Reconnaissance
Sidney Cotton's legendary Lockheed: the new evidence
As World War Two neared, Sidney Cotton and Lockheed 12A G-AFTL helped change the face of British aerial reconnaissance. But what does evidence gathered as the aircraft was restored for Fighter Aviation Engineering tell us about their covert activities?
USAF plots U-2S Dragon Lady retirement for 2026
The USAF has confirmed that it plans to retire its fleet of U-2S Dragon Lady high-altitude surveillance aircraft in 2026, after the air arm’s FY24 budget documents noted that expectations were for “protective [National Defense Authorization Act] language to be waived… allowing the USAF to move forward with U-2 divestment in FY26”
Taiwan’s upgraded F-16s finally regain LOROP-EO pod capability
When the Republic of China Air Force’s (ROCAF’s) fleet of F-16A/B Block 20s were upgraded to the F-16V, the latest and most advanced configuration of the Fighting Falcon to date, it was discovered that the AN/VDS-5 Long Range Oblique Photography Electro-Optical (LOROP-EO) reconnaissance pod was not compatible with the newly modified aircraft
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
Czech MOD seeking Israeli UAV acquisition
The Czech Ministry of Defence has revealed that it is set to open negotiations with the Israeli government for the acquisition of three Israel Aerospace Industries-developed Heron I unmanned aerial vehicles for aerial reconnaissance duties
Swiss Air Force's ADS 15 reconnaissance UAV completes first local flight
A successful first flight in Switzerland has been completed by the Swiss Air Force’s Aufklärungsdrohnensystems 15 (ADS 15, Reconnaissance Drone System 15) at Emmen Air Base
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
The SR-71 that outpaced a missile over Libya
The aircraft had been photographing Libyan targets in the aftermath of Operation El Derado Canyon in 1986
Hensoldt selected for Germany’s new SIGINT capability
German defence electronic solutions provider Hensoldt has been awarded a contract to deliver the country’s new Pegasus airborne electronic signals intelligence (SIGINT) system.
USAF retires final OC-135B following Open Skies withdrawal
The USAF formally retired the second and final Boeing OC-135B photo observation aircraft on June 4, following a ceremony at Lincoln Airport in Nebraska, which is serving as the temporary home of the 55th Wing’s 45th RS