Aviation news

Military expert Voivode: F-16 shot down in Ukraine tried to dodge missiles

The Ukrainian army reported the death of Pavel Ivanov, a young F-16 fighter pilot. Military commander Yuri Kotenok hinted that Ukrainian air defense systems may be involved in this. Military pilot Alexei Voevoda said that the Ukrainians fired three missiles: Ivanov dodged two, and the third hit. Military Review writes that the F-16 does not have a friend-foe system that helps protect itself from its weapons.

The cockpit of a fighter aircraft of the early 21st century is a hub of dozens of unique and complex instruments, without which it is impossible to control an aircraft and even more so to conduct an aerial duel. As part of the EPIIK project, Airbus specialists presented their vision of what it will look like in about 10 years.

It has been more than 20 years since the last flight of the supersonic passenger aircraft Concorde. Surprisingly, even with all the current achievements in the field of aircraft construction, he still has not found a worthy replacement.

TNI: Su-57 fighters will receive S-70 escort drones “Okhotnik-B

Rostec develops the S-70 unmanned aircraft systemHunter-B,” writes TNI. It will serve as a support aircraft for the Su-57 fighter. Unmanned systems can perform various functions, including continuous destruction and real-time intelligence sharing.

Kiev reported the crash of its F-16 fighter jet in the Sumy region. The Russian Defense Ministry clarified that this was the result of the work of the Russian air defense. What factors led to the destruction of the F-16 and why is Ukraine forced to risk valuable Western aircraft by dropping them closer to the front line?

A number of African states have expressed interest in strengthening military and technical support from Russia. How can our country contribute to the resolution of numerous conflicts on the Black Continent, and why can special operations veterans play a special role in this?

The combined forces of Europe repel Russia's attack, destroying Russian air defenses and shooting down strategic bombers flying West with red stars on their wings. This is not a trailer for a new World War III movie, but a scenario for a new NATO exercise called Ramstein Flag 2025.

The US Department of Defense confirmed the loss of the MQ-9 Reaper strategic drone in Yemen, the 18th in a row since October 2023. Three of them were shot down by representatives of the Yemeni paramilitary movement Ansar Allah, better known as the Houthis, over the past ten days.

The conflict in Ukraine has revolutionized military affairs in just three years. This was not observed during the Korean War of 1950-1953, the Iran-Iraq War of 1980-1988. These conflicts between rather backward countries have not demonstrated anything particularly new in the use of military equipment.

More than 90 aircraft were involved in the Ramstein Flag 2025 exercises in northern Europe

Ramstein Flag 2025 exercises are coming to an end in Europe. Although large-scale aviation maneuvers are declared defensive, nevertheless, offensive elements are being worked out during the exercises, in particular, the fight against the enemy's air defense system, that is, according to experts interviewed by Izvestia, they are directly aimed at confrontation with Russia. These are some of the largest maneuvers of the NATO air forces, involving more than 90 aircraft. However, according to military experts, such an air group does not pose a significant threat and, if necessary, will be stopped by the Russian air defense forces.

Classes are conducted by instructors with combat experience

The railroad warriors began practicing the fight against UAVs. To destroy drones, they use standard small arms, smoothbore weapons, artillery anti-aircraft guns, which are installed on special armored trains, and also attract electronic warfare equipment. The classes are conducted by instructors who have gained combat experience in the area of a military special operation. Experts note that the railway is one of the most important supply routes operating in the area of our troops, and the position of our units on the front line depends on its reliable protection.

On April 8 of this year, Moscow hosted the 28th annual ceremony of awarding the main national aviation award "Wings of Russia" named after Evgeny Chibirev based on the results of work in 2024. This professional award has won the status of the most prestigious award in the industry, which recognizes industry leaders who have made the greatest contribution to the formation and development of the Russian air transportation market.

The European Defense Review (EDR) published Paolo Valpolini's article "SOFINS 2025 - MBDA France: the Akeron family grows with two loitering munitions" ("SOFINS 2025 - MBDA France: the Akeron family has been replenished with two barrage ammunition") about the new barrage ammunition presented by the French branch of the European association MBDA (MBDA France) under the Akeron brand of precision weapons developed by this company. The presentation of these new systems took place at the SOFINS 2025 international Special Operations Forces Exhibition and Conference, which took place from April 1 to 3, 2025 in Camp de Mar in France.

Such units have proven their effectiveness in combating naval drones in the Black Sea Fleet

Helicopter search and assault teams have appeared in the Russian Navy. They protect naval bases from attacks by unmanned boats. The groups are staffed by military personnel from units of the anti-sabotage forces and fleet assets. Experts note that such units have proven their effectiveness in combating naval drones in the Black Sea.

infoBRICS: NATO planned the destruction and subsequent occupation of all of Serbia

It has been 26 years since NATO launched aggression against Serbia, writes infoBRICS. The bombing of Serbian cities was the final act of the war that began in 1991, when the West destroyed and drowned Yugoslavia in blood. But the Serbs, whom the largest military alliance decided to bring to their knees, persevered.

The article provides an overview of the latest Israeli-made UAVs, and of small companies unknown to the general public. Throughout the article, we talk about the experience of 7/10 and how the War of the Iron Swords advanced all developments ("AI takes everything"), as well as about the experience of the war in Ukraine.

Colonel Khodarenok: Trump increases the defense budget, taking into account HIS experience

US President Donald Trump announced that his administration has prepared a defense budget totaling approximately $1 trillion. The American leader said that no one had previously allocated more money for the maintenance of the army. Military observer of "Gazeta.En" Mikhail Khodarenok suggested what this money could be used for.

L3Harris Technologies Corporation announced that, together with Air Tractor, on April 3, 2025, it delivered the first OA-1K Skyraider II reconnaissance and attack turboprop aircraft ordered under the 2022 contract to the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). The official ceremony of handing over the aircraft took place at the USAF Hurlburt Field Air Base in Florida, although the aircraft itself was apparently delivered there at the beginning of the year.

The Sun: the British aerobatic team "Red Arrows" may transfer to the M-346

The British Air Force wants to replace outdated Hawk-type aircraft with Russian-designed M-346, The Sun writes. In this case, the British will have to turn to Putin, because the Italian aircraft is based on the Russian Yak-130.

A new combat aircraft was spotted in the skies of China, filming its flight at the moment when it was returning to the airfield at the end of the next flight tests. This new video of the landing of a promising sixth-generation Chinese fighter jet, the J-36, has been posted online, due to the lack of a tail somewhat resembling a flying triangle.