ISR
How has Russia responded to Western ISR ops over NATO’s eastern flank?
Electronic intelligence flights in international airspace close to Russia have led to a series of incidents. Sérgio Santana looks at the heightened tensions and the Russian response to Western operations
Australia formally activates first MQ-4C Triton unit
The Royal Australian Air Force has formally reactivated No 9 Squadron at RAAF Base Tindal – located within Australia’s Northern Territory – as the air arm prepares to welcome its first Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles in 2024
USAF operates RQ-170 stealth drone over Black Sea
Nine flights have been carried out over the Black Sea by USAF-operated Lockheed Martin RQ-170 Sentinel low observable (or stealth) unmanned aerial vehicles, according to a batch of secret US military documents posted online
Taiwan’s upgraded F-16s finally regain LOROP-EO pod capability
When the Republic of China Air Force’s (ROCAF’s) fleet of F-16A/B Block 20s were upgraded to the F-16V, the latest and most advanced configuration of the Fighting Falcon to date, it was discovered that the AN/VDS-5 Long Range Oblique Photography Electro-Optical (LOROP-EO) reconnaissance pod was not compatible with the newly modified aircraft
How the 95th RS conducts RC-135 ops from RAF Mildenhall
As the USAF’s 95th Reconnaissance Squadron celebrates 105 years since its formation, Luca Chadwick looks at its operations out of RAF Mildenhall in the UK
RNZAF using King Air 350i fleet to bridge ISR capability gap
Two of the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s four sensor pod-equipped King Air 350i aircraft were signed off in February to perform operational ISR missions in addition to their existing crew training roles
What are the NATO ISR aircraft really doing on Ukraine's border?
NATO nations regularly fly a plethora of signals intelligence aircraft close to Ukraine’s western and southern borders. What are these aircraft doing? Thomas Withington explains all…
USAF pushes forward with RC-26B Condor retirement plan
Having served as an integral part of US ANG counter-narcotics operations for the last 30 years, the USAF is now moving to accelerate the retirement of its 11-strong fleet of RC-26B Condor reconnaissance aircraft – a type the service has been pushing to divest in recent years
NATO receives first upgraded RQ-4D Phoenix
The first RQ-4D Phoenix HALE UAV to complete the so-called Maritime Mode software upgrade and subsequent testing with the type’s manufacturer, Northrop Grumman, was returned to the NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance Force at Sigonella Air Base in Sicily, Italy, on September 17
Northrop Grumman unveils first MQ-4C Triton for Australia
Northrop Grumman revealed Australia’s maiden MQ-4C Triton autonomous aircraft, serial number A57-001, during a ceremony at its high-altitude, long-endurance aircraft production site in Palmdale, California, on September 14