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.

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

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Why France chose the Archangel after retiring the C-160G Gabriel

When France retired its Gabriel intelligence aircraft the search began for a replacement. Thomas Withington reveals how it was decided to switch to the Dassault Falcon 8X Archangel

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What are loitering aerial munitions?

Amid the many concepts that have changed the skies over the battlefield, loitering munitions have played a significant role. Peter Felstead charts their history and assesses the latest developments in aerial warfare

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Mil Mi-24 and Mi-35 Hind family reviewed

Known as the world’s most numerous attack helicopter, the Mi-24/35 Hind is still in production in Russia, with a series of upgrades and continuing interest from operators. Alexander Mladenov reports

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Aviation News February 2023

The full issue in page-turning format

Germany to send Patriot air defence battery to Ukraine

Following last month’s announcement that the US government would supply a Patriot air defence battery to Ukraine, the White House revealed on January 5 that Germany will also donate one of its own systems to the war-torn country

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First Algerian Be-200ChS seaplane unveiled in Russia

The first Beriev Be-200ChS (Be-200ES) amphibious aircraft ordered by Algeria has been publicly unveiled in Russia prior to it undergoing flight tests

Russia receives more Su-57s as production ramps up

Russia’s state-owned Rostec State Corporation announced on December 28, 2022, that another batch of serial production-standard Sukhoi Su-57 fifth-generation multi-role stealth fighters has been handed over to the Russian Ministry of Defence

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Why the Nimrod MRA4 is one of Britain's most infamous procurement failures

Over-optimistic deadlines, numerous technical challenges and spiralling costs conspired to make the Nimrod MRA4 one of the UK Ministry of Defence’s most infamous procurement failures, as Combat Aircraft Journal details

Latest TH-73A order set to complete planned US Navy fleet

The US Department of Defense has awarded a contract modification to AgustaWestland Philadelphia – a subsidiary of Leonardo – exercising an option to acquire a further 26 TH-73A Thrasher training helicopters for the US Navy

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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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