flying

When booking a flight, most people will always choose between window or aisle — but one of these choices is actually significantly better than the other for a couple of reasons

When it comes to booking a flight, there are typically two preferred seating options. No one fancies being sandwiched in the middle of a row, so most passengers will always opt for either window or aisle. However, one of these choices is significantly superior to the other for a couple of reasons.

One key reason is that this seat is more likely to be thoroughly cleaned between flights, reports the Express.

According to Andrea Platania, travel expert at Transfeero, the aisle seat is “always a winner”.

She explained: “Cabin crews have limited time between flights to clean every row, and reaching window seats properly is tricky.

“The aisle seats tend to be wiped more thoroughly simply because they’re easier to access.”

In addition to likely receiving a more comprehensive cleaning, the aisle seat also feels a bit fresher during long-haul flights. This is due to the way air circulates within the plane’s cabin.

Andrea clarified: “Air in the cabin circulates from top to bottom and side to side. So while the whole plane shares the same filtered air, being in the aisle gives slightly more exposure to moving air, as it can feel fresher, especially on older aircraft.”

Those who favour the aisle seat often mention more freedom to move as one of the reasons they prefer it. You don’t have to scramble over other people to get to the loo, or stretch your legs.

Andrea stated: “You can move when you want without asking anyone to stand up or doing that awkward shuffle past strangers. Being in the aisle means you can stretch, go to the loo or grab something from the overhead bin whenever you please.”

Those lucky enough to snag an aisle seat are also typically among the first to disembark the flight.

Andrea added: “When everyone stands up at once, you’re already halfway to the door while the window seat passengers are still waiting to squeeze out.

“For business travellers or anyone catching a transfer, those few minutes can be priceless.”

The Irish airline has decided to make a major change that will impact their passengers from 12 November onwards. Here’s everything you need to know about the new system

Ryanair passengers have been given a last-minute warning about a major change the airline is making in a matter of days.

Passengers flying with the Irish airline any time from 12 November onwards will need to follow a new rule – and not everyone is happy about it.

The budget airline has announced it is ditching physical boarding passes and going completely digital, which means paper print-outs will be a thing of the past. Travellers will now be required to show their boarding passes through the Ryanair app.

The company hopes to cut around 300 tonnes of paper annually by switching to digital, with Ryanair CMO Dara Brady explaining the airline settled on November 12 because it’s a quieter time for travel.

However, many have expressed concern about the potential challenges for elderly passengers who might not use the internet or possess smartphones.

Ryanair’s boss, Michael O’Leary, has now sought to reassure passengers with anxieties about the compulsory smartphone boarding passes. He said: “Almost 100 per cent of passengers have smartphones, and we want to move everybody onto the smartphone technology.

“The big concern that people have is: ‘What happens if I lose my battery or whatever, I lose my phone?’ reports Wales Online.

“If you lose your phone, no issue. As long as you’ve checked in before you get to the airport, we’ll reissue a paper boarding pass at the airport free of charge. But you have to check in before you get to the airport.

“Also, if your battery dies or something happens, once you’ve checked in, we’ll have your sequence number anyway at the boarding gate, we’ll take you, you’ll get on. So nobody should worry about it.

“Just make sure you check in online before you get to the airport, and then all will be fine.”

Guidance on Ryanair’s website echoes this, adding: “If you have already checked in online and you lose your smartphone or tablet (or it dies), your details are already on our system and you will be assisted at the gate.”

The website also emphasises the importance of completing their online check-in. “All Ryanair passengers will still receive email reminders to check-in online 48 and 24hrs pre-departure.

“If any passenger arrives at the airport but hasn’t checked in online (having ignored these reminders), they will still be required to pay the airport check-in fee.”

Currently, the fee is set at £55/€55 per passenger for most flights. However, passengers flying out of Spain are obliged to pay £30/€30, while those departing from Austria will be hit with a £40/€40 charge.

There are two exceptions to the new digital boarding pass rule; the first is passengers flying to Albania. Authorities there have insisted passengers present paper passes until March 2026, after which they’ve agreed passes can be digital.

Morocco has the same paper pass policy as Albania, however, it won’t be changing its rules to fit Ryanair’s new paperless policy. Michael O’Leary has confirmed the airline will make exceptions in this case and accept physical passes for flights to the African country.

MOLLY-MAE has revealed that her two-year-old Bambi is flying first class, despite dad Tommy Fury vowing to ban ‘five star hotels and business class flights’ for his daughter. 

It’s been a hectic year for Tommy and his partner Molly-Mae Hague, both 27, who recently confirmed they had rekindled their romance following their shock break-up.

But the rekindled pair have now jetted off on another holiday to Dubai, and showed a snap of Bambi lapping up first class service en-route.

The tot could be seen in a black and white photo with headphones on watching TV on the plane, as they jetted abroad.

Bambi looked content in her tracksuit as she reclined on the large first class seats with her legs outstretched.

But boxer Tommy, who said raising Bambi is his top priority, had warned that business class flights and five star hotels were a thing of the past for his daughter, while talking on The Good, The Bad & The Beast podcast a few months back. 

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During the interview, he said: “Today’s world is tough because you don’t wanna spoil your children, but then it’s hard to not, in a way. I just said to myself, ‘She can’t take business class flights every time, that ain’t the real world.’

“I didn’t go on a plane until I was 17! It was a Flybe flight and the propeller nearly broke.

“But Bambi’s got more air miles than me now, and she’s two and a half.”

