be the special operations variant, or the medical evacuation variant, Army Maj. Thomas Barth further explained during a panel discussion at AAAA yesterday. You can input what that is via the A kit, and then a B kit – for MEDEVAC, that being the patient handling system, the sensor, and the hoist. Barth is leading the integration of MEDEVAC capabilities onto the Cheyenne II and has personal experience as a dustoff helicopter pilot. It should be noted that Army officials separately said at AAAA this week that they expect all MV-75s to be equipped with a hoist. At the panel discussion, Barth did not elaborate on the sensor that will be included in the MEDEVAC configuration. However, existing Army HH-60s do have a sensor turret under their noses that contains electro-optical and infrared video cameras. This is something not found on the services standard UH-60s. Bell, the MV-75s prime contractor, also released a computer-generated video this week, seen below, which depicts a MEDEVAC version of the Cheyenne II with a sensor turret under the nose. Depictions, at least so far, of the baseline MV-75 configuration do not include this sensor turret. A side-by-side comparison of renderings Bell has released of a baseline MV-75A, at left, and a MEDEVAC-configured version. Bell Being able to have that capability from the beginning of the platform is going to be great. And I really look at modularity from a tactical perspective for MEDEVAC, Barth added. Lets say I have to provide MEDEVAC, and I have an aircraft or a patient handling system that goes down, but I have an aircraft that has a perfectly good patient handling system in it, but that aircrafts in maintenance. I can now modularly reconfigure my fleet internally to be able to meet the needs of the commander. The MV-75 will also offer a massive leap in capability over existing HH-60s, just on account of its increased speed and range. Those attributes have always been among the most attractive elements of the aircraft, and especially so for the MEDEVAC mission. The time it takes to get casualties, especially ones with very serious injuries, to higher levels of care can easily mean the difference between life and death. Medical professionals regularly use the term “golden hour,” which refers to the first 60 minutes after a serious injury occurs, where the chances of saving that person’s life or otherwise preventing serious permanent damage are highest. Army officials see the added operational flexibility that the Cheyenne II offers going beyond just the MEDEVAC mission. Providing flexibility for the warfighter, and really for the commander, is the most important to us. So the aircraft is modular from birth, Army Col. Jeffrey Poquette, who is managing the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) program under which the MV-75 is being developed, also said, while speaking alongside Barth at AAAA. The commander can maybe take a day to say we need more MEDEVAC aircraft, or we need more assault aircraft. A rendering of a pair of MV-75As in the baseline configuration. Bell Were going to let our land component commanders tell us how much of that [MEDEVAC capacity] they need so theyve got options, Maj. Gen. Gill had also said on Wednesday. Maybe in a defense [sic], they want to maximize MEDEVAC capability, put all the plugs in, go heavy MEDEVAC. If not, if they can strip that out, [and] weve got more assault capability. So were pretty excited about that. All of this does raise personnel, training, and force structure questions, especially when it comes to the MEDEVAC role. The Army currently assigns HH-60s to dedicated air ambulance units. Dustoff crews specifically train for this mission set and have developed a relevant institutional knowledge base in the process. The Army has already been exploring how MEDEVAC tactics, techniques, and procedures will adapt to its new tiltrotors using surrogate test articles on the ground. A member of the US Army seen during an event to provide feedback on future MEDEVAC cabin design in support of the FLRAA program back in 2024. US Army With the MV-75, were delivering a platform that – its an a la carte menu of sorts, and theres certainly some limitations there, Army Col. Jacob Whiteside, who was also on the panel alongside Poquette and Barth, said yesterday. Thats the conversation that we use freely and regularly to make sure that we deliver this flexibility to the warfighter, and thats our job is to consistently advocate for that. Whiteside is currently the Director for Transformation and the Lessons Learned Manager at the Transformation and Integration Directorate within the Armys Aviation Center of Excellence. As Maj. Barth noted when talking about the A and B kits for the MV-75, the Army also sees the focus on modularity as offering advantages just for acquiring the aircraft in the first place by helping streamline the production line. Frankly, this is going to be a very expensive airplane that were going to buy, so we cant have single-purpose aircraft, Maj. Gen Gill had also said during his talk at AAAA. So were thinking about how we incorporate modularity. Gill pointed out at that time that those discussions around modularity are already extending to other capabilities for the MV-75, including aerial refueling. That, in turn, might lead the service to acquire its own fleet of uncrewed tankers, as TWZ has previously reported. A screen capture from the computer-generated video Bell released this week showing an MV-75 refueling from a Boeing MQ-25 Stingray tanker drone, or an extremely similar-looking variant or derivative thereof. Bell capture The current estimated unit cost of the MV-75A in any configuration is unclear. We do know that Bells winning bid in the FLRAA competition was priced out at just over $8 billion, in total. This was roughly twice the price point for the competing bid from a team made up of Sikorsky and Boeing, which had submitted an advanced compound helicopter design, as you can read more about here. There are questions now about the Armys planned schedule for fielding the MV-75, as well as when the first flight of the aircraft will occur. The service has walked back from pronouncements made as recently as January that it would start delivering Cheyenne IIs to operational units next year. Those statements had reflected a larger effort to accelerate the program dramatically. “It’s going to happen when it’s going to happen. So we are moving as fast as we can,” Army Maj. Gen. Clair Gill, the Program Acquisition Executive for Maneuver Air, had said. “If I was king, and I had all the money in the world and all the engineers, and there were no limits, we probably would be able to do it in a matter of months.” Regardless of when the first operational aircraft arrive, the Armys clear goal is to leverage the aircrafts modular design to begin integrating the MEDEVAC capability into the fleet in short order thereafter. Contact the author: joe@twz.com The post MV-75 Will Be Reconfigurable For Medevac Mission Via Kit, Not Purpose-Built Like HH-60 appeared first on The War Zone.

[Category: Air, Helicopters, MV-75, News & Features] [Link to media]

— YFQ-44 Fury Fighter Drone Wraps Contested Operations Test That Could Accelerate Its Fielding

 

at 4/17/26 11:22am

The U.S. Air Force has concluded what it describes as a “critical exercise” with Anduril’s YFQ-44 Fury ‘fighter drone’ prototype, flown out of the base that is the heart of flight testing, the legendary Edwards Air Force Base, California. The drills involved the Air Force’s Experimental Operations Unit and were intended to demonstrate how CCAs can be deployed and sustained in a contested environment. For the exercise, the YFQ-44A flew from Edwards back to Anduril’s Southern California test site. As well as the Experimental Operations Unit (EOU), which falls under Air Combat Command (ACC), the exercise involved personnel from Air Force Materiel Command’s (AFMC) 412th Test Wing. This wing is headquartered at Edwards Air Force Base, and the squadrons attached to it are responsible for flight testing of virtually all the aircraft in the Air Force’s inventory. A YFQ-44A takes off from the runway at Edwards Air Force Base, California, during a Collaborative Combat Aircraft exercise. U.S. Air Force photo by Ariana Ortega Ariana Ortega Multiple sorties were flown — we have asked Air Combat Command for more details on exactly how many, and their scope. The exercise took place last week, according to Anduril’s vice president of autonomous airpower, Mark Shushnar. The YFQ-44 is one of two designs now being developed as part of the first phase, or Increment 1, of the Air Force’s CCA program. The other is General Atomics’ YFQ-42A Dark Merlin. We have reached out to Edwards to see whether the YFQ-42 was originally expected to take part in the exercise before its recent takeoff accident. Imagery published by the Air Force shows a YFQ-44A carrying inert AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) on pylons under the wings, something that we first saw earlier this year, during captive-carry evaluations, as you can read about here. It should be noted that the Fury, at least as it exists now, does not have an internal munitions bay. Master Sgt. Ricardo Villalva Jr. with Air Combat Command’s Experimental Operations Unit, performs pre-flight checks on an inert AMRAAM at Edwards Air Force Base, California. U.S. Air Force photo by Ariana Ortega Ariana Ortega The primary function of the exercise was to explore the practicalities of what the Air Force calls the Warfighting Acquisition System. This framework is intended to speed the delivery of CCAs to operational units by enabling operators to get their hands on the drones earlier in the program. In this way, they can refine tactics and procedures before deliveries to the front line. ACC has stressed in the past how it wants CCAs to operate seamlessly within the existing command structures and legal frameworks that govern all Air Force weapons systems. “This experimental operations event was executed by EOU members from start to finish. Every sortie generated and flown was done with a warfighter, not an engineer or test pilot, kicking the tires and controlling the prototypes,” explained Lt. Col. Matthew Jensen, EOU commander. “We are learning by doing, at a speed and risk tolerance accepted by the USAF’s most senior leaders, to ensure CCA is ready to operate and win in the most demanding combat environments.” A YFQ-44A flies over Edwards Air Force Base, California, during a Collaborative Combat Aircraft exercise. U.S. Air Force photo by Ariana Ortega Ariana Ortega Above all, the sorties stressed operational and logistical procedures for using CCAs in a contested environment. The issue of logistics is a critical one, including how CCAs will get to the area of operations and how they will be maintained in the field. According to Shushnar, Anduril’s Menace-T command, control, communications, and compute (C4) solution was used as the main ground element for YFQ-44A flight operations during the exercise. “EOU operators used Menace-T’s ruggedized laptop to upload mission plans, initiate autonomous taxi and takeoff, task the aircraft while in flight, and manage post-flight data ingestion and checks,” he explained. “That enabled the EOU to conduct operations out of a simulated forward operating base, successfully launching, recovering, and turning YFQ-44A without the infrastructure of a large, established base.” This is entirely in line with the Air Force’s drive toward short-notice and otherwise irregular deployments, often to remote, austere, or otherwise non-traditional locales. Agile Combat Employment (ACE) is the term the service currently uses to describe a set of concepts for distributed and disaggregated operations. While the warfighters of the EOU were at Edwards to carry out the practical aspects of CCA employment, exploring tactics, techniques, and procedures, the 412th Test Wing, meanwhile, was on hand to gather data from the test events.“By uniting the distinct test authorities of AFMC and the operational authorities of ACC, officials were able to fast-track the event, enabling groundbreaking, hands-on experimentation by operators at a uniquely early stage of development,” the Air Force explained in a media release. An earlier photo, in which the Air Force gave us our first look at a YFQ-44 carrying an inert AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM). U.S. Air Force “The collaboration we saw in this exercise is the cornerstone of our acquisition transformation. By embedding the operators from the EOU with our acquisition professionals, we create a tight feedback loop that lets us trade operational risk with acquisition risk in real-time,” said Col. Timothy Helfrich, portfolio acquisition executive for fighters and advanced aircraft. “This isn’t just a test; it’s a demonstration of how we are adopting a more agile process. An 85 percent solution in the hands of a warfighter today is infinitely better than a 100 percent solution that never arrives.” The CCA program is viewed as a pathfinder for the Warfighting Acquisition System, and success with this could lead to the same approach being employed to get other systems into operational service much more quickly than in the past. The Air Force has not yet determined whether it will procure one or both Increment 1 CCA designs at scale. Whichever option it selects is expected to become its first operational “fighter drones,” built to carry live munitions into combat alongside crewed aircraft. Three examples of the YFQ-42A Dark Merlin. General Atomics CCAs will also extend the sensor coverage of the crewed fighters they accompany. More broadly, the Air Force views them as a way to add vital combat mass and unlock new tactical options, particularly in high-end conflicts against adversaries like China. Back in late 2024, Brig. Gen. Douglas “Beaker” Wickert, commander of the 412th Test Wing, told TWZ that, “[the-then Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall] “has been very clear that we are out of time, that our Air Force has never been older or smaller than it is right now, and that the People’s Liberation Army has been specifically designed to defeat us.” “The investments we’re making right now in modernization and testing for the USAF are designed for success and aimed at changing Chairman Xi’s calculus about pushing back aggressively against the international rules-based order. What we are doing here and across USAF flight-testing is extremely consequential.” Since then, Wickert has moved on to become Director, Air, Space and Cyberspace Operations at AFMC, but the test wing’s remit remains the same. Meanwhile, the People’s Liberation Army Air Force has doubled down on its rapid expansion, including many of its own CCA programs. If all goes to plan, the completion of this recent exercise at Edwards could well be a key milestone in fielding a combat-ready force of CCAs and go some way toward realizing the Air Force’s ambition for a new capability that should extend the reach and the survivability of its crewed aircraft. Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com The post YFQ-44 Fury Fighter Drone Wraps Contested Operations Test That Could Accelerate Its Fielding appeared first on The War Zone.

[Category: Air, Air Forces, Drones, Loyal Wingman, News & Features, U.S. Air Force, Unmanned] [Link to media]

— Iran Reopens Strait Of Hormuz, U.S. Blockade Continues

 

at 4/17/26 10:44am

Iran says it has reopened the Strait of Hormuz, which it largely closed after being attacked by the U.S. and Israel. The move was prompted by a temporary ceasefire in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah, an Iranian proxy. However, the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports enacted on Monday remains in place, President Donald Trump announced on his Truth Social social media site. All this comes as the U.S. and Iran appear closer to reaching a deal to end the war, which we will discuss in greater detail later in this story. The temporary ceasefire between the two countries ends April 21. “In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire, on the coordinated route as already announced by Ports and Maritime Organization of the Islamic Rep. of Iran,” Sayyed Abbas Araghchi, the Iranian Foreign Minister, stated on X Friday morning. In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire, on the coordinated route as already announced by Ports and Maritime Organisation of the Islamic Rep. of Iran.— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) April 17, 2026 That route is a narrow five-mile stretch between the islands of Qeshem and Larak, roughly 15 miles from the Iranian shoreline. In a post on his Truth Social site, U.S. Trump hailed the decision but said it did not change the ongoing blockade. “THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ IS COMPLETELY OPEN AND READY FOR BUSINESS AND FULL PASSAGE, BUT THE NAVAL BLOCKADE WILL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT AS IT PERTAINS TO IRAN, ONLY, UNTIL SUCH TIME AS OUR TRANSACTION WITH IRAN IS 100% COMPLETE,” Trump stated. “THIS PROCESS SHOULD GO VERY QUICKLY IN THAT MOST OF THE POINTS ARE ALREADY NEGOTIATED.” Trump:The Strait of Hormuz is completely open and ready for business and full passage, but the naval blockade will remain in full force and effect as it pertains to Iran only, until our transaction with Iran is 100% complete! pic.twitter.com/YMGS5BUGjD— Clash Report (@clashreport) April 17, 2026 The president added that Iran has agreed to never close the Strait of Hormuz again. It will no longer be used as a weapon against the World! However, there was no immediate response from Tehran. ?????? ?. ????? ????? ?????? ???? ??:?? ?? ??? ??.??.??Iran has agreed to never close the Strait of Hormuz again. It will no longer be used as a weapon against the World! President DONALD J. TRUMP— Commentary Donald J. Trump Posts From Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) April 17, 2026 Regarding any peace deals, Trump said on his Truth Social network that the U.S.A. will get all Nuclear Dust, created by our great B2 Bombers No money will exchange hands in any way, shape, or form. This was a reference to the Operation Midnight Hammer attack on Iranian nuclear facilities last year.  Iran is believed to have about 440.9 kg of uranium enriched up to 60% of the explosive uranium isotope, U-235 stored at these locations. This deal is in no way subject to Lebanon, either, but the USA will, separately, work with Lebanon, and deal with the Hezboolah situation in an appropriate manner. Israel will not be bombing Lebanon any longer, Trump added. "The U.S.A. will get all Nuclear “Dust,” created by our great B2 Bombers No money will exchange hands in any way, shape, or form." pic.twitter.com/vkRVe30AzT— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 17, 2026 It remains to be seen how this will play out. Irans state TV, citing a senior military official, highlighted that only civilian vessels will be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz via designated routes and with permission from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy. The passage of military vessels through the strait remains prohibited, it said. Irans state TV, citing a senior military official, said "only civilian vessels will be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz via designated routes and with permission from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy." "The passage of military vessels through the strait… pic.twitter.com/1mi3rOmTgX— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) April 17, 2026 Despite the closure, ships have still transited the strategic body of water through which about a fifth of the world’s oil and gas exports pass. Ship traffic through the Strait actually increased from last month’s unusually low levels, with crossings rising and activity extending across a broader mix of vessel types and cargoes, according to the global trade intelligence firm Kpler. Traffic gradually returns to HormuzVessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has increased from last month’s unusually low levels, with crossings rising and activity extending across a broader mix of vessel types and cargoes. Movements are becoming more balanced in both… pic.twitter.com/FPjw0s3N9k— Kpler (@Kpler) April 16, 2026 There is also still the issue of mines in the section of the Strait outside the Qeshem-Larak passage. Demining is one of the issues being discussed today in an international meeting being held in Paris, a French official told us. Well discuss this meeting in a little more detail later in this story. Trump, however, claimed that Iran, with the help of the U.S.A., has removed or is removing all sea mines! pic.twitter.com/sAvCuT4R67— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 17, 2026 The Strait of Hormuz and Qeshem and Larak islands. (Google Earth) We have reached out to shippers and maritime analysis and security firms to get a clearer picture of what this decision means from their perspectives. This is good news, a spokesman for Hapag-Lloyd told us. There are still some open questions on our end, but they might be resolved within the next 24 hours. Top priority for the passage is safety and security for the seafarers the vessel and the cargo of our customers. If all open issues are cleared (i.e. insurance coverage, clear orders of Iranian government/military about the exact sea corridor to be used and the sequence of ships leaving) we would prefer to pass the strait as soon as possible. Our crisis committee is in session and will try to resolve all open items with the relevant parties within the next 24-36 hours. The reopening of the Strait “marks a turn for global shipping, as it allows over 750 vessels previously trapped in the Middle East Gulf to begin clearing approximately $17 billion in stranded energy and dry bulk cargoes,” Kpler told us. “As of April 17, 2026, there are 862 vessels currently operating within the Mideast Gulf. The core of the backlog is composed of approximately 187 laden tankers carrying roughly 172 million barrels of crude and refined products, along with a specialized cluster of 15 LNG vessels that remain almost entirely stalled following the collapse of recent ceasefire talks.” The Strait reopening and a looming new round of peace talks appears to have provided a boost to the world economy. Oil prices are falling by more than 10%, and Wall Street is rallying toward another record after Iran said the Strait of Hormuz is fully open, which would allow oil tankers to exit the Persian Gulf again and carry crude to customers worldwide, The Associated Press reported. The S&P 500 rallied 0.7% as U.S. stocks sprinted toward the finish of a third straight week of big gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1%, and the Nasdaq composite added 1%. Stocks have rallied more than 11% since late March on hopes that the United States and Iran can avoid a worst-case scenario for the global economy, the wire service added. BREAKING: President Trump and Irans foreign minister say the Strait of Hormuz is now fully open. Crude oil prices tumble 10% after the announcements. https://t.co/d44au7X8UP— The Associated Press (@AP) April 17, 2026 UPDATES With new talks potentially set to be held in Pakistan over the weekend, the U.S. and Iran are negotiating over a three-page plan to end the war, Axios reported Friday morning. One of the key elements under discussion is “that the U.S. would release $20 billion in frozen Iranian funds in return for Iran giving up its stockpile of enriched uranium,” the outlet noted, citing two U.S. officials and two additional sources briefed on the talks. The Memo of Understanding (MoU) also states the two sides are negotiating over a voluntary moratorium on nuclear enrichment by Iran. It also deals with the Strait of Hormuz, “though the sources said there are still significant gaps on that issue,” Axios posited. Its unclear if the MOU refers to Irans ballistic missiles and its support for regional proxies. SCOOP: The U.S. and Iran are negotiating over a three-page plan to end the war, with one element under discussion being that the U.S. would release $20 billion in frozen Iranian funds in return for Iran giving up its stockpile of enriched uranium. https://t.co/w84Yd8JHgp— Axios (@axios) April 17, 2026 “Trump is directly talking to the Iranians,” U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) told Fox News.  “He is negotiating himself,” Graham proffered. “He was on the phone with the Iranians a couple of days ago, and it got rather sporty—to the point that Trump loudly told Iran what would happen if they keep playing games. He actually lost his voice. I’d hate to be the Iranian on the receiving end of that.” Senator Graham:Trump is directly talking to the Iranians. He is negotiating himself. He was on the phone with the Iranians a couple of days ago, and it got rather sporty—to the point that Trump loudly told Iran what would happen if they keep playing games. He actually lost… pic.twitter.com/rMPjT9SYYc— Clash Report (@clashreport) April 17, 2026 Despite rising hopes that the war in Iran could soon end, the country’s deputy foreign minister on Friday rejected any call for a temporary ceasefire. Instead, Tehran is seeking a comprehensive end to conflict across the Middle East, Saeed Khatibzadeh told reporters today. That includes fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, currently paused on the first full day of a shaky 10-day ceasefire. “We are not accepting any temporary ceasefire,” Khatibzadeh said on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum hosted by Turkey’s Foreign Affairs Ministry. Any end to the fighting must include all conflict zones “from Lebanon to the Red Sea,” he added, describing it as a “red line” for Iran. The cycle of violence “should end here once and for all,” Khatibzadeh continued, according to Al Jazeera. BREAKING: Iran rejects temporary ceasefire, seeks end to war across region: Deputy FM LIVE updates: https://t.co/AC8viz7Ien pic.twitter.com/VdGBqhs9ym— Al Jazeera Breaking News (@AJENews) April 17, 2026 The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC) said it is ready to resume fighting if needed. The Army and the IRGC have their “finger on the trigger” and are “prepared to deliver a powerful, destructive, and regret-inducing response to any aggressive or criminal action by the US-Israeli enemy and their allies against the Iranian nation,” the IRGC said Friday. Army, IRGC have ‘finger on trigger’ for ‘powerful’ response to any aggression: IRGChttps://t.co/OZyqKAJhAN pic.twitter.com/ZZSPMs8x1N— IRNA News Agency ☫ (@IrnaEnglish) April 17, 2026 As we noted earlier in this story, the leaders of nearly three dozen nations  met mostly virtually at a conference in Paris today to discuss the future of the Strait of Hormuz. Co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the conference on the Initiative for Maritime Navigation in the Strait of Hormuz looked at ways of protecting shipping after the fighting ends. Starmer said the U.K. and France will lead a multinational mission to “protect freedom of navigation” in the Strait as soon as conditions permit. He added that the mission would be “strictly peaceful and defensive, with the aim of reassuring commercial shipping and supporting mine clearance efforts. Starmer invited other countries to join, saying that roughly a dozen countries had committed to contributing assets. BREAKING: Sir Keir Starmer has said reopening the Strait of Hormuz is a global necessity and responsibility.European leaders have been meeting in Paris to discuss the waterway which Iran has claimed is now "open" https://t.co/vCWan5mrYT Sky 501 pic.twitter.com/2G3vbmmoj4— Sky News (@SkyNews) April 17, 2026 Kaja Kallas, European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the European Commission, said leaders also discussed ensuring that Iran imposes no tolls on passage through the Strait. “Any pay-for-passage scheme will set a dangerous precedent for global maritime routes,” she stated on X. “Iran has to abandon any plan to levy transit fees. Europe will play its part in restoring the free flow of energy and trade, once a ceasefire takes hold.” Kallas added that the EU’s Aspides naval mission is already operating in the Red Sea “and can be quickly strengthened to protect shipping across the region. This could be the fastest way to provide support.” Yesterday, a spokesman for Aspides told us that there were no changes in its mission. Under international law, transit through waterways like the Strait of Hormuz must remain open and free of charge. This is what leaders made clear in their call on reopening the Strait today.Any pay-for-passage scheme will set a dangerous precedent for global maritime routes.… pic.twitter.com/Jeufv4hQou— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) April 17, 2026 Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com The post Iran Reopens Strait Of Hormuz, U.S. Blockade Continues appeared first on The War Zone.

