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.

France welcomes last of initial batch of Phénix tankers

The French Air and Space Force’s 31 Strategic Air Refuelling and Transport Wing (EARTS) at Istres-Le Tubé Air Base (BA125) took delivery of its 12th A330-243MRTT Phénix tanker-transport from Airbus Defence and Space on September 20

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VIDEO: British Army bids farewell to 665 Squadron and final Gazelles

Three Westland Gazelle AH1s from No 665 Squadron – a component of the Army Air Corps’ 5 Regiment and the British Army’s last frontline Gazelle unit – completed the type’s final operational flight from Joint Helicopter Command Flying Station Aldergrove in Northern Ireland on October 23

HMS Prince of Wales embarks on F-35B sea trials in the US

On October 11, a specially instrumented US Navy-operated F-35B Lightning II (168314/‘68’) landed aboard HMS Prince of Wales (R09) – the second of the Royal Navy’s two Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers – thereby kicking off Developmental Test Phase 3 sea trials with the type on the warship

Portugal’s first C-390 enters operational service

After an initial entry into service ceremony was held at Embraer’s facility in Gavião Peixoto, Brazil, on October 16; the first C-390 Millennium for the Portuguese Air Force arrived at Beja Air Base, Portugal, at approximately 1630hrs (local time) on October 19

The Monday Military Aviation Quiz 168

Welcome to the 168th Monday Military Aviation Quiz! How well do you know your modern military aircraft? Test your aircraft recognition skills here

VIDEO: What it was like to be the RAF’s last Tornado pilot

Flt Lt Nathan Shawyer was the last ever RAF pilot to be taught to fly the Tornado. He spoke to Key Aero’s Dino Carrara about his time on the legendary jet, including what it was like to be on the final conversion course, then going straight on operations over Iraq and Syria and being part of the retirement celebrations for the aircraft.

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When a navy operated Tornados

Doug Gordon details the varied roles undertaken by Tornados of the German Navy

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Revealing insights from the days of the Tri-National Tornado Training Establishment (TTTE) at RAF Cottesmore

The three partner nations on the Tornado programme established a joint training unit at RAF Cottesmore that lasted almost 20 years. A former station commander and an instructor described its inner workings to Dino Carrara in 2015

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The inside story of Tornado Storm Shadow missions to Libya

Mark Ayton got the inside story on the Tornado GR4's long-range missions to strike targets in Libya using Storm Shadow missiles

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OPINION: Can Israel justify its airstrikes in Gaza as civilian death toll grows?

Israel is attacking Hamas in Gaza like it has never done before. This comes after the deadly attacks by Hamas on October 7, which claimed up to 1,400 Israeli lives. There is no denying that Israel has the right to defend itself against terror groups, like Hamas and Hezbollah, but did it really have to kill so many innocent Palestinians – many of them children – in going after the extremists?

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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

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