Evidently, Tommy’s rule has gone out of the plane window as he continued to say at the time: “I want her to know the meaning of normal, which is, you know, a nice camping holiday, driving to the lake.

“Not staying in five star hotels, not going business class flights, not doing that sometimes – and that’s okay.”

It comes just days after Molly was slammed as “selfish” and “out of touch with reality” by former fans. 

Not only this, but after watching the new episodes of the influencer’s hit new Amazon docuseries, Molly-Mae: Behind It All, many viewers have admitted the Love Island star’s “bratty behaviour” has “put them off her.”

Since the release of the Amazon docuseries, former fans of the influencer have slammed the mother as “selfish” and “tone deaf.” 

A content creator named Emily Entwistle took to social media to share her thoughts on the episode as she wrote: “Why was this scene in episode three the hardest watch?

“At times she’s so relatable but this season just shows a girl who needs a wake up call.”

Not only this, but Emily also added: “Really enjoyed season one but this season is not the one.

“She’s just showing someone who’s so out of touch with reality.”

And it appears that Emily isn’t the only viewer to think this way, as her TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @emilyentwistle_x, caused a flurry of women expressing similar views.

One person said: “I genuinely thought the exact same thing and lowkey put me off her. 

“I’ve always liked her but I think she’s done so many things now that’s off putting. She’s massively out of touch with reality.” 

Another added: “She’s definitely out of touch with reality, these new episodes have made me really change my opinion of her. 

“I actually think she’s selfish and it’s not her friend or her manager’s fault that she forgot the product she was supposed to review.” 

A third commented: “It was very bratty behaviour tbh.” 

Meanwhile, someone else chimed in: “She gives spoilt brat vibes.”

At the same time, one former fan penned: “Tone deaf in today’s economic climate. She’s so out of touch with reality and spoiled.” 

However, others tried to sympathise with the busy mother.

One fan wrote: “She’s trying her best and running a business and being a mum trying to do her best. 

“Being a mum is hard work. I respect her for showing the reality of her world that everyone wants to judge.” 

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Whilst another explained: “You guys have such high standards for these influencers/celebrities. 

“This documentary was supposed to show the inside of her life and not the glitz and glams and to show the true struggles of motherhood.” 

Oct. 26 (UPI) — Russian President Vladimir Putin said the country has tested a new, nuclear-capable missile and is preparing to deploy it.

Putin’s military maneuver comes just after a planned meeting with President Donald Trump collapsed.

The weapon runs on nuclear power, which makes it capable of flying much further than other missiles, according to the Kremlin, and is able to evade missile detection and defense systems.

“This is a unique product that no one in the world has, Putin, dressed in military fatigues, said during a meeting with military commanders, according to a video posted by the Kremlin. “We need to identify potential uses and begin preparing the infrastructure for deploying this weapon in our armed forces.”

Valery V. Gerasimov, general staff of the Russian armed forces, said the missile had remained in flight for 15 hours and traveled 8,700 miles during testing.

“It is a tiny flying Chernobyl,” Gerasimov said during a briefing, referring to a nuclear power plant in Ukraine that became widely known for a catastrophic explosion in 1986.

The missile, known as the SSC-X-9, has been in development for years, and while Putin’s announcement was not a surprise, nuclear experts say it is a bad turn of events.

“This is a bad development,” said Jeffrey Lewis, a nuclear nonproliferation expert at Middlebury College. “It is one more science fiction weapon that is going to be destabilizing and hard to address in arms control.”

Putin’s announcement of the missile revives the back and forth between the United States and Russia over nuclear arms, but the first action since President Donald Trump took office in January.

It is the latest in a long series of volleys over nuclear arms between the two countries stretching back decades.

A viral video showing a woman freezing her açaí bowl to get it past security has sparked a warning from experts, who say the hack could lead to a £5,000 fine for UK travellers

Social media, particularly TikTok, has emerged as a breeding ground for so-called “travel hacks.” Holidaymakers frequently rely on content creators for guidance on maximising their flights and hotel experiences.

Nevertheless, much of the guidance discovered online should be approached with considerable scepticism, particularly when it doesn’t originate from a qualified professional. This has proven true with one passenger’s footage, which has captured the attention of travellers and has now been viewed more than a million times.

In the footage, she demonstrates how she smuggles her açaí bowl through airport security: by freezing it before placing it in her hand luggage, reports the Express.

The post sparked confusion in the comments section, with one viewer questioning: “Wait, how did you get this through security?”, and another cautioning: “Pretty sure this is still considered a liquid.”

Now, travel specialists are offering their verdict – and they have one stark warning.

According to Amanda Parker, spokesperson for Netflights, freezing açaí bowls or similar liquids to stop security screening isn’t merely ineffective – it could lead to your snack being seized or, worse still, a substantial penalty.

“According to official government guidelines, you’re not allowed to carry frozen items in your hand luggage,” the travel expert clarified.

“Even though this açaí bowl is frozen, it’s still considered a liquid and security will treat it as a liquid.

“Your treat may start to thaw when you pass through airport security, and if it exceeds the 100 ml liquid limit, it’ll be going straight in the bin. Plus, the spillage while you carry it, not worth the hassle.”

And the danger doesn’t stop at security checks, as travellers jetting back to the UK could find their bowl’s contents triggering alarm bells with customs officials.

Numerous favourite toppings and ingredients – from dairy products to seeds and fresh fruit – violate UK border regulations.

“There are restrictions on bringing food back to the UK, too. Meat, dairy, fish, fruit, veg, nuts and seeds are all no-nos,” Amanda cautioned. “You could face a £5,000 fine if you break these rules.