[Category: News & Features, Around The Globe, Iran, Iran Nuclear Crisis, Middle East, Navies, Nuclear, Nuclear Proliferation, POTUS, Sea, U.S. Navy] [Link to media]

— Cheap Interceptor Drones Proven In Ukraine Protected U.S. Troops Against Iranian Shaheds

 

at 4/16/26 5:22pm

Key Takeaways Merops drones effectively counter Iranian Shahed attacks. The Merops interceptor drones, initially used in Ukraine, have been deployed to protect U.S. troops from Iranian Shahed-136 munitions. Cost-effective solution against expensive threats. Each Merops drone costs about $15,000, significantly less than the $30,000 to $50,000 Shaheds they intercept, offering a favorable cost ratio. Potential for further cost reduction with larger orders. Prices could drop to $3,000 to $5,000 per unit with increased production, making them even more economical. Streamlined acquisition process enabled rapid deployment. The Armys reorganization of its acquisition process allowed for quick deployment of Merops drones in conflict zones. Merops drones part of a layered defense strategy. While not as advanced as Patriot missiles, Merops drones can be deployed in large numbers for effective area coverage. Bottom line: Merops interceptor drones have proven to be a cost-effective and efficient defense against Iranian Shahed drones, protecting U.S. troops and equipment. Their success in Ukraine and streamlined acquisition process suggest a growing role for such low-cost solutions in future military strategies. The Army’s top official pointed to low-cost interceptor drones first sent to Ukraine as one defense against Iranian barrages of Shahed-136 one-way attack munitions. During Congressional testimony on Thursday, Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll lauded the Merops interceptor and the process to get it quickly into the hands of troops in the Middle East. The Merops is a small, relatively inexpensive drone built specifically to zip through the skies and intercept long-range one-way attack drones. As we have previously reported, Ukraine has been using several locally produced drones, as well as Merops, to counter Russian Shaheds successfully for some time now, proving-out the concept. “When the conflict kicked off, within about eight days, we were able to purchase…13,000 Merops, which are incredible,” Driscoll exclaimed. “Theyre about $15,000 a piece right now. We think as they scale, theyll get less than [$10,000] and were able to take Shaheds down that cost $30,000 to $50,000, which is amazing because that puts us on the right end of the cost curve, and we will make that trade all day long.” The U.S. has its own interceptors that have been in service for years, such as Raytheons Coyote, but they cost roughly 10 times more. In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Driscoll said that larger orders could drive that to $3,000 to $5,000 per interceptor. Given the success in Ukraine, it is likely that the Pentagon and other customers would see far less risk when it comes to ordering large numbers. As we noted in a story last month, the Pentagon sent thousands of these drone interceptors to the Middle East. Iranian strikes on U.S. military facilities killed U.S. troops and caused damage to bases and equipment. Driscoll did not offer more specifics about how often they were used, how many Shaheds they downed or exactly where they were deployed. Merops was “developed as part of the US-backed Project Eagle initiative, which includes contributions from Swift Beat, a company associated with former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, according to the Ukraine Defense Tech Community (DTC), a marketplace for modern weaponry. “The system is built around Surveyor drones, which act as airborne interceptors capable of destroying enemy UAVs mid-flight.” A U.S. Army soldier launches an AS3 Surveyor interceptor drone, part of the U.S. counter-drone system known as MEROPS, during a live-fire demonstration at the Deba training grounds in Subcarpathian Voivodeship, Poland, on November 18, 2025. (Photo by Artur Widak/Anadolu via Getty Images) Anadolu Each Merops unit “includes a command station, launch platforms, and a fleet of Surveyor drones,” DTC explained. “These interceptors can operate autonomously or be remotely piloted and are equipped with onboard sensors for target tracking.” While full technical specifications remain undisclosed, they can reportedly reach speeds of over 280 km/h (175 mph). “The platform is considered fast enough to intercept jet-powered drones such as the Russian Geran-3, which can exceed 300 km/h,” DTC pointed out. The interceptor can carry an explosive warhead and destroys targets either through a direct collision or a proximity detonation. A Polish soldier launches an interception drone of the American MEROPS counter drone system during tests at the Nowa Deba military training ground, south-eastern Poland, on November 18, 2025. (Photo by Wojtek RADWANSKI / AFP) WOJTEK RADWANSKI Driscoll said the ability to field Merops so quickly is because the Army streamlined its acquisition process. Fundamentally, one of the core problems was our own bureaucracy, our own infrastructure, our own decision-making organizations had decayed from any sort of speed and rationality, he testified. “The reason weve been able to move fast since the conflict in Iran started is because of work 10, 12, 14 months ago to reorganize our acquisitions department. And practically, he added, what that did is it took us from a 16-step decision-making process where each of the bodies along those 16 steps could veto it and start it back over, and it could take two to seven years to purchase something.” “We put everybody into a group who could make decisions on the fly,” the secretary noted. “And so a lot of the things the Army has worked on in the previous year are paying dividends as we try to make decisions quickly.” You can watch Driscolls testimony on Merops at the 36-minute mark of the video below. In Ukraine, Merops has proven to be a far cheaper alternative to munitions like Patriot interceptors and even far less advanced missiles for downing Shahed drones which have caused widespread destruction across that country. While these drones have neither the payload nor range of the far more expensive Patriot munitions, they can be deployed in great numbers giving them the ability to cover larger geographical areas. That helps keep the magazine depth of more sophisticated effectors from being quickly depleted and turns the disastrous exchange ratio between cost of target versus effector on its head. In many cases, these systems would still need to be part of a layered defense, especially when used as point defense at high value installations and infrastructure. Now that these weapons have helped save American lives and equipment, Merops success means we will likely be seeing more low-cost drone interceptors like it in the future. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com The post Cheap Interceptor Drones Proven In Ukraine Protected U.S. Troops Against Iranian Shaheds appeared first on The War Zone.

[Category: Land, Air, Armies, Counter-Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (C-UAS), Drones, News & Features, U.S. Army, Unmanned] [Link to media]

— U.S. Pursuing Iranian-Linked Ships All Over The World In Addition To Its Blockade (Updated)

 

