Paramount Confirms Top Gun 3 with Tom Cruise Returning as Pete Mitchell
A new sequel will see Pete “Maverick” Mitchell’s return in Top Gun 3, with producer Jerry Bruckheimer saying Tom Cruise had liked a proposed storyline for the new film.
Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/04/17/paramount-confirms-top-gun-3/
A new sequel will see Pete “Maverick” Mitchell’s return in Top Gun 3, with producer Jerry Bruckheimer saying Tom Cruise had liked a proposed storyline for the new film.
Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/04/17/paramount-confirms-top-gun-3/
The Aviationist
Paramount Confirms Top Gun 3 with Tom Cruise Returning as Pete Mitchell
A new sequel will see Pete “Maverick” Mitchell’s return in Top Gun 3, with producer Jerry Bruckheimer saying Tom Cruise had liked a proposed storyline for
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CENTCOM Releases Images of Apaches Over Strait of Hormuz as Iran Reimposes Restrictions
U.S. CENTCOM released some interesting photos of the AH-64 gunships patrolling the Strait just as Iran moved to restrict traffic through the narrow waterway once again.
Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/04/18/ah-64-hormuz/
U.S. CENTCOM released some interesting photos of the AH-64 gunships patrolling the Strait just as Iran moved to restrict traffic through the narrow waterway once again.
Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/04/18/ah-64-hormuz/
The Aviationist
CENTCOM Releases Images of Apaches Over Strait of Hormuz as Iran Reimposes Restrictions
U.S. CENTCOM released some interesting photos of the AH-64 gunships patrolling the Strait just as Iran moved to restrict traffic through the narrow
Rusty Dagger Extended Range Attack Munition Tested from F-16 at Eglin Test Range
The U.S. Air Force announced a test of the Family of Affordable Mass Munitions-Lugged, with photos showing the weapon was a Rusty Dagger low-cost cruise missile.
Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/04/18/rusty-dagger-tested-from-f-16/
The U.S. Air Force announced a test of the Family of Affordable Mass Munitions-Lugged, with photos showing the weapon was a Rusty Dagger low-cost cruise missile.
Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/04/18/rusty-dagger-tested-from-f-16/
The Aviationist
Rusty Dagger Extended Range Attack Munition Tested from F-16 at Eglin Test Range
The U.S. Air Force announced a test of the Family of Affordable Mass Munitions-Lugged, with photos showing the weapon was a Rusty Dagger low-cost cruise
SNC’s ATHENA-S ISR Jets Are Now Operational with the U.S. Army
Sierra Nevada Corporation announced that two Contractor-Owned Contractor-Operated ATHENA-S jets finished testing and are now operational in support of the U.S. Army’s Aerial-ISR mission.
Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/04/18/snc-athena-s-operational/
Sierra Nevada Corporation announced that two Contractor-Owned Contractor-Operated ATHENA-S jets finished testing and are now operational in support of the U.S. Army’s Aerial-ISR mission.
Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/04/18/snc-athena-s-operational/
The Aviationist
SNC’s ATHENA-S ISR Jets Are Now Operational with the U.S. Army
Sierra Nevada Corporation announced that two Contractor-Owned Contractor-Operated ATHENA-S jets finished testing and are now operational in support of the
U.S. Seizes Iranian-Flagged Cargo Ship Violating Blockade
The U.S. has seized the Iranian-flagged cargo ship M/V Touska which was violating the naval blockade, with the USS Spruance opening fire with its 5-inch MK45 gun and Marines boarding the vessel.
Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/04/20/us-seizes-iranian-mv-touska/
The U.S. has seized the Iranian-flagged cargo ship M/V Touska which was violating the naval blockade, with the USS Spruance opening fire with its 5-inch MK45 gun and Marines boarding the vessel.
Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/04/20/us-seizes-iranian-mv-touska/
The Aviationist
U.S. Seizes Iranian-Flagged Cargo Ship Violating Blockade
The U.S. has seized the Iranian-flagged cargo ship M/V Touska which was violating the naval blockade, with the USS Spruance opening fire with its 5-inch
U.S. Navy Tests Turbojet-Powered JDAM Long Range
The U.S. Navy has demonstrated the new JDAM Long Range variant which, powered by a small turbojet engine, traveled approximately 200 nautical miles during two test events.
Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/04/20/u-s-navy-tests-turbojet-powered-jdam-long-range/
The U.S. Navy has demonstrated the new JDAM Long Range variant which, powered by a small turbojet engine, traveled approximately 200 nautical miles during two test events.
Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/04/20/u-s-navy-tests-turbojet-powered-jdam-long-range/
The Aviationist
U.S. Navy Tests Turbojet-Powered JDAM Long Range
The U.S. Navy has demonstrated the new JDAM Long Range variant which, powered by a small turbojet engine, traveled approximately 200 nautical miles during
Shark Mouth A-10s Deploy to the Middle East
Two shark mouth-marked A-10s from Moody AFB’s 74th Fighter Squadron transited through RAF Lakenheath en route to the Middle East, possibly replacing the Warthog lost during the CSAR mission over Iran.
Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/04/20/shark-mouth-a-10s-deploy-to-the-middle-east/
Two shark mouth-marked A-10s from Moody AFB’s 74th Fighter Squadron transited through RAF Lakenheath en route to the Middle East, possibly replacing the Warthog lost during the CSAR mission over Iran.
Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/04/20/shark-mouth-a-10s-deploy-to-the-middle-east/
The Aviationist
Shark Mouth A-10s Deploy to the Middle East
Two shark mouth-marked A-10s from Moody AFB’s 74th Fighter Squadron transited through RAF Lakenheath en route to the Middle East, possibly replacing the
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Chinese University of Glasgow Student Arrested After Offutt Spotting Trip
The Chinese national, currently studying for an aeronautical engineering degree in Scotland, was arrested by the FBI at JFK airport before his return flight to Europe.
Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/04/20/chinese-university-of-glasgow-student-arrested-spotting-trip-offutt/
The Chinese national, currently studying for an aeronautical engineering degree in Scotland, was arrested by the FBI at JFK airport before his return flight to Europe.
Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/04/20/chinese-university-of-glasgow-student-arrested-spotting-trip-offutt/
The Aviationist
Chinese University of Glasgow Student Arrested After Offutt Spotting Trip
The Chinese national, currently studying for an aeronautical engineering degree in Scotland, was arrested by the FBI at JFK airport before his return
Northrop Grumman Teases Notional F/A-XX Design Ahead of Expected August Contract Award
Few hours after the U.S. Navy’s Chief of Naval Operations said a contract award for F/A-XX is expected by August, Northrop Grumman has teased once again a notional design for the next-gen fighter.
Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/04/21/northrop-grumman-teases-notional-fa-xx-design/
Few hours after the U.S. Navy’s Chief of Naval Operations said a contract award for F/A-XX is expected by August, Northrop Grumman has teased once again a notional design for the next-gen fighter.
Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/04/21/northrop-grumman-teases-notional-fa-xx-design/
The Aviationist
Northrop Grumman Teases Notional F/A-XX Design Ahead of Expected August Contract Award
Few hours after the U.S. Navy’s Chief of Naval Operations said a contract award for F/A-XX is expected by August, Northrop Grumman has teased once again a
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U.S. Air Force Confirms A-10 Thunderbolt II Service Life Extended to 2030
The legendary A-10 Thunderbolt II will be maintained in service by the U.S. Air Force until at least 2030, under new plans announced by the Secretary of the Air Force.
Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/04/20/u-s-air-force-confirms-a-10-thunderbolt-ii-service-life-extended-to-2030/
The legendary A-10 Thunderbolt II will be maintained in service by the U.S. Air Force until at least 2030, under new plans announced by the Secretary of the Air Force.
Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/04/20/u-s-air-force-confirms-a-10-thunderbolt-ii-service-life-extended-to-2030/
The Aviationist
U.S. Air Force Confirms A-10 Thunderbolt II Service Life Extended to 2030
The legendary A-10 Thunderbolt II will be maintained in service by the U.S. Air Force until at least 2030, under new plans announced by the Secretary of
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JMSDF Reveals JS Izumo’s Upgraded Flight Deck for F-35B Operations
JMSDF releases first images of JS Izumo’s new rectangular flight deck as second-phase modifications progress, advancing its conversion into an F-35B “Lightning Carrier.”
Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/04/21/js-izumo-upgraded-flight-deck/
JMSDF releases first images of JS Izumo’s new rectangular flight deck as second-phase modifications progress, advancing its conversion into an F-35B “Lightning Carrier.”
Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/04/21/js-izumo-upgraded-flight-deck/
The Aviationist
JMSDF Reveals JS Izumo’s Upgraded Flight Deck for F-35B Operations
JMSDF releases first images of JS Izumo’s new rectangular flight deck as second-phase modifications progress, advancing its conversion into an F-35B
Raytheon Confirms Delivery of Next Generation Jammer Pods for Australian EA-18G Growlers
Raytheon confirmed that Australia has received last year its first Next Generation Jammer pods to replace the ALQ-99 pods currently used by the RAAF’s EA-18G Growlers.
Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/04/22/raytheon-confirms-delivery-next-generation-jammer-australia/
Raytheon confirmed that Australia has received last year its first Next Generation Jammer pods to replace the ALQ-99 pods currently used by the RAAF’s EA-18G Growlers.
Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/04/22/raytheon-confirms-delivery-next-generation-jammer-australia/
The Aviationist
Raytheon Confirms Delivery of Next Generation Jammer Pods for Australian EA-18G Growlers
Raytheon confirmed that Australia has received last year its first Next Generation Jammer pods to replace the ALQ-99 pods currently used by the RAAF’s
Russian Tu-22M3 Bombers Carrying Long-Range Supersonic Missile Intercepted Again Over the Baltic
Swedish, Romanian and French fighters intercepted Russian Tu-22M3 ‘Backfire’ strategic bombers, carrying Kh-22N/Kh-32 supersonic cruise missiles, on two consecutive days over the Baltic Sea.
Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/04/22/russian-tu-22m3-bombers-kh-22-32-missile-intercepted/
Swedish, Romanian and French fighters intercepted Russian Tu-22M3 ‘Backfire’ strategic bombers, carrying Kh-22N/Kh-32 supersonic cruise missiles, on two consecutive days over the Baltic Sea.
Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/04/22/russian-tu-22m3-bombers-kh-22-32-missile-intercepted/
The Aviationist
Russian Tu-22M3 Bombers Carrying Long-Range Supersonic Missile Intercepted Again Over the Baltic
Swedish, Romanian and French fighters intercepted Russian Tu-22M3 ‘Backfire’ strategic bombers, carrying Kh-22N/Kh-32 supersonic cruise missiles, on two
Pentagon’s Record Breaking $1.5 Trillion Budget Request Includes Boosts for F-35, F-15EX, and More
The largest defence budget request in U.S. history, coming in at almost $500 billion more than 2026, would see accelerated procurement of key platforms and increased funding for headline projects like Golden Dome.
Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/04/22/pentagons-record-breaking-1-5-trillion-budget-request/
The largest defence budget request in U.S. history, coming in at almost $500 billion more than 2026, would see accelerated procurement of key platforms and increased funding for headline projects like Golden Dome.
Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/04/22/pentagons-record-breaking-1-5-trillion-budget-request/
The Aviationist
Pentagon’s Record Breaking $1.5 Trillion Budget Request Includes Boosts for F-35, F-15EX, and More
The largest defence budget request in U.S. history, coming in at almost $500 billion more than 2026, would see accelerated procurement of key platforms
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China’s Y-20B Airlifter’s First Trip to South Korea Repatriates Korean War Soldiers’ Remains
The new Y-20B variant conducted its first flight abroad, repatriating from South Korea the remains of Chinese soldiers who fought in the Korean War and replacing the earlier Y-20A in this role.
Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/04/23/chinas-y-20b-airlifters-first-trip-to-south-korea/
The new Y-20B variant conducted its first flight abroad, repatriating from South Korea the remains of Chinese soldiers who fought in the Korean War and replacing the earlier Y-20A in this role.
Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/04/23/chinas-y-20b-airlifters-first-trip-to-south-korea/
The Aviationist
China’s Y-20B Airlifter’s First Trip to South Korea Repatriates Korean War Soldiers’ Remains
The new Y-20B variant conducted its first flight abroad, repatriating from South Korea the remains of Chinese soldiers who fought in the Korean War and
Senators Fight For More Boosts to U.S. Airpower After Increase to F-15EX Order
As the USAF confirms its intent to buy more F-15EX Eagle IIs, Senators Budd and Shaheen have launched three new bills designed to expand the U.S. fighter inventory and retain experienced pilots.
Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/04/24/senators-fight-for-more-boosts-to-us-airpower/
As the USAF confirms its intent to buy more F-15EX Eagle IIs, Senators Budd and Shaheen have launched three new bills designed to expand the U.S. fighter inventory and retain experienced pilots.
Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/04/24/senators-fight-for-more-boosts-to-us-airpower/
The Aviationist
Senators Fight For More Boosts to U.S. Airpower After Increase to F-15EX Order
As the USAF confirms its intent to buy more F-15EX Eagle IIs, Senators Budd and Shaheen have launched three new bills designed to expand the U.S. fighter
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Breaking: U.S. Navy’s MQ-25 Stingray Completes First Flight
The U.S. Navy’s first production representative MQ-25 Stingray has completed its first flight, marking a key step toward carrier-based unmanned aerial refueling.
Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/04/25/breaking-u-s-navys-mq-25-stingray-completes-first-flight/
The U.S. Navy’s first production representative MQ-25 Stingray has completed its first flight, marking a key step toward carrier-based unmanned aerial refueling.
Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/04/25/breaking-u-s-navys-mq-25-stingray-completes-first-flight/
Anduril Shows Copperhead-500M Autonomous Underwater Munition’s Testing
The Copperhead family of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) can be equipped with ISR, communications and acoustic payloads for off-board sensing or warheads for kinetic uses.
Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/04/27/anduril-shows-copperhead-500m-autonomous-underwater-munitions-testing/
The Copperhead family of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) can be equipped with ISR, communications and acoustic payloads for off-board sensing or warheads for kinetic uses.
Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/04/27/anduril-shows-copperhead-500m-autonomous-underwater-munitions-testing/
The Aviationist
Anduril Shows Copperhead-500M Autonomous Underwater Munition’s Testing
The Copperhead family of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) can be equipped with ISR, communications and acoustic payloads for off-board sensing or
Boeing Releases Images of First Operational MQ-25’s Maiden Flight
As we reported on Saturday, the U.S. Navy’s first production representative MQ-25 flew for the first time on Apr. 25. Here are some interesting images.
Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/04/27/boeing-releases-images-of-first-operational-mq-25s-maiden-flight/
As we reported on Saturday, the U.S. Navy’s first production representative MQ-25 flew for the first time on Apr. 25. Here are some interesting images.
Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/04/27/boeing-releases-images-of-first-operational-mq-25s-maiden-flight/
The Aviationist
Boeing Releases Images of First Operational MQ-25’s Maiden Flight
The U.S. Navy’s first production representative MQ-25 Stingray flew for the first time on April 25, 2026, demonstrating the ability to autonomously taxi,
Peru Selects F-16 Block 70 Fighters Amid Political Crisis
Despite government calls to delay the acquisition and two ministers resigning, Peru appears to have already committed funds for the acquisition of 12 F-16 Block 70 fighters.
Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/04/28/peru-selects-f-16-block-70-fighters-amid-political-crisis/
Despite government calls to delay the acquisition and two ministers resigning, Peru appears to have already committed funds for the acquisition of 12 F-16 Block 70 fighters.
Story: https://theaviationist.com/2026/04/28/peru-selects-f-16-block-70-fighters-amid-political-crisis/
The Aviationist
Peru Selects F-16 Block 70 Fighters Amid Political Crisis
Despite government calls to delay the acquisition and two ministers resigning, Peru appears to have already committed funds for the acquisition of 12 F-16
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