Combat Aircraft Journal

02/09/2025

The E-130J TACAMO has been given its official name https://www.key.aero/article/tacamo-super-hercules-becomes-phoenix-ii?utm_source=Facebook

Image credit: Northrop Grumman

The E-130J was given its official name on August 7, 2025.

02/09/2025

One of the Grumman S-2T Trackers of the Argentine Navy's Anti-Submarine Naval Air Squadron has returned to service https://www.key.aero/article/argentine-navy-s-2t-tracker-returns-service?utm_source=Facebook

Image credit: Sebastián Solis

After several months work, one of the Grumman S-2T Trackers of the Argentine Navy's Anti-Submarine Naval Air Squadron has returned to service.

01/09/2025

The New Zealand Government is acquiring Airbus A321XLR aircraft and Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk helicopters https://www.key.aero/article/a321xlrs-and-mh-60r-seahawks-new-zealand?utm_source=Facebook

The New Zealand Government announced on August 21, 2025 that it will invest NZ$2.7 billion in acquiring Airbus A321XLR aircraft and Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk helicopters for the New Zealand Defence

01/09/2025

How well do you know the ? https://www.key.aero/article/how-many-can-you-score-our-raf-quiz?utm_source=Facebook

How well do you know the RAF?

27/08/2025

Curt Jans spoke to 106th Rescue Wing is a combat search and rescue wing within the New York Air National Guard

about their recent history, as well as their new taskings https://www.key.aero/article/new-york-ang-rescue-wing-and-its-new-roles?utm_source=Facebook

Image credit: Curt Jans

The 106th Rescue Wing, located at Francis S. Gabreski ANGB, is a combat search and rescue wing within the New York Air National Guard. Curt Jans spoke to them about their recent history, as well as

25/08/2025

How good is your knowledge of the P-3 Orion? https://www.key.aero/article/try-our-p-3-orion-quiz?utm_source=Facebook

How good is your knowledge of the P-3 Orion?

25/08/2025

A report by the National Audit Office has delivered strong criticism of the UK F-35 programme https://www.key.aero/article/nao-report-critical-uk-f-35-programme?utm_source=Facebook

Image credit: MOD Crown Copyright

A report by the National Audit Office (NAO), the UK’s independent public spending watchdog, has delivered strong criticism of the UK F-35 programme, citing cost overruns, delays, and shortfalls in

24/08/2025

Ludo Mennes attended Exercise Falcon Spring - a large-scale air assault exercise involving the RNLAF and US Army https://www.key.aero/article/exercise-falcon-spring-rnlaf-and-us-army-air-assault-exercise?utm_source=Facebook

Image credit: Northern Skies Aviation

From May 12 to 23, 2025 the northern Netherlands formed a training area for Falcon Spring. Ludo Mennes spoke with the exercise leader Lt Col Haspels and the Leader of the RNLAF helicopter detachment

23/08/2025

Babak Taghvaee looks at Donald Trump’s presidential Boeing 747 frustration, how Qatar has stepped in, and details how other nations use Jumbos for VIP transportation https://www.key.aero/article/jumbos-fit-president?utm_source=Facebook

Image credit: USAF/Andrew Park

Babak Taghvaee looks at Donald Trump’s presidential Boeing 747 frustration, how Qatar has stepped in, and details how other nations use Jumbos for opulent VIP transportation

20/08/2025

With China looking to expand its influence across the Indo-Pacific, the USAF’s Pacific Air Forces is playing an increasingly vital role https://www.key.aero/article/usaf-pacific-air-forces-overview?utm_source=Facebook

Image credit: Jim Haseltine

With China looking to expand its influence across the Indo-Pacific, the USAF’s Pacific Air Forces is playing an increasingly vital role in defending the United States and its allies in the East. Tom

20/08/2025

will provide Leonardo AW139s to support the Royal Navy’s Fleet Operational Standards and Training (FOST) https://www.key.aero/article/helioperations-aw139s-support-fost?utm_source=Facebook

Image credit: David Willis

Dorset-based HeliOperations will provide Leonardo AW139s to support the Royal Navy’s Fleet Operational Standards and Training (FOST) and additional aviation tasks under a recently announced contract.

19/08/2025

🚀 NEW RELEASE – B-52 Stratofortress: 70 Years of Service ✈️

Celebrating seven decades of the legendary B-52 Stratofortress, this brand-new 116-page bookazine by renowned aerospace author David Baker takes you deep into the history and evolution of one of the most iconic bombers ever built.

🔹 Discover how the B-52 was designed and manufactured
🔹 The secret battles to keep it flying amid political pressure
🔹 Weapons created specifically to take it down
🔹 Close calls, cancellations & the upgrades that shaped the B-52J
🔹 The missions, strategies, and targets that defined U.S. air power

From its origins in 1955 to the upgraded bomber still flying today, this collector’s edition is packed with technical insights, historical context, and gripping stories of how the B-52 helped shape global military strategy.

🔥 Whether you’re an aviation enthusiast, Cold War historian, or military buff, this is a must-have addition to your collection.

👉 Order your copy now:
🔗 https://shop.keypublishing.com/products/b-52-stratofortress2025?_pos=1&_sid=fdc996ee5&_ss=r&utm_source=Facebook