at 4/16/26 4:55pm

The U.S. military is not limiting its efforts to interdict Iranian vessels to the Middle East. Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters today that this is a global campaign. Let me be clear, this blockade applies to all ships, regardless of nationality, heading into or from Iranian ports, he said. The U.S. action is a blockade of Irans ports and coastline, not a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Enforcement will occur inside Irans territorial seas and in international waters. In addition to this blockade, the joint force, through operations and activities in other areas of responsibility, like the Pacific Area of Responsibility, under the command of Admiral [Samuel] Paparo, will actively pursue any Iranian-flagged vessel or any vessel attempting to provide material support to Iran, he added. This includes Dark Fleet vessels carrying Iranian oil. As most of you know, Dark Fleet vessels are those illicit or illegal ships evading international regulations, sanctions or insurance requirements. In This Article UPDATES: Caine added that no Iranian ships have been boarded in the CENTCOM region so far, but he did not say if any have been interdicted outside the CENTCOM region. We have reached out to his office for more details. It should be noted that early in Epic Fury, a U.S. Navy submarine sunk an Iranian frigate in the Indian Ocean. .@thejointstaff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine: "Let me be clear: this blockade applies to ALL ships, regardless of nationality, heading into or from Iranian ports. The U.S. action is a blockade of Iran’s ports and coastline, not a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Enforcement will… pic.twitter.com/xGIclPQHmi— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 16, 2026 Caine was one of three top military leaders to brief reporters this morning on the currently paused Operation Epic Fury and the ongoing blockade. Here are some highlights from the press conference, which also included War Secretary Pete Hegseth, and CENTCOM commander, Adm. Brad Cooper. Caine explaining how the Navy is enforcing the blockade: This map is a pull from our common operating picture that we use to allow commanders and key leaders to see what is happening in near real time, we just grabbed screen grabs to highlight the actions and activities, Caine noted. What is not shown is how incredibly congested this area is and the incredible work that our sailors are doing to ensure that they can work in and around an incredibly busy water space. What is also not depicted here is the massive, massive force of fighters, intelligence aircraft, helicopters and other embarked forces, to include aerial refueling tankers that are up overhead this blockade area. Youll note that U.S. forces are in blue. Iranian ships are in red. WATCH: @thejointstaff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine details the U.S. blockade of Iran’s ports and coastline: pic.twitter.com/XlL1Pi9Vjo— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 16, 2026 Caine on how the Navy communicates with ships approaching the blockade: At each point, the United States Navy will transmit a warning. A young sailor, normally on the bridge of one of those destroyers a junior officer picks up that mic and transmits, and I quote, ‘do not attempt to breach the blockade. Vessels will be boarded for interdiction and seizure, transiting to or from Iranian ports, turn around or prepare to be boarded. If you do not comply with this blockade, we will use force,' the chairman explained. And as this message is being transmitted…those ship masters can literally see, sense and feel the pressure around them. Its a finely tuned machine rehearsed multiple times and executed now 13 times since the blockade has begun, he posited. Caine on the capabilities of U.S. Navy warships: When we talk about an American destroyer, its important that you and the American people understand their capabilities. And Arleigh Burke class destroyers are the backbone of the United States Navy surface fleet, Caine proffered. Over 500 feet long, they displace 9,000 tons, and it is the sports car of the United States Navy. From the keel to the mast, they stand nearly 10 stories tall, and their four gas turbine engines can drive the ship at 30 plus knots. These ships are armed to the teeth with surface-to-air missiles, land attack cruise missiles, anti ship missiles, anti submarine rockets, torpedoes, five-inch naval guns, multiple electronic warfare systems, embarked helicopters extending the reach and capability of each and every one of these destroyers. But far and away, the most important weapon on board these ships is the American sailor. BREAKING: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine outlines the DEADLY capabilities of American warships:"These ships are armed to the teeth with surface to air missiles, land attack cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles, anti-submarine rockets, torpedoes, five inch naval… pic.twitter.com/gBTcnnMEqF— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 16, 2026 Caine on operating a blockade in highly congested waters: On that bridge, our sailors maintain a constant watch, maneuvering the ship tactically and safely through always congested water space, and there is a lot out there, the general pointed out. It is like driving a sports car through a supermarket parking lot on a payday weekend with thousands of kids in that parking lot as you attempt to maneuver through there to get to that ship that would attempt to run that blockade. NOW: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine reveals what its like for American warships enforcing the Middle East naval blockade:"It is like driving a sports car through a supermarket parking lot on a payday weekend with thousands of kids in that parking lot, as you… pic.twitter.com/Xfh7ngNQBZ— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 16, 2026 Cooper on working with allies during Epic Fury: I assess that our military partnerships are stronger than ever as we continue to maintain a very active defense posture across the region during this ceasefire, and that posture stretches across the entire Arabian Peninsula, and it runs from Northern Iraq all the way down into the northern Arabian Gulf, according to the admiral. In creating the largest air defense umbrella in the world, across the Middle East, we invited specially trained U.S. military air defenders alongside our partner nation soldiers side by side, literally side by side. And to give you a sense of their contribution and impact, he highlighted, the king and crown prince of Bahrain both personally knew our soldiers by name. CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper:Bahrain, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan have been exceptional teammates. I had a chance to meet with both their senior leadership as well as their troops—both equally inspiring and equally committed to mutual defense.They defended… pic.twitter.com/rQLhcv2VQx— Clash Report (@clashreport) April 16, 2026 Hegseth on being prepared to resume fighting if needed: We can make that transition again very quickly and even more powerfully than ever at the direction of President Trump, the secretary stated. The War Department will ensure that Iran never has a nuclear weapon, never. We prefer to do it the nice way, through a deal led by our great Vice President and negotiating team, or we can do it the hard way. We urge this new regime to choose wisely. Hegseth on Iranian command and control: Their command and control capabilities are highly degraded, Hegseth noted. So their ability to talk, see and sense is the worst its ever been. But their motivation to want to stay in the ceasefire is very high, because they understand that a violation of that ceasefire means a commencement once again, of Admiral Coopers forces, which went very poorly for them.  .@SECWAR “If Iran chooses poorly, then they will face a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure, power, and energy.” pic.twitter.com/5Pz33j881S— DOW Rapid Response (@DOWResponse) April 16, 2026 Hegseth on the Houthis: As far as the Houthis, thus far, they have stayed out of it, which, of course, we think is a good decision by them, Hegseth said. And I think it is a reflection of the fact that over a year ago, in Operation Rough Rider, we had an ongoing and intense campaign that demonstrated American capabilities, which has them hesitating to want to do something on that Strait, which I think would be a poor choice. It is worth noting that USNI reported that the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush, which is heading to the Middle East, did not transit the Strait of Gibraltar, but is instead “operating off the coast of Namibia The path around Africa allows the carrier and its escorts to avoid transiting the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb, which were both hubs of activity for the Houthis in their drone and missile attacks on U.S. and commercial shipping in 2024 and 2025.” Hegseth on claims China is helping to arm Iran: President Trump has a very strong and direct relationship with President Xi, and theyve communicated on that, and China has assured us that that indeed is not going to happen, Hegseth avowed. Hegseth on reports that China is preparing to send arms to Iran:China has assured us that that indeed is not going to happen. pic.twitter.com/O1JHM1i90c— Clash Report (@clashreport) April 16, 2026 Hegseth on the health of Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei: He is believed to be alive, wounded and disfigured, Hegseth explained. His status remains the same. According to U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, the current assessment on the health of Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei remains the same, alive, wounded and disfigured. pic.twitter.com/XCuwrz3vZE— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) April 16, 2026 UPDATES: Our coverage for the day has concluded. UPDATE: 6:19 PM EDT The ceasefire in Lebanon earned praise from the U.N. Secretary General and Saudi officials. “I welcome the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel & Lebanon, and commend the role of the U.S. in facilitating it,” Antonio Guterres said on X. “I hope this will pave the way for negotiations towards a long-term solution to the conflict & contribute to ongoing efforts toward a lasting & comprehensive peace in the region. I urge everyone to fully respect the ceasefire and to comply with international law at all times.” I welcome the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel & Lebanon, and commend the role of the US in facilitating it.I hope this will pave the way for negotiations towards a long-term solution to the conflict & contribute to ongoing efforts toward a lasting & comprehensive…— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) April 16, 2026 The Saudi Foreign Ministry expresses the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s welcome of the announcement by President Donald Trump of the United States of America, regarding the ceasefire in the Republic of Lebanon, it stated on X. The Kingdom commends the significant and positive roles played by the President of the Republic of Lebanon General Joseph Aoun, the Lebanese Government, headed by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and the Speaker of Parliament, Nabih Berri. #Statement | The Foreign Ministry expresses the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s welcome of the announcement by President Donald Trump of the United States of America, regarding the ceasefire in the Republic of Lebanon. The Kingdom commends the significant and positive roles played by… pic.twitter.com/wCxeu5Hi18— Foreign Ministry (@KSAmofaEN) April 16, 2026 UPDATE: 6:09 PM EDT Trump took to Truth Social to blast Italy, saying: “Italy wasnt there for us, we won’t be there for them!” He included a link to a Guardian story from March about how “Italy has denied the use of an airbase in Sicily to U.S. military planes carrying weapons for the war in Iran after the U.S. did not follow the required authorization procedure.” Trump this afternoon: Italy wasn’t there for us, we won’t be there for them! pic.twitter.com/z2iXzq4rC0— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) April 16, 2026 UPDATE: 5:59 PM EDT Pre-war planning meant Iran’s military “was able to mitigate the impact of U.S.-Israeli strikes on its weapons arsenal and leadership,” Bloomberg reported, citing Western military intelligence assessments — which also say the Islamic Republic retains the ability to respond if the ceasefire fails. Despite the widespread damage and killings of leadership during the hostilities, operational planning undertaken in anticipation of the conflict was effective in preventing the destruction of its missile and drone capabilities as well as maximizing the impact of its military response, people familiar with the assessments told the news outlet. Exclusive: Iran Has Limited the Impact of US Strikes, Intelligence SaysPre-war planning meant Iran’s military was able to mitigate the impact of US-Israeli strikes on its weapons arsenal and leadership, according to Western military intelligence assessments — which also say it…— Alex Wickham (@alexwickham) April 16, 2026 UPDATE: 5:54 PM EDT People in the Lebanese capital of Beirut celebrated by firing flares as the 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah went into effect. BREAKING: Flares shoot in the sky in Beirut, as a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon announced by Donald Trump has now come into effect.https://t.co/Pf2t91cvuc Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233, and YouTube pic.twitter.com/OyIWjfiqv2— Sky News (@SkyNews) April 16, 2026 UPDATE: 5:48 PM EDT Netanyahu says he rejected Hezbollahs demands for an Israeli withdrawal from all Lebanese territory, and for a ceasefire in the form of quiet will beget quiet. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu says he rejected Hezbollahs demands for an Israeli withdrawal from all Lebanese territory, and for a ceasefire in the form of "quiet will beget quiet."In other words, the new ceasefire in Lebanon will be based on the same model as the November… pic.twitter.com/Yn50TCtwSa— Ariel Oseran أريئل أوسيران (@ariel_oseran) April 16, 2026 UPDATE 5:42 PM EDT CENTCOM released a video of a sailor aboard the Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy communicating with a merchant vessel during a diversion in the ongoing blockade. Audioof a Sailor aboard USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112), with video from the guided-missile destroyer’s embarked helicopter flying over the Gulf of Oman, as the U.S. Navy diverts a merchant vessel while enforcing the blockade on ships entering or departing Iranian ports. U.S.… pic.twitter.com/10QxlEoGkk— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 16, 2026 UPDATE 5:20 PM EDT Trump on Thursday claimed that Iran has agreed to give up its nuclear ambitions. He made that statement during comments to the press outside the White House on Thursday. “We had to make sure that Iran never gets a nuclear weapon. Theyve totally agreed to that. Theyve agreed to almost everything,” he claimed, despite no deal being reached during Saturday’s U.S.-Iran talks in Pakistan, The Jerusalem Post noted.  In addition, Trump asserted that Iran is willing to do things today “that they werent willing to do two months ago,” before the U.S. and Israel launched Operation Epic Fury against Iran. When asked if it would be acceptable for Iran to agree to a 20-year halt for enriching uranium, Trump said he had received “a very powerful statement” that Iran will not have nuclear weapons for “beyond 20 years.”  It is unclear how Iran has responded. .@POTUS on whether a 20-year minimum for Iran to stop enriching uranium is acceptable:"We have a statement, a very powerful statement, that they will not have — beyond 20 years — that they will NOT have nuclear weapons. Theres no 20-year limit." pic.twitter.com/saqa3DjfYl— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 16, 2026 An image emerged on social media purporting to show what appears to be an anti-drone cage atop a U.S. radar system in Baghdad. Last month, a radar and a Black Hawk helicopter in the Iraqi capital were damaged during a first-person view (FPV) drone attack by an Iranian proxy militia group. As we have been reporting for years, these so-called cope cages emerged in the battlefields of Ukraine and have become ubiquitous in conflicts around the globe. The radar on top of the US embassy in Baghdad has reportedly been equipped with an anti-drone cage. pic.twitter.com/ALqqhmxi3A— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) April 16, 2026 Reports are emerging of intense and sustained activity by the IRGC to restore access to Iranian underground missile sites.  “Throughout the early morning (04:15 AM – 06:00 AM local time today), a total of approximately 30 explosions were recorded as crews worked persistently to clear or unseal the blocked tunnel entrances,” according mamlekate, a network of independent journalists covering Iran.  As we have noted, these sites have been targeted multiple times since February 28, the first day of the war. Reports from Bushehr, Jam, indicate intense and sustained activity by the IRGC to restore access to the underground missile sites. Throughout the early morning (04:15 AM – 06:00 AM local time today), a total of approximately 30 explosions were recorded as crews worked… https://t.co/3t3HIbM5as— مملکته (@mamlekate) April 16, 2026 During his press conference, Hegseth noted that the U.S. is closely monitoring Iranian efforts to dig out these facilities and said they would be unsuccessful. “While you are digging out, which is exactly what youre doing, digging out of bombed-out and devastated facilities,” he posited. “We are only getting stronger. You are digging out your remaining launchers and missiles with no ability to replace them. SOW Hegseth: “While you are digging out, which is exactly what youre doing, digging out of bombed-out and devastated facilities. We are only getting stronger. You are digging out your remaining launchers and missiles with no ability to replace them." pic.twitter.com/Xdkco9qo5F— Raylan Givens (@JewishWarrior13) April 16, 2026 As we noted yesterday, CNN reported that Iran appears to be using the time to reopen entrances to underground missile cities damaged during the war. The network published footage showing engineering equipment at the Tabriz South missile base and the Khomein missile base.  The network also noted that, according to U.S. intelligence estimates, about half of the Iranian missile launchers remained intact after a month of fighting, and that many of these launchers could have been buried in underground storage facilities as a result of strikes on the entrances. CNN published footage showing engineering equipment making use of the ceasefire to reopen the entrances to underground facilities at missile bases that were damaged during the war.The sites documented include the Tabriz South missile base and the Khomein missile base.Notably,… pic.twitter.com/B88HISqVYD— Ben Tzion Macales (@BenTzionMacales) April 15, 2026 U.S. and Iranian negotiators have scaled back ambitions for a comprehensive peace deal and are instead seeking a temporary memorandum to prevent a return ​to conflict, two Iranian sources told Reuters. “A senior Iranian official said the two sides had started to narrow some gaps, including over how to manage the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for about 20% of the worlds oil and gas needs that has ​been closed to most ships for weeks,” the news outlet reported. Iran, which has faced crippling U.S. sanctions for years, “wants a memorandum to include Washington unfreezing some Iranian funds, ​in return for allowing more ships through the strait,” Reuters added. However, no dates for a return to talks has yet been set. Iran-US talks turn to interim deal amid rifts over nuclear work, Iranian sources say https://t.co/5FFWLrlzJa https://t.co/5FFWLrlzJa— Reuters (@Reuters) April 16, 2026 The commander-in-chief of the Iranian Army boasted about how his country still has a functional Air Force, as demonstrated yesterday during the escort over its airspace by a visiting Pakistani delegation. “They say the Iranian Air Force is gone. Yesterday we had a guest (Commander of the Pakistan Army),” proclaimed Gen. Amir Hatami. “As soon as he entered our airspace, we announced that your (Pakistans) planes werent needed. We escorted our guest with twice the number of planes they wanted to bring for escort. – Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Army: "They say the Iranian Air Force is gone.Yesterday we had a guest (Commander of the Pakistan Army). As soon as he entered our airspace, we announced that your (Pakistans) planes werent needed.We escorted our guest with twice… pic.twitter.com/fc79L019xG— MonitorX (@MonitorX99800) April 16, 2026 Hatamis comments came a day after images emerged on social media purporting to show an IRIAF F-4E and Mig-29A flying over Tehran escorting the Pakistani delegation that arrived today to discuss potential future peace talks. IRIAF F-4E and Mig-29A reportedly over Tehran escorting Pakistani CDF airplane today.Both seem unarmed. pic.twitter.com/MaaBVxvwVS— Mehdi H. (@mhmiranusa) April 15, 2026 Despite the ongoing efforts to end the fighting, the U.S. is continuing to flow assets to the region, with transport planes regularly landing in the Middle East from the U.S. What is a "good faith deal?" U.S. officials say this includes the Iranians understanding they cant obtain a nuclear weapon, cant enrich uranium, and must remove already enriched uranium from their country. pic.twitter.com/86XPn0L0cW— Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) April 16, 2026 Trump said Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a ceasefire. “I just had excellent conversations with the Highly Respected President Joseph Aoun, of Lebanon, and Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel,” the president stated on his Truth Social site. “These two Leaders have agreed that in order to achieve PEACE between their Countries, they will formally begin a 10 Day CEASEFIRE at 5 P.M. EST.” However, the statement doesn’t mention Hezbollah, which is fighting Israel, so it is unclear what effect this will have. Trump added that he is “inviting the Prime Minister of Israel, Bibi Netanyahu, and the President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun, to the White House for the first meaningful talks between Israel and Lebanon since 1983, a very long time ago.” pic.twitter.com/VlpNFwHqko— Department of State (@StateDept) April 16, 2026 Prior to Trumps social media post, Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf told his Lebanese counterpart Nabih Berri that Tehran is pushing for a permanent ceasefire “in all conflict zones” and that a ceasefire in Lebanon is “just as important” as in Iran, according to a statement on Telegram. BREAKING: Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf tells Lebanese counterpart Nabih Berri that Tehran is pushing for a permanent ceasefire “in all conflict zones” and that a ceasefire in Lebanon is “just as important” as in Iran, according to a statement on Telegram. pic.twitter.com/dLis1PD2xE— Al Jazeera Breaking News (@AJENews) April 16, 2026 Despite Ghalibafs comments, Lebanon’s president will not speak to Israel’s prime ​minister in the near future as anticipated, Lebanese officials said on Thursday, according to Reuters. The move dealt a blow to U.S. efforts to expand contacts between the enemy states as Pakistan said peace in Lebanon ‌was vital to ending the Iran war. Beirut rules out talks with Netanyahu for now, as Pakistan says Lebanon peace vital https://t.co/rcjz88ykLj— Parisa Hafezi (@PHREUTERS) April 16, 2026 The IDF is setting up more outposts in southern Lebanon, Haaretz reported. Soldiers serving in Lebanon told the newspaper that the army is “operating in Lebanon using methods similar to those used in the Gaza Strip and that these new outposts are likely to become focal points for friction and ongoing fighting against Hezbollah.” IDF Setting Up More Outposts in Southern Lebanon:"Were behaving just like we did in Gaza," one army source said. "Theres a list of homes to be demolished, and we measure success based on the number of buildings destroyed in a day.” https://t.co/AVKD6jzmXK— Mona Fawaz (@mona_fawaz) April 16, 2026 Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar sent a letter to Hegseth concerning the operations of Airbus Space “due to its role in likely providing satellite imagery of U.S. military assets to MizarVision, a Chinese entity, days before the commencement of Operation Epic Fury,” according a committee press release. While commercial satellite imagery may serve public interest purposes in some cases, unconstrained imagery provision exposing U.S. forces to heightened risk crosses a dangerous threshold, Moolenaar wrote. Near-real-time publication of precise, annotated imagery identifying the exact type, number, and location of specific high-value military assets at an active forward operating base—while those assets are actively engaged in combat operations—is targeting data for enemy forces. As we noted yesterday, VANTOR and Planet Labs, two U.S. satellite firms, have already complied with the Pentagon and have curtailed providing imagery over the Middle East. A Chinese firm, MizarVision, posted detailed satellite imagery of U.S. forces in the Middle East while not disclosing its data sources.@ChinaSelect analysis found @AirbusSpace satellites had multiple daily windows, up to 10 hours, where they could have captured imagery of U.S.… pic.twitter.com/HywjpstNUb— Select Committee on China (@ChinaSelect) April 16, 2026 China and the U.S. are maintaining communication on U.S. President Donald Trumps visit to China, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Thursday.  Guos statement came in response to a question regarding remarks by President Trump in an interview aired Wednesday on Fox News, in which he said factors including Iran would not change the dynamic of his meeting with the Chinese leader. #Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Thursday that China and the #US are maintaining communication on US President Donald #Trump’s visit to China. Guo’s statement came in response to a question regarding remarks by President Trump in an interview aired… pic.twitter.com/S80Mu6XCEH— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) April 16, 2026 U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) clarified its efforts to interdict ships providing support to Iran. All Iranian vessels, those with active Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) sanctions, and ships suspected of carrying contraband are subject to boarding and seizure. The contraband items include weapons, ammunition, fissile materials, equipment for nuclear enrichment, metals, oil and lubricants among others. UKMTO ADVISORY 035-26 UPDATE 001Click here to view the full Advisoryhttps://t.co/N9FtUri5bH#MaritimeSecurity #Marsec pic.twitter.com/9ikjpEFUg3— UKMTO Operations Centre (@UK_MTO) April 16, 2026 The ongoing reduction of oil exports from the Middle East as a result of the war is having dire economic impacts around the globe. On Thursday, International Energy Agency Chief Fatih Birol stated that Europe has “maybe six weeks of jet fuel left,” and warned of possible flight cancellations, according to Sky News.  BREAKING: International Energy Agency Chief Fatih Birol says Europe has maybe six weeks of jet fuel left and warns of possible flight cancellations https://t.co/50LKUEGsnS Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/oiB5DX0qR5— Sky News (@SkyNews) April 16, 2026 Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com The post U.S. Pursuing Iranian-Linked Ships All Over The World In Addition To Its Blockade (Updated) appeared first on The War Zone.

[Category: News & Features, Around The Globe, Iran, Middle East, Navies, POTUS, Sea, U.S. Navy] [Link to media]

— Super-Adaptable Mayhem 10 Swarming Drone Evolved From The Switchblade

 

