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theaviationist.com
The Aviationist
@theaviationist.com
5.7K followers 190 following 910 posts
Unmatched, unconventional, independent coverage of military aviation, defense, tech & everything in the middle. Edited by David Cenciotti (@cenciotti.theaviationist.com) https://theaviationist.com
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The Aviationist @theaviationist.com · 1d
Anduril and Raytheon Test Highly Loaded Grain Solid Rocket Motor for Air-to-Air Missiles

Highly Loaded Grain (HLG) Solid Rocket Motors allow extended range and customized thrust profiles with the same propellant and the same size rocket motor.

Story: theaviationist.com/2025/10/09/a...
Anduril and Raytheon Test Highly Loaded Grain Solid Rocket Motor for Air-to-Air Missiles
Highly Loaded Grain (HLG) Solid Rocket Motors allow extended range and customized thrust profiles with the same propellant and the same size rocket motor.
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The Aviationist @theaviationist.com · 2d
No Smoke Trails, Just Silence: Exclusive EA-37B Pilot Interview

While the aerobatic acts thrilled the crowd at the recent Joint Base Andrews Air Show, an EA-37B Compass Call quietly revealed the power of modern electronic warfare.

Story: theaviationist.com/2025/10/09/e...
No Smoke Trails, Just Silence: Exclusive EA-37B Pilot Interview
While the aerobatic acts thrilled the crowd at the recent Joint Base Andrews Air Show, an EA-37B Compass Call on static display, quietly revealed the
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The Aviationist @theaviationist.com · 2d
Germany Approves Eurofighter Tranche 5 Deal

Germany has approved the procurement of 20 Eurofighters of the Tranche 5 for €3.75 billion, as well as well as the Eurofighter EK variant’s development.

Story: theaviationist.com/2025/10/08/g...
Germany Approves Eurofighter Tranche 5 Deal
Germany has approved the procurement of 20 Eurofighters of the Tranche 5 for €3.75 billion, as well as well as the Eurofighter EK variant’s development. A
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The Aviationist @theaviationist.com · 2d
Canada Will Get 16 Paid-For F-35s, Decision Pending on the Remaining Jets

Secretary of State for Defense Procurement said Canada has no plans to exit the contract for the 16 F-35s already in production, with a decision pending on the remaining 72 jets.

Story: theaviationist.com/2025/10/09/c...
Canada Will Get 16 Paid-For F-35s, Decision Pending on the Remaining Jets
Secretary of State for Defense Procurement Stephen Fuhr said Canada has no plans to exit the contract for the 16 F-35s already in production, with a
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The Aviationist @theaviationist.com · 3d
U.S. Navy’s F/A-XX Selection Might Happen Soon - Reports

After months of delay, Hegseth has reportedly greenlit the U.S. Navy’s F/A-XX program, with a selection expected as soon as this week.

Story: theaviationist.com/2025/10/08/u...
U.S. Navy’s F/A-XX Selection Might Happen Soon - Reports
After months of delay, Hegseth has reportedly greenlit the U.S. Navy’s F/A-XX program, with a selection expected as soon as this week. After months of
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The Aviationist @theaviationist.com · 4d
Sweden to Acquire Four Embraer C-390 Airlifters

The Swedish Flygvapnet will replace its C-130Hs with four C-390 Millennium airlifters bought through a joint procurement with Austria and the Netherlands.

Story: theaviationist.com/2025/10/06/s...
Sweden to Acquire Four Embraer C-390 Airlifters
The Swedish Flygvapnet will replace its C-130Hs with four C-390 Millennium airlifters bought through a joint procurement with Austria and the Netherlands.
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The Aviationist @theaviationist.com · 4d
Italian Delegation Visits Baykar for Kizilelma and Akinci Demos

The visit of Italy’s political executive and top military brass comes as Baykar and Leonardo advance their joint venture LBA Systems.

Story: theaviationist.com/2025/10/07/i...
Italian Delegation Visits Baykar for Kizilelma and Akinci Demos
The visit of Italy’s political executive and top military brass comes as Baykar and Leonardo advance their joint venture LBA Systems. A large Italian
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The Aviationist @theaviationist.com · 5d
Australia Receives First AH-64E Apache Helicopters

The first two of 29 AH-64Es have arrived at RAAF Base Townsville, where they will be assigned to the 1st Aviation Regiment.

Story: theaviationist.com/2025/10/06/a...
Australia Receives First AH-64E Apache Helicopters
The first two of 29 AH-64Es have arrived at RAAF Base Townsville, where they will be assigned to the 1st Aviation Regiment. The first two new AH-64E
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The Aviationist @theaviationist.com · 5d
Kizilelma UCAV Flies with TEBER-82 and TOLUN Munitions in Carriage Trials

The Kizilelma is slated to fly alongside the KAAN as its primary Collaborative Combat Aircraft, along with the ANKA-III.

