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Air & Space

12 Articles

The domains of air and space are increasingly interlinked in modern military operations. Explore the platforms, satellites, and systems that provide surveillance, communication, and strike capabilities from the atmosphere to orbit.

Military air and space operations have become inseparable in the modern era, with satellites, high-altitude surveillance platforms, and space-based sensors providing the intelligence, navigation, and communications backbone that every other domain depends on. The establishment of the U.S. Space Force and similar organizations worldwide reflects the recognition that controlling the space domain is now as critical as controlling the air.

Our air and space coverage examines the full vertical dimension of military operations, from high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft and stratospheric drones to GPS constellations, missile warning satellites, and anti-satellite weapons. Explore how space-based assets enabled precision strikes in Iraq, why anti-satellite capabilities are a growing concern for military planners, and how hypersonic glide vehicles blur the line between atmospheric and space-based threats. We also cover the experimental aircraft and emerging platforms, from the X-37B spaceplane to next-generation ISR systems, that are pushing the boundaries of what military forces can achieve above the Earth's surface.

GEODSS electro-optical telescope tracking objects in deep space at night
Featured

How the US Military Tracks 29,000 Objects in Space and Decides Which Ones Are Threats

Alex Carter··10 min read

Showing 11 of 11 articles

KH-11 style reconnaissance satellite rendering in low Earth orbit above cloud-covered terrain

How Military Satellites See Objects Smaller Than a License Plate From 400 Miles in Space

The NRO's classified reconnaissance satellites can resolve objects as small as 4 inches from 400 miles above the Earth. They use optics comparable to the Hubble Space Telescope, pointed down instead of up. Here's how military satellite imaging actually works, from optical physics to synthetic aperture radar to the politics of shutter control.

Alex Carter··10 min read
SR-71 Blackbird on the ramp at Edwards Air Force Base ready for a mission

What is the fastest plane in the world?

What is the fastest plane in the world? Answer: The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird is the fastest plane in the world (flown by man). Reaching a maximum speed in excess…

Daniel Mercer··6 min read
Space Launch Delta 45 Guardians preparing for a rocket launch at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

United States Space Force, the DoD’s 6th Branch

Space Force. It sounds like a tribe from the future. But then again, we are currently living in what many people had once envisioned as ‘the future’….

Michael Trent··10 min read
NASA research aircraft fleet lined up on the ramp at Dryden Flight Research Center

Unusual Military Experiments Of The Past

The Nazi Sun Gun Aimed To Burn The Earth From Space NASA The plans for this cartoonish “death ray” were discovered once…

Daniel Mercer··9 min read
EA-18G landing

Boeing EA-18G Growler Electronic Warfare Aircraft

Officially adopted for fleet use in 2008, the EA-18G “Growler” represents the new age in electronic aircraft technology. It is the Navy’s first electronic warfare aircraft with a new design…

Michael Trent··4 min read
Grumman OV-1C Mohawk observation aircraft in flight during a NASA research program

OV-1 Mohawk Observation Aircraft

The bug-eyed OV-1 Mohawk was far more dangerous than the tame “observation aircraft” designation would suggest. As one of the rare fixed-wing aircraft operated by the US Army, Mohawks were…

Michael Trent··4 min read
U-2 Dragon Lady

Lockheed U-2 Dragon Lady Spy Plane

The Lockheed-Martin U-2 Dragon Lady has been flying high altitude reconnaissance missions since 1955. There’s a reason the U.S. Air Force has kept this spy plane in the air for…

Michael Trent··4 min read
NASA X-15 experimental aircraft in flight during a research mission

Stunning Images of NASA Experimental Aircraft

A gallery of NASA experimental aircraft, from the X-43A scramjet to other boundary-pushing designs that advanced the science of flight and aerospace engineering.

Michael Trent··10 min read
WWII-era warbird aircraft arriving at Pearl Harbor for the 75th anniversary commemoration

Captivating Images Of Old Military Aircraft

A nostalgic collection of images featuring vintage and retired military aircraft, from Cold War-era jets to propeller-driven warbirds preserved in museums and air shows.

Michael Trent··7 min read
Air Force Memes That Will Make Anyone Laugh

Air Force Memes That Will Make Anyone Laugh

Of all the military memes out there, we’re quite partial to any and every Air Force meme. These are just too good! We know you’ll enjoy on these. …

Michael Trent··7 min read
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