The Aviationist

The Aviationist stands out as one of the most popular military aviation blogs globally. It provides extensive daily insights into military and civilian aviation, as well as topics related to defense, technology, and intelligence. With a vast collection of 6,000 articles, 150 dedicated pages, and thousands of images, it is one of the most widely read and respected sources in the aviation community.

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New Side Image of China’s Next Gen J-XDS Stealth Jet Surfaces, Confirms Canopy Design

1 week ago | theaviationist.com | David Cenciotti

New photos that surfaced online on Apr. 16, 2025, provide the best side view yet of the mysterious new aircraft developed by the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC). As previously reported, the prototype is believed to be designated J-XDS or J-50 although it’s important to note these names remain speculative, with no official confirmation from Chinese authorities regarding the aircraft’s designation or intended role.
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.
Dutch F-35 Executes First Live Classified Data Share With C2 System Outside the U.S.

1 week ago | theaviationist.com | David Cenciotti

The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) achieved a first-of-its-kind milestone during the Ramstein Flag Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) exercise. In what is considered “a significant step forward in multi-domain integration,” the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) and Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works successfully demonstrated the first-ever live classified data exchange between an in-flight F-35 and a non-U.S. Command and Control (C2) system.
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.
‘Franken-Lightning,’ Rebuilt From Two Damaged F-35s, Is Now Fully Operational

2 weeks ago | theaviationist.com | David Cenciotti

The repair that ultimately resulted in the creation of the Franken-Lightning took two years and five months to complete and cost $11.7 million, $2.8 million under the projected budget. The F-35A AF-211, 17-5269, is an F-35A assembled from parts of two damaged airframes: AF-27, which suffered an engine fire in 2014, and AF-211, grounded after a nose landing gear failure in 2020.