at 4/16/26 3:15pm

Key Takeaways Mayhem 10 is a versatile evolution of Switchblade. AeroVironments new drone system offers modular payloads for diverse missions, enhancing adaptability in combat scenarios. Rapid deployment and reconfiguration capabilities. Mayhem 10 can be assembled and launched in under five minutes, with a range of 62 miles and 50 minutes of flight time. Designed for collaborative swarm operations. The AV_Halo Command architecture enables Mayhem 10 to operate in swarms, enhancing coverage and coordinated effects. Advanced autonomy and resilience features. AI-driven processors and secure communication systems ensure functionality in contested environments. Production readiness and scalability. AeroVironment is prepared to produce up to 2,000 units annually, targeting the U.S. Armys LE-SR program. Bottom line: AeroVironments Mayhem 10 drone system advances the Switchblade lineage with modularity, rapid deployment, and swarm capabilities, positioning it as a versatile option for the U.S. Army and other customers in an increasingly crowded marketplace. AeroVironment has unveiled a new entrant in the rapidly evolving launched effects space, introducing the Mayhem 10 system as a further evolution of its combat-proven Switchblade family. While pitching Mayhem 10 toward U.S. Army requirements, the manufacturer anticipates considerable demand and has already started to develop a production line that will be able to push out as many as 2,000 examples of the vehicle annually. The price of a Mayhem 10 has not been disclosed. Revealed yesterday at the Army Aviation Association of America’s Army Aviation Warfighting Summit in Nashville, Tennessee, the Mayhem 10 is intended to equip air, ground, and maritime platforms and to be capable of being rapidly deployed and reconfigured in the field. At its core, Mayhem 10 is an autonomous launched effects system with a heavy focus on modularity. Its payload architecture allows operators to swap between lethal and non-lethal configurations depending on mission needs. That includes intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), electronic warfare, communications relay, deception/decoy, and precision strike roles. As such, commanders can rely on a single platform that can pivot as conditions evolve. According to company leadership, the focus is on compressing the sensor-to-shooter timeline while reducing risk to personnel and high-value assets. “Mayhem 10 sets a new standard for operational versatility and survivability on the modern battlefield,” said Wahid Nawabi, AeroVironment’s chairman, president, and CEO, emphasizing its ability to operate effectively even in heavily contested environments. A head-on view of the Mayhem 10 at the Army Aviation Association of America’s Army Aviation Warfighting Summit in Nashville, Tennessee. Jamie Hunter The system draws heavily on the lineage of AeroVironment’s Switchblade family, but is intended to push beyond traditional loitering munitions in terms of scale and flexibility. The Mayhem 10 name reflects the fact that it can carry a payload of up to 10 pounds. It has a range of roughly 62 miles and can remain airborne for up to 50 minutes. Notably, it is designed for rapid deployment, with assembly and launch said to be achievable in under five minutes. Speaking to TWZ at the summit, Austin Johnson, AeroVironment’s business development director for U.S. Army programs, stressed that, while Mayhem is an evolution of Switchblade, “it’s not a Switchblade.” A video showing the Switchblade 600 loitering munition being used in combat in Ukraine: “Mayhem is not just leave-the-tube, find-the-armor, kill-the-armor, kill-the-enemy. Mayhem is any mission, anywhere, anytime. So right now, we launch out of a Common Launch Tube. We can air and ground launch,” Johnson added. A Common Launch Tube. Systima Physically, the system incorporates a removable forward section — seen in the video embedded below — to speed up integration of new payloads. More than eight different payloads have been integrated so far, Johnson said. Its launcher is self-contained and adaptable, so it can be used by dismounted troops as well as from vehicles, aircraft, and other mobile platforms. In terms of aircraft, the same promotional video shows the Mayhem 10 being launched from tubes carried on the stub wings of an H-60 Black Hawk series helicopter. One System. Multiple Effects.Discover how Mayhem 10 redefines multi-mission capability and domain flexibility → https://t.co/bKK7oi0zur pic.twitter.com/dhWIXEUVIJ— AV (@aerovironment) April 15, 2026 Another difference with Switchblade is Mayhem 10’s use of rocket-assisted takeoff, rather than using a gas generator. This reflects the Army’s pivot toward rocket-assisted launch, the company told us. Kevin Williams, the chief engineer for Mayhem, told TWZ another way in which Mayhem 10 differs from Switchblade. “Mayhem 10 is highly optimized; this is purpose-built for the launched effects mission, as opposed to a Switchblade, which is very much purpose-built for a singular anti-tank, anti-armor mission,” Williams explained. “Modularity is at its very core.” A rendering of the launch of a Mayhem 10 from a tracked uncrewed ground vehicle. AeroVironment Thanks to its modular open systems approach (MOSA), Mayhem 10 can receive upgrades and have third-party payloads integrated without major redesign. “The modularity is really the main point here,” Johnson said. “We held a payload conference about a year and a half ago. We brought multiple vendors in, from across the spectrum, with different payloads. We shared our ICD, our interface control document, and then they came back. We wanted to make this as open architecture as we could for the Army, and it shares a lot of that same open architecture design that we’ve already incorporated with our P550,” — AeroVironment’s autonomous Group 2 eVTOL uncrewed air system, which is already in service. A video showing the AeroVironment P550 UAS: Among the payload options, Johnson brought attention to one that “effectively can act as a HARM missile, meaning that we can identify, detect, and kill an emitter.” Williams described one real-life scenario in which the company ran a hackathon to prove the payload modularity. The result was payload designers getting access to the interface control model, which can even be done via QR code, to get a full understanding of electrical, mechanical, and data interfaces. In at least one instance, the resulting payload was then physically integrated within 90 minutes of the supplier showing up at the AeroVironment facility. Meanwhile, operators interface with the system through AeroVironment’s Tomahawk Grip and the AV_Halo Command environment, which are optimized for networked and distributed operations. The AeroVironment Tomahawk Grip TA5. The Grip TA5 is an eight-inch tactical controller designed to combine situational awareness and precision strike capabilities. AeroVironment Perhaps most significantly, the AV_Halo Command architecture allows Mayhem 10 to operate in collaborative swarms. By networking multiple systems together, units can expand coverage, saturate defenses, and execute coordinated effects across a wide area. Brian Young, the company’s senior vice president for loitering munitions, framed this as a shift in how combat power is generated, scaling effects without concentrating forces or increasing platform risk. The @USArmy @usarmyrccto has selected Kinesis – part of our AV_Halo Command open, modular software ecosystem – as the lead command and control software for the Human-Machine Integrated Formations (HMIF) program. Kinesis will give warfighters a unified interface to field and… pic.twitter.com/04wxsGlPHJ— AV (@aerovironment) October 20, 2025 “We can complete multiple missions in one swarm,” Johnson continued. “They can communicate with each other and complete it. They can jam the enemy with EW payloads. We have multiple kinetic payloads, so we can run a full mission profile with multiple Mayhems.” On the autonomy side, Mayhem 10 leverages an AI-driven processor, which the manufacturer says ensures operations in denied or degraded environments. It is designed to have resilience against jamming, spoofing, and loss of traditional navigation signals. Secure positioning and communications are enabled through M-Code GPS and a Silvus datalink, while a MANET-based mesh network provides command-and-control connectivity at ranges of roughly 16-25 miles. A pair of Mayhem 10 vehicles in a promotional image from the manufacturer. AeroVironment At this point, AeroVironment has conducted over 50 internally funded flight tests with Mayhem 10. These have included live ordnance, EW, and Link relay flight tests, with various payloads. “We’re approaching TRL 8 [Technology Readiness Level 8, meaning it has been tested and flight qualified] with this system this summer and entering low-rate initial production later this year,” Williams explained. Considering that the Army is yet to place a contract, that might seem like jumping the gun, but AeroVironment says they wanted to go fast, to have a reliable product ready for when the service started to look to buy them. “We’re entering the competitions,” Williams said. We wanted to go fast, reliably, though. We didn’t want to come in and have a lesser product. We’re delivering a weapon system, not an experimental system.” Currently, the company is mainly using Mayhem 10 to target the U.S. Army’s Launched Effects-Short Range (LE-SR) program, but stresses that this is part of a new family of products, so additional variants will likely appear in the future. The Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Project Office is running the Army’s Launched Effects-Short Range (LE-SR) program. Photo Credit: David Hylton Should the Army choose Mayhem 10, the company has already made preparations to ramp up production. While low-rate initial production is being handled at a production line in Simi Valley, California, the company is establishing a new manufacturing facility in Salt Lake City, Utah. This will have the capacity to scale production up to between 1,000 and 2,000 units annually. Taken together, Mayhem 10 reflects a clear trajectory in modern warfare: smaller, smarter, and more networked systems that can be fielded quickly, easily adapted, and employed in large numbers to overwhelm an adversary. At the same time, it is entering the market that is fast becoming saturated with similar products, and there will be no shortage of rivals for future Army orders. Jamie Hunter contributed to this story. Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com The post Super-Adaptable Mayhem 10 Swarming Drone Evolved From The Switchblade appeared first on The War Zone.

[Category: News & Features, Air, Drones, Loitering Munitions, Unmanned] [Link to media]

— Army Eyes Drone Tankers To Refuel Its New MV-75 Cheyenne II Tiltrotors

 

at 4/16/26 12:48pm

Key Takeaways Army considers drone tankers for MV-75A refueling. The U.S. Army is exploring the use of drone tankers like the MQ-25 Stingray to refuel its new MV-75A Cheyenne II tiltrotors mid-flight. MV-75A to replace Black Hawk helicopters. The Army plans to replace a significant portion of its H-60 Black Hawk fleet with the MV-75A, enhancing range and speed capabilities. 160th SOAR to receive refueling-capable MV-75s. The elite Night Stalkers regiment will get a special operations version of the MV-75 with in-flight refueling capabilities. MQ-25 could operate from land bases. Although designed for carriers, the MQ-25s long endurance makes it suitable for land-based operations, potentially aiding Army refueling needs. Army lacks organic tanker capacity. The Army currently has no in-house tanker capability, making drone tankers a viable solution for its expeditionary operations. Bottom line: The U.S. Army is exploring the integration of drone tankers like the MQ-25 Stingray to refuel its new MV-75A Cheyenne II tiltrotors, aiming to enhance operational range and flexibility. This move could address the Armys lack of organic tanker capacity and support its future air assault strategies. The U.S. Army is considering configuring at least a portion of its new MV-75A Cheyenne II tiltrotors to be able to refuel in flight using the probe-and-drogue method. This, in turn, has raised the question of how the service will ensure there is adequate tanker capacity to support that capability. Army officials and the MV-75As prime contractor, Bell, have both now pointed to a future where tanker drones like the U.S. Navys forthcoming MQ-25 Stingray could help extend the Cheyenne IIs reach. Army Maj. Gen. Clair Gill discussed aerial refueling capability for the MV-75A, as well as other aspects of the Cheyenne II, during a talk yesterday at the Army Aviation Association of America’s (AAAA) 2026 Warfighting Summit, at which TWZ is in attendance. Gill is currently the services Program Acquisition Executive for Maneuver Air. The Army plans to replace a substantial portion of its H-60 Black Hawk helicopters with the MV-75A in the coming years. A rendering of a pair of MV-75As without in-flight refueling capability. Bell Our last chief used to talk to me all the time about aerial refueling. We think thats something. Maybe we dont get all of them [the MV-75As] configured for that, but theyll have the capability, the Armys top aviation acquisition officer added. For industry, I want you to think about how are we going to refuel ourselves, right? One of the challenges, even the Regiment will tell you, and make it top priority – their challenge isnt you know how good they are on par, their challenge is getting somebody to give them the gas. The Regiment that Gill refers to here is the Armys elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), also commonly known as the Night Stalkers. The 160th is expecting to eventually receive a special operations-specific configuration of the MV-75, which will include in-flight refueling capability by default, as you can read more about here. Existing Night Stalker MH-60M Black Hawk and MH-47G Chinook special operations helicopters also have the ability to refuel in flight via probe-and-drogue. However, Army Black Hawks and Chinooks assigned to conventional units do not have this capability. A rendering of a special operations configured MV-75 that the Army showed at this weeks AAAA conference. Jamie Hunter The Navys got some pretty good unmanned ideas there if you want to kind of follow where were going, Gill noted yesterday. Gill did not specifically name Boeings MQ-25, but this is the only uncrewed tanker the Navy is currently pursuing, at least that we know about. Furthermore, Bell released a new computer-generated MV-75 promotional video yesterday around the AAAA conference, seen below, wherein a Cheyenne II is clearly depicted linking up with a Stingray, or an extremely similar-looking variant or derivative thereof. A screen capture from the video above showing an in-flight refueling-capable MV-75A linking up with an MQ-25, or a variant or derivative thereof. Bell capture The MQ-25 is in development now primarily as a carrier-based platform, but there is no reason why it could not also operate from bases on land. Boeing has itself previously presented a concept for an enlarged, land-based derivative of the design that could help meet future U.S. Air Force tanking needs. A rendering of an enlarged, land-based derivative of the MQ-25 refueling from a KC-46 Pegasus tanker. MQ-28 Ghost Bat drones are also shown flying alongside. Boeing The MQ-25 by itself promised to offer very long endurance and extreme range, which could make it attractive in the land-based role, as well as when operating from carriers. TWZ has previously explored how those capabilities open the door to the Stingray being utilized as much more than a tanker, as well. A demonstrator drone, known as the T1, used in the development of the MQ-25 refuels an F-35C Joint Strike Fighter during a test. USN Currently, the U.S. Air Force provides probe-and-drogue aerial refueling capacity using KC-135 and KC-46 tankers, as well as HC-130J Combat King II combat search and rescue aircraft and MC-130J Commando II special operations tanker/transports. The U.S. Marine Corps and Navy also have C-130 variants that can be employed as tankers, as well as transports. Navy carrier air wings currently rely on F/A-18F Super Hornet fighters carrying buddy refueling stores and drop tanks to provide organic aerial refueling support. A US Marine Corps KC-130J tanker/transport prefers to refuel an MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor. USMC Shortfalls in aerial refueling capacity, even to meet peacetime demands, have been an increasingly concerning issue for years now. The Air Force just recently developed a system that allows A-10 Warthog attack jets to refuel via probe-and-drogue to create new operational flexibility for those aircraft, as you can read more about here. The A-10 was originally designed to refuel in flight using the boom method, which the Air Force prefers for fixed-wing aircraft. On top of all this, the Army has no organic tanker capacity at present, at all. Furthermore, the formal division of roles and missions with the Air Force means that the service does not operate fleets of larger fixed-wing aircraft like the C-130 that could be readily adapted to this role. All of this would point to an uncrewed platform like MQ-25 as the most viable path to establishing an Army tanker force, which could also align better with its expeditionary air assault concepts of operations. Army MV-75As could still make use of other tankers during joint operations, as well. There could be other organic air refueling options available to the service, too, including the possibility of adapting MV-75 itself to act as a buddy tanker. The Army is separately advancing plans to acquire fleets of uncrewed aircraft capable of performing a variety of missions in close collaboration with the MV-75A and its existing fleets of crewed helicopters. For the Army, demands for greater range and ability that cover those distances faster were key factors in the decision to acquire the MV-75A in the first place. The service sees these capabilities as particularly critical in the context of any future fight against China across the sprawling expanses of the Pacific. MV-75, as I mentioned, thats our signature system, Gen. Gill said yesterday. Unmatched range, unmatched speed, unmatched mission flexibility. Another rendering of a pair of MV-75A Cheyenne IIs. Bell During a separate talk at the AAAA conference yesterday, Army Maj. Gen. David Gardner, head of the 101st Airborne Division, the services premier air assault formation, also highlighted a recent training exercise that included Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey tiltrotors. He said that was done specifically to help our Division understand the operational reach that it will possess with the MV-75 Cheyenne. Units within the 101st are set to be the first to receive operational MV-75As, with or without aerial refueling capability. The Army had previously said that fielding would begin next year as part of a major acceleration of the program. However, it has now stepped back from any fixed timeline for the first flight of the Cheyenne, let alone when Bell will begin delivering production examples. “It’s going to happen when it’s going to happen. So we are moving as fast as we can,” Gen. Gill told TWZ and other outlets ahead of the AAAA conference this week. “If I was king, and I had all the money in the world and all the engineers, and there were no limits, we probably would be able to do it in a matter of months.” As an aside, integrating aerial refueling capability onto the MV-75A, and working to pair it with tanker drones like MQ-25, could make the Cheyenne II, or variants thereof, attractive to other potential operators. The Marine Corps is now early in the process of refining requirements for a successor to the MV-22. The Navy has also said it is leveraging work the Army has done on the MV-75A to inform its plans for a Future Vertical Lift-Maritime Strike (FVL-MS) family of systems to succeed its MH-60R and MH-60S Seahawks, as well as the MQ-8C Fire Scout drone helicopter. Bell has presented concepts for variations of its V-280 Valor tiltrotor, on which the MV-75A is based, optimized for supporting amphibious assault and other naval missions in the past. A rendering of Bell previously released showing a navalized V-280 variant. A V-247 Vigilant tiltrotor drone is also seen in the background. Bell As it stands now, the Army does not appear to have made a final decision on the extent to which it expects to integrate in-flight refueling capability in its future MV-75A fleet. That will have a direct impact on any pursuit of an organic tanker capability. Still, the Army and Bell are already pointing to the MQ-25 as an example of what could be on the horizon to help further extend the reach of the Cheyenne II. UPDATE: 5:08 PM EDT – Maj. Gen. Clair Gill has now offered some additional comments on aerial refueling support for the MV-75A to TWZ and other outlets at a roundtable today on the sidelines of the AAAA conference. Were also thinking creatively about if we put aerial refueling – which youre gonna see on the SOCOM [U.S. Special Operations Command] variants – if we put that on a conventional variant, then how do we refuel it? he explained. So were thinking through, do we need to develop a requirement for aerial refueling for ourselves now that we have really enhanced our capability? One of the things that our special operations aviators – one of their most challenging tasks is helicopter aerial refueling. A lot of times people say, youre telling me the challenge is the training of that, because its a pretty hard task, he added later on in response to a direct follow-up question on this topic from our Jamie Hunter, who also called attention to what was seen in Bells video. And I would say yes, but its actually the asset, the availability [of the] asset, to do the training. And we dont have those organic to the Army. So I think we need to solve our own problems, and think about how do we do our own, lets call it logistical resupply in the air, of an MV-75. So thats where that concept photo or video was pointing. We dont have a requirement written right now, but Ive talked with Army leaders, Gill also noted. Contact the author: joe@twz.com The post Army Eyes Drone Tankers To Refuel Its New MV-75 Cheyenne II Tiltrotors appeared first on The War Zone.

[Category: Air, Armies, FLRAA, Future Vertical Lift, Helicopters, Land, MQ-25, Tankers, U.S. Army, Unmanned] [Link to media]

— Production Of AH-64 Apache’s New Counter-Drone Cannon Shell Ammunition Ramping-Up

 

at 4/16/26 11:51am

Key Takeaways Army boosts Apaches counter-drone capabilities. The Army is accelerating procurement of XM1225 APEX rounds for AH-64 Apaches to enhance their role as counter-drone platforms. Northrop Grumman ramps up production. The company produced 1,000 rounds this month and plans to increase production fivefold to meet Army demands. APEX rounds offer versatile engagement options. These proximity-detonating rounds can target drones, personnel, vehicles, and small boats, providing unique area effects. Successful live-fire tests at Yuma Proving Ground. In December 2025, Apaches demonstrated effective air-to-air engagement using APEX rounds against unmanned aircraft systems. Minimal training required for Apache crews. The ballistic properties of APEX rounds are similar to existing M789 rounds, requiring little additional training. Bottom line: The U.S. Army is significantly increasing production of XM1225 APEX rounds for AH-64 Apaches to enhance their counter-drone capabilities. These versatile rounds have proven effective in tests and require minimal additional training for crews, marking a tactical advancement in battlefield capability. The Army is accelerating procurement of 30x113mm XM1225 Aviation Proximity Explosive (APEX) rounds for its fleet of AH-64 Apache attack helicopters. The move comes as the service is looking to enhance the aircraft’s burgeoning role as a counter-drone platform, something The War Zone has covered frequently. These shells, fired by the Apache’s chin-mounted M230 cannon, will add to its drone-killing arsenal, giving it a cheaper and more plentiful engagement option than some of the alternatives. You can read all about the XM1225 APEX round in our previous coverage here. Seeing a growing need for these rounds, the Army went to Northrop Grumman, which makes them, and asked them to boost production, said Maj. Gen. Clair A. Gill, commander of the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Rucker, Alabama. He was speaking during the Army Aviation Association of America’s Army Aviation Warfighting Summit in Nashville, Tennessee, which TWZ was in attendance. A U.S. Army AH-64 Apache helicopter fires the M230 Bushmaster chain gun during live-fire aerial gunnery training at Rodriguez Live Fire Complex, Republic of Korea, on March 6, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Neil McLean) Staff Sgt. Cornelius McLean “We had had 600 rounds total,” Gill explained. “They produced 1,000 already this month and can produce another 1,000 and will ramp their rate up to probably five times that.” The company could not immediately comment about this effort. The specialized APEX ammunition works by detonating only when it is close to an object, then it explodes in a spray of shrapnel. This is critical to shooting down drones, which are small, independently moving targets. These rounds could also be used against surface targets like personnel, soft-skinned vehicles, and small boats, where they would provide unique area effects compared to the Apache’s standard impact-detonating, high-explosive ammunition. 30x113mm XM1225 Aviation Proximity Explosive (APEX) shells. (U.S. Army) Earlier this year, we reported that Apaches live-fire tested the ammo last December at the service’s sprawling Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) in southern Arizona.  “The Apache Attack Helicopter AH-64 has reached a new milestone in battlefield capability with the successful live fire test” of the APEX ammunition, the Army said in a February news release. “In December 2025, the Apache demonstrated its first-ever air-to-air engagement using 30mm proximity ammunition against unmanned aircraft systems targets at various ranges, showcasing the precision, versatility, and lethality of this advanced ammunition.” Yuma Test Center at U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground recently tested a new 30-mm Aviation Proximity Explosive (APEX) round. “The APEX round was developed to be a frag round that would prox in front of the UAS [unmanned aerial system] and make a frag pattern that would take out a UAS,” explained Test Officer Walter McCormick who led the test. Ana Henderson The Army added that the Apex cartridge “is designed to counter modern threats, including UAS, exposed personnel and small boats, without requiring modifications to the Apache’s M230 Area Weapon System or fire control system.” As we have pointed out in the past, these rounds require little additional training for Apache crews, because their ballistic properties are nearly identical to the M789 high-explosive dual-purpose (HEDP) rounds already fielded, which use an impact/grazing fuze to command detonation. An additional benefit is that self-destructing proximity fuzed rounds mitigate some of the dangers of attacking drones with ammunition that will keep traveling for long distances if it doesn’t hit a target. This is a frequent occurrence with standard high-explosive or incendiary cannon rounds. While the Israeli Air Force pioneered the counter-drone role for the AH-64 for years, the U.S. Army has formally codified it and added new capabilities in the process. A five-fold boost in procurement is a strong indication that the Army sees the value of the APEX rounds for these missions. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com. The post Production Of AH-64 Apaches New Counter-Drone Cannon Shell Ammunition Ramping-Up appeared first on The War Zone.

