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A STRONG OFFENSE FOR THE WORLD OF DEFENSE A STRONG OFFENSE FOR THE WORLD OF DEFENSE June 19, 2026 The MQ-9 Reaper and its associated Predator-B family of drones are in an interesting spot these days. On one hand, they are receiving new, highly relevant capabilities and missions at an accelerating pace. They also just proved to be an absolutely star asset for hunting and killing key targets, such as missile launchers and air defenses, deep inside Iran. On the other hand, their vulnerability to air defenses, not even modern ones, is glaring, with major losses in Iran and Yemen. Yet the USAF’s chronic lack of commitment to replace the MQ-9 has left it with dwindling stocks and nothing better to do the job. Within this jumbled and often misunderstood narrative, one new capability stands out from the rest that would give the MQ-9 extreme value today and for years to come. This is turning the MQ-9 into a radar-toting airborne early warning (AEW) platform for detecting and tracking aircraft, drones, and missiles. A Reaper in this exact configuration just flew for the first time recently. Read our full report and analysis here. Must Read Articles RC-135 Rivet Joints Could Control Drones To Drastically Expand Collection Capabilities Teaming with drones could be a path to new operational possibilities for the Rivet Joint, and other developments are on the horizon. READ NOW No, A VC-25A Air Force One Jet Isn’t Being Retired Just Yet The ex-Qatari VC-25B “Bridge” aircraft is set to enter service soon, but, contrary to reports, the older VC-25As will keep flying. READ NOW Here Is How Russia’s Skyfall Nuclear-Powered Cruise Missile Actually Works Researchers conclude the nuclear-powered cruise missile almost certainly uses a direct-cycle engine that spews radioactive material throughout its flight. READ NOW USAF Orders Both General Atomics’ FQ-42 And Anduril’s FQ-44 Into Production Buying both Collaborative Combat Aircraft designs instead of just selecting one has a number of big advantages to what is still a high-risk program. READ NOW Army’s Newest Unit Aims To “Overwhelm” Adversary With Drones In Pacific Fight  The new 7th Infantry Division Multi-Domain Command – Pacific will meld drone warfare with the maneuver capabilities of Stryker brigades. READ NOW Navy Finally Seeking To Dispose Of USS Long Beach, The World’s First Nuclear-Powered Cruiser Tearing apart a nuclear-powered warship is a whole lot more costly and time-consuming than a conventionally powered one. READ NOW New Episode: TWZ Showtime TWZ's Jamie Hunter talks with Jason Lambert from L3Harris about latest developments for the RC-135V/W Rivet Joint, Australia's MC-55A Peregrine, and the company's new Aeris X Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft, now in development for Korea. From the Archive Confessions Of A B-52 Stratofortress Maintainer What the job of the unsung heroes that keep America's antique go-to bomber in the air is really like. READ NOW Hot Shots 3rd Mobile Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division Soldiers conduct training at the Joint Readiness Training Center in Louisiana. U.S. Army photo A U.S. Army AH-64 Apache flies into position during aerial gunnery at Rodriguez Live Fire Complex, South Korea. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Damilola Awe A rescue swimmer descends down the hoist of an MH-60S Seahawk to a German Navy Type 212A diesel-electric attack submarine during casualty evacuation training in the Baltic Sea. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Chad M. Butler  June 16, 2026 The service says the Warthog will fly to 2030. Evidence shows a lack of commitment and the irreversible loss of A-10 combat capability is instead just months away. This September, the A-10 “Warthog” Thunderbolt II was scheduled to make its final flight. Instead, the A-10 deployed again, this time supporting combat operations over the Strait of Hormuz, striking Iranian fast-attack craft and maritime threats near one of the world’s most important shipping chokepoints. The A-10 was also the “Sandy” escort that recovered two downed F-15E airmen from inside Iran. Then, later in April, the Air Force reversed course and announced it would keep the jet flying through 2030. While the Air Force changed the headline, it has yet to follow through with the harder financial commitment needed to preserve actual A-10 combat power. Read the full Op-ed here. Must Read Articles B-52 Involved In Tragic Crash Was Heading Out On Radar Test Sortie The crash's human toll on the USAF test community is hard to fathom, and it will also have an impact on the already under-pressure B-52 modernization program. READ NOW Interim Main Battle Tank Unveiled As Future European Tank Project Slips The proposed tank would bridge the gap between the Leclerc and the delayed Franco-German Main Ground Combat System. READ NOW U.K. MoD Investigating Reports Of Russian Warship Firing Warning Shots In English Channel (Updated) The alleged incident involved a yacht and a Russian Navy ship sailing south of the Isle of Wight. READ NOW Fincantieri CEO Opens Up About The Constellation Class Frigate Debacle Fincantieri Marine Group CEO George Moutafis gives us exclusive insights into what sunk the frigate and what needs to change because of it. READ NOW China’s Big R6000 Tiltrotor Drone Has Entered Full Flight Testing New footage confirms the R6000 uncrewed tiltrotor has moved on from tethered hover trials. READ NOW America’s Naval Force Posture Largely Unchanged With Iran Ceasefire Deal On The Horizon Here's where America's aircraft carriers and big-deck amphibious assault ships are as of June 15, 2026. READ NOW From the Archive Skyhawks Over Cuba: VC-10 “Challengers” And Their TA-4J’s Unique Cold War Mission The squadron's primary mission may have been fleet training, but they could also respond to war arriving on their doorstep at a moment's notice. READ NOW Hot Shots Two F-35B Lightning II aircraft land aboard America-class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7) in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. U.S. Navy photo Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89) fires its Close-in Weapon System during a Pre-Action Aim Calibration fire while underway in the Indian Ocean. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy Dimal A pararescueman is hoisted into a HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter during a simulated Combat Search and Rescue demonstration off the coast of Florida. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Darius Sostre-Miroir