“As açaí bowls are normally topped with nuts and seeds, plus they’re dairy, it’s important not to freeze your açaí bowl for your flight home to the UK, as you could pay the price.”

Linsey Smith takes the wickets of Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits and Marizanne Kapp, as South Africa fall to 19-4 in just the sixth over of England’s opening match of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup.

FOLLOW LIVE: ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup – England v South Africa

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New pictures offer the best look to date of an Air Force HC-130J Combat King II combat search and rescue aircraft (CSAR) carrying an Angry Kitten electronic warfare pod. Originally developed to simulate enemy electronic warfare attacks during training and testing, Angry Kitten has been evolving into a system that could help protect friendly aircraft from those threats during real combat missions. Pairing HC-130Js and the pods is now being eyed as part of the answer to an increasingly vexing question of how to provide adequate CSAR coverage for future operations in and around heavily contested airspace.

Fred Taleghani of FreddyB Aviation Photography caught the HC-130J Combat King II with the Angry Kitten pod flying around Point Mugu, California, back on September 11. The aircraft in question belongs to the California Air National Guard’s 129th Rescue Wing, which is based at Moffett Federal Airfield, situated some 275 miles to the northwest. HC-130Js can support CSAR missions in various ways, including by helping to deploy pararescuemen, refueling HH-60W Jolly Green IIs and other helicopters, as well as Osprey tilt-rotors, in mid-air, and acting as airborne command and control nodes.

The Angry Kitten pod is seen mounted via a Special Airborne Mission Installation and Response (SABIR) system installed in place of the HC-130J’s left rear paratrooper door. SABIR includes a pylon on an arm that can be extended below the aircraft’s fuselage while in flight, giving whatever is loaded onto it a more unobstructed field of view. The replacement paratrooper door also features an enlarged observer’s window. It can be fitted with a chute for launching sonobouys, smoke markers, and other similar tubular payloads, though it is not clear if that capability is installed on this Combat King II. The port for the chute is visible, but it may be blanked off. The U.S. military and foreign armed forces use SABIR as a relatively simple way to integrate other sensors and systems onto different C-130 variants, as you can read more about here.

The Angry Kitten-toting HC-130J is understood to have been in the Point Mugu area at the time to take part in the U.S. Navy-led Gray Flag 2025 test and evaluation exercise, which ran between September 5 and 19. It was staged out of Naval Base Ventura County and involved sorties over the expansive Point Mugu Sea Range. Gray Flags are regularly used to showcase new and improved munitions and other advanced capabilities, such as electronic warfare systems, including ones that are still in development. Units from across the U.S. military, as well as key American allies, routinely take part. Combat King IIs have participated in these exercises in the past.

As noted, Angry Kitten is not new. Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) began development of the podded system in 2013, and it first started flying under the wings of F-16 Viper fighters in 2017. Angry Kitten is an outgrowth of the AN/ALQ-167 electronic warfare pod, variants of which have been in use for decades, primarily to mimic hostile electronic warfare threats for training and testing purposes. There are also documented examples of AN/ALQ-167s being used on aircraft during actual combat missions, at least on an ad hoc basis.

Unlike the older AN/ALQ-167s, Angry Kitten is designed to be more readily modifiable and updatable to more rapidly adapt in parallel with the threat ecosystem. This is enabled in part by advanced Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM) technology, which allows radio frequency (RF) signals to be detected and ‘captured,’ as well as manipulated and retransmitted. Electronic warfare systems that use DRFM can project signals from hostile radars (and radar seekers on missiles) back at them to create false or otherwise confusing tracks. Data collected via DRFM can also be used to help improve and refine the system’s capabilities, as well as for other intelligence exploitation purposes.

In general, electronic warfare systems need to be able to accurately detect, categorize, and respond to waveforms based on information contained in their built-in threat libraries to work most effectively. This, in turn, requires specialists to routinely reprogram systems to keep them as up to date as possible. Automating and otherwise shortening that process at every step of the way by developing what are known as cognitive electronic warfare capabilities has become a major area of interest for the entire U.S. military. The absolute ‘holy grail’ of that concept is an electronic warfare system capable of adapting its programming autonomously in real-time, even in the middle of a mission, as you can read more about here.

With all this in mind, and given prior operational use of the AN/ALQ-167, it’s not hard to see how interest has grown in using Angry Kitten to help shield friendly aircraft from threats during real-world missions.

“We had a jammer called ‘Angry Kitten.’ It was built to be an adversary air jamming tool,” now-retired Air Force Gen. Mark Kelly, then commander of Air Combat Command (ACC), told TWZ and other outlets back in 2022. “And all of a sudden, the blue team said, ‘you know, hey, we kind of need that, can we have that for us?’ And so I see this iterating and testing our way into this.”

To date, in addition to F-16s and HC-130s, Angry Kitten is known to have flown on Air Force A-10 Warthog ground attack jets and MQ-9 Reaper drones, as well as Navy F/A-18s fighters. As of March, the Air National Guard Air Force Reserve Command Test Center (AATC) said there were plans to at least evaluate the pod on KC-135 and KC-46 aerial refueling tankers.

It’s also interesting to note the parallels here with the U.S. Marine Corps’ Intrepid Tiger II electronic warfare system, which has been fielded in different podded forms for the AV-8B Harrier jump jet and the UH-1Y Venom armed light utility helicopter. A roll-on/roll-off version for the MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor is in development, and there are plans to integrate the capability in some form onto the KC-130J tanker/transport. Different variants of Intrepid Tiger also offer degrees of secondary intelligence-gathering capabilities.