[Category: Air, AH-64, Counter-Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (C-UAS), Drones, Helicopters, Land, News & Features] [Link to media]

— Wolf Pack Modular Mini Cruise Missiles Pitched For Apache, Black Hawk

 

at 4/16/26 10:09am

L3Harris is pushing its modular Wolf Pack family of “launched effects vehicles” for the U.S. Army, including to equip its H-60 Black Hawk series and AH-64 Apache helicopters, with an eye on the specific demands of a future conflict in the Pacific. The family of vehicles includes the Red Wolf, configured for long-range precision strikes against targets on land or at sea, and the Green Wolf fitted with an electronic warfare payload. Overall, these are part of a wider drive toward fielding modular, relatively cheap, and small systems that increasingly blur the line between uncrewed aerial systems, especially longer-range kamikaze drones, and cruise missiles, as well as decoys. Readers can refer to our previous coverage of the Wolf Pack family, and it is also worth noting that the company is under contract with the U.S. Marine Corps to deliver the related PASM, the Precision Attack Strike Munition. At the Army Aviation Association of America’s Army Aviation Warfighting Summit in Nashville, Tennessee, this week, TWZ caught up with Brad Reeves, the director of strategy and requirements for the Agile Development Group at L3Harris, to talk about the company’s vision for the Wolf family with the Army. A rendering of the Red Wolf launched effects vehicle. L3Harris L3Harris TWZ: What is the primary driver behind the Wolf family, and how is it relevant to the Army’s rotary-wing fleets? Brad Reeves: The Department of War has a heavy emphasis on the Pacific and a conflict over there. Mass is an issue. We have a lot of exquisite weapons today, but the numbers are not maybe as high as we might hope for a conflict over there. So, they’re trying to solve that problem. Affordable mass has kind of become the buzzword, which basically means, “hey, how do we get capability that we can buy in quantity without breaking the bank?” And so, with that, the Department of War, actually Secretary Hegseth, issued a memo on April 30 of last year. And one of the things he called out specifically was launched effects, the urgency to get that fielded beginning this year. So, that’s a high-emphasis item for those guys. A U.S. Army UH-60M Black Hawk. U.S. Air Force photo Launched effects are really meant to be an affordable mass solution for the Army. But the real story behind this is what we call our Wolf Pack family of systems, and our offering and the capability it brings. And the story here is it’s very capable, but it’s what it does for the Army and for Army aviation. So it’s transforming Army aviation, and it’s addressing platforms that lack some relevancy today in the fight. Black Hawks, Apaches, etc, have a very short-range capability, relatively speaking, when you’re talking about the Pacific, and you have the tyranny of distance and anti-access/area-denial threats. It’s a much harder challenge than what we’ve dealt with in the decades since those aircraft were first invented. Now we’re basically bringing relevancy to those platforms. We’re transforming from a weapons-effectiveness range and lethality range of single-digit kilometers, maybe up to a dozen kilometers, and we’re now extending that to hundreds of kilometers. We’re taking what before was a single-mission aircraft that’s supporting the Army; it’s doing close combat attack missions for Army soldiers on the ground, and is basically specific to that single service. And we’re now expanding that, and we’re giving that platform a joint or coalition viability in a Pacific flight. And so, the relevance now has increased. We’re taking what was before, a single-domain, fully land-based capability. We’re turning it into multi-domain, so now surface, meaning maritime, and land. And then we’re taking the target sets, which were traditionally tanks, maybe threats that we get from ground forces, etc. Again, we’re expanding that so it can be maritime threats and ground threats. It’s kind of a revolution in the way that the Army is going to fight and what they’re going to contribute to the joint coalition force. The Army desperately needs this capability. A U.S. Army AH-64D Apache fires a Hellfire missile during training. The basic Hellfire has an operational range of anywhere between four and just under seven miles (seven to 11 kilometers). U.S. Army photo by Spc. Dean John Kd De Dios TWZ: And what are the differences between the Wolf Pack family members? Brad Reeves: Our launched effects offering, we call it the Wolf Pack family of systems. Today, we have two high-level mission capability variants. We have the Red Wolf, which is the kinetic variant, so a cruise missile. We have the Green Wolf, which has a purely (non-kinetic) electronic warfare payload. So now you’re also doing suppression of enemy air defenses. These types of missions, the DILR mission — detect, ID, locate, report — and/or electronic attack to suppress this threat. Wolf Pack is designed to have multiple variants, so one aircraft, let’s say an Apache in this instance, you could launch multiple variants, Green and Red. You have a Green Wolf that goes out ahead and is searching and building the EMBM, the electromagnetic battle management. Through some software we call DISCO, which is AI-driven software, it’s building the landscape where the threats are, whether on the surface or on the land. The wait is over. Introducing Red Wolf ᵀᴹ and Green Wolf ᵀᴹ, the first vehicles in our expanding pack of launched effects systems. pic.twitter.com/d4oG7fgeE4— L3Harris (@L3HarrisTech) July 17, 2025 TWZ: How does PASM, the Precision Attack Strike Munition, differ from these? Brad Reeves: It comes out of our Wolf Pack family. It’s a unique variant designed for the U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper, and we’re delivering early operational capability. They did a long-range precision fire, LRPF, last September, and that was somewhat of a graduation event. Now we’re basically starting to work with production at our plant in Virginia. In February 2025, NAVAIR released this image of a Red Wolf-toting AH-1Z, at which time the munitions were identified only as “a new Long Range Precision Fire (LRPF) capability.” U.S. Navy TWZ: So these are basically loitering munitions? Brad Reeves: We don’t consider it a loitering munition, but technically, by definition, yes, what it’s doing is it’s flying a pattern. It’s very smart: it goes out, starts detecting threats, then it will set up a pattern to make sure that a) it’s survivable itself, so it doesnt fly over a threat and get shot down. But b), it will maximize the search pattern, and then it will deconflict with the others in the pack, so that you can, if you have a large area, you can have one, one will say, “hey, I’m going to go do maybe a zigzag pattern over here looking for threats. You go do a zigzag pattern and then report those back.” Once they find the threats, they’ve got options. Either the aircraft can just avoid the threats because they know where they are, or if they need to go through them, then you can either use electronic attack to jam them, or you can send a signal to one of the kinetic variants. Then the kinetic variant does the destruction of enemy air defenses mission. That’s kind of why we call it the Wolf Pack: working together collaboratively in a pack to perform a mission that’s assigned by the pilot, and they do that autonomously. They have been ground-launched. They have been air-launched from both manned and unmanned platforms, and they can be launched from rotary-wing or fixed-wing. Since we’re here with the Army, the target is Black Hawks and Apaches very specifically. In the past, L3Harris has also highlighted the potential benefits of pairing its Red Wolf miniature cruise missile with the U.S. Air Force’s OA-1K Skyraider II. L3Harris TWZ: Would you say that the Wolf Pack is oriented generally towards the SEAD/DEAD mission? Brad Reeves: It is much broader. But certainly one of the main applications is SEAD/DEAD. With the EW variant, that’s really applicable when you’re doing SEAD/DEAD, or you’re just looking for platform survivability, meaning you’re going towards a mission, but you want to maybe send something out ahead. These fly at high subsonic speeds. They’re going out ahead when launched from a helicopter. They’re scouting out the area, giving them the picture, and allowing them to either avoid, suppress, or defeat threats that may be in their way. A graphic depicting a notional ground mission scenario involving the employment of Red Wolf and Green Wolf launched effects vehicles. L3Harris TWZ: Presumably, the cost point of these means the numbers can be fairly scalable, depending on the requirement? Brad Reeves: Absolutely, it depends on the mission set. One of the advantages is that, while it is an affordable mass munition, it also comes with significant capability. There are some, what I would call differentiators, that put this capability at the high end of the affordable mass, meaning it’s very inexpensive compared to traditional legacy weapons that the forces are using today. We usually say it’s about five times cheaper than what these aircraft would be using today. There are BAAs, broad area announcements, something the U.S. government will release to industry, asking for different capabilities. Right now, when they’re asking for this type of capability, they’re usually targeting somewhere between $300,000 to $500,000 for that market, per round, and we’re certainly in that sweet spot. TWZ: Aside from the small turbine engine that they share, how modular are the Wolf Pack vehicles themselves? Brad Reeves: Some people call it a truck, but for some reason, that offends me. But you’ve got the platform, and we’ve designed it modularly with what’s called WOSA, weapon open systems architecture. And so you can interchange the payload. You can take the platform, you can put a warhead in it, and it becomes kinetic. You can take the warhead out, you can put an EW payload in it. I’m oversimplifying a little bit because with the kinetic variant, there are sensors and other stuff. So you probably wouldn’t physically take a kinetic one and swap out the warhead for an EW payload. Side-by-side renderings of the Red Wolf and Green Wolf, showing them to be functionally identical, at least externally. L3Harris TWZ: When it comes to Green Wolf, which has no warhead, is this designed to be expendable or recoverable? Brad Reeves: We have both. We have a recoverable variant. It depends on what the customer wants. In some instances, they want recoverability. And with recoverability, you lose a little bit of range. So in some instances, it’s going to be on a one-way mission; they just want maximum range. Basically, the parachute equipment we use to recover it takes up a little bit of space that otherwise would be fuel tank space. The Deceptor small-form-factor software-defined radio frequency (RF) electronic warfare (EW) payload from L3Harris. In its promotional material, the company has indicated that this is a potential payload for the Green Wolf. L3Harris TWZ: How do these vehicles navigate? Brad Reeves: It has the standard inertial navigation and GPS. It has those capabilities inside of it, and then the seeker effectively is used purely for in-game targeting. TWZ: To what degree would you be able to surge production to meet urgent demands? Brad Reeves: We gave our manufacturing team the problem and said, “Hey, multiple customers are asking for as many as a thousand per year. We expect this to really blow up. How do we know how big a plant to build? How do we know what we can do?” And so they actually designed a modular, scalable production plan. In theory, you can scale up to as many as you want. But right now, what we’re doing is we’re scaling towards a thousand a year, which is the current path, and then if the demand signal spikes, we have the ability to scale above that. The beauty of this vehicle is that there’s a lot as a significant amount of commonality, which does allow us to scale, and also gives us economies of scale, price, etc. TWZ: Where are you now with testing? Brad Reeves: We’ve flown over 50 times in test events with the military. So we’ve done multiple services. We’ve done formal testing with those services. It’s been launched twice off the AH-1Z. We’ve launched off fixed-wing UAS, but this gets a little sensitive with the customers, as to what those platforms are. And we’ve done ground launch. TWZ: Do you have a pathway toward testing on the Black Hawk and Apache? Brad Reeves: I am very passionate about making sure this gets fielded to U.S. Army soldiers, specifically the Apache and the Black Hawk. Right now, we’ve obviously got Epic Fury. But if something lights off in the Pacific, this just pales in comparison. If I were young enough to be flying in that fight, I would want more capability. And so I am a little bit of a zealot. The U.S. Army, I know, has to have this capability, and I believe they want it. It’s going to be a game-changer for them, and it’s going to be important to the joint force and coalition forces. It is a significant transformational capability. Jamie Hunter contributed to this story. Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com The post Wolf Pack Modular Mini Cruise Missiles Pitched For Apache, Black Hawk appeared first on The War Zone.

[Category: Air, AH-64, Air Force Munitions, Air-To-Ground, Armies, H-60, Helicopters, Land, U.S. Army] [Link to media]

— First Look At What A Night Stalker MV-75 Cheyenne Will Look Like

 

at 4/15/26 5:19pm

The U.S. Army has given us our first glimpse at what the new MV-75A Cheyenne II tiltrotor will look like in its special operations configuration. The baseline MV-75A already has features specifically intended to simplify the process of converting it to meet the needs of the Armys elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, better known as the Night Stalkers. Army Col. Roger Waleski, head of U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command (USASOAC), shared the rendering of the special operations-specific MV-75 during a presentation today at the Army Aviation Association of America’s (AAAA) 2026 Warfighting Summit, at which TWZ is in attendance. Earlier in the day, the Army had announced that Cheyenne II would be the tiltrotors official nickname. Service officials had also provided an update on the program to TWZ and other outlets ahead of the show, as you can read more about in our separate reporting here. A rendering of a pair of MV-75As in the baseline configuration for the US Army. Bell The baseline MV-75A is still in development, and it is unclear when it might fly for the first time. The Army has said in the past that it plans to replace roughly half of the 160ths special operations MH-60M Black Hawk helicopters with MV-75s, but it is not clear if that is still the case. From what is seen in the rendering that Col. Waleski showed at AAAA, the special operations variant of Cheyenne II will differ from the baseline type most in the configuration of its nose end. Like the 160ths Black Hawks, its version of the MV-75A will feature a nose-mounted radar and sensor turret underneath, as well as an in-flight refueling probe that extends out from the right side. A side-by-side comparison of the nose configurations seen in a recent rendering of a baseline version of the MV-75A, at left, and the special operations configuration, at right. Bell/Jamie Hunter The radar is likely to be the AN/APQ-187 Silent Knight, or SKR, a terrain-following/terrain avoidance (TF/TA) type. SKR is increasingly the default for U.S. special operations aircraft, including Army MH-60M and MH-47G Chinook helicopters, as well as Air Force CV-22 Osprey tiltrotors and MC-130J Commando II special operations tanker/transports. A past US Special Operations Command briefing slide showing AN/APQ-187 Silent Knight radar installations on the MH-47G and MH-60M. SOCOM A U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) briefing slide showing Silent Knight Radars installed on Army MH-60M Black Hawk and MH-47G Chinook helicopters. SOCOM The rendering of the special operations MV-75 also shows what looks to be a fixed, forward-facing aperture on the nose to the left of the radar. This most likely reflects the inclusion of a Degraded Visual Environment Pilotage System (DVEPS) or a similar capability, as is found on the 160ths MH-60s and MH-47s today. DVEPS uses cameras and LIDAR, together with a terrain database, to help crew navigate through ‘degraded’ environments full of dust, sand, snow, fog, and other obscurants. Head-on views of 160th MH-60M (left) and MH-47G (right) helicopters with their DVEPSs, as well as other features, prominently visible. US Army/Jamie Hunter TF/TA radar and DVEPS, together with other sensors and in-flight refueling capability, will enable long-range operations along extremely low altitude nap-of-the-earth flight profiles, even in poor weather and at night. Challenging long-duration flights in unforgiving environments is at the very core of the Night Stalkers’ repertoire. The rendering shows the special operations version of the Cheyenne II is festooned with an array of other antennas, as well as additional bits and bumps, just like the 160ths helicopters are today. A similarly extensive suite of countermeasures and other defensive systems as is found on MH-60M is not visible in the rendering. It is very possible these features were deliberately omitted for operational security reasons. We can still expect the Night Stalkers MV-75 to be crammed with special operation-specific self-protection systems, communications gear, and more. Past Bell renderings have also given hints as to armament, sensors, countermeasures, and communication capabilities that will be found on the baseline variant, as can be seen below. It is possible that some non-special operations versions could be capable of refueling in flight, as well. Celebrating the name announcement with a quick diagram. Bell released new renders last month showing what a production version of the MV-75 may look like, including ALE, next-generation ASE, and more. https://t.co/mDm14wZaAH pic.twitter.com/YCtrZOsESE— Air Superior (@airsuperiorx) April 15, 2026 Beyond any special operations-specific capabilities, the MV-75 will also offer the 160th a major boost in range and speed compared to the MH-60M. Ive said this before, Im exceptionally excited about this platform, Col. Waleski said today. Yes, Im excited about the speed. Yes, Im excited about the payload, and Im excited about the range. But, really, the things that I find very interesting about this aircraft is [sic] the fact that weve gone to a completely modular open system architecture, maintaining the data rights on the aircraft, he added. For the warfighters in the room, what that means is your ability to adapt in the warfighting environment, its going to be cheaper, its going to be quicker. Modular open-architecture systems approaches focus heavily on the ability to more rapidly integrate new and improved capabilities and functionality down the line, often with minimal changes to existing hardware. As noted, the Army has taken steps already to ease the process of converting baseline MV-75As into the special operations configuration, which Waleski also highlighted today. There is a tremendous amount of growth potential for the warfighter as this aircraft becomes fielded here in the near future, Waleski said. Another rendering of baseline MV-75As. Bell When the Army will begin fielding the baseline version of the MV-75A is now murky. In January, the service told TWZ that it was working to accelerate the program dramatically, with a goal of the first examples reaching operational units next year. The original timeline had expected to reach that milestone in 2031. However, speaking to TWZ and other outlets last year, Army officials declined to commit to a firm timeline for a first flight for the MV-75A, let alone reaching the start of fielding. “It’s going to happen when it’s going to happen. So we are moving as fast as we can,” Army Maj. Gen. Clair Gill, the Program Acquisition Executive for Maneuver Air, had said. “If I was king, and I had all the money in the world and all the engineers, and there were no limits, we probably would be able to do it in a matter of months.”  The Army does remain committed to the MV-75A, which the service sees as offering essential new capabilities, especially in the context of a future high-end fight against China across the sprawling expanses of the Pacific. Waleskis comments today make clear that the Army special operations aviation community is still very eager to get its version of the Cheyenne II, as well. In the meantime, we have now finally gotten a look at what is set to be the next major addition, at least publicly, to the Night Stalkers fleets. Jamie Hunter contributed to this story. Contact the author: joe@twz.com The post First Look At What A Night Stalker MV-75 Cheyenne Will Look Like appeared first on The War Zone.

