ISR
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
Boeing advances manned-unmanned teaming with MQ-25 Stingray
Boeing announced on September 6 that it has digitally demonstrated a new open autonomy architecture for the MQ-25A Stingray carrier-based aerial refuelling UAV that will allow the US Navy to increase mission effectiveness by integrating MUM-T capability at speed and scale
The role of the USAF's U-2 spy plane in monitoring the war in Ukraine
The motto of the U-2 pilots is ‘In God We Trust, All Others We Monitor’. The Dragon Lady has been a key asset in many conflicts, not least the war in Ukraine. Combat Aircraft Journal reports
The role NATO ISR aircraft are playing in monitoring the war in Ukraine
Surveillance aircraft from Western air arms have been extremely active around Ukraine’s borders since the start of the Russian invasion. AirForces Monthly delves into the roles of allied spy planes during the conflict
Royal Thai Navy receives first RQ-21A Blackjack UAV from the US
The US Navy formally handed over the first Boeing Insitu RQ-21A Blackjack UAS to the Royal Thai Navy during a ceremony at an undisclosed location in Thailand on May 24
Why has Russia failed to gain air superiority over Ukraine?
Despite having greater numbers and more technologically advanced platforms, Russia has failed to achieve air superiority over Ukraine after more than four weeks of conflict. We explain where they went wrong
Reinforcing Europe: How the USAF has helped bolster NATO's eastern flank
Babak Taghvaee details how USAF fighters, tankers and intelligence-gathering aircraft have been used to bolster NATO’s eastern flank in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Canadian company to provide ISR drones to Ukraine
Canada-based uncrewed aerial system platform and service provider Volatus Aerospace has announced it has begun the delivery of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance system to Ukraine