AI Pilots a Fighter: 27 Autonomous Interceptions with an Infrared Sensor
On August 4, 2026, Skunk Works revealed that the X-62A VISTA executed 27 autonomous interceptions driven by AI using the infrared Legion Pod. A technological […]
fighter jet
France Faces Urgent Choice Between Rafale F4 and Rafale F5
The French Air Force is demanding more Rafales before 2033. The choice between the readily available F4 and the strategic F5 exposes tensions within French […]
Dassault Aviation: The Rafale Drives First-Half Results
Dassault Aviation posted €4.16 billion in revenue for the first half of 2026. The Rafale dominates, while Falcon prepares for a rebound. Executive Summary Dassault […]
Russia Is Transforming the Yak-130M into a Ukrainian Drone Hunter
The Yak-130M is becoming a light anti-drone fighter. Moscow is looking to protect its territory without committing its valuable Su-57s and Su-35s. In Summary Russia […]
Why Beijing Is Concentrating Its J-20s Along the Indian Border
Satellites show at least eleven J-20s at Hotan and Damxung. Their presence reveals China’s new aerial strategy vis-à-vis India. In Summary Commercial images taken on […]
The F-35 in Crisis: Chronic Availability Issues and Out-of-Control Costs
In 2025, only 1 in 4 F-35s was fully mission capable. TR-3 delays, parts shortages, life-cycle costs exceeding $2 trillion: the GAO sounds the alarm. […]
China: 5th Prototype of the 6th generation J-36 Stealth Fighter Confirms Beijing’s Lead
A fifth example of Chengdu’s sixth-generation stealth fighter flew in late July 2026, revealing an architecture still evolving between stability and innovation. In Summary Images […]
Korea unveils a 12-drone squadron centered on the KF-21
At Farnborough, KAI presents a KF-21 commanding twelve drones—an ambitious architecture that highlights both South Korea’s progress and its limitations. In summary At the Farnborough […]
The RAF is stepping up its combat drone programme to support the Typhoon, F-35 and GCAP
The RAF aims to deploy CCA drones by 2030. Budget, missions, the Typhoon-F-35-GCAP fleet and the limitations of a highly ambitious timetable. In summary The […]
China’s J-20 is ramping up production thanks to AI-automated factories
In Chengdu, robots, AI and machine tools are speeding up the production of J-20 components. But the fully autonomous factory remains more of a vision […]