2/22/2026 F-16s Heading To Middle East Equipped With Angry Kitten Electronic Warfare Pods  A group of Block 52 F-16CJ Vipers belonging to the South Carolina Air National Guard was recently spotted heading east across the Atlantic as part of a huge build-up of U.S. forces ahead of potential strikes on Iran. Each of the Vipers was notably seen carrying an Angry Kitten pod, a new electronic warfare system that helps defend against anti-air threats, and that may now be headed for its first use in real combat. |
2/22/2026 Another Tejas light combat aircraft lost in accident, pilot safe  The Indian Air Force's Tejas fighter jet fleet is under scrutiny following a recent crash during landing. This marks the third significant incident involving the aircraft, with the pilot escaping unharmed but the jet sustaining severe damage. Investigations are underway as the Air Force awaits delayed deliveries of an upgraded variant. |
2/22/2026 Doomsday Planes, J-20s & F-22s: The Iran Escalation Explained  Iran is currently on the edge as a new phase of escalation takes shape through aircraft movements and deployment patterns. This shift is not a matter of speeches but the quiet geometry of power projection across the region. Satellite imagery has recently identified the presence of the Ilyushin IL-80, often called Russia’s “doomsday aircraft”. This plane serves as an airborne command post built for survivability during high-intensity conflict. |
2/22/2026 Amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge achieves milestone as F-35B Lightning II jets conduct first flight operations  Sailors assigned to the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) marked a significant milestone this week when F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters from Marine Fighter Squadron (VMFA) 542 landed on the ship’s flight deck on February 10, 2026. The event represents the first time F-35B Lightning IIs have conducted operations aboard Kearsarge. |
2/21/2026 US F-16's and Chinese Fighters Engage in Brief Aerial Standoff Over Yellow Sea  US fighter jets stationed in South Korea and aircraft from China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) were involved in a brief aerial standoff over the Yellow Sea earlier this week, according to South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency on February 20. The incident occurred on Wednesday, February 18, when several US Air Force F-16s operating from Osan Air Base in western South Korea were conducting routine training flights over international waters. |
2/21/2026 As aging Air Force AWACS heads to Middle East, where is its replacement?  When Air Force E-3 Sentry aircraft arrived in the Middle East this week, it marked the latest chapter in a nearly 50-year flying history for the venerable jets. Better known as AWACS, for Airborne Warning and Control System, the E-3s play a crucial role as eyes in the sky and command and control platforms for U.S. and allied aircrews in combat zones around the world. |
2/21/2026 NORAD detects and tracks Russian aircraft operating in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone  The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) detected and tracked two Tu-95s, two Su-35s, and one A-50 operating in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on Feb.19, 2026. NORAD launched two F-16s, two F-35s, one E-3, and four KC-135s to intercept, positively identify, and escort the aircraft until they departed the Alaskan ADIZ. |
2/21/2026 Pilot killed as Iran fighter jet crashes in Hamadan province  An Iranian fighter jet has crashed, killing one of two pilots onboard, Iranian state broadcaster IRIB said. The air force plane crashed during a late-night training exercise in western Hamadan province, IRIB posted on Telegram. "The cause of the accident is under investigation," it added. The incident comes amid massive US military buildup near Iran. |
2/21/2026 Germany Eyes MQ-29 and Valkyrie Drones for Future Unmanned Fighter-Bomber Fleet  Germany is evaluating unmanned aerial vehicles for its upcoming project of an unmanned fighter-bomber, capable of engaging in air combat alongside manned aircraft, conducting ground strikes, and returning home even after losing communication with control systems, Defense Express reported on February 20, citing German outlet Hartpunkt |
2/20/2026 Another NATO Country Is in Talks to Buy More F-16s  Additional US-made F-16 Fighting Falcons could soon find a nest in central Europe, as NATO member Slovakia is reportedly in talks to expand its program of record for the single-engine multirole aircraft. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico acknowledged this week that discussions were underway to expand Slovakia’s current order for 14 F-16s to 18. |