June 12, 2026 Operators of the C-17 Globemaster III have been reaching out to Boeing about possibly restarting the product line, and the company has been “encouraged” by these engagements. Separately, Congress recently directed the U.S. Air Force to prepare a formal briefing on the feasibility of acquiring new Globemaster IIIs. The Air Force’s C-17 fleet is critical for U.S. power projection globally. At the same time, a succession of crises in recent years has put serious strain on these aircraft, and questions have already been raised about the viability of the current plan to keep them flying through 2075. Read our full report here.

Must Read Articles

Boeing Drops Out Of Navy’s T-45 Jet Trainer Replacement Competition The field of competitors to design and build the Navy's next jet trainer has narrowed to just two teams, and both are putting forward twin-engine designs. READ NOW

Boeing’s New Larger Ghost Bat Can Carry AIM-120 AMRAAMs Internally The stealthy Ghost Bat is heading into its third iteration, with larger wings, more power, and internal weapons bays. READ NOW

Russia Building New Infrastructure For Major Troop Deployments Along NATO’s Northern Flank As Russia builds facilities for tens of thousands of troops, NATO is also bolstering its defenses with a new Arctic combat force to act as a deterrent. READ NOW

Four U-2S Spy Planes Would Be Restored In Bill That Would Save The Dragon Lady Fleet Congress is moving again to block the Air Force from retiring the U-2 amid continued questions about capability gaps. READ NOW

Germany And Spain Launch ‘Team Gen 6’ After Europe’s Next-Gen Fighter Effort Collapses The emerging coalition could reshape Europe’s future fighter landscape, but it still needs political backing, lots of funding, and likely more partners. READ NOW

Kongsberg Bets On High-Low Cruise Missile Mix With JSM And Rusty Dagger The low-cost Rusty Dagger is being combined with the more capable and expensive Joint Strike Missile in a tiered standoff strike portfolio. READ NOW

TWZ Special Access

Our Jamie Hunter presents a cockpit and walk-around tour of an A-10C Warthog with "Trippin," an instructor pilot with the 66th Weapons Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. The unit recently completed its final Weapons Instructor Course before it ceases "Hog" ops at Nellis as part of the A-10's retirement.

A full in-depth A-10 Weapons School episode will kick-off TWZ's first official Season of Special Access here on YouTube soon.

From the Archive

How The A-10’s Avenger Cannon Went From Terrible To Terrifying

This is the story of how the A-10 Warthog overcame its teething issues and became the feared 'flying gun' it is today.

READ NOW

Hot Shots

Air Force C-130 aircraft fly in formation over coastal regions of France in support of D-Day 82nd anniversary events in Normandy. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Corban Lundborg

Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89) steams in the Indian Ocean. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy Dimal

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians with Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit ONE (EODMU-1) at a training location in California. U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class August Clawson