AATC has also explicitly highlighted the potential benefits of combining Angry Kitten with the HC-130J in the context of the CSAR mission.

“Angry Kitten pod is showing promising results in protecting larger radar cross-section (RCS) platforms that traditionally lack robust electronic warfare capabilities,” according to a release AATC put out in March. “This success is particularly significant for combat search and rescue platforms that often operate in contested environments without electronic warfare protection.”

“We had minimal hopes for what we could do for larger body aircraft, but it’s showing that we actually have good effects,” Chris Culver, an electronic warfare engineer involved in the work, had said.

For years now, TWZ has been highlighting growing concerns about the basic feasibility of traditional fixed-wing CSAR aircraft and helicopters performing their mission amid a threat ecosystem that is steadily expanding in scale and scope. Future high-end fights, such as one against China in the Pacific, will involve air operations in areas where even stealthy platforms are expected to be increasingly at risk. In 2022, the Air Force announced it was scaling back purchases of new HH-60W CSAR helicopters in light of this reality. Top service officials have talked in the past about having to approach this still critical mission set differently going forward.

“There are a lot of other assets around that, if somebody goes down at sea, for example, we could use to pick them up,” then-Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall said in 2023. “We’re going to do it [the CSAR mission] with existing assets, either our own or provided by other military departments.”

Many of these same general concerns apply to the Air Force’s existing non-stealthy KC-135 and KC-46 tanker fleets. Air Force officials regularly point to add-on defensive capabilities, which might include Angry Kitten, as one near-term option for increasing the survivability of its key aerial refueling assets.

Integrating Angry Kitten on larger aircraft could have other implications as another important stepping stone for new cognitive electronic warfare capabilities.

“The C-130 testing features innovative real-time updates to electronic warfare techniques,” according to the AATC release in March. “Unlike the F-16 tests, where pre-programmed mission data files were used, the C-130 testing includes development engineers aboard the aircraft who can modify jamming techniques mid-mission based on feedback from range control.”

“They are making changes [in] real-time to the techniques and pushing updates to the pod, seeing the change in real-time,” Culver, the electronic warfare engineer, had also said. “This approach allows for rapid optimization of jamming techniques against various threat systems.”

A follow-on Advanced Test and Training Capability (ATTACK) pod, also referred to unofficially as Angry Kitten Increment 2 Block 2, is also now in the works. The “next-generation system will feature a complete hardware refresh, transitioning from analog to digital receivers for improved sensitivity and frequency agility,” according to AATC.

Altogether, the HC-130J seen carrying the Angry Kitten pod around Point Mugu earlier this month is an important sign of things to come.

Contact the author: [email protected]

The U.S. Air Force is reportedly examining the possibility of fielding stealthy flying-wing aircraft that could serve as ‘arsenal planes’ loaded with air-to-air missiles. The broader concept is one that we have discussed in the past, including in relation to a version of the B-21 Raider stealth bomber. According to an article from Air & Space Forces Magazine, the Air Force is also considering other potential flying-wing platforms to fill this air-to-air role.

A senior Air Force official told Air & Space Forces Magazine that this kind of arsenal plane was being studied as part of the Air Force’s plans for how to deal with a high-intensity conflict fought with China in the Indo-Pacific region. The stealthy flying-wing aircraft would be armed with “dozens” of air-to-air missiles, the article states.

According to a former top Air Force official speaking to Air & Space Forces Magazine, “there wasn’t a compelling argument” for an air-to-air version of the B-21 in the past, even though it had been discussed. But the prospect of an air war with China and its rapidly evolving air combat capabilities seems to have changed that stance.

Currently, the study is still at an early stage, but it’s intriguing, to say the least, that the Air Force is looking at the possibility of engaging other manufacturers and employing different platforms than the B-21, which is now deep in flight test.

The same official told the publication that an arsenal plane of this kind would be one way of providing a supplement to or even taking the place of some of the Air Force’s new Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones it intends to press into service in the coming years. “There are other ways of achieving ‘affordable mass’ than darkening the skies with CCAs,” the official said.   

The basic operational scenario would involve the arsenal plane providing additional air-to-air ‘magazine depth’ for crewed fighters, such as the F-22, F-35, and the future F-47. The fighters would be responsible for detecting and designating targets, which would then be engaged by long-range missiles launched from the arsenal plane, operating at a standoff distance, a concept that we have been discussing for years. CCAs could also be added to the mix. It’s worth noting that a lack of larger numbers of air-to-air missiles in their jets is a top complaint of F-35 and F-22 crews. Smaller missiles optimized for internal carriage and with shorter ranges are in the works to help mitigate this issue.

There is no mention of whether the arsenal plane would be crewed or not, but the idea of an uncrewed or optionally crewed version of the B-21 has been part of that program from the outset. Furthermore, work has already been done on a possible complementary drone for the B-21, as you can read about here. While this was originally pitched as a bomber drone, such a design could equally lend itself to becoming an air-to-air arsenal plane.

It’s interesting, too, that the idea of an air-to-air role for the B-21 has come up in the past.

Back in 2019, Air Force Maj. Gen. Scott Pleus, at that time the Director of Air and Cyber Operations for Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), discussed the possibility of a B-21 “that also has air-to-air capabilities” and can “work with the family of systems to defend itself, utilizing stealth…”

Even before those remarks, TWZ had explored how the new stealth bomber could serve in multiple roles, including in an air-to-air capacity, while Air Force officials had repeatedly alluded to its multi-function capabilities.

