Lucas Meyer, Author at DEFENSE-AEROSPACE

U.S. Air National Guard photo by Capt. Jason Sanchez

Inside the F-117 Nighthawk’s First Strike in Panama and Its Surprising Modern Legacy

Dec. 20, 2025 marks 36 years since the F-117 Nighthawk’s first combat use during Operation Just Cause in Panama. The sortie stayed quiet at the time, yet it set a pattern that followed the jet into later wars. Central America also sits

December 20, 2025

Contracts & Deals

Austria Orders 12 Leonardo M-346F Block 20 Light Fighters to Strengthen Air Policing and Pilot Training

Austria signed the deal for 12 Leonardo M-346F Block 20 aircraft on Dec. 17, 2025, according to official statements. Leonardo said the jets will arrive in a light fighter configuration. The package includes simulators, spares, and six years of support after the

December 17, 2025

Air & Missile Defense Systems

Patriot Modernization Ties New Interceptor Program to CAML Launchers for Rear-Arc Engagements

The U.S. Army is tying a new Patriot interceptor effort to a launcher shift toward a more vertical firing profile. The stated goal is an “over-the-shoulder” shot, where a battery can engage a threat that already crossed overhead. Senior leaders heard the

December 15, 2025

U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Rupiper

Aircraft

Vermont Air National Guard F-35A Fighters Set for Caribbean Deployment Under Operation Southern Spear

According to industry sources, the former Roosevelt Roads Navy base in Puerto Rico remains the leading candidate for the initial stop. The airfield has hosted U.S. aviation detachments linked to the operation since September. Vermont Air National Guard 158th Fighter Wing F-35A

December 11, 2025

Asia-Pacific

Japan and South Korea Launch Fighters After China-Russia Bomber Patrol Off Shikoku

Japan and South Korea launched fighter jets Tuesday after Chinese and Russian military aircraft flew a coordinated patrol over international waters. Japan’s defense authorities tracked Russian Tu-95 bombers moving from the Sea of Japan into the East China Sea. The aircraft linked

December 9, 2025

Defense Budgets / Policy

Inside the Fight Over F/A-XX Funding and the Future of the Navy’s Next Carrier Fighter

A defense policy law signed on Dec. 18, 2025 kept the U.S. Navy’s F/A-XX carrier fighter alive on paper, yet it left the program close to the Pentagon’s earlier plan to slow it down. The same law also ordered a deep Air

December 8, 2025

Asia-Pacific

How Thai F-16 Airstrikes Escalated Tensions Along the Cambodia–Thailand Border

Following overnight clashes that resulted in the death of a Thai soldier and the injuries of others, Royal Thai Air Force F-16 fighters attacked what Bangkok described as Cambodian military targets along multiple points of the disputed frontier early on Monday. Thai

December 8, 2025

U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joshua Magbanua

Aircraft

Turkish C-130 Broke Up Over Georgia After Leaving Azerbaijan, Killing All 20 on Board

A Turkish Air Force C-130E Hercules that departed Ganja International Airport in Azerbaijan on 11 November broke apart in midair over eastern Georgia, killing all 20 people on board. Video shot from the ground shows the center section descending in a spin

November 11, 2025

U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. Alexandria Romanack

Contracts & Deals

Three Indian Army AH-64E Apaches Return to Arizona After An-124 Delivery Flight Stalls in the UK

On 8 November, Antonov An-124 heavy transport UR-82008 returned to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport in Arizona carrying three AH-64E Apache Guardian helicopters for the Indian Army. The aircraft had left the same airfield a week earlier for India and was due to make

November 10, 2025

Defense Budgets / Policy

Senate Confirms Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach as 24th U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff

The Senate confirmed Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach as the 24th Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force following Gen. David W. Allvin’s early retirement effective around November 1. The Senate approved the nomination by unanimous consent on October 30 after

November 5, 2025

Lucas Meyer

Inside the F-117 Nighthawk’s First Strike in Panama and Its Surprising Modern Legacy

Austria Orders 12 Leonardo M-346F Block 20 Light Fighters to Strengthen Air Policing and Pilot Training

Patriot Modernization Ties New Interceptor Program to CAML Launchers for Rear-Arc Engagements

Vermont Air National Guard F-35A Fighters Set for Caribbean Deployment Under Operation Southern Spear

Japan and South Korea Launch Fighters After China-Russia Bomber Patrol Off Shikoku

Inside the Fight Over F/A-XX Funding and the Future of the Navy’s Next Carrier Fighter

How Thai F-16 Airstrikes Escalated Tensions Along the Cambodia–Thailand Border

Turkish C-130 Broke Up Over Georgia After Leaving Azerbaijan, Killing All 20 on Board

Three Indian Army AH-64E Apaches Return to Arizona After An-124 Delivery Flight Stalls in the UK

Senate Confirms Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach as 24th U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff

Authors

Julien Mercier

Clara Nguyen

Priya Shah

Michael Adler

Lena Kovacs

Diego Ramos

Peter Johansson

Lucas Meyer