Special Purpose

Military Aviation News

Downing of U.S. F-15s and the Role of Joint All-Domain Command and Control

03/04/2026

For years, U.S. and allied nation military planners have been seeking to improve planning, technology development and deployment of advanced systems for command, control and communications across all domains of a potential conflict space. This has been an acutely imperative concern for disparate nations conducting operations within each other’s airspace. Recent events in the start of U.S./Israeli military strikes on Iran, have profoundly illustrated the importance of this effort.

British Royal Air Force F-35 stealth fighter jets just scored their first-ever combat kill

British F-35s shot down drones over Jordan within the past 24 hours, the UK government said. It marks the first time a Royal Air Force F-35 has destroyed a hostile target during operations. The Middle East has been locked in an air defense frenzy as Iran fires waves of missiles and drones.

What Is Known About the Military Forces of Arab States in the Persian Gulf Amid Iranian Strikes

If Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, currently targeted by Iranian strikes, were to take direct military action, it could significantly accelerate the process, effectively doubling the forces already deployed by the U.S. and Israel

Malaysia Scraps Kuwaiti Hornet Purchase Plans

The government of Malaysia has officially abandoned its plans to acquire F/A-18 Hornets from Kuwait, due to continued uncertainty on when the aircraft would be available and their long-term logistical support. Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari told lawmakers on February 26, that the cabinet had decided to cancel the planned purchase during a February 6 meeting, following a technical assessment by a Royal Malaysian Air Force delegation that inspected the Kuwaiti aircraft in November 2025.

Next-Generation Adaptive Propulsion system matters for Korea -U.S. pact

In recent talks with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby recently praised South Korea as a "model ally" for committing to increase defense spending to 3.5% of gross domestic produce. And Seoul is truly stepping up. Defense spending increased 7.5% to $44.8 billion in fiscal 2026, the KF-21 Boramae fighter begins deliveries this year and the F-15K fleet is receiving major upgrades to ensure interoperability with U.S. forces.

France deploys fighter jets over UAE to protect its military bases

France has deployed Rafale jets over the United Arab Emirates to protect its bases after a drone hit a French facility, Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said. The announcement comes as regional tensions continue to escalate following US and Israeli strikes on Iran.

Friendly-Fire Incidents Are Nothing New In Modern Air Warfare

The loss of three U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles to apparent friendly fire over Kuwait earlier today underscores an enduring reality of conflict: despite advances in technology, high levels of training, and the most carefully prepared plans, casualties inflicted by the same side are always a hazard. Indeed, these are not the first blue-on-blue incidents involving U.S. and allied combat aircraft in the various campaigns since the end of the Cold War.

Blasted out at 20 times the force of gravity: what ejection from a fighter jet does to the body

Three US F-15E fighter jets were shot down over Kuwait in the early hours of Monday (March 2) in an apparent friendly fire incident during Operation Epic Fury, the joint US-Israel campaign against Iran. All six crew members ejected safely and are in a stable condition – but “safely” is a relative term when you’re being blasted out of a stricken aircraft travelling at combat speed.

America’s F-35 Lightning II Fighter Jet Now Comes with AI Integration

As part of “Project Overwatch,” Lockheed Martin has tested AI model integration into the F-35 mission system. This is the first instance of AI suggesting combat targeting in-flight, marking a significant milestone for human-AI collaboration in the cockpit. Of course, the AI involvement remains limited; there are no autonomous weapons, and the AI has no authority to pull the trigger.

Rolls-Royce boss ‘open’ to Germany joining UK’s fighter jet project

The US Badly Wants Portugal to Reconsider Buying the F-35

U.S. Deploys Broad Mix Of Military Aircraft In Iran Strikes

Iran deploys Yak-130 jets for drone patrols over Tehran

U.S. Forces destroy Iranian Su-22 combat aircraft

Qatar says its air force shot down 2 Iranian warplanes

Kuwait: Several U.S. military planes crash; all crew members survived

Retired U.S. General slams U.S. delay in fighter transfers to Ukraine

Israeli Air Force deploys F-35I Adir fighter fleet in Operation Roaring Lion amid pngoing strikes on targets in Iran

A, B, C: What’s the difference between the different Lockheed Martin F-35 variants?

UK fighter jet shoots down Iranian drone flying towards Qatar