“Many of the B-21’s weapons, which will include everything from JDAMs, to Massive Ordnance Penetrators, to ultra long-range air-to-air missiles, will benefit from the Raider’s high perch,” TWZ wrote as long ago as 2017. “Even potentially lasers in the future will have more range due to this performance attribute.”

In December of last year, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin confirmed the service had not ruled out expanding the roles and missions of the B-21 as part of a reassessment of plans for its Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) initiative, which led to the F-47.

The latest Air Force thinking also includes the option of using an airframe other than the B-21 to achieve the same air-to-air task. This is apparently based on concerns about Northrop Grumman’s capacity to build the baseline bomber in addition to a potential air-to-air-tasked spinoff. At the same time, a full-specification B-21 version would be a very expensive asset, and likely its level of sophistication would not be required for an arsenal plane role. A stripped-down model, with no sensors and less communications capabilities, as well as possibly no pilots and slightly degraded stealth could drop that price considerably while leveraging the B-21’s basic airframe.

The Air Force’s publicly stated plan has long been to buy at least 100 Raiders. However, as we have talked about in the past, there is the potential that the B-21 force could ultimately become significantly bigger. In the meantime, Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) has looked into the options for increasing B-21 production output, including the possibility of opening up another production facility.

Current estimates suggest that Northrop Grumman will be building 10 B-21s per year by the early 2030s. Even with funds to increase that output, it’s far from certain that there will be additional capacity for production of an air-to-air version as well.

Clearly, developing a new stealthy flying-wing arsenal plane from scratch would be a significant endeavor, although likely less costly than producing a high-end bomber for arsenal plane use. At the same time, a specialized design for the role could draw upon technologies developed not only for the B-21 but also for other advanced flying-wing programs, including ones in the classified realm.

While a dedicated air-to-air version of the B-21 might not find AFGSC favor, Raiders armed with air-to-air missiles for their own protection is another matter. This is underscored by evidence that PACOM has already included notional B-21s with air-to-air weapons in war games intended to learn about future campaigns fought against China.

Another option would be to expand (or include if it doesn’t have it already) air-to-air capability in the baseline B-21. Raiders with the option of employing air-to-air as well as air-to-ground weapons would ensure versatility, and these aircraft could even carry mixed load-outs if the mission required it. It should be noted, too, that the B-21 has a smaller weapons carriage capability than the current B-2 Spirit and, at least based on photos of the second aircraft, it lacks side bays for smaller weapons — this could change as development continues.

On the other hand, the B-21 is a very costly plane, and any weapons capacity given over to air-to-air munitions necessarily takes away from its primary bomber mission, something that AFGSC is unlikely to appreciate. It will also be tasked extremely heavily for its central strike role during a major conflict. So, if the B-21s were partially tasked with working as arsenal ships for fighters, more airframes would be needed, which could make taking on this role more agreeable to AFGSC.

In the meantime, there is apparently no shortage of long-range air-to-air missile programs that could yield suitable armament for an arsenal plane of this kind.

There are various very long-range air-to-air missile programs known to have been in the works in the United States, with more in the classified realm. The best known is the joint Air Force/Navy AIM-260, which will offer much greater range than the current AIM-120 AMRAAM, as well as other new and improved capabilities, but will put these in a missile with similar dimensions to the AIM-120. A Raider-sized aircraft could carry a huge number of AIM-260s.

At the same time, a platform the size of the B-21, or closer to its size, would also be capable of carrying outsized weapons beyond the scope of carriage by CCAs, or even crewed fighters, such as multi-stage air-to-air weapons. As for large, very long-range air-to-air missiles, one option very well-suited to the role would be the AIM-174, the air launched derivative of the surface-launched SM-6 missile. These are currently carried by U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets. Longer-ranged than any other air-to-air missile the U.S. military has ever fielded, it is also tailor-made for the Indo-Pacific theater, as you can see in the video below. Firing it at the direction of forward-operating fighters would very much fit the role of this new flying wing aircraft, which would be able to carry far more than fighters could.

Alternatively, instead of buying large flying wings each carrying dozens of missiles, the Air Force could acquire uncrewed combat air vehicles, or UCAVs, offering a longer range and better survivability than CCAs, as well as a far greater payload. The result would be a more survivable drone carrying a fighter-sized load of missiles. The apparent absence of UCAVs of any kind from Air Force plans is something we have discussed in detail before and have since followed up on.

If this option were to be pursued, it would go some way to address the limitations of a larger flying-wing platform carrying dozens of missiles at once. Simply put, those missiles can only be in one place at any given time. Buying more plentiful UCAVs would mean that they can be in many places at once, and losing a drone of this kind would be preferable to the Air Force losing many millions in the cost of a more exquisite flying wing platform and its missiles.

For its part, China is busily developing flying-wing drones, including stealthy UCAVs. Some of these drones are also notably large. Indeed, the latest of these may well even match this latest U.S. Air Force arsenal plane concept, at least by design, although we do not know its exact planned mission or stores configuration. Namely, this is a flying-wing drone with a ‘cranked kite’ planform, a bit smaller than a B-21, but likely with kinetic capabilities. Potentially, it could also be used in an air-to-air combat support role.

Other interesting parallels can be found between the new U.S. Air Force concept and naval programs for ‘arsenal ships.’ These vessels are intended to similarly increase magazine depth, lobbing air defense, land-attack, and anti-ship missiles in support of more conventional surface combatants. Some of these arsenal ships are also expected to operate uncrewed, while others will go to sea with a much-reduced crew complement.