Story: theaviationist.com/2025/10/05/k...
Kizilelma UCAV Flies with TEBER-82 and TOLUN Munitions in Carriage Trials
The Kizilelma is slated to fly alongside the KAAN as its primary Collaborative Combat Aircraft, along with the ANKA-III. Turkey’s Kizilelma UCAV,
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The Aviationist @theaviationist.com · 5d
General Electric Demonstrates Ramjet Engines for Hypersonic Missiles

The Solid Fuel Ramjet (SFRJ) and the Hypersonic Dual-Mode Ramjet (DMRJ) are seeing rapid success as the U.S. hikes spending and development of hypersonic weapons.

Story: theaviationist.com/2025/10/04/g...
General Electric Demonstrates Ramjet Engines for Hypersonic Missiles
The Solid Fuel Ramjet (SFRJ) and the Hypersonic Dual-Mode Ramjet (DMRJ) are seeing rapid success as the U.S. hikes spending and development of hypersonic
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The Aviationist @theaviationist.com · 7d
Royal Navy Re-Armed: Sea Venom Anti-Ship Missile Achieves IOC and Naval Strike Missile is Test Fired

The Royal Navy is becoming more lethal as September brings new developments in the deployment of two of its vital anti-ship missiles.

Story: theaviationist.com/2025/10/04/s...
Royal Navy Re-Armed: Sea Venom Anti-Ship Missile Achieves IOC and Naval Strike Missile is Test Fired
The Royal Navy is becoming more lethal as September brings new developments in the deployment of two of its vital anti-ship missiles. The Sea Venom light
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The Aviationist @theaviationist.com · 8d
Mysterious Object Spotted At Lockheed Martin’s Helendale Radar Cross Section Test Range

A YouTube video posted by the account Uncanny Expeditions appears to show a previously unseen object undergoing testing at Lockheed Martin’s Helendale RCS Test Range.

Story: theaviationist.com/2025/10/04/m...
Mysterious Object Spotted At Lockheed Martin’s Helendale Radar Cross Section Test Range
A YouTube video posted by the account Uncanny Expeditions appears to show a previously unseen object undergoing testing at Lockheed Martin’s Helendale
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The Aviationist @theaviationist.com · 8d
Inside Hawaii’s 535th Airlift Squadron: How C-17 Crews Stand Ready for the Pacific

In an exclusive interview, pilots of the 15th Wing share insights on rapid mobility, integration with F-22s, and the challenges of operating in the Indo-Pacific.

Story: theaviationist.com/2025/10/03/5...
Inside Hawaii’s 535th Airlift Squadron: How C-17 Crews Stand Ready for the Pacific
In an exclusive interview at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Col. Luke Spathes and Lt. Col. Reinier Villanueva discuss rapid mobility, integration with
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The Aviationist @theaviationist.com · 8d
USMC F-35Bs Shown Armed with Live Weapons in Puerto Rico

Weeks after they arrived in Puerto Rico, the F-35s were shown flying with live AIM-120Ds, AIM-9Xs and GBU-54s.

Story: theaviationist.com/2025/10/03/u...
USMC F-35Bs Shown Armed with Live Weapons in Puerto Rico
Weeks after they arrived in Puerto Rico, the F-35s were shown flying with live AIM-120Ds, AIM-9Xs and GBU-54s. The U.S. is now showing in official images
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The Aviationist @theaviationist.com · 8d
B-29 Strategic Operations against Japan Part 1: The CBI Theater

The B-29 would initially struggle to prove its worth, victim of teething problems from its rapid development and production, along with supply issues once in theater.

Story: theaviationist.com/2025/10/03/b...
B-29 Strategic Operations against Japan Part 1: The CBI Theater
Suffering an arduous start in the CBI Theater, the B-29 would initially struggle to prove its worth, the victim of teething problems from its rapid
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The Aviationist @theaviationist.com · 8d
Royal Air Force Retires MQ-9A Reaper

The Royal Air Force has confirmed that its MQ-9A Reaper fleet has been withdrawn after 18 years in service, as the MQ-9B Protector RG1 readies for operational deployment.

Story: theaviationist.com/2025/10/03/r...
Royal Air Force Retires MQ-9A Reaper
The Royal Air Force has confirmed that its MQ-9A Reaper fleet has been withdrawn after 18 years in service, as the MQ-9B Protector RG1 readies for
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The Aviationist @theaviationist.com · 9d
U.S. Air Force Establishes Permanent MQ-9 Reaper Unit in South Korea

The 431st Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron was activated for the first time since WW2 at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, to operate MQ-9A Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles.

