Military Aviation & Aircraft

Key.Aero offers comprehensive and unparalleled coverage of the world’s air forces. Find out about the latest military and aerospace technology, view in-depth features on military conflicts, weaponry and exercises, read exclusive personnel interviews and enjoy superb colour photography by the world’s leading aviation photographers.

First operational carrier deployment for USMC F-35Cs

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron-314 (VMFA-314) made history as the first USMC unit to deploy the F-35C Lightning II aboard a US Navy aircraft carrier, as it departed with Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) on January 3

Spangdahlem F-16s strengthen NATO Air Policing mission

Multiple US F-16C/D Fighting Falcons from the 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem AFB, Germany, landed at Łask Air Base, Poland, on January 4 to work alongside the current deployed units on NATO Baltic Air Policing and Enhanced Air Policing detachments

News Premium

F-22A Raptor undergoing major rebuild in Alaska following crash

More than three-and-a-half years after USAF Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor 07-4146 ‘AK’ was extensively damaged in a fiery crash, the aircraft is well on its way to being made airworthy again

UAE to equip A330 MRTT fleet with Israeli self-protection systems

Elbit Systems has announced that its UAE-based subsidiary, Elbit Systems Emirates, will supply Israeli-developed airborne self-protection systems for the UAE Air Force and Air Defence’s five-strong Airbus A330-243MRTT fleet

South Korea grounds F-35A fleet following belly landing

The Republic of Korea Air Force has grounded its Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fleet after one example was forced to perform an emergency belly landing following an avionic system issue on January 4

Feature Premium

Is retiring the RAF's Tranche 1 Typhoons the right move?

In March 2021, the UK announced plans to retire the RAF's fleet of Tranche 1 Eurofighters by 2025. We explore the decision to prematurely withdraw roughly one quarter of the air arm's Typhoon force and the ramifications this will bring

Qatar's initial NH90s make first public appearance

According to a press release by Leonardo company on January 3, the Qatar Emiri Air Force NH90 programme marked a major milestone with the first appearance of the Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) and NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH) variants during Qatar’s national day on December 18

Eurodrone mock up unveiled at ILA 2018 in Berlin News Premium

Key year for Eurodrone RPAS development

As the early light of 2022 filters through the remains of the holiday fog, one programme expected to be the focus of attention in the first half of the year is the Eurodrone platform

‘Tailored’ F-35 variant contract announced for mystery customer

A contract by the US DOD recently revealed that Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $49m contract to design and develop a tailored variant of the F-35 Lightning II for an unspecified Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customer

The Air Warrior Podcast Episode 29

In the first episode of 2022 we hear from a former Rafale fighter pilot from France’s Marine Nationale on his experiences of the aircraft and what daily life was like operating from the French Navy’s flagship, the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle.

Latest Issues from our leading aviation publications

Premium Key Aero subscribers get access to read all our magazines online as soon as they leave the editor’s desk.

The Latest Military Aviation News All in One Place

This is the only website you need for the latest in military aviation news and analysis with specialist webpages focusing on the fastest and largest aircraft in the world, the airforces and their pilots. From this central hub you can find links to the many categories of articles within Key.Aero that provide that in-depth coverage of military aviation. Learn about the varied facets of military aviation, its history and its fighters, transports and the airshows where they can all be seen on static display or in flying displays overhead.

Airforce and Military Aircraft News

All the latest news you will want to read about the airforces of the world, large and small can be found in this one place. The United States airforce, the Russian Federation airforce, the Republic of Korea airforce, and China’s People’s Liberation Army airforce, have some of the largest fleets in the world. The challenges that face these airforces, and others, range from the management of ageing fleets to working with industry to develop the latest aircraft technologies for the entry into service of fifth generation and stealth capable fighters and bombers.

See all the latest airforce news here

Military Fighters Aircraft and Combat Aircraft

Discover everything about the deadliest military fighter aircraft in the world in this section. Links to expert resources and articles can be found here for the fast jets from the world’s biggest manufacturers, Lockheed Martin, Russia’s Sukhoi Design Bureau, China’s Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation, and the European consortium that is Eurofighter Typhoon. News and analysis of their aircrafts’ capabilities are easy to find along with comprehensive background information of the world’s key models and makes of fighter. The Mach 2 capable Boeing F-15 Strike Eagle air superiority fighter, able to intercept an enemy’s fighters at long range, the agile Sukhoi Su-35 designed to win up close engagements with its thrust vectoring; and the radar defeating stealth aircraft from Lockheed Martin, the F-117 Knighthawk, the F-22 Raptor and the F-35 Lightning II, can all be found here along with many other fast jets.

Find out more about military fighter aircraft

Military Transport Aircraft

The largest aircraft in any fleet, in this section you can discover the history of, and the latest technology developments for, these behemoths of the sky. With huge wingspans and multiple engines, the global nature of conflict since the 20th century has required the international reach of these massive long-haul aircraft. From the United States Airforce’s Lockheed C-5 Galaxy to the Antonov An-124 Ruslan of the Russian Federation airforce and the Airbus A400M used by various other European airforces, the military transport aircraft carrying men and materials around the world can be found in this comprehensive resource.

Click here to read more articles on military transport aircraft

Military Aircraft Shows

The Royal International Air Tattoo, RAF Cosford air show, China’s Zhuai airshow, Germany’s ILA Berlin and Russia’s MAKS International Aviation and Space Salon are all shows that provide fantastic opportunities to see, hear and learn about the latest in military aircraft from fast jets to strategic bombers. Key.Aero’s military aircraft show section will keep you up to date with the latest news provided by its reporters attending these major airshows, and others, around the world that have military displays presenting the latest capabilities.

See all of our articles on military air shows

Subscribe to Key.Aero

Become a part of our aviation community and subscribe to Key.Aero now. You can get all the aviation information you'll ever need, whenever you want, with access to all the latest aviation updates, news, events and more.