Should the Air Force find funds for an air-to-air arsenal plane of whatever kind, the effect that would have on the CCA and other initiatives is unclear.

The statement that an unnamed senior Air Force official gave to Air & Space Forces Magazine suggests that a stealthy flying-wing aircraft armed with large numbers of air-to-air missiles could, to a degree, threaten CCA plans, although it could also be a very useful complement.

The CCA program, at least to begin with, is based around drones that can carry air-to-air missiles, meaning these drones can work closely with crewed aircraft, significantly extending their reach while enhancing lethality and survivability.

As it stands, the primary mission of the first increment of CCAs will be acting as flying ‘missile trucks’ supporting crewed combat jets, a fact reflected by the FQ (Fighter Drone) designations, for the General Atomics YFQ-42A and the Anduril YFQ-44A.

While CCAs would be expected to operate much closer to the enemy than an arsenal plane, they would not be able to carry anywhere near as many missiles — initially, just two AMRAAMs.

There are meanwhile efforts to extend the reach and flexibility of crewed fighters (and other platforms), including the LongShot drone, which is being developed specifically as an air-to-air ‘missile truck.’ The drone will carry the missiles forward to enhance the tactical lethality and especially the survivability of the launch platform. While it is planned to be cost-effective, the LongShot is not reusable, and each one will also carry just two missiles. At the same time, the LongShot could be an option to increase the reach of an arsenal plane, too.

Indeed, all of these smaller drones will have only a relatively limited weapons-carrying capacity. In this context, a larger stealthy flying-wing with capacious internal capacity becomes very compelling in terms of bringing the largest number of air-to-air missiles to bear against a numerically superior adversary, like China. Furthermore, depending on the degree of standoff range at which the arsenal plane could operate, it wouldn’t necessarily need the same degree of low observability as the B-21.

Also interesting is the timing of the new arsenal plane revelations, in terms of the F-47, which was always intended to be a spearhead of the Air Force’s future air superiority efforts, especially in the Indo-Pacific region.

While Boeing has started production of the first F-47 for the Air Force, with a first flight planned for 2028, there are questions about the final number of aircraft to be built and what they will cost, as well as its overall size (and capacity for weapons carriage).

The Air Force has said it plans to buy at least 185 F-47s, but potentially that figure might change going forward. There has also been discussion about the potential for multiple versions to be built in incremental developmental cycles. Meanwhile, with predictions that the F-47 might cost three times as much as the average F-35, this factor will very likely also play into acquisition plans.

Whatever the number of F-47s procured, the Air Force seems to consider that these, plus much larger quantities of F-35s and CCAs, might still not be enough to wrest air superiority from China over the vast distances of the Pacific, especially in any kind of prolonged campaign.

While it would come at a significant cost, a stealthy flying-wing aircraft packed with air-to-air missiles might just be one way of doing that.

Contact the author: [email protected]

More details have emerged about the Northrop Grumman’s Beacon program, an effort to bring autonomous flight software more rapidly into the air. It will use Scaled Composite’s Model 437 Vanguard in modified form as a testbed. This aircraft recently flew for the first time in its new Beacon configuration. You can read more about the Model 437 in these previous TWZ stories.

At the Air, Space & Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Maryland, Tom Jones, the president of Northrop Grumman’s Aeronautics Systems division, announced that the Model 437 Vanguard testbed aircraft had made its first flight after being adapted for the Beacon program earlier this week.

In the past, Scaled Composites provided the following general details about the original Model 437 configuration, which was something of a crewed surrogate for the company’s Model 437 unmanned collaborative combat aircraft concept:

“The Model 437 began as a conceptual design, based on the Model 401, exploring a multi-mission low-cost attritable aircraft. The Model 437 Vanguard is a crewed variant of the original concept powered by a single Pratt & Whitney 535 engine with approximately 3,400 pounds of thrust. The aircraft has a wingspan of 41 feet and is 41 feet long with a gross takeoff weight of 10,000 pounds. After completion of envelope expansion, the Model 437 Vanguard will have a range of approximately 3,000 nautical miles and an endurance of six hours. The aircraft can carry up to 2,000 pounds of payload in multiple locations, including an internal weapons bay sized to accommodate two AIM-120s.”

The Model 437’s Beacon modifications makes it more capable of optionally autonomous and optionally crewed flight using new software payloads. When it comes to optionally crewed aircraft, Scaled Composites has a wealth of experience in this field, including its Firebird surveillance aircraft. 

Prior to this latest milestone, the company had spent nine months reworking the jet’s avionics and power systems so that they could interface with new autonomous controllers.

The Beacon program, which was originally unveiled in June has Northrop Grumman partnered with six defense tech companies: Applied Intuition, Autonodyne, Merlin Labs, Red 6, Shield AI, and SoarTech.

The thinking behind Beacon is to develop an open-access testbed ecosystem, combining flight hardware (and some software) from Northrop Grumman together with software provided by the six partners. The result will provide “an integrated environment that mimics relevant mission scenarios,” helping yield autonomous flight-software solutions.

By “using Northrop Grumman’s flight hardware, proven autonomous flight software and integration expertise, third-party partners can test and refine their solutions through an open-access approach aligned to government requirements,” Northrop Grumman added in a press release when the program was announced earlier this summer.

Essentially, the baseline autonomous flight software from Northrop Grumman will ensure the aircraft can fly safely. This software is, in turn, open and modular, making it straightforward for the partner — and potentially others — to load and test their own autonomous mission software on top of it. This additional software will include technology that focuses on the tactical aspects of U.S. Air Force missions.