[Category: Air, 160th SOAR "Nightstalkers", FLRAA, Future Vertical Lift, Helicopters, News & Features, Special Operations Aviation] [Link to media]

— Trump Downplays Chinese Concerns Over Iran War’s Impact On Its Oil Supplies (Updated)

 

at 4/15/26 2:28pm

Despite Beijing’s rising anger over the war in Iran, a country upon which it relies heavily for oil, U.S. President Donald Trump insisted his relationship with his Chinese counterpart remains strong. However, in a post on his social media network, Trump also dismissed Chinese concerns that its energy situation is becoming more precarious as the result of strangulation of the Strait of Hormuz and U.S. blockade of Iranian ports. All this comes as Trump has been telling media outlets that he believes the war could soon end. Well talk more about that later in this story. “China is very happy that I am permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz,” the American leader proclaimed on Truth Social, even as the flow of oil from the Middle East has been drastically reduced by the war. “I am doing it for them, also And the World. This situation will never happen again. They have agreed not to send weapons to Iran. President Xi will give me a big, fat, hug when I get there in a few weeks, he added. We are working together smartly, and very well! Doesn’t that beat fighting??? BUT REMEMBER, we are very good at fighting, if we have to far better than anyone else!!!” "President Xi will give me a big, fat, hug when I get there in a few weeks." pic.twitter.com/WwJQuCX1RX— Annmarie Hordern (@annmarie) April 15, 2026 In a pre-taped interview that aired Wednesday morning, Trump told Fox News that the war hasn’t soured his relationship with Xi, who has expressed frustration with American actions in the Middle East. “I don’t think it does,” Trump told Fox News host Maria Bartiromo. “Hes somebody that needs oil. We dont. Hes somebody I get along with very well. He just wrote me a beautiful letter…He responded to a letter that I wrote because I had heard that China is giving weapons to I mean, youre seeing it all over the place to Iran…I wrote him a letter asking him not to do that, and he wrote me a letter saying that essentially hes not doing that.” Trump:I wrote a letter to Xi. I asked him not to give Iran weapons. He wrote me a letter, and he is saying that he is essentially not doing that. pic.twitter.com/yrTT9Dwi2V— Clash Report (@clashreport) April 15, 2026 Trump was referring to reports that U.S. intelligence determined Beijing was providing military support to Tehran. Before his Truth Social Post and the Fox interview aired, Financial Times reported that Iran “secretly acquired a Chinese spy satellite that gave the Islamic republic a powerful new capability to target US military bases across the Middle East during the recent war.” “Leaked Iranian military documents show the satellite, known as TEE-01B, was acquired by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Aerospace Force in late 2024 after it was launched into space from China,” according to the outlet. “Time-stamped coordinate lists, satellite imagery and orbital analysis show that Iranian military commanders later tasked the satellite to monitor key US military sites. The images were taken in March before and after drone and missile strikes on those locations.” As we have previously reported, Iranian strikes on U.S. military facilities killed U.S. troops and caused damage to bases and equipment. However, it should be noted that Iran has also been receiving Chinese commercial satellite imagery and Russia is likely providing it as well. At the same time, U.S. commercial satellite companies like VANTOR and Planet Labs are now refraining from sharing imagery of the Middle East and elsewhere at the Pentagons behest. Iran used Chinese spy satellite to target US bases https://t.co/uvIi5vi5Xt— Financial Times (@FT) April 15, 2026 Meanwhile, China continues to push back against accusations that it is helping Iran and repeated previous assertions that it will respond should Trump go through with his threat to impose a 50% tariff. “Media reports accusing China of providing military support to Iran are purely fabricated,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian stated on X. “If the U.S. goes ahead with tariff hikes on China on the basis of these accusations, China will respond with countermeasures.” Lin did not offer details about those countermeasures. Media reports accusing China of providing military support to Iran are purely fabricated.If the U.S. goes ahead with tariff hikes on China on the basis of these accusations, China will respond with countermeasures. pic.twitter.com/QwETjpJEyY— Lin Jian 林剑 (@SpoxCHN_LinJian) April 15, 2026 Regardless, Iran’s use of commercial space imagery to strike U.S. and allied targets “will force the Pentagon to adjust, the head of U.S. Space Command said,” according to Defense One. “We have to recognize that the rest of the world can now see the entire planet transparently and almost 24/7 and so we have to be able to operate in that environment successfully,” Gen. Stephen Whiting, the head of U.S. Space Command told reporters Tuesday during the Space Symposium conference. New: Iran’s use of commercial space imagery to strike U.S. and allied targets will force the military to adjust, the head of @US_SpaceCom said. Those comments came a day before the @ChinaSelect chair sent DoD a letter, obtained by @DefenseOne, on the topichttps://t.co/Q2CY9AplfR— Thomas Novelly (@TomNovelly) April 15, 2026 UPDATES We have concluded our coverage for the day. UPDATE: 5:39 PM EDT Axios reporter Barak Ravid said a U.S. source told him “that the possibility of a ceasefire was discussed yesterday in a meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Rubio, Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter, and Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh.” “The U.S. source said the proposal which was raised in the meeting included confidence-building measures by both sides. From the Israeli side, this involves a ceasefire,” he stated on X, adding that the ambassadors had to go back to their respective leaders to get answers. A U.S. source tells me that the possibility of a ceasefire was discussed yesterday in a meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Rubio, Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter, and Lebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh The U.S. source said the proposal which was raised in the… https://t.co/93UE8SupNY— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) April 15, 2026 UPDATE: 4:13 PM EDT Victor Gao, vice president of the Beijing-based Center for China and Globalization, said his country has the legal right to sell arms to Iran. His comments were in reaction to a question about Beijing providing Tehran with CM-302 anti-ship missiles. Victor Gao:“The whole world should be put on notice — China and Iran have full sovereign right to do this. No country should pretend to be surprised.”On China selling CM-302 anti-ship missiles to Iran pic.twitter.com/KR3cZ647ro— China in English (@En_chinaNews) April 15, 2026 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the IDF is continuing to strike Hezbollah and is about to conquer the southern Lebanon town of Bing Jbeil. “In parallel, yesterday I gave instructions to the IDF to continue thickening the security zone,” Netanyahu added. “Our American friends are constantly updating us on the contacts with Iran. Our goals are identical. In anticipation of the possibility that the fighting will resume, we are prepared for any scenario.” כוחותינו ממשיכים להכות בחיזבאללה, אנחנו עומדים להכריע את בינת ג׳בייל. במקביל נתתי אתמול הנחיות לצה"ל להמשיך לעבות את אזור הביטחון.ידידינו האמריקנים מעדכנים אותנו כל הזמן על המגעים עם איראן. המטרות שלנו זהות. לקראת האפשרות שהלחימה תחודש, אנחנו ערוכים לכל תרחיש. pic.twitter.com/Iw9iELKsDV— Benjamin Netanyahu בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) April 15, 2026 It appears that the Iranian Air Force (IRIAF) still has some operable jets. Images emerging on social media purport to show an IRIAF F-4E and Mig-29A flying over Tehran escorting the Pakistani delegation that arrived today to discuss potential future peace talks. IRIAF F-4E and Mig-29A reportedly over Tehran escorting Pakistani CDF airplane today.Both seem unarmed. pic.twitter.com/MaaBVxvwVS— Mehdi H. (@mhmiranusa) April 15, 2026 UPDATE: 2:24 PM EDT White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt denied the U.S. requested an extension to the ceasefire. I saw some reporting that we had formally requested an extension of this ceasefire. That is not true. We remain engaged in these negotiations.Karoline Leavitt tells reporters that the next round of Iran talks ‘will likely be held in Islamabad’https://t.co/3n6o5i1euG pic.twitter.com/jNf6a3h9xU— Sky News (@SkyNews) April 15, 2026 She also thanked Pakistan for its help in the negotiations. PRESS SEC on U.S.-Iran negotiations: The Pakistanis have been incredible mediators and we really appreciate their friendship and efforts to bring this deal to a close. The President feels its important to continue to streamline this communication through the Pakistanis. pic.twitter.com/3iIeF0oUpn— Department of State (@StateDept) April 15, 2026 Trump, as we noted earlier, is saying that he believes the war could soon be concluded. “I think its close to over,” Trump posited. “I mean, I view it as very close to over. You know what? If I pulled up stakes right now, it would take them 20 years to rebuild that country. And were not finished. Well see what happens. I think they want to make a deal very badly.” NEW: President Trump says the war with Iran is "close to over."Full interview airs on @MorningsMaria on Fox Business at 6 a.m. pic.twitter.com/7YqjbHW3Fy— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 15, 2026 Trump also told Sky News that the end of the war may be nigh. When asked by Sky whether a deal could happen before King Charles visits the U.S. at the end of the month, Trump said: “It’s possible. Very possible. They’re beaten up pretty bad.” UK cant succeed says Donald Trump read full transcript of his Sky News interviewhttps://t.co/IrZjMZfGKk— Sky News (@SkyNews) April 15, 2026 U.S. and Iranian negotiators made progress in talks on Tuesday, moving closer to a framework agreement to end the war, two U.S. officials said, Axios reported on Wednesday. “U.S. officials and sources familiar with the mediation cautioned that a deal is not guaranteed, given the substantial differences between the two sides,” the news outlet noted. Lets wait and see if we can get a deal. We are hopeful and accordingly trying to push with both sides, a Pakistani official told Axios. "U.S. officials and sources familiar with the mediation cautioned that a deal is not guaranteed, given the substantial differences between the two sides.""We want to make a deal. And parts of their government want to make a deal. Now the trick is to get the whole of government…— Jason Brodsky (@JasonMBrodsky) April 15, 2026 In another step toward potential future negotiations, Pakistans Army Chief of Staff Asim Munir arrived in Tehran today for talks. #Pakistans Army Chief Asim Munir arrives in #Iran for talks today. pic.twitter.com/h5ojVEKAjz— Jason Brodsky (@JasonMBrodsky) April 15, 2026 Irans Foreign Minister Spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, said that during the visit, the views of both sides are likely to be discussed in detail. Irans Foreign Minister Spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, confirms that a high-ranking Pakistani delegation will visit Tehran today to follow up on talks with the U.S. in Islamabad. "During this visit, the views of both sides are likely to be discussed in detail," Baghaei said. pic.twitter.com/bdMnyCKUA5— Ariel Oseran أريئل أوسيران (@ariel_oseran) April 15, 2026 Baghaei, however, said Iran would not capitulate. If a negotiation is based on one side imposing conditions on the other, that is not negotiation; it is dictation and imposition, and you know that the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Iranian nation will never accept such imposition, he stated. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson:If a negotiation is based on one side imposing conditions on the other, that is not negotiation; it is dictation and imposition, and you know that the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Iranian nation will never accept such imposition. pic.twitter.com/lnKeJT9Pow— Iran News 24 (@IRanMediaco) April 15, 2026 In an X post, CENTCOM on Wednesday said that during the first 48 hours of the U.S. blockade on ships entering and exiting Iranian ports, no vessels have made it past U.S. forces. Additionally, 9 vessels have complied with direction from U.S. forces to turn around and return toward an Iranian port or coastal area. During the first 48 hours of the U.S. blockade on ships entering and exiting Iranian ports, no vessels have made it past U.S. forces. Additionally, 9 vessels have complied with direction from U.S. forces to turn around and return toward an Iranian port or coastal area. pic.twitter.com/h4msgvaPTl— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 15, 2026 Late Tuesday night, Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM, took to X to announce that the “blockade of Iranian ports has been fully implemented as U.S. forces maintain maritime superiority in the Middle East.” “An estimated 90% of Iran’s economy is fueled by international trade by sea,” Cooper noted. “In less than 36 hours since the blockade was implemented, U.S. forces have completely halted economic trade going into and out of Iran by sea.” Statement from Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander: pic.twitter.com/dJxKJcEcmO— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 15, 2026 Senior IRGC commander Maj. Gen. Ali Abdollahi claimed the Islamic Republic would consider it a prelude to the breach of the ceasefire if the aggressive and terrorist America continues the blockade. Abdollahi “threatened that the powerful Iranian armed forces would not allow any export and import to keep going in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and the Red Sea region, in the face of the US maritime aggression,” the official Iranian IRNA news agency stated on Wednesday. His comments suggested that the Houthi rebels of Yemen, an Iranian proxy, could resume their attacks on Red Sea shipping, something we previously examined as a possibility. BREAKING: Commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters: We will not allow any export or import activity in the Gulf and the Sea of Oman if the American blockade continues.Our armed forces will not allow trade to flow through the Red Sea if the naval blockade continues.…— Clash Report (@clashreport) April 15, 2026 Meanwhile, the Malta-flagged VLCC Agios Fanourios I became the first crude carrier to head west through the Strait of Hormuz since the US blockade on Iran’s ports came into force, according to MarineTraffic. First crude carrier heads west through Strait of Hormuz since the US blockadeThe Malta-flagged VLCC Agios Fanourios I has become the first crude carrier to head west through the Strait of Hormuz since the US blockade on Iran’s ports came into force. According to #MarineTraffic… pic.twitter.com/K8syfSZtFL— MarineTraffic (@MarineTraffic) April 15, 2026 Though another round of peace talks between the U.S. and Iran is being discussed, the Pentagon continues to pour resources into the Middle East, something we have been reporting about for weeks. “The forces moving into the region include about 6,000 troops aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush and several warships escorting it, said current and former officials,” according to The Washington Post, citing anonymous officials. “About 4,200 others with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and its embarked Marine Corps task force, the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, are expected to arrive near the end of the month.” The Nimitz class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mitchell Mason) Petty Officer 2nd Class Mitchell Mason A stock picture of the Wasp class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer. USN During the pause in fighting, Iran appears to be using the time to reopen entrances to underground missile cities damaged during the war, according to CNN. The network published footage showing engineering equipment at the Tabriz South missile base and the Khomein missile bases.  The network also noted that, according to U.S. intelligence estimates, about half of the Iranian missile launchers remained intact after a month of fighting, and that many of these launchers could have been buried in underground storage facilities as a result of strikes on the entrances. CNN published footage showing engineering equipment making use of the ceasefire to reopen the entrances to underground facilities at missile bases that were damaged during the war.The sites documented include the Tabriz South missile base and the Khomein missile base.Notably,… pic.twitter.com/B88HISqVYD— Ben Tzion Macales (@BenTzionMacales) April 15, 2026 A day after negotiations took place in Washington between the U.S., Israel and Lebanon, Hezbollah issued a veiled threat to Beirut. Considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and Israel, Hezbollah was not a party to the talks. “The Lebanese authorities must reconsider their actions and return to the embrace of the people,” said Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah in a statement. “The authorities withdrew the army from the south, leaving it vulnerable to occupation and giving the enemy [Israel] free rein.” Meanwhile, Israel is continuing to bombard Hezbollah. In the past 24 hours, the IDF struck over 200 Hezbollah terror infrastructure sites in southern Lebanon, it claimed. Among the targets struck: terrorists, military structures, approximately 20 launchers, including those recently used to fire towards the State of Israel. ביממה האחרונה הותקפו יותר מ-200 מטרות של ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה בדרום לבנון. בין התשתיות שהותקפו: מחבלים, מבנים צבאיים וכ-20 משגרים, בהם משגרים ששיגרו לעבר שטח הארץ והושמדו בסגירות מעגל מהירות. pic.twitter.com/LeR2mr37Vv— Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) April 15, 2026 Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com The post Trump Downplays Chinese Concerns Over Iran Wars Impact On Its Oil Supplies (Updated) appeared first on The War Zone.

[Category: News & Features, Around The Globe, China, Indo-Pacific, Iran, Middle East, POTUS] [Link to media]

— Germany Is Now Airdropping Its Tiny Wiesel ‘Tankettes’

 

at 4/15/26 2:26pm

The German military has revealed details of tests in which its tiny Wiesel armored personnel carrier has been airdropped under parachutes from A400M transport aircraft. While the diminutive Wiesel (German for weasel) is already notably mobile, including fitting into a CH-53 helicopter, this appears to be the first time that it has been airdropped, marking an initial step toward a significant new capability for Germany’s airborne forces. View this post on Instagram The German Army posted a video showing the airdrop trials, which involved, among others, the German Armed Forces’ Technical and Airworthiness Center for Aircraft (WTD 61) and the 1st Airborne Brigade (Luftlandebrigade 1). The video shows the tracked Wiesel first being loaded into the hold of an A400M within its ‘cage,’ the ATAX parachute system from the British manufacturer IrvinGQ. The load is then rolled off the aircraft’s rear ramp and descends under three parachutes. Reusable shock-attenuating airbags under the cage provide a softer touchdown. Soldiers then drive the vehicle directly off the pallet, without any significant preparation. According to the German Army, the aim is to deliver the vehicle within 200 meters (650 feet) of the designated landing zone. As for the Wiesel, which you can read about here, this vehicle already offers some unique capabilities. The German Army first began development of the vehicle in the 1970s to give added firepower to its airborne units. Initially led by Porsche, work on the project continued after the German Army abandoned its plans for the vehicle in 1975. Ultimately, the German Army returned to the Wiesel and bought its first batch in 1985, becoming the only country to adopt the type. Rheinmetall took over series production and built more than 340 examples up until 1993. In 2001, Germany purchased around 180 lengthened Wiesel 2s. In a drive toward simplicity, the Wiesel uses a standard four-cylinder diesel car engine from Volkswagen. The vehicle can reach a top speed of over 40 miles per hour and travel around 120 miles on one tank of gas, which is relatively impressive when you consider its diminutive size. The Wiesel 1A5 MK vehicle is equipped with a 20mm MK 20 DM 6 A1 autocannon. Bundeswehr Perhaps the most remarkable feature of the Wiesel is its weight. There are more than a dozen variants in total, and the heaviest of them weighs less than five tons. For comparison, the latest examples of up-armored Humvees weigh around six tons. The Wiesel’s modest size means two of the standard variants fit inside a CH-53 series helicopter and at least one into a CH-47. Heavy helicopters can carry more slung below their fuselages, too. An A400M typically carries four of the vehicles, but it’s unclear how many can be airdropped by a single A400M, after they have been rigged up. Considering its capabilities, it is perhaps surprising that Germany has waited so long to test the airdropping of the Wiesel. In fact, until now, the modern German Army has had no means of airdropping vehicles into the theater of operations. Instead, airborne operations have required paratroopers to first secure landing strips before vehicles can be delivered by tactical transport or heavy-lift helicopter. Until those vehicles arrive, the troops have only limited direct tactical fire support. With the ability to airdrop the Wiesel, paratroopers and their combat vehicles can be delivered directly to their objective, without the need for any supporting infrastructure. While the Wiesel doesn’t offer the highest level of armor protection, it does at least shield its occupants against shrapnel, rifle, and light machine gun fire. On the other hand, since it was first fielded, it now faces the threat of battlefield drones and loitering munitions, although its small size and maneuverability could help mitigate that threat in some respects. Overall, like all armored vehicles, it would still be vulnerable. Once on the ground, the Wiesel offers a significant amount of capability for its size. The most common version is a reconnaissance vehicle with a 20mm automatic cannon and a 7.62mm machine gun, more firepower than many American light armored vehicles. Another type packs a Spike anti-tank missile launcher, the Israeli weapon having replaced the earlier TOW anti-tank missile. The Wiesel 1 MELLS is the version armed with the Spike anti-tank missile and is used by the German Army’s light infantry, mountain infantry, and paratrooper units. Bundeswehr There is also the Leichtes Flugabwehr System, or Light Air Defense System, which includes a command post Wiesel 2 variant and another one of the vehicles with a small radar. This last component of the system is known as Ozelot, or ocelot, and features a launcher containing four FIM-92 Stinger heat-seeking surface-to-air missiles. This is a level of small, mobile, but still somewhat protected short-range air defense capability that few nations have. Soldiers reloading an Ozelot vehicle with Stinger missiles. Bundeswehr Other Wiesel ‘families’ include a mobile mortar section, including a vehicle with a computerized 120mm mortar. There are also different command post versions for unit headquarters, along with ambulances and engineering support types. In the past, there have also been studies for an uncrewed ground combat vehicle variant. Once again, it’s not clear which of these versions might be cleared for airdropping, considering their different weights, dimensions, and the relative resilience of their equipment. Should the trials prove successful, the ATAX parachute system would also allow the German Army to airdrop other vehicles. According to the German-language hartpunkt defense publication, these could include the airmobile Caracal, other light utility vehicles as used by both regular forces and special operations units, and uncrewed ground vehicles. Ultimately, airdropping with ATAX would also extend to the Wiesel’s designated successor, now being developed under the Luftbeweglicher Waffenträger, or Airmobile Weapon Carrier program. These tests come as the German Armed Forces undergo their biggest transformation since the Cold War in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. As well as increased defense spending, there is a broader attempt to move from a low-readiness, expeditionary force to a high-readiness, territorial military focused on operations on NATO’s eastern flank. With that in mind, these latest airdrop tests for the Wiesel could be the start of a significant new phase for the airborne troops and their capabilities. Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com The post Germany Is Now Airdropping Its Tiny Wiesel ‘Tankettes’ appeared first on The War Zone.

