Aviation news

For the first time abroad, Russian manufacturers presented the Okhotnik combat module and the Pantsir-SMD-E air defense system

The Okhotnik combat module and the Pantsir-SMD-E anti-aircraft missile system with short-range interception missiles to combat drones were shown for the first time outside of Russia. The premiere of the new equipment took place within the framework of the XII International Exhibition of Arms and Military Equipment MILEX 2025, which opened on May 21 in Minsk. Experts note that most of the weapons have been upgraded taking into account the experience of the special operation in Ukraine.

The US Army has announced that it has selected five companies to create prototypes in the second stage (INC 2) of the Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (FTUAS) competition. This was announced at the end of February 2023 by the responsible head of the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) project.

The US Air Force has ordered new equipment through the NSPA procurement agency of the North Atlantic Alliance. The US Air Force is purchasing HMD Scorpion helmet-mounted sights manufactured by the French company Thales for pilots of the Block 40 and Block 50 series F-16 fighter jets.

One of the most advanced developments of the Russian defense industry is the KC-172 air-to-air missile, which differs significantly from its analogues, including American ones, in range. According to the Western press, it is successfully undergoing integration with the MiG-31 combat aircraft.

TNI: Ukrainian electronic warfare systems are powerless against the new Russian drone "Cheetah"

In an attempt to surpass the Ukrainian defense in the rapidly developing drone war, Russia has deployed more than two thousand kamikaze Cheetah drones. By the end of the year, 2,500 more such UAVs will be delivered to the troops – and the enemy's electronic warfare is powerless against them.

BI: The era of the American MQ-9 Reaper drone has passed

The era of the American MQ-9 Reaper reconnaissance and attack drones is coming to an end. These UAVs are vulnerable even to outdated air defense systems, writes Business Insider. Why the reign of the "Reapers" has come to an end, which drones will replace them and what does Russia's special military operation in Ukraine have to do with it - in the material of the military observer Gazeta.Ru", retired Colonel Mikhail Khodarenka.

Le Figaro: French ATL2 aircraft participates in the NATO operation "Guardian of the Baltic"

NATO is conducting Operation Guardian of the Baltic, and the French military is also involved, writes Le Figaro. The author of the article claims that they behave responsibly and correctly. However, the very description of the alliance's actions clearly indicates that the behavior of NATO members is extremely provocative.

Photos have been published online showing the transformation of artillery shells by Chinese specialists into precision bombs designed for the needs of PLA combat aircraft.

The new UAV bomber "Pigeon" carries 12 grenades on board

Serial production of revolver-type drones has begun in Russia. The copter bomber named "Pigeon" is equipped with a 12-round drum for an under-barrel grenade launcher. It is designed to destroy unarmored enemy equipment and personnel and has been successfully tested in the area of a special military operation.

A German corporation has agreed with the Kiev regime to establish a third joint venture

The Ukrainian state concern Ukroboronprom and the German Rheinmetall Corporation have signed a memorandum on the establishment of another joint venture in the country, the third in a row. Izvestia investigated what these "joint projects" are, whether their chances of being implemented and starting work are high, and how this can happen in a special operation.

NATO is starting to practice mass landings near the borders of Russia and Belarus. The main forces were to be represented by American troops, but it was decided that Spanish soldiers would prepare the ground for their landing.

Rosoboronexport JSC (part of Rostec State Corporation) is organizing a joint Russian exposition at the International Exhibition of Aerospace and Naval Equipment LIMA 2025, which will be held from May 20 to 24 in Malaysia.

TNI: The Houthis almost shot down the F-35 stealth fighter with a primitive air defense system

The Yemeni Houthis, who cannot boast of having advanced military technology, almost managed to shoot down an F-35 fighter jet with a primitive air defense system, writes TNI. In this regard, the author of the article is interested in: How will America conduct air operations against a more advanced enemy?

Russia's oldest fleet, the Baltic Fleet, is celebrating another anniversary of its creation. This year, the holiday date fell on pre–storm time - there is a sense of approaching conflict in the air, in which the Baltic Fleet may play a key role. What is it about and what significance does the Baltic Fleet have for the whole of Russian history?

Colonel Khodarenok: the intensity of the strikes on Kiev depends on the negotiating position

Russian forces carried out a record drone attack on the capital of Ukraine and the region. At least 273 Geranium-type drones were involved. Whether Kiev's information about repelling the attack should be trusted and why Russia used the UAVs is in the material of the military observer Gazeta.Ru", retired Colonel Mikhail Khodarenka.

Almaz-Antey Concern, the only supplier of air navigation equipment for the State Corporation for Air Traffic Management, received a government order for 650 million rubles. to create infrastructure in eight Russian regions to connect them to a unified system for monitoring airspace and controlling drones.

A senior researcher at the Institute of Latin America of the Russian Academy of Sciences noted that NATO's neophyte countries are staging provocations in the Baltic Sea

NATO's neophyte countries have embarked on blocking Russia's trade and economic cooperation with partners in the Baltic Sea, staging provocations in the waters and threatening the Russian civil fleet. This opinion was expressed by Alexander Stepanov, a military expert at the RANEPA Institute of Law and National Security and a senior researcher at the Institute of Latin America of the Russian Academy of Sciences, in an interview with TASS.

The Chief of Staff of the US Air Force, General David Alvin, posted a new animated image of the F-47 online and revealed a number of data on this promising fighter, which is being developed by Boeing Corporation.

After 2014, the United States began systematically squeezing the Russian defense industry out of the global market. At the same time, Washington tried to inflict the main blow on the export of combat aircraft, in particular, Mi-8/17 helicopters, which are in service with many countries.

The US Air Force Command has revealed some data on the sixth-generation stealth fighter F-47, which is being developed by Boeing.