stealth

The state of play in military space

The military space sector is evolving fast. Get the latest from Space Force and industry officials on what’s next for acquisition, policy and training in a new Breaking Defense eBook.

China, Russia experiment with stealthy satellites, Space Force official says

"Not only are [some Chinese satellites] difficult to visually acquire, that shape, they believe, would be incredibly beneficial in terms of masses of the radar cross section," Chief Master Sergeant Ron Lerch said.

Photos of China’s tailless J-50 aircraft give hints about stealth profile, likely mission: Experts

“The design is very low drag, and with two even current WS-10C class engines would likely have significant supercruise capabilities at high altitudes, allowing enhanced range and missile reach,” RUSI's Justin Bronk told Breaking Defense.

How China’s new next-gen fighters could impact America’s plans for NGAD

"Beijing won't want to waste an opportunity to humiliate the US by operationally deploying a sixth-gen platform before the US," said analyst Malcom Davis. "Look for the J-36 in particular to enter service before the end of this decade."

China tightens ‘counter-stealth’ military radar net around South China Sea, says report

The radar station on Triton will probably complicate military operations in peace time across the South China Sea but could also prove to be a juicy target in time of war, says Malcom Davis at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.

Hide and seek: Despite sharper eyes on the heavens, sneaky sats can still find shadows

Hiding in the sun, launching mini satellites and radar absorbent materials are just some of the tricks nations are using to hide their military satellites in orbit.

China’s investing billions in quantum R&D, but is Beijing making some bad bets?

The US and China are racing to develop quantum technologies. But each superpower is emphasizing different applications of the same fundamental science, and some American experts think a couple of Beijing’s top priorities may be dead ends.

B-21 Raider stealth bomber in production, Pentagon says

The Air Force recently confirmed the secretive plane was continuing flight testing out of Edwards Air Force Base.

Russia’s New SU-75 Checkmate Promises A Lot. Can It Deliver?

The Su-75 Checkmate, produced by Sukhoi, is marketing itself as a single engine stealth fighter on par, but cheaper, than the F-35.

B-21 A Good News Story; DoD Acquisition ‘Getting Better:’ HASC Chair

Rep. Adam Smith, who's excoriated the F-35, said the B-21 bomber is “on time, on budget, and they're making it work in a very intelligent way.” 

Senate Skeptical Of F-35 Sale To UAE Despite White House Push

"It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that if Israel’s the only country in the Middle East that has F-35s, that selling it to someone else no longer produces that qualitative military edge," Sen. Bob Menedez said.

Israel Buys Stealth & Lotsa Weapons: 2nd Squadron Of F-35s & F-15s

TEL AVIV: After a long internal debate, Israel’s military has decided to buy both another Lockheed Martin F-35 squadron AND another Boeing F-15 squadron, in a deal estimated at $3 billion. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) general staff’s decision reflects the scope of missions the IAF will have to deal with in any major confrontation, especially one […]

F-35 To F-22: Can We Talk? Finally, The Answer Is Yes

Next month, the Air Force will start rapid-fire field tests of new network tech, including a long-delayed secure datalink between its two stealth fighters.

F-35 Canopy: New Glue, New Supplier May Boost Readiness

Newer A, B and C Variant aircraft are averaging greater than 60 percent mission capable rates, with some units consistently at or above 70 percent.