Italian Eurofighters Intercept Russian Su-30 That Violated Estonian Airspace Over the Baltic Sea

The Italian Air Force jets, deployed to Estonia to support NATO Baltic Air Policing mission, intercepted and escorted the Russian Navy Su-30SM.

Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/03/20/russian-su-30-violates-estonian-airspace/

B-52s Launch from RAF Fairford with Impressive Cruise Missile Payload

U.S. Air Force strategic bombers deployed to RAF Fairford continue to participate in Operation Epic Fury, with near-daily flights from both the B-1s and B-52s, the latter showcasing a hefty external payload.

Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/03/20/b-52s-launch-fairford-impressive-payload/

Iran Fires Two Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missiles at Diego Garcia Base

The attempted strike on Diego Garcia would mark a major escalation, highlighting Tehran’s apparent ability to target the strategic U.S.-UK base deep in the Indian Ocean and potentially put parts of Europe within reach.

Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/03/21/iran-fires-two-intermediate-range-ballistic-missiles-at-diego-garcia-base/

Closest View Yet of F-22 Raptor With Stealth Tanks and Stealth Pods

New photographs show the best view yet of an F-22A Raptor sporting the stealthy drop tanks and equipment pods in development for the stealth fighter.

Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/03/21/f-22-raptor-with-stealth-tanks-and-stealth-pods/

B-52 Spotted Yet Again Testing the AGM-181 Next-Gen Stealth Nuclear Cruise Missile

The B-52H Stratofortress is continuing the integration tests with the AGM-181 Long Range Stand Off (LRSO) missile, the Air Force’s next-gen stealth nuclear cruise missile.

Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/03/21/b-52-spotted-again-agm-181-lrso/

Talon IQ Testbed Performs Simulated Combat Maneuvers Controlled by Hivemind and Prism AIs

The Talon IQ testbed conducted combat air patrol and target engagement maneuvers controlled by ShieldAI’s Hivemind AI, before switching back to Northrop Grumman’s Prism AI.

Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/03/20/talon-iq-testbed-combat-maneuvers-controlled-by-ai/

Video Shows Saab 340 Airborne Radar Flying in Ukraine

The Saab 340 AEW, also called the S 100D Argus, will enhance Ukraine’s situational awareness when facing Russian cruise missile and kamikaze drone barrages.

Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/03/22/saab-340-aew-ukraine/

U.S. Army Receives DARPA’s Optionally Piloted H-60Mx Black Hawk

The U.S. Army will put the H-60Mx and Sikorsky's MATRIX flight autonomy software through a rigorous operational testing campaign with real world logistics in contested scenarios.

Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/03/22/us-army-receives-darpa-optionally-piloted-h-60mx-black-hawk/

The Tomcat’s Six Pack: The F-14 Six on Six Phoenix Test

Designed for fleet air defense, the F-14 was armed with a potent long-range missile and, with a powerful new radar, could engage multiple airborne targets at once.

Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/03/22/the-tomcats-six-pack-the-f-14-six-on-six-phoenix-test/

B-52s are now Launching from RAF Fairford Loaded with JDAM Bombs

After initially employing only AGM-158 JASSM stand-off weapons, B-52s are now launching from RAF Fairford with the external pylons fully loaded with GBU-31 JDAM bombs.

Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/03/23/b-52s-launching-from-raf-fairford-with-jdams/

SNC’s AEGIR-W Sea Drone Washes Ashore on Turkey’s Black Sea Coast

The AEGIR-W Unmanned Surface Vessel mysteriously ran aground on the Black Sea Coast in northeastern Turkey and was later blown up by Turkish authorities.

Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/03/23/aegir-w-sea-drone-washes-ashore-turkey/

Epic Fury is Now in the Fourth Week, with More U.S. Assets Deploying

Four weeks after the launch of Epic Fury, additional F-16Cs, EA-18Gs and E-2Ds are flying to the Middle East, the USS Boxer ARG is enroute and rumors say the 82nd Airborne Division might be on alert.

Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/03/23/epic-fury-fourth-week/

YFQ-44A Fury CCA is Now in Production

Anduril announced the start of the YFQ-44A’s production at its Arsenal-1 factory, with new manufacturing processes allowing to supply a large number of drones to the U.S. Air Force.

Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/03/24/yfq-44a-fury-cca-is-now-in-production/

U.S. Considering Deployment of 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East

Senior officials are reportedly considering the deployment of the Immediate Response Force, which includes a Battalion Combat Team of the 82nd Airborne Division, according to U.S. media.

Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/03/24/us-considering-deployment-82nd-airborne-division/

Photos of A-10s Used to Strike Iranian Naval Vessels Show Video Game-Inspired Nicknames

New images show that some A-10s taking part in Operation Epic Fury carry new video game-inspired nicknames, an operationally irrelevant detail but one likely to interest spotters and modelers.

Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/03/25/a-10s-nicknames-epic-fury/

New Images Show B-2 Spirit Bombers Departing for Iran Mission with Unknown White Patches on Wings

CENTCOM imagery shows B-2s preparing to launch, with multiple unidentified white patches added along the leading edges of their wings.

Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/03/25/b-2-spirit-unknown-white-patches-on-wings/

DOT&E Says No Combat-Capable TR-3-Configured F-35s Were Delivered in FY2025

The latest Director, Operational Test & Evaluation report says no combat-capable F-35 TR-3 aircraft have been delivered to the U.S. military until September 2025.

Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/03/25/tr-3-f-35s-delivered/

Video Shows Super Hornet’s Near Miss After Apparent Iranian MANPADS Launch

A U.S. F/A-18 Super Hornet was involved in a near miss after being targeted by an apparent Iranian MANPADS system during a low altitude strafing run with the 20 mm M61 cannon.

Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/03/26/super-hornets-near-miss-iranian-manpads/

First Production KF-21 Boramae Rolled Out of Factory in South Korea

The first serial production KF-21 Boramae fighter jet has rolled out of the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) factory in a major milestone for the program.

Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/03/26/first-production-kf-21-boramae-rolled-out/

Iranian Attack on Prince Sultan Air Base Reportedly Struck U.S. KC-135s - Reports

Satellite images show signs of an attack at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, with The Wall Street Journal now reporting that an Iranian missile damaged “several U.S. refueling aircraft.”

Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/03/27/iranian-attack-on-prince-sultan-air-base/