Story: theaviationist.com/2025/10/02/u...
U.S. Air Force Establishes Permanent MQ-9 Reaper Unit in South Korea
The 431st Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron was activated for the first time since WW2 at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, to operate MQ-9A Reaper
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The Aviationist @theaviationist.com · 9d
VX-31 Bids Farewell to the AV-8B Harrier II

The Dust Devils of VX-31 concluded the AV-8B Harrier’s service with a sundown flight at China Lake.

Story: theaviationist.com/2025/10/02/v...
VX-31 Bids Farewell to the AV-8B Harrier II
The Dust Devils of VX-31 concluded the AV-8B Harrier’s service with a sundown flight at China Lake. The Dust Devils of the U.S. Navy’s Air Test and
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The Aviationist @theaviationist.com · 9d
Revival of WW2-Era Tinian Airfield Picks Up with ‘Rehabilitation’ Work

The significant airfield repair and upgrade work might support frontline fighters in the future, as the U.S. develops distributed basing to counter China in the Pacific.

Story: theaviationist.com/2025/10/02/t...
Revival of WW2-Era Tinian Airfield Picks Up with ‘Rehabilitation’ Work
The significant airfield repair and upgrade work might support frontline fighters in the future, as the U.S. develops distributed basing to counter China
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The Aviationist @theaviationist.com · 10d
Dutch F-35 Receives Drone Kill Marking

Following the Russian drone incursion in Poland, a RNLAF F-35A has received a drone kill marking below the canopy rail.

Story: theaviationist.com/2025/10/01/d...
Dutch F-35 Receives Drone Kill Marking
Following the Russian drone incursion in Poland, a RNLAF F-35A has received a drone kill marking below the canopy rail. A Royal Netherlands Air Force
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The Aviationist @theaviationist.com · 10d
Army Reserve Aviation Command Completes Flying Operations, Slashed as Part of Army Reprioritization

Each Army Reserve Aviation Command unit’s ‘final mission’ put as many aircraft in the air as possible in California, Kansas, and Texas.

Story: theaviationist.com/2025/10/01/a...
Army Reserve Aviation Command Completes Flying Operations, Slashed as Part of Army Reprioritization
Each Army Reserve Aviation Command unit’s ‘final mission’ put as many aircraft in the air as possible in California, Kansas, and Texas as one last
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The Aviationist @theaviationist.com · 11d
The Apache Turns 50: A Look at the Iconic Attack Helicopter

Sept. 30, 2025 marks 50 years since the first YAH-64A prototype took to the skies for the first time. Let’s look at how the Apache has maintained its sharp edge over those five decades.

Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/30/t...
The Apache Turns 50: A Look at the Iconic Attack Helicopter
Sept. 30, 2025 marks 50 years since the first YAH-64A prototype took to the skies for the first time. Let's look at how the Apache has maintained its
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The Aviationist @theaviationist.com · 11d
South Korea Choses L3Harris for ROKAF’s Next Airborne Radar

South Korea initiated the AEW&C II program in 2020 to supplement its fleet of four E-737s that had been experiencing low mission availability rates.

Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/30/l...
South Korea Choses L3Harris for ROKAF’s Next Airborne Radar
South Korea initiated the AEW&C II program in 2020 to supplement its fleet of four E-737s that had been experiencing low mission availability rates.
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The Aviationist @theaviationist.com · 12d
JPO and Lockheed Martin Finalize F-35 Contract for Lots 18 and 19

Lockheed Martin will build up to 296 F-35s as part of Lots 18 and 19, with first deliveries in 2026.

Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/30/f...
JPO and Lockheed Martin Finalize F-35 Contract for Lots 18 and 19
Lockheed Martin will build up to 296 F-35s as part of Lots 18 and 19, with first deliveries in 2026. Lockheed Martin and the F-35 Joint Program Office
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The Aviationist @theaviationist.com · 12d
Taiwan is Interested in the Rafale, Says Dassault's Chief

In a recent hearing, Dassault Aviation’s CEO Éric Trappier told lawmakers about efforts to support Taiwan’s fleet of Mirage 2000s and their interest in the Rafale.

Story: theaviationist.com/2025/09/29/t...
Taiwan is Interested in the Rafale, Says Dassault's Chief
In a recent hearing, Dassault Aviation’s CEO Éric Trappier told lawmakers about efforts to support Taiwan’s fleet of Mirage 2000s and their interest in
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