[Category: Land, Air, Armored Vehicles, Around The Globe, Europe, Germany, NATO, News & Features, Transports] [Link to media]

— CH-47 Chinook Air-Launching Swarms Of Drones Touted As Future Feature

 

at 4/15/26 12:26pm

With orders for the twin-rotor helicopter still rolling in, Boeing has provided details on its future plans for the venerable H-47 Chinook, including adding launched effects and creating a path toward a crewed version of the aircraft. The latter would offer an unprecedented vertical-lift capability, and one that could be of great interest to the U.S. Army and other operators. At the Army Aviation Association of America’s Army Aviation Warfighting Summit in Nashville, Tennessee, today, Boeing released a computer-generated promotional video showing launched effects being delivered from the rear ramp of a Chinook. Same two rotors. More capability.Were pushing Chinook Block II even further.#26Summit pic.twitter.com/FK2zandPmx— Boeing Defense (@BoeingDefense) April 14, 2026 Launched effects, previously referred to as air-launched effects (ALEs), describe a category of various uncrewed systems that you can read more about here. The new launched effects terminology reflects the fact that they might be launched from land or maritime platforms, as well as crewed and uncrewed aircraft. Launched effects drones include types that operate as scouts, electronic attackers, decoys, and suicide drones. They are typically highly autonomous, operating independently or in more complex networked swarms. An older but nonetheless interesting graphic showing how various types of air-launched effects delivered from various platforms could be employed on a future battlefield. U.S. Army When it comes to the Chinook, Boeing confirms that launched effects are yet to be tested from the helicopter, but the company is working toward that goal. Kathleen Jolivette, the vice president and general manager for Boeing’s Vertical Lift division, said today that the company is investing its own funds in the initiative and is currently looking at how rapidly it might be able to move into the demonstration phase, based on expected U.S. Army and international interest. It’s worth noting, meanwhile, that Boeing and the Army are already pushing ahead on launched effects demonstrations from the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, including recently announced trials with Anduril’s ALTIUS-700 Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) launched from an AH-64E. The Army says that this program progressed from a requirement to a live demonstration in less than six months. An AH-64E Apache launches an ALTIUS-700 at Yuma Proving Ground. U.S. Army With its capacious hold, the Chinook would be able to accommodate huge numbers of launched effects, allowing multiple missions to be fulfilled over an extended period, especially when compared with other helicopters that typically launch these drones from externally mounted tubes. The Chinook would also be much better able to handle larger launched effects. In the past, the Army has issued descriptions of ‘large’ drones in this category. These are envisaged as having a combat range of up to 350 kilometers (217 miles) and a total flight time of 30 minutes. However, there has also been an aspiration to increase those performance specifications to up to 650 kilometers (404 miles) and an hour of total time in the air. These would weigh up to 225 pounds each, compared to around 25 pounds for an ALTIUS-600, for example. A UH-60M Black Hawk launches an ALTIUS-600 during a test in 2020. U.S. Army There is a possibility that Chinooks, specifically special operations MH-47Gs, are already using some kind of launched effects. As we discussed at the time, there is strong evidence that the U.S. military may have used kamikaze drones during the operation to capture Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro earlier this year. Whatever the case, launched effects are increasingly key to the survival of rotary-wing aviation going forward. WATCH: Multiple videos show drones being used during the U.S. operation in Venezuela. pic.twitter.com/Ef4BLtaKIb— Faytuks Network (@FaytuksNetwork) January 5, 2026 As well as launched effects, Boeing is pushing ahead with work on what it calls an optimally crewed Chinook, reflecting U.S. Army terminology. As far as we understand it, the terms optimally crewed and optionally crewed appear to be interchangeable, although the former could also include reduced-crew flying with the help of an AI copilot. Boeing also pushed us toward an Army press release for the H-60Mx Black Hawk helicopter, described as an optimally piloted vehicle and extensively modified to fly with or without a pilot at the controls. Heather McBryan, the vice president and H-47 program manager at Boeing, said the company is now “working very closely” with the Army in terms of what additional capability it wants to add to future Block II production lots. According to McBryan, the Army “publicly stated their desire for what they’re calling an optimally crewed aircraft, where they can, in some instances, reduce the workload for pilots, but in other instances, eliminate it completely, and we’ve made a lot of great progress in those efforts.” McBryan says that this work is also responding to demand from international customers. As part of this effort, after years of development and post-production modifications, Boeing recently added its Active Parallel Actuator Subsystem (APAS) to the Chinook production line. A hardware and software system, McBryan describes APAS as working “like lane-assist in your vehicle.” Tested on the special-missions MH-47G for some years now, APAS reduces pilot workload, but also provides additional situational awareness and enables safer maneuvering, especially at the edges of the aircraft’s envelope. For now, APAS is mainly for the MH-47G and for the United Kingdom’s new Chinooks, but McBryan confirms that Boeing is looking at how to bring additional elements of autonomy into the CH-47F as well. A U.S. Army MH-47G from the 160th SOAR lands on the flight deck of the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams in the Atlantic Ocean. U.S. Navy In February, for example, a CH-47F successively completed its first fully automated approach and landing test flight, something that Boeing calls “approach to x.” This used the company’s upgraded Digital Automatic Flight Control System (DAFCS), the software ensuring the Chinook touched down all four wheels on a runway without any pilot intervention. While DAFCS is currently deployed on the CH-47F fleet, the upgraded version further reduces pilot workload and brings autonomy to tactical approaches, boosting flexibility and operational capability. A U.S. Army CH-47 during cling-load operations. U.S. Army Right now, every Chinook coming off the production line has the basic DAFCS, while APAS essentially provides an enhancement, building on the same flight control system with a combination of hardware and software. As Chris Speights, the chief engineer for Boeing Vertical Lift, explains, with APAS, “the parallel actuation system actually amplifies, provides a higher-bandwidth control mechanism for it that the software can then take advantage of. So we get more precise control and augmentation with APAS when you add it on top.” Speights added that Boeing is also looking at the future beyond APAS. “APAS is the foundation, then there would be other capabilities, whether it’s algorithmic or whether it’s sensors or the integration of those that would give further autonomous capability in the future,” he said. Potentially, this could lead to entirely autonomous Chinook flights, from takeoff to landing, for an optimally uncrewed or even a fully uncrewed Chinook. Speights described the work on the upgraded DAFCS and APAS as “foundational,” should the company pursue an optimally crewed Chinook. “That puts us on the path for the flight automation, not necessarily full autonomy, but flight automation, which starts today with pilot workload reduction, and approach to x,” Speights said. “But it enables further capabilities in the future, as the customer desires, based on their concept of how the aircraft would be used.” It is worth noting that Sikorsky has been working on both optionally crewed and uncrewed versions of its H-60 Black Hawk series. Late last year, the company unveiled its U-Hawk demonstrator, a fully uncrewed version of the Black Hawk helicopter, intended to carry cargo and deliver launched effects. The U-Hawk leverages the company’s past work on a Pilot Optional Vehicle (OPV) version of the Black Hawk, which has been flying for years. For now, however, Jolivette said that Boeing is “gonna wait and see what happens” with the Army’s uncrewed/optimally crewed vision. “I think there’s more to come on that,” she added. As well as APAS, Boeing is looking at how it can bring a digital backbone to the CH-47F. A digital backbone essentially provides a shared network of data and tools that connects both production design and sustainment. The result is that everyone who is working on the aircraft gets the same data points and the same information at the same time. In practice, this would mean adding multiple redundant networks and distributed interface units to ensure precise monitoring. With reliably collected data, the Chinook should be easier to upgrade, safer to operate, and quicker to fix. The Chinook remains very much in demand, meanwhile. The latest budget request includes funding for additional MH-47G aircraft. In terms of CH-47F Block II, Boeing is ramping up production to meet the Army’s rapid-fielding ambitions. Six Block IIs were delivered last year, and Boeing received a contract award for nine more in September 2025, with another six orders since then, for a total of 24 under contract. McBryan confirmed that, as of today, three aircraft are in production, with two of those in final assembly. Thank you, @USArmy, for ordering six more CH‑47F Block II #Chinook helicopters — 24 now under contract.Block II significantly enhances lift, mission range and sustainment, making it the Armys most modern and capable heavy-lift aircraft.More: https://t.co/qtJ3q24V2Q #26Summit pic.twitter.com/QftB3WaiBh— Boeing Defense (@BoeingDefense) April 15, 2026 “We expect to deliver one of those aircraft towards the end of this year,” McBryan said. The total U.S. Army Block II requirement is still to be determined. In terms of international orders, the first deliveries for new orders from Egypt, South Korea, and the United Kingdom are expected this year. Production of the first German CH-47F is also underway, with expected delivery in 2027. Although it was first flown back in 1961, the Chinook appears to have a bright future ahead of it. With Boeing now focused on new capabilities, we may very well see Chinooks delivering launched effects and operating in uncrewed versions before too long. Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com The post CH-47 Chinook Air-Launching Swarms Of Drones Touted As Future Feature appeared first on The War Zone.

[Category: Air, Armies, CH-47, Drones, H-47, Helicopters, Land, MH-47, News & Features, U.S. Army] [Link to media]

— Hunting Drones From Sloppy Airstrips Is General Atomics’ Future Vision For Mojave

 

at 4/15/26 11:22am

General Atomics is calling attention to a new mission for its Mojave short takeoff and landing (STOL) drone: hunting uncrewed aerial threats with laser-guided Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) rockets. The company put a heavy focus on this planned capability in a larger vision for Mojave that rolled out today. A Mojave drone depicted carrying a load of laser-guided rockets. General Atomics capture Mojave is also envisioned as launching its own kamikaze drones, escorting friendly helicopters, spotting targets for artillery, and even transporting small cargoes. With its short and rough field capabilities, the drone could also push these capabilities far forward, including to island outposts during a future conflict in the Pacific. This was all showcased in a new computer-generated video, seen below. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. division (GA-ASI) showed the video first today at the Army Aviation Association of Americas (AAAA) 2026 Warfighting Summit, at which TWZ is in attendance. General Atomics is also now officially referring to the drone at the center of the video as Mojave STOL. The company has previously used the name Gray Eagle STOL to differentiate planned production models from the already flying Mojave demonstrator, which first broke cover in 2021. Mojave is derived from the MQ-1C Gray Eagle, which itself leveraged the preceding MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper designs. The Mojave demonstrator seen during flight testing in 2023. General Atomics General Atomics is all-in on providing the best STOL solution for the Army and U.S. allies worldwide, General Atomics spokesperson C. Mark Brinkley told TWZ. Everything you see is a capability we can do right now, things already demonstrated on a real, flying aircraft. The new video, set somewhere in the Western Pacific, focuses first on the rocket-armed drone hunter mission. A Mojave STOL is depicted using an EagleEye multi-mode radar, as well as its infrared sensor in the turret under its nose, to spot and track a pair of kamikaze drones clearly modeled on the Iranian-designed Shahed-136 pattern. EagleEye is another General Atomics product, which was first unveiled in 2022 and has a demonstrated air-to-air target acquisition capability. It also has surface search, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging, and ground moving target indicator (GMTI) modes. The incoming Shahed-136-like kamikaze drones seen in the new Mojave video. General Atomics capture The drone is then shown alerting a forward U.S. outpost to these approaching uncrewed aerial threats via satellite. Using a ruggedized laptop, an operator on the ground then orders the kamikaze drones to be destroyed. A Mojave carrying two 19-shot 70mm rocket pods, one under each wing, then swoops in and shoots them down. Afterward, it is also depicted being rearmed at a very rough-looking, unimproved jungle airstrip. Screen captures from the new Mojave video showing different aspects of the counter-drone engagement. General Atomics captures We’ve shown APKWS [BAE Systems 70mm Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II laser-guided rocket] mounted to Mojave in a static display at some of the recent U.S. Army shows where Mojave STOL was present, General Atomics Brinkley told us. Integrating new weapons is a multi-part process. Fit tests, weight considerations, captive carry for airworthiness, software, [and] actual live-fire. For Mojave STOL and other GA-ASI aircraft, we’re inside that process now with APKWS, he added. It’s flying and firing soon, [in] weeks not months. APKWS has already been demonstrated on other aircraft against airborne targets, so we know the weapon itself works for this mission, he also noted. GA-ASI has successfully destroyed other airborne targets using various weapons, including AIM-9X and Hellfire, so we know we can track, target, and hit flying objects of various sizes and speeds. APKWS II has had a meteoric rise in popularity in the air-to-air role since the U.S. Air Force F-16 fighters first began using the rockets this way in combat against Houthi drones in 2024, which TWZ was first to report. APKWS II was originally designed as an air-to-surface weapon and then also adapted to the surface-to-air role against drones. The total number of U.S. military and foreign aircraft cleared to use a variant of the rocket specifically optimized for air-to-air use continues to grow. Other companies that make similar laser-guided rockets are also now adapting them for employment in the anti-air role. U.S. Fighter aircraft shoot down Iran-backed Houthi one-way-attack drones with AGR-20 FALCO Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) Laser Guided 2.75" Rockets.#HouthisAreTerrorists pic.twitter.com/bDoVnKwotc— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 19, 2025 As an anti-air weapon against slower-flying and less dynamic targets, APKWS II offers immense benefits over traditional air-to-air missiles when it comes to cost-per-engagement and magazine depth, as you can read more about here. Just carrying two 19-shot pods, Mojave has an impressive 38 engagement opportunities. The drone has six underwing pylons and could carry additional pods, as well as other stores. After the drone-hunting vignette, General Atomics new Mojave video moves on to show one of the drones leading a group of AH-64 Apache and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters into apparent hostile territory. The drone fires an AeroVironment Switchblade 600 loitering munition to destroy an enemy mobile surface-to-air missile system to help clear the way. GA-ASI, in cooperation with AeroVironment, has previously demonstrated the ability of Switchblade 600 to be air-launched from the MQ-9 Reaper. Mojave seen launching a Switchblade 600 in the new video. General Atomics capture The video also shows Mojave being used to find and fix enemy forces, which are then engaged by friendly 155mm howitzers, as well as to carry cargo in underwing pods to forward locations. GA-ASI has previously showcased the potential value of Mojave in the latter role as part of a larger construct to provide logistics support during future expeditionary and distributed operations, even in actively contested environments. A Mojave drone arrives at a jungle airstrip with cargo in pods under its wings. General Atomics capture The new video caps off with a Mojave firing on unseen targets with a pair of underwing Minigun pods. This is another capability General Atomics has previously demonstrated in real life. The drone can also carry other stores, including AGM-114 Hellfires and AGM-179 Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles (JAGM), on the pylons under its wings. The Mojave demonstrator seen previously with Minigun pods and other stores under its wings. General Atomics General Atomics is pitching the overall vision presented here for Mojave heavily to the U.S. Army, though it has also been engaged with other potential customers. Testing in cooperation with authorities in the United Kingdom and South Korea has demonstrated how the drones short-field capabilities could also translate to naval operations from aircraft carriers and big deck amphibious assault ships. Last year, GA-ASI announced a partnership with Hanwha Aerospace in South Korea to produce what was still then being called Gray Eagle STOL in that country. Mojave STOL provides the versatility that the U.S. Army and others need for the future, with the endurance and persistence they’ve come to rely on, underpinned by experience gleaned from almost 10 million total flight hours, General Atomics Brinkley told us. That’s why Hanwha jumped in as our partner on this, bringing international investment to further buy down risk. The U.S. Army wants to be successful right out of the gate. No stumbling, no fumbling, he added. They’re already integrating tactical drones into the force and experimenting with how that will change the nature of American warfare. They’re bringing a new tiltrotor online. It’s a period of massive change for Army aviation. The tiltrotor in question is the MV-75A, now officially nicknamed the Cheyenne II, which Bell derived from its V-280 Valor design. You can read more about the Armys current plans for this aircraft here. The Army is now in the early stages of formulating plans to acquire uncrewed companions for the MV-75A and its existing fleets of crewed helicopters. However, the focus so far has been on vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capable designs rather than a fixed-wing type like Mojave, as TWZ has explored previously. In general, greater independence from traditional runways has been a major area of focus across the U.S. military in recent years when it comes to planning for future aviation operations, especially in the context of a high-end fight in the Pacific against China. A Bell rendering depicting V-280 Valors operating together with uncrewed V-247 Vigilant tiltrotor drones. Bell Our engineers are obsessed with developing the next-generation of uncrewed aircraft. More than a decade ago, they dug deep into VTOL and runway independence, General Atomics Brinkley explained. What they discovered was payload and endurance tradeoffs with VTOL create a lot of challenges when applied to real combat operations. It’s a tough hand to play. Mojave STOL is flying right now. We have five million square feet of existing manufacturing, ready to go, he added. We can help the Army integrate a real, rugged, ready today Mojave STOL into the force with far less risk to success. Questions have also been raised in the past about the survivability and general utility of drones like Mojave, as well as predecessors like the MQ-1C and MQ-9, in future high-end operations. The latest conflict with Iran has underscored the vulnerability of the Reaper, in particular. Air-launched drones and stand-off munitions, as well as new self-protection capabilities, can help keep these drones further away from enemy defenses. TWZ has also previously highlighted how a drone like Mojave could be used to provide more localized force protection, including against uncrewed aerial threats, at forward outposts and rear areas in the context of a larger conflict. Its also worth noting here that while Mojave would not be as quick to respond to incoming drone threats as a tactical jet, it would be able to loiter in a particular area for a longer period of time. It could also provide strike and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) support while on station. Being able to fly from unimproved forward airstrips would also allow it to operate organically with the forces it is assigned to support. When it comes to the Army, it remains to be seen how that services visions for its future drone fleets and crewed-uncrewed teaming evolve. As mentioned, the Mojave STOLs capabilities, including its ability to act as a rocket-armed drone hunter, could be attractive to other potential operators, who might fly the drones from bases on land or ships at sea. In the meantime, General Atomics continues to expand on the Mojave concept, which now includes the planned integration of APKWS II laser-guided rockets. Contact the author: joe@twz.com The post Hunting Drones From Sloppy Airstrips Is General Atomics Future Vision For Mojave appeared first on The War Zone.

