ArmexNation

The U.S. Air Force is developing a stealth flying-wing "arsenal aircraft" designed to carry large numbers of advanced air-to-air missiles like the AIM-260 JATM and AIM-174, boosting the firepower of frontline fighters in future conflicts, especially against China.  The U.S. Air Force is actively pursuing transformational capabilities to maintain and extend its advantage in air superiority, particularly with a focus on future conflicts against near-peer adversaries such as China. One of the most strategically significant concepts now under serious internal study is the development of a stealthy flying-wing aircraft designed specifically as an air-to-air “arsenal plane.” This aircraft would not be a traditional fighter or bomber but rather a specialized platform intended to carry a very large load of air-to-air missiles—potentially dozens—in order to provide missile support for U.S. fighters operating at the edge of contested airspace. This initiative comes from a clear underst...

Greece has upgraded 42 of its 84 F-16s to the advanced F-16V “Viper” standard, marking the halfway point in a U.S.-backed modernization program that boosts NATO interoperability, enhances regional airpower, and strengthens U.S.-Greece defense ties. The Hellenic Air Force’s F-16V upgrade program, backed by the United States and executed in partnership with Lockheed Martin, is a multi-year, multi-layered effort that demonstrates the deep strategic trust between Greece and the U.S. It reflects not only a technical modernization of a key European air force, but a broader defense alignment and interoperability push between the two countries. The delivery of the 42nd upgraded aircraft—out of 83 or 84 planned—marks a significant milestone: not just the numerical halfway point of the program, but a symbolic affirmation of the progress and commitment of both sides in the face of emerging threats across Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean. The upgraded F-16V, known as the “Viper,” is a substant...

The Scaled Composites Model 437 Vanguard is a jet-powered testbed built to accelerate U.S. military development of AI-driven, tactically autonomous aircraft. Designed for real-world flight testing, it supports modular autonomy systems and dual-mode (piloted or autonomous) operation, playing a key role in Northrop Grumman’s Beacon program and the future of Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2). The Scaled Composites Model 437 Vanguard is more than just another experimental aircraft—it represents a deliberate and well-structured effort by the United States defense sector to maintain air superiority through reliable, scalable, and tactical autonomy. The Vanguard’s development is tightly aligned with broader Department of Defense (DoD) priorities to advance autonomous systems that can operate in high-threat environments, integrate with manned aircraft, and support the future of distributed air operations. Unlike one-off concept aircraft or flashy prototypes meant for airshows or mar...

The WindRunner is a next-gen American cargo jet designed by Radia to transport massive, oversized equipment with unmatched internal volume and short-runway capability. Backed by a CRADA with U.S. Transportation Command, it aims to transform military, humanitarian, and commercial logistics by 2030. The WindRunner cargo jet concept is one of the most ambitious American aerospace projects currently in development. It’s not just about building a bigger airplane — it’s about fundamentally changing the way large, oversized cargo is transported for strategic, defense, and commercial needs. Developed by the U.S.-based company Radia, the WindRunner is being positioned as a next-generation heavy-lift aircraft optimized not for raw weight capacity alone, but for extreme internal volume and global operational flexibility. This emphasis on volume rather than just payload mass is a major shift in strategic airlift philosophy. Traditional military airlifters like the C-17 Globemaster III and the C-5M...

The U.S. Air Force is exploring the use of business jet–based aerial refueling aircraft to enhance flexibility, survivability, and agility in contested environments like the Indo-Pacific. These smaller tankers would complement, not replace, larger platforms by supporting dispersed operations and special missions where traditional tankers are too vulnerable. The United States Air Force is navigating a complex set of challenges as it prepares for the future of aerial refueling operations, especially in the context of great power competition and contested environments. While the backbone of its current aerial refueling fleet remains the legacy KC-135 Stratotanker and the newer KC-46A Pegasus, the service is also examining the role smaller, more flexible platforms—such as business jet–based refueling aircraft—could play in a more distributed and survivable force structure. This line of thinking isn’t about replacing large tankers, but augmenting their capability with platforms that can off...

The LongShot drone, now shown launching from an F-15, is a next-gen U.S. defense system designed to extend air combat reach, reduce pilot risk, and enable semi-autonomous missile strikes deep into contested airspace—marking a major shift toward smarter, distributed aerial warfare.  The LongShot drone program, particularly as now depicted in recent renderings showing its launch from an F-15 fighter, represents a significant advancement in the U.S. Department of Defense’s shift toward distributed, semi-autonomous combat systems that aim to dominate contested airspace through range, survivability, and tactical flexibility. This isn't a one-off project; it's a component in a larger evolution of U.S. airpower—a movement away from singular, high-value platforms operating alone, and toward cooperative, multi-node architectures involving manned and unmanned systems working together. At its core, LongShot is designed to fundamentally alter the traditional dynamics of air-to-air combat. ...