Special Purpose

Military Aviation News

Iran army helicopter crashes into market, killing 2 pilots and 2 merchants

02/25/2026

Two military pilots and two merchants have been killed after an army helicopter crashed into a fruit market in central Iran. The crash on Tuesday morning occurred in Dorcheh, a town in Isfahan province, where the army has a major airbase, according to state media, which said the cause was likely a technical fault in the aircraft.

Collaborative Combat Aircraft program progresses through deliberate weapons integration testing

The Air Force has entered the next phase of developmental testing for its Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, initiating disciplined weapons integration and captive carry evaluations using inert test munitions to validate airworthiness, safety and systems performance.

Built to Adapt: The F-15’s Transformation and Global Impact

When the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle first entered U.S. Air Force service in 1974, it was designed with a single mission: to ensure air superiority against any adversary. Nearly five decades later, the F-15’s legacy is measured not only in speed and payload but also in adaptability, mission success and its role in shaping the capabilities of defense forces around the world.

US ambassador pitches Lockheed Martin F-35 to Portugal as F-16 replacement

The United States’ ambassador in Lisbon, John Arrigo, has urged Portugal to buy Lockheed Martin’s F-35, pushing the fifth-generation fighter as the preferred successor to the Portuguese Air Force’s aging F-16 fleet. made the remarks in an interview with CNN Portugal, framing the aircraft choice around NATO interoperability and arguing that joining the large and growing European F-35 user community would place Portugal among the continent’s “top tier” air forces.

China’s J-10 Fighter Jet Could Reshape the Indo-Pacific

The Chengdu J-10 represents a turning point in Chinese military aviation: the first truly modern, domestically designed multirole fighter fielded at scale. Often compared to the American F-16 or the Swedish Gripen, the J-10 symbolizes China’s transition from Soviet-derived platforms to indigenous design capability. And while the J-10 lacks stealth capabilities, it still serves as a central platform to the PLAAF’s force structure.

Seoul protests US-China fighter jet encounter over Yellow Sea, report says

South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense has lodged a complaint with U.S. Forces Korea over a brief standoff between American and Chinese fighter jets, according to local media. Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back contacted the USFK commander, Army Gen. Xavier Brunson, after learning of Wednesday’s incident, the Yonhap News Agency reported Saturday.

GA-ASI Announces YFQ-42A Dark Merlin

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is giving its U.S. Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft a new name: YFQ-42A Dark Merlin. Dark merlins, deadly falcons known for their black feathers and devouring of other falcons as prey, often collaborate in groups for maximum effect against their targets.

A US Air Force F-22 Raptor just showed off how it might work with a loyal wingman-type drone in a future air war

A crewed US Air Force fighter and an uncrewed jet-powered aircraft flew together recently, communicating and showing how autonomous drones might fight in a future air war alongside human pilots. US defense firm General Atomics, a competitor in the Air Force's Collaborative Combat Program aimed at developing and fielding loyal wingman-type drones, said on Monday that its MQ-20 Avenger, long a CCA stand-in, flew with an F-22 Raptor.

The future of the Argentine Air Force’s A-4AR fighter-bombers: between doubts, certainties, and uncertainty heading into 2026

Nearly two years after their last flight, the future of the Argentine Air Force’s A-4AR Fightinghawk fighter-bombers continues to raise questions amid postponed decisions, budgetary constraints, and growing expectations over time. With the objective of restoring 18 aircraft, current planning aims to preserve the aerospace operational capability of the V Air Brigade, based in Villa Reynolds, San Luis.

Airbus Lacks Independent 4th-Gen Fighter Capability, Yet Claims Readiness for Solo 6th-Gen Development

Lockheed Martin highlights ASCO Canada’s manufacturing role in F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter program

While it has yet to decide between the F-16 Block 70, the Gripen E, or the Rafale, Peru has authorized the first funds for the purchase of new multirole fighters

F-16s Heading To Middle East Equipped With Angry Kitten Electronic Warfare Pods

Another Tejas light combat aircraft lost in accident, pilot safe

Doomsday Planes, J-20s & F-22s: The Iran Escalation Explained

Amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge achieves milestone as F-35B Lightning II jets conduct first flight operations

US F-16's and Chinese Fighters Engage in Brief Aerial Standoff Over Yellow Sea

As aging Air Force AWACS heads to Middle East, where is its replacement?

NORAD detects and tracks Russian aircraft operating in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone

Pilot killed as Iran fighter jet crashes in Hamadan province