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.

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South Africa eyes C-390 to replace ageing C-130BZ fleet?

At the request of the South African Air Force (SAAF), Embraer Defense & Security will deploy a multi-mission C-390 Millennium to AFB Waterkloof in Pretoria on November 24, where the medium-lift strategic airlifter will demonstrate its capabilities to the air arm, which has long been searching for a successor to its ageing C-130BZ Hercules fleet

USAF receives seventh E-11 BACN from Bombardier

Bombardier Defense has announced that it has delivered another E-11 Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) to the USAF, growing the number of the airborne communications relay and gateway system aircraft in US military service to seven airframes

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Indian Navy bids fond farewell to final Il-38SD Sea Dragons

INAS 315 ‘Winged Stallions’ – which has the unique distinction of operating the same aircraft type throughout its entire 46-year history – finally stood down the Indian Navy’s last Ilyushin Il-38SD Sea Dragon maritime patrol aircraft on October 31. Angad Singh reports from INS Hansa in Goa

RAF Shadows conduct ISTAR operations over Eastern Mediterranean

Two RAF-operated Shadow R2s (ZZ418 and ZZ507) deployed via Naples to RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, on October 25 to carry out ISR operations over the Eastern Mediterranean

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B-2 vs B-21: What's the difference between the USAF's old and new stealth bombers? 

The USAF has officially entered the age of sixth-generation combat aircraft with the B-21 Raider. Combat Aircraft Journal reports on the rollout of America’s second stealth bomber and analyzes what we know so far about this highly classified aircraft

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Combat Aircraft Journal January 2024

The full issue in page-turning format

Indian Navy uses Sea King to progress NASM-SR missile trials

In partnership with India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Indian Navy carried out guided flight trials of its indigenously developed Naval Anti-Ship Missile-Short Range (NASM-SR) on November 21, when the weapon was fired from a Sea King Mk 42B ASW/ASuW helicopter for the second time

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USMC’s legacy Hornet-equipped ‘Silver Eagles’ stand down

The USMC moved another step closer to phasing out its legacy Hornet fleet on November 9, when Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115 (VMFA-115) was deactivated at MCAS Beaufort in South Carolina

US Army awards ATHENA-S reconnaissance jet contract

Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) will provide the US Army with a new airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (A-ISR) platform under the terms of a $554m contract that was awarded on September 28

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How does Iran use airliners to secretly fly weapons into Syria?

Babak Taghvaee reveals how Iran, aided by the Syrian Arab Air Force, has used airliners to fly weapons into Syria to help arm terrorist groups fighting Israel

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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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