Technology

In 1970, the U.S. Air Force Grounded Its Fastest Bomber
Despite its impressive performance characteristics, the B-58 Hustler was notoriously difficult to fly.

No, Aircraft Carriers Aren’t Obsolete—Yet
The U.S. Navy doesn’t need to abandon its carriers. It needs to use them differently—and it’s already moving in that direction.

Italy’s Vaunted “Phoenix” Helicopter Promises Much and Delivers Little
Italy has its heart in the right place, but it is likely buying a pre-failed helicopter system.

Russia’s Su-75 Checkmate Hasn’t Left the Ground—Yet
Even setting aside the challenges posed by the Ukraine conflict, the Su-75 faces significant obstacles.

Russia’s Sukhoi Design Bureau Prepares to Build a Sixth-Generation Fighter
There is little doubt that the Russians are taking their time developing their own sixth-generation warplane—but this is not a sign of weakness.

China’s Mystery Sixth-Gen Fighter Spotted During Second Test Flight
Last December, images circulated online of China's “sixth-generation” stealth fighter, reportedly making its maiden flight on December 26 to commemorate the birthday of Mao Zedong, founder of the People's Republic...

U.S. Navy To Announce F/A-XX Contract Award This Week
In the coming days, the United States Navy is expected to follow up on recent advancements in NGAD by awarding its sixth-gen carrier-based fighter.

Restoring U.S. Nuclear Energy Leadership
America once led the charge in nuclear energy, but the superpower has fallen behind in the twenty-first century. America now has the chance to reclaim former successes

Can the F-47 Beat the F-22? Here’s What to Know
Allvin avoided specifics regarding the F-47’s features. But he did mention that the X-planes have been testing NGAD technologies for five years now, “flying hundreds of hours, testing cutting-edge concepts,...

The F-47 Sixth-Generation Fighter Might Have Canards. Here’s Why That Matters.
The benefit of canards is improved maneuverability and stability, especially at high angles of attack. But canards lead to higher observability—and hence less stealth.

MiG-105 Spiral: The Little-Known Soviet Starfighter
The Spiral’s primary mission, had it made it beyond the test stage, would have been a combination of reconnaissance and anti-satellite (ASAT) warfare.

The X-15 was a Starfighter in All But Name
The X-15 was a key bridge between conventional atmospheric flight and spaceflight.