[Category: Air, Air Force Munitions, Air-To-Ground, Drones, Laser Guided Rockets, News & Features, Q-1, Unmanned] [Link to media]

— Army Names Its New MV-75 Tiltrotor Cheyenne II

 

at 4/15/26 8:24am

The Cold War-era Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne might have been plagued with issues, but there’s no doubt it was among the world’s most advanced helicopters of its day. The AH-56 was so fast, and its features so ahead of their time, that the U.S. Army has decided to port over its name for its highly anticipated MV-75 tiltrotor, now officially named the Cheyenne II. The name also continues the Armys tradition of naming its helicopters after great Native American tribes, and will find its place among icons like the Apache, Chinook, and Lakota. A rendering shows a pair of MV-75s, now named Cheyenne II. Bell In 2022, the Army picked a design from Bell, based on that company’s V-280 Valor tiltrotor, as the winner of its Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) competition. In January of this year, the Army confirmed to TWZ that it planned to accelerate its timeline for the MV-75 by multiple years, fielding the first examples in 2027 versus 2031. The Bell V-280 Valor was developed for the Army’s Joint Multi-Role Technical Demonstrator program as a precursor to the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA). Bell/Matthew Ryan The rollout took place today at the Army Aviation Association of America’s Army Aviation Warfighting Summit in Nashville, Tennessee. Speaking to journalists, including TWZ, before that event, Maj. Gen. Clair A. Gill, the commanding general of the Army Aviation Center and Portfolio Acquisition Executive — Expanded Maneuver Air, announced the MV-75’s rollout as “a pivotal moment for Army Aviation, for our soldiers.” In keeping with other Army rotorcraft, the MV-75’s name also honors a Native American tribe (more accurately, two tribes), the Cheyenne. As Maj. Gen. Gill explained: This name reflects more than heritage. It reflects identity. The Cheyenne people inhabited the Great Plains for 400 years, adapting to a harsh and unforgiving environment as highly proficient hunters and gatherers. Their way of life required constant mobility, organized around nomadic buffalo hunting, enabling them to assemble, disassemble, and move quickly to meet the demands of their environment. In many aspects, that same ability to rapidly organize, reposition, and operate with precision is reflected in the MV-75 platform.” “Life in that environment demanded resilience and strength,” Gill continued. “Tribes navigated rivalries, dirt, conflict, and adapted as Westward expansion reshaped the landscape around them. Today, the Cheyenne are represented by the Northern Cheyenne tribe in Montana, in the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes in Oklahoma, whose legacy reflects the proud and enduring warrior tradition, ground and protection, provision and leadership. Those values demand capability, and in today’s fight, that capability comes in the form of speed, range, lethality, and adaptability. That spirit of mobility, resilience, and disciplined strength is what the name Cheyenne II represents.” As for the other, historical Cheyenne, the AH-56, this was a first-generation attack helicopter drafted during the Vietnam War. Most impressively for the time, the helicopter could hit a 224-mile-per-hour cruise speed and dash at speeds up to 240 miles per hour, driven by a nearly 4,000-horsepower turbine engine and a pusher propeller on the tail boom. While it boasted incredible performance and was packed full of advanced features, the AH-56 was destined for failure. A combination of technical issues, program management shortfalls, changing procurement priorities, high cost, and a fatal crash in 1969 saw the program terminated. But despite never entering service, the Cheyenne left a profound impact on the concept of close air support and attack helicopter design, and today holds a special place in military aviation history. On the other hand, there are plenty of obvious differences between the AH-56 and the MV-75, not least their missions. They also had different prime contractors, and, the Army must hope, will have very different outcomes. Maj. Gen. Gill continued: “What the [AH-56] Cheyenne was when it was initially conceived in the 1960s was a transformational leap ahead in technology. It was a rotorcraft when we were still learning how helicopters flew and how we could get the maximum utility, speed, and range out of them. And the Cheyenne, at the time that it was developed, was completely different. It had a pusher prop on it that allowed it to achieve speeds that we hadn’t seen before. You could draw a lot of parallels between going from the current fleet of rotorcraft that we fly, that is really 1960s, 1970s-era technology … to what we’re doing with the tiltrotor technology. Twice as far, twice as fast, vertical takeoff and landing, but flying at airplane speeds. You can certainly draw the metaphor there if you want, between the AH-56 back in the late 1960s and the MV-75 today.” AH-56 Cheyenne firing rockets. U.S. Army Continuing on the transformational theme, Brent G. Ingraham, the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology, provided his assessment of the MV-75, describing it as “a generational capability for the Army,” and one that “truly fundamentally changes how commanders think about distance, time, and maneuver on the battlefield.” Ingraham continued: “It combines the vertical lift of a helicopter with the speed and range of an airplane, allowing us to project combat power from safer distances, penetrate deeper into contested environments, and deliver soldiers where they are needed most, faster than we ever have before.” For the soldier, this means “restoring full-squad insertion at extended range, expanding medevac reach well beyond today’s Golden Hour, enabling large-scale, long-range air assault operations that can reshape the battlefield,” Ingraham added. Just as critically, the Cheyenne II will be able to self-deploy globally, reducing cost, complexity, and response time in a crisis. This is also especially relevant for future operations in the Indo-Pacific region, where operating locations and objectives are likely to be dispersed across large areas with limited options for making intermediate stops. A rendering of an MV-75 launching drones. Bell Ingraham also noted another key aspect of the program, namely the incredibly aggressive schedule to get it into service. Claiming the program as an “acquisition success story,” he described the team moving “with urgency while maintaining discipline.” The MV-75 is designed around a modular, open-systems approach, with a digital backbone that should make it easier to adapt and upgrade as the program evolves. “That means we can rapidly integrate new technologies, adapt to emerging threats, and avoid the costly redesigns of the past,” Ingraham said. Soldiers are gaining hands-on experience with the future MV-75 through an immersive Virtual Prototype at Redstone Arsenal. U.S. Army/Matthew Ryan Ingraham confirmed that the fielding timeline is being accelerated, which means the first Cheyenne II unit should be equipped in Fiscal Year 2030. Exactly how realistic that ambition is is something that we will discuss in a follow-on story. As Ingraham said, speed matters, not just in the air, but in acquisition as well. “We did it through strong partnerships across industry, the requirements community, and our operational units like the 101st [The 101st Airborne Division, the Army’s premier air assault unit, and the first unit set to get MV-75s], ensuring this platform is not just technologically advanced, but operationally relevant from day one. Simply put, the MV-75 Cheyenne II is how we deliver capability at the speed of relevance.” For a rotary-wing program that puts a lot of emphasis on speed, its new Cheyenne II name is especially appropriate. Let’s just hope its warp-speed development doesn’t end the same way as its partial namesake. Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com The post Army Names Its New MV-75 Tiltrotor Cheyenne II appeared first on The War Zone.

[Category: Air, FLRAA, Future Vertical Lift, Helicopters, Military Aviation History] [Link to media]

— U.S. Army UH-60M Black Hawk Tour And Mission Brief With Its Pilots

 

at 4/15/26 7:54am

TWZ got a personal tour of a U.S. Army UH-60M Black Hawk utility helicopter by its pilot during the Dubai Air Show in November 2025. Sikorsky has built more than 5,000 examples of the Hawk family of helicopters for 36 nations worldwide. Together they’ve racked up more than 15 million flight hours, including five million in combat. The UH-60M Black Hawk has a maximum gross weight of 22,000 pounds (9,979 kg) and can transport 12 fully-equipped troops (seated). The variant has also been missionized for various roles, including for U.S. special forces as the MH-60M. Whether used by the National Guard to respond to disasters, delivering humanitarian aid across Europe, supporting relief operations in the Philippines, battling wildfires in the Firehawk version, or hoisting stranded hikers, the Black Hawk is a truly versatile multi-mission helicopter. Sikorsky’s Black Hawk modernization efforts will enable more power, greater payload and extended range while reducing fuel consumption.  Furthermore, with a digital Modular Open-System Approach and autonomy for unmanned operations in its new U-Hawk variant, the Black Hawk will be able to support fast capability integration and enhanced survivability through uncrewed battlefield operations. Check out the full walk-around video below: Contact the editor: Tyler@twz.com The post U.S. Army UH-60M Black Hawk Tour And Mission Brief With Its Pilots appeared first on The War Zone.

[Category: Sponsored Content, Air] [Link to media]

— B-21 Raider Seen From Above For The First Time

 

at 4/15/26 12:40am

We have just gotten our first full overhead image ever of the B-21 Raider. The photo was taken during the Raiders initial aerial refueling trials, which TWZ was first to report on. While a head-on slightly elevated image of the B-21 has been released, one showing the entire aircraft from a steep upper perspective has not. The same can be said for any image showing the next generation bombers exhaust, which is one of the most sensitive parts of a very low observable aircrafts design. The images of the first B-21 airframe, nicknamed Cerberus, undergoing testing in the pre-contact position behind the tanker were included with a release from its manufacturer, Northrop Grumman. It states, in part: As the most fuel-efficient bomber ever built, the B-21 consumes a fraction of the fuel used by fourth- and fifth-generation aircraft. This reduces demand for theatre tanker logistics and provides operational commanders with greater flexibility in force packaging.  With more than $5 billion invested in digital technologies and manufacturing infrastructure for the B-21 program, Northrop Grumman is accelerating its production, with the first aircraft planned to arrive at Ellsworth Air Force Base in 2027.   The B-21s extreme endurance is a key component of the Long-Range Strike Bomber (LRS-B) concept. The aircraft is smaller than a B-2, but will be able to fly farther, relying on a planform design that predated the B-2 Spirit and is optimized for high-altitude, highly-efficient flight. The B-21 likely relies on two engines, based on images showing the aircrafts contrails and general design cues, not four, as found in its predecessor. The aircraft will also have a smaller weapons payload than the B-2, but will carry an extreme amount of fuel to help it reach farther from a tanker. You can learn more about the evolution of the B-21 and its B-2 roots in this past feature of ours. The tanker that is seen in the images is Edwards AFBs Ghost tanker, tail number 61-0320. TWZ just spent time with this special aircraft and its crews at Edwards AFB. You can learn all about their unique mission in the feature video below that we posted to YouTube as part of our Special Access video series: In this new overhead image, we get a good look at the Raiders open refueling receptacle and the paint markings around it, which mirror those found on the USAFs 5th generation stealth fighters, the F-22 and F-35. We also get a great look at the B-21s deeply-blended air inlets, also one of the most sensitive parts of its stealth design. Above all else, we are shown Raiders exhausts, which appear very impressive, if not a bit confounding. We must state that the image very well could have been altered so as to not give certain features of the B-21s exotic exhausts away. Once again, this is a very sensitive area of the bomber. Regardless, what we see is the deeply-sunk chevron-shaped (inverse direction compared to B-2) low-observable exhausts placed very far forward of the aircrafts trailing edge to help mask its infrared signature. But whats missing is any kind of special material that would attenuate the heat generated from the hot gasses and protect the airframe from it. There also isnt any planar area for active cooling, as is found on the B-2, or a trough-like section that connects the buried engines exhaust ducts with the upper area of the aircrafts empennage. Exactly how all this is accomplished is unclear, but again, the image could be touched up to conceal parts of this area. (Northrop Grumman) The B-2 from a similar angle. (USAF) Vincent De Groot Another feature that we have pointed out since the B-21 was revealed that is really clear in this image is just how small the cockpit windows are. As we originally speculated, their unique design was likely driven by aerial refueling requirements balanced against minimizing the frontal radar cross-section of the aircraft. The B-21s higher operating altitude should make the cockpit area less of an issue for most aerial and ground based radars, but still, it appears that minimal cockpit glazing was used to keep the Raider hard to detect as possible. We also got a side view of the aerial refueling formation trial showing the B-21s trailing its instrumented drogue as it cozies up behind 61-0320. This angle gives an idea of just how short the length of the B-21 is. Likely about the length of an F-15 front to back. Our estimation of its wingspan remains around 145 to 155 feet. (Northrop Grumman) Overall, from what we understand about the still very secretive program is that its on schedule and on budget — a remarkable achievement considering the history of its progenitor. You can read all about how the B-2s unfortunate fiscal death spiral likely heavily influenced the B-21s design in our previous feature linked here. Regardless, its great to see new perspectives of what is the most cutting-edge manned aircraft known to the public and it is a good sign that we will be seeing a lot more imagery of the B-21 as the test program accelerates towards initial operational capability. UPDATE: Here is an annotated view of the B-21s upper fuselage showing some of its main features, minus the conformal antennas and other bits: Contact the author: Tyler@twz.com The post B-21 Raider Seen From Above For The First Time appeared first on The War Zone.

[Category: Air, B-21, Bombers] [Link to media]

— Navy MQ-4C Triton Surveillance Drone Crash In The Middle East Finally Confirmed

 

at 4/14/26 3:57pm

The U.S. Navy has finally confirmed that an MQ-4C Triton surveillance drone crashed back on April 9. The circumstances that led to the loss of the uncrewed aircraft remain unknown, but the incident has now been described as a mishap. The uncrewed aircraft had vanished unexpectedly from online flight tracking sites while flying over the Persian Gulf, but where exactly it went down is unclear. You can read more about what was already known about the fate of the MQ-4C in our initial reporting here. Naval Safety Commands latest publicly available mishap summary report, which appears to have been published today, includes the following brief entry: 9 Apr 2026 (Location Withheld – OPSEC [Operational Security]) MQ-4C crashed, no injury to personnel. Not surprisingly, this is categorized as a Class A mishap, which is defined as one that causes more than $2 million in damages, results in one or more individuals dying or being permanently disabled, or any combination of the above. Navy budget documents last pegged the unit price of an MQ-4C at just over $238 million. As of 2025, the Navy had 20 of these drones in service in total, with plans to acquire seven more. A list of recent Class A mishaps included in the Naval Safety Commands latest publicly available mishap summary report. USN TWZ reached out to the Navy and CENTCOM for comment. The Navy directed us to contact CENTCOM, and the command declined to comment. The MQ-4C was widely assumed to have gone down last week. Right before the flow of online tracking data stopped, a huge and sudden loss of altitude, from a typical cruising altitude of around 50,000 feet down to below 10,000 feet, was recorded. At the time, the drone looked to be heading back to its base at Naval Air Station Sigonella in Italy after completing a surveillance mission over the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz. The drones transponder had also been broadcasting (or “squawking”) the code 7700, which is a general declaration of an in-flight emergency, at the time. However, as TWZ noted at the time, the code, by itself, does not provide details about the nature or severity of the emergency. There were also reports that the Triton had initially squawked 7400, a different code used to declare the drone had lost its connection with controllers on the ground. On its way back to base, the US Navy MQ-4C Triton reconnaissance drone that had been patrolling the Strait of Hormuz took a turn towards Iran, squawked code 7700 (general emergency), and started descending, falling off ADS-B as it dropped under 10k feet. pic.twitter.com/1Ki8OsEk9k— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) April 9, 2026 As noted, where exactly the drone went down is not clear. It was last tracked flying in international airspace over the Persian Gulf in the direction of Iran, but there is no evidence it went down in that country. It is also unknown what steps may have been taken, or still be underway, to recover the downed MQ-4C. Each one of the drones carries a powerful active electronically scanned array (AESA) multi-mode radar, electro-optical and infrared video cameras in a turret under the nose, and electronic support measures systems for collecting electronic intelligence passively. The Navy, in cooperation with prime contractor Northrop Grumman, has also been working to upgrade the signals intelligence suites on these drones in recent years. A stock picture of an MQ-4C. USN If an adversary could recover any of these systems largely intact, it could represent a significant intelligence loss. Though there are no indications whatsoever that the MQ-4C went down due to hostile fire, recovery of the wreckage could still be of benefit for propaganda purposes, especially for Iran in the context of the latest conflict. Iran did shoot down a Navy RQ-4 Broad Area Maritime Surveillance-Demonstrator (BAMS-D) drone while it was flying over the Gulf of Oman in 2019, and promptly put what remained of the uncrewed aircraft on display. The BAMS-D was a precursor to the MQ-4C. The Triton is derived from the core RQ-4 Global Hawk design, but is optimized for long-duration overwater missions. More photos of the shot down RQ-4A landing gear, and the fuselage composite material (likely carbon fabric).https://t.co/bx0lh74dMF pic.twitter.com/p7wWDEkDLQ— Mehdi H. (@mhmiranusa) June 20, 2022 As an aside, another MQ-4C was tracked flying a routine mission over the Persian Gulf today. This was the first such sortie visible online since April 9, which could reflect a pause in operations following the crash. Last week, TWZ pointed out that Tritons were likely to play an important role in surveilling the Persian Gulf, as well as the Strait of Hormuz, amid a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran. The capabilities the drones offer are likely to be even more important now as the U.S. military works to enforce a blockade of Iranian ports and to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to regular maritime traffic to and from other countries in the region. After a patrol over the Strait of Hormuz, the Triton is now returning to Sigonella. pic.twitter.com/NBYSHmXzZK— itamilradar (@ItaMilRadar) April 14, 2026 We will provide additional details about the crash of MQ-4C if and when they become available. Contact the author: joe@twz.com The post Navy MQ-4C Triton Surveillance Drone Crash In The Middle East Finally Confirmed appeared first on The War Zone.

[Category: Air, Around The Globe, Middle East, MQ-4C, Navies, News & Features, Q-4, Sea, U.S. Navy, Unmanned] [Link to media]

As of 4/18/26 1:10pm. Last new 4/17/26 6:54pm.