The six startups and smaller tech companies will be able to use the adapted Model 437 Vanguard to test their own autonomous technologies, something that would otherwise be beyond their reach or prohibitively expensive. Using Vanguard, testing could be carried out rapidly and affordably, according to Jones. He said the aircraft is cheap to fly and easy to maintain.

According to Tom Pieronek, chief technology officer at Northrop Grumman, the plan is for the Model 437 Vanguard to fly as frequently as possible, perhaps even completing multiple sorties each day. In fact, more than one autonomous mission software package can be installed in the aircraft at any one time, with the pilot using a cockpit tablet to switch between them in flight.

“Beacon is about collaboration across industry between companies of all sizes and expertise,” Jones said back in July. “By providing open access to the Beacon ecosystem, we’re enhancing the innovation, new competition, and ultimately the autonomous capabilities that industry can deliver to our customers — with unmatched speed and at scale.”

When new autonomous technology arrives, the plan is to be able to install it and test it in the aircraft rapidly.

“By being able to use open mission systems and standards and work things like Beacon, we can literally software define something today and test it tomorrow,” said Kevin Fesler, chief customer officer at Red 6. 

“The operative goal is not, ‘Can you get something done beautifully in 10 years? … ” added Jack Zaientz, vice president of C4I and autonomy at SoarTech. “It’s ‘go figure it out, talk amongst yourselves.’” 

At this stage, Beacon is being run using Northrop Grumman’s internal research and development funds.

Before the end of the year, the Model 437 Vanguard should be flown with Northrop Grumman’s own Prism autonomous flight software installed. Initially, a safety pilot will be in the cockpit, able to override the software if needed.

“This is optionally autonomous. The idea being, there are very rigorous rules around airworthiness and safety certification that potentially could stand in the road of rapid innovation in the field of bringing autonomy and AI to fruition for our warfighters,” Jones continued. “By being able to integrate test pilots with the solution and have the ability to always have that safeguard there, we’re able to very rapidly integrate.” 

Ultimately, the plan is for the Beacon program to prove autonomous flight software before feeding it into future aircraft programs, reducing risk in the development process.

One of the main programs that Beacon is expected to inform is the Air Force’s CCA effort, which seeks to field successive iterations of uncrewed combat tactical jets that feature a high degree of autonomy.

Also speaking at the Air, Space & Cyber Conference this week was Chris Gentile, general manager for Merlin Labs, one of the defense tech partners in Beacon. He specifically pointed to the need for an autonomous flight software testbed to help the CCA program.

In particular, as you can read all about here, there are questions about how the Air Force can best bridge autonomous and crewed formations while building trust in the autonomy. Overcoming this challenge is fundamental to achieving the aspiration of future crewed-uncrewed teaming.

“If you look at what venues I have as a performer in this space, as a nation, to test these things, it just doesn’t exist. There has been [only one] representative CCA flight ever in the United States, just two weeks ago, and that was primarily remotely operated — not autonomous in any way.”

CCA is not the only Air Force effort looking at bringing autonomy to its aircraft. The service has also been looking at the potential for autonomy in uncrewed cargo aircraft and aerial refueling platforms, to name just two. Jones has also said that he expects interest in Beacon from foreign customers, as well as the U.S. military. 

The U.S. Air Force is meanwhile also flying its own testbed for autonomous flight software, the X-62A Variable-stability In-flight Simulator Test Aircraft (VISTA), which you can read more about here. Aside from VISTA, other platforms are also now involved in developing autonomous technologies, including but not limited to the MQ-20 Avenger drone, adapted L-29 Delfin trainers, subscale drones, and actual CCAs.

More broadly, there is now a race underway to rapidly prove and improve autonomy models, something that we have discussed in the past in relation to Shield AI and General Atomics.

However, according to Dan Javorsek, president at AI firm EpiSci, the VISTA testbed is not up to the job of fully proving the kinds of technologies required to give CCAs, for example, the required level of autonomy.

Speaking at the same event, Javorsek described VISTA, as well as Project VENOM, in which the Air Force is outfitting six F-16s with autonomy agents, as “completely insufficient.”

“It turns out that to develop precisely the algorithms that you’re going to take into combat with you, you need a place and a playground to go and do this,” Javorsek said.

Under the Beacon program, the Model 437 Vanguard aircraft should be that “playground” testbed, with the key advantage of being optionally manned in a purpose-built platform, one that also represents a real CCA-like design. Now, with a first flight in its new configuration under its belt, it’s on the path to meeting its goals.

Contact the author: [email protected]

The race for Los Angeles County sheriff is already heating up — even with the primary not scheduled until next June. Six candidates have officially entered the field to unseat Robert Luna, with the early challengers slinging barbs, probing the incumbent’s political weaknesses and setting the stage for a heated campaign in the coming months.

Most vocal and well-known among the contenders is former Sheriff Alex Villanueva, who lost to Luna in 2022 and is now vying for a rematch. He is among a field of current and former lawmen who have criticized Luna’s time in office as ineffective, uninspiring and opaque.

Luna told The Times he deserves to keep his job through 2030, arguing voters should choose stability as Southern California prepares to host major events in the coming years.

“The last thing we need is more inconsistency in leadership as we start working toward the World Cup and the Olympics,” Luna said.

Villanueva registered a campaign committee in July and has since leveraged his ability to draw attention like few others in L.A. politics.

