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A STRONG OFFENSE FOR THE WORLD OF DEFENSE

August 11, 2026 Last week, the U.S. Navy announced that future stretched Virginia class nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSN) fitted with Virginia Payload Modules (VPM) will be recategorized as guided missile types (SSGN). In doing so, the service disclosed that two Block V Virginia class boats will lack a VPM, and the four large vertical launch tubes contained therein, rather than just one as had been previously understood. Now, the Navy has confirmed to TWZ directly that the second VPM-less Block V will have a one-of-a-kind seabed warfare configuration. This will allow it to conduct espionage missions on the seafloor, a role currently filled by the USS Jimmy Carter, a one-off subvariant of the Seawolf class attack submarine. Read our full report and analysis here.

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First Episode: TWZ Special Access

Our Jamie Hunter had the rare opportunity to fly with the 66th Weapons Squadron’s A-10 team as they supported a capstone exercise one last time during the Weapons School’s final graduation events for new USAF Weapon Instructors before they gain their prestigious graduate patches. In this episode, Jamie visits the Warthog Weapons Instructor Course at Nellis AFB that has been the center of excellence for the A-10 and its missions for nearly 50 years, but is now closing down as the mighty "Hog" nears retirement. Watch below and subscribe to our YouTube channel here.

Read more about the 66th in our post here.

From the Archive

How The Air Force Fires Live Missiles To Make Sure Pilots And Weapons Function In Actual Combat

Live-fire training is about giving aircrews vital experience outside of the heat of combat and making sure the weapons they would use actually work.

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Hot Shots

U.S. Marines conduct a fire mission during a Tactical Air Control party exercise at W-174 Joint Okinawa Training Range Complex, Irisuna Island, Okinawa, Japan. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Logan Smith

An F-22 from the Raptor Demonstration Team performs an aerial demonstration at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. Alaska Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Moon

U.S. Army Soldiers fire a howitzer during a nighttime live-fire mission as part of Exercise Northern Strike 26-2 at the National All-Domain Warfighting Center in Grayling, Michigan. U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Ari Shuemake