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

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Articles

Ukraine Executes ‘Longest Range Operation’ Striking Russian Air Bases with FPV Drones

5 days ago | theaviationist.com | Stefano D'Urso

The Security Service of Ukraine conducted an unprecedented attack with First Person View (FPV) drones against air bases deep inside Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy defined this the “most long-range operation” of the Ukrainian military, which saw “117 drones” striking “34% of the strategic cruise missile carriers” at the Russian bases.
Norway Takes Control of U.S. Network-Enabled GBU-53s Launched by F-15Es During Test

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

The Norwegian Armed Forces disclosed a recent military cooperation test with the U.S. Air Force, which involved two F-15E Strike Eagles, based at RAF Lakenheath, dropping GBU-53 glide bombs. The test, conducted on May 14, 2025, saw Norwegian soldiers taking control of the weapons via network, once they were released, and direct them towards the target.
Hermeus’ Uncrewed Quarterhorse Mk 1 Test Aircraft Flies for the First Time

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

Hermeus, a U.S. company aiming to develop hypersonic aircraft quickly and cost-effectively, flew for the first time its uncrewed Quarterhorse Mk 1 test aircraft last week, said the company on May 27, 2025. The test flight was conducted at Edwards Air Force Base, California, with the aircraft shown taking off and landing on the base’s dry lakebed runways.
Dutch F-35s Conduct Highway Operations with Finnish F/A-18s

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

The Royal Netherlands Air Force joined this year’s edition of the Baana highway exercise in Finland, deploying a number of F-35A Lightning II jets. The 5th generation aircraft are taking part to highway operations alongside the aircraft of the Finnish Air Force, including F/A-18 Hornets, Hawks and Learjets.
Italian and British Typhoons Train Together for Hot Refueling Operations

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

Typhoons from the RAF 29 Squadron and all Italian Air Force’s units worked together to compare, develop and achieve a Hot Refueling capability. The Italian Air Force has recently announced that its F-2000 Typhoon units trained together with Typhoons from the Royal Air Force’s 29 Squadron, based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, to test a new Hot Refueling capability.
U.S. Air Force Plans to Withdraw F-15E Strike Eagles from RAF Lakenheath

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

In an unexpected change of plans, it appears that the U.S. Air Force is now planning to withdraw the F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets based at RAF Lakenheath, in the UK, and return them to Continental U.S. (CONUS). The decision emerged during a hearing on the posture of the Department of the Air Force in review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2026. During the hearing, Senator Theodore P. Budd of North Carolina asked the U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David W.
Austria and Italy Finalize G2G Agreement for M-346FA Procurement

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

Austria and Italy have finalized the Government-to-Government agreement for the sale of the M-346FA (Fighter Attack) to the Austrian Air Force. The development follows the signing of a Letter of Intent in December 2024, as part of the increased military cooperation between the two countries. In Sept. 2024, Austrian Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner mentioned that Austria was considering a joint purchase of M-346 jet trainers with Italy.
First KF-21 Production Model is in Final Assembly

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

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced that the first production model of the indigenous KF-21 Boramae (Korean for “Hawk”) has entered the final assembly phase. The announcement came on May 20, 2025, following a ceremony at KAI’s headquarters in Sacheon.
U.S. and France Working on Rafale’s Certification to Refuel F/A-18

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

The U.S. Navy’s Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) announced that testing is in progress to improve interoperability with allies by allowing the French-made Rafale to refuel the F/A-18 family of jets.
Trump Touts Twin-Engine F-35 Variant Dubbed F-55

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

President Trump described the F-55 as a substantial upgrade over the F-35, together with the ongoing upgrades to F-35 and F-22. U.S. President Donald Trump is currently on a tour in the Middle East, and on May. 15, 2025, made the second stop of the tour in Qatar. Trump began the day at a breakfast with representatives from U.S. aerospace and defense companies, releasing some interesting comments.