Stefano D'Urso

Italy

Freelance Journalist at Freelance

Aviation nerd, Industrial Enginering grad, now Aerospace Eng. student, freelance journalist and amateur photographer. Contributor to @TheAviationist

Featured in: Favicon

theaviationist.com Favicon

businessinsider.com Favicon

newsbreak.com Favicon

realcleardefense.com Favicon

zephyrnet.com Favicon

msn.com

ourcommunitynow.com Favicon

lucianne.com

Articles

B-2 Stealth Bombers Are Using GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators in Yemen - Reports

1 week ago | theaviationist.com | Stefano D'Urso

Since late March 2025, six B-2A Spirit stealth bombers have been deployed to Diego Garcia, the strategic U.S. outpost in the Indian Ocean. From there, the bombers have been involved in the strikes against the Iranian-backed Houthi militias in Yemen. Initially, some reports mentioned that the B-2s might have been employing AGM-158 JASSM (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile) cruise missiles.
First Two Gulfstream G650ERs Delivered to Italian Air Force

1 week ago | theaviationist.com | Stefano D'Urso

The Italian Air Force has received the first two Gulfstream G650ERs to be used for VIP transport and emergency medical transport. The two aircraft flew from Gulfstream’s production facilities in Appleton, Wisconsin, to their new home at Ciampino airport, near Rome, where they arrived on the morning of Apr. 12, 2025, with the callsigns IAM3143 and IAM3170.
Aviano’s F-16s Practice Integrated Air Missile Defense During Combat Archer UK

1 week ago | theaviationist.com | Stefano D'Urso

Eight F-16s of the 555th Fighter Squadron “Triple Nickel”, assigned to the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base, Italy, deployed last week to RAF Lakenheath, UK, for live-fire training. Interestingly, the U.S. Air Force has identified the deployment as Combat Archer UK, the analogous of the Combat Archer, or c (WSEP), usually hosted by Tyndall AFB, Florida, or Hill AFB, Utah.
French Air Force Fields Heavily Upgraded Mirage 2000D RMV

1 week ago | theaviationist.com | Parth Satam |Stefano D'Urso

The Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace (French Air and Space Force) has declared operational the Mirage 2000D RMV (Rénovation Mi-Vie, Mid-Life Update) aircraft, marking the near conclusion of the project to upgrade the specialized ground attack variant of the Mirage 2000. A ceremony to mark the operational commissioning was held at Nancy-Ochey Air Base, which hosts the 3rd Fighter Wing, on Apr.
Czech Republic Considering Gripen Lease Extension

1 week ago | theaviationist.com | Stefano D'Urso

The Czech Republic’s MoD (Ministry of Defense) is evaluating a new proposal from Sweden’s Saab that extends the lease of its JAS39 Gripen C/D fighters from 2027 to 2035. Responding to media queries, the MoD released a statement on Apr. 8, 2025, explaining that this would preserve the Czech Republic’s ability to ensure the protection of its airspace until the delivery of the F-35.
BAE Systems Unveils New APKWS II’s Infrared Seeker

1 week ago | theaviationist.com | Parth Satam |Stefano D'Urso

BAE Systems has unveiled a new APK (Advanced Precision Kit) for the 70 mm Hydra rockets as a part of the APKWS II (Advanced Kill Precision Weapon System II) at the Sea Air Space 2025 conference in Maryland. The new kit consists of an IR (InfraRed) seeker in addition to the existing laser guidance, making this a dual-mode weapon.
General Atomics Working on Airborne Laser Pod for MQ-9B

1 week ago | theaviationist.com | Stefano D'Urso

General Atomics has unveiled the development of an airborne laser pod to equip the MQ-9B. The pod was put on display during the recent Navy League’s Sea Air Space 2025 conference, which was held on Apr. 6-9, 2025. The system, part of the General Atomics Laser Weapon Systems portfolio, is based on a High Energy Laser (HEL), which the company further describes as a 25 kW-class distributed gain laser.
A Closer Look at Scaled Composites’ Proteus and Sierra Experimental Aircraft

2 weeks ago | theaviationist.com | Stefano D'Urso

Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, hosted the Aviation Nation 2025 airshow on Apr. 5-6, 2025. In addition to the flight exhibitions, a host of aircraft were on static display. Among these were two unconventional aircraft, the Model 281 Proteus and a Model 401 Sierra of Scaled Composites. “Proteus and the 401s have been doing incredibly important work for many years, and continue to today,” said Greg Morris, President of Scaled Composites.
Ukrainian F-16s Fly Every Day, Says EUCOM Chief

2 weeks ago | theaviationist.com | Stefano D'Urso

General Christopher G. Cavoli, the Chief of the U.S. European Command (EUCOM) and Supreme Allied Commander Europe, said that Ukrainian F-16s are flying daily as part of both defensive missions against Russian attacks and offensive missions against Russian targets. The revelation was part of the General’s testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee last week.
Leonardo Unveils New M-346 Cockpit with Large Area Display

2 weeks ago | theaviationist.com | Stefano D'Urso

During the recent Military Flight Training Conference 2025, which took place in Italy from Mar. 31 to Apr. 2, 2025, Leonardo unveiled the new advanced cockpit designed for the new M-346 Block 20, which was announced last year. The new cockpit features an advanced Human-Machine Interface (HMI) with a Large Area Display (LAD), designed to replicate the operational environment of next-generation combat aircraft such as the F-35 and the future GCAP.