But the political dynamics have changed since 2022, when Joe Biden was president and Villanueva was still in charge of California’s largest law enforcement agency. Now, President Trump has ratcheted up political pressure on L.A., and last year, Janice Hahn defeated Villanueva in the primary for her county supervisor seat by a nearly 30-point margin.

Through it all, Sara Sadhwani, an assistant professor of politics at Pomona College, said it seems as though “Luna is generally liked, perhaps because he has brought a steady hand to the department” after what she termed “upheaval” under Villanueva.

The former sheriff has been heavily criticized for his combative personal style, pursuit of political vendettas and his handling of investigations into so-called deputy gangs deputies and other alleged misconduct.

“Does Villanueva have a lane to come back? I don’t think so,” said Sadhwani.

Luna launched jabs at his opponents, with the sharpest reserved for his predecessor.

“Not one of those individuals that is running comes close to the experience that I have and the accomplishments that I’ve had so far,” Luna said. “There were a lot of controversies and scandals with the previous sheriff that, again, eroded public trust.”

And yet, there’s no conversation about the sheriff’s race that won’t mention Villanueva, whose name recognition runs deep across L.A. County.

Villanueva told The Times he’s “eager to get back in the saddle,” especially now, when “there are prosecutors ready to prosecute,” a nod to the tough-on-crime stances of Acting U.S. Atty. Bill Essayli and L.A. County Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman.

Former Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva talks with reporters at an election night gathering in Boyle Heights on June 7, 2022, when he was defeated by Robert Luna.

(Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times)

Villanueva had strong words for his 2022 opponent.

“The status quo is failing miserably the people of L.A. County,” he said. “I just can’t believe what Luna’s done to the organization I’ve spent my entire adult life in.”

Others jockeying for contention are pitching themselves as offering a breath of fresh air.

Lt. Eric Strong, who has served over 30 years in law enforcement and was seen as the most progressive of the 2022 candidates, is throwing his hat back in the ring after coming in third in that year.

“What really got me interested in running is seeing the continued failed leadership within the department,” Strong said in a recent interview. “Nothing’s changed. … Honestly Luna’s just a quieter version of Alex Villanueva.”

Then there’s Oscar Martinez, a proud immigrant and U.S. Marine Corps. veteran who made a career at the sheriff’s department after multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Andre White, 34, is the youngest candidate. A Compton-raised detective with 11 years at the department, he promises to take a “community-oriented approach” if he’s elected sheriff.

Brendan Corbett served as the assistant sheriff for custody operations under Villanueva.

Lastly, there’s Capt. Mike Bornman, who has decades of experience in the department and lists a “comprehensive forensic audit” of its books as the top priority on his campaign website.

In a recent phone interview, Bornman said he considered Luna a “vulnerable” incumbent.

The sheriff has faced criticism from opponents and advocates who say he has done too little to improve jail conditions, leading to a surge in inmate deaths this year. Like Villanueva, he has also faced pressure to do more to root out deputy gangs and boost recruitment.

“The morale is as bad as I’ve ever seen it,” Bornman said. “Something has to change,” he added. “I don’t think the department can take another four more years with the guy.”

Political analysts cautioned that the race is sill wide open, with one expert declining to speculate during the “embryonic” stages as the field takes shape.

Anything can happen in the eight months remaining before the primary, but Sadhwani said one thing is clear: Unseating the current sheriff won’t be easy.

“I will say in general that an incumbent such as Luna typically has the upper hand and challengers need not only cause but the campaign fundraising ability to get their message out — no small feat in a county as large as L.A.”

So far, fundraising has been mostly anemic, at least according to the county’s most recent comprehensive campaign finance data available for the sheriff’s race, which covers only Jan. 1 through June 30.

Over those six months, Luna raised about $393,000; Bornman brought in nearly $23,000 of contributions; Martinez brought in about $6,700; and White raised less than $3,000. The other three candidates had not even declared their candidacies by June 30.

Ryanair had said that 206 million of its passengers already use digital boarding passes, meaning that around 40 million journeys could be disrupted once the new rule kicks in

Fears are growing that people who struggle with technology could be blocked from boarding Ryanair flights.

The budget airline confirmed earlier this week that it will move to 100 per cent digital boarding passes from November 12. That means passengers who have bought tickets will not be able to download and print them prior to getting to the airport. This is an option that 20% of Ryanair passengers currently choose, according to the airline.

Ryanair had said that 206 million of its passengers already use digital boarding passes, meaning that around 40 million journeys could be disrupted.

The company’s boss, Michael O’Leary, said that his 86-year-old mother uses the Ryanair app to travel. However, the move has been met with criticism, with a number of campaign organisations accusing the airline of ageism.

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Groups including Age UK and Silver Voice said the move will make flying harder for those who don’t have access to a smartphone or who struggle with technology.

Dennis Reed, director of Silver Voices, told The Telegraph: “It’s a disgraceful move. They are effectively saying they don’t want older people as passengers. There’s a strong argument to say that it’s discriminatory.”

A number of concerned readers have written to the Mirror to express concerns about the change. One told us: “I have elderly in-laws who live in Spain. They won’t be able to download anything onto their phone. They’re not tech savvy, so what will happen when they travel to the UK? I appreciate the need to utilise technology, but that will not work for a lot of passengers.”

Another added, “This seems discriminatory to people, such as the elderly, who, for various reasons, are not able to use smartphones. By Ryanair’s own admission, some 10% of passengers do not use smartphones currently for boarding passes. It may backfire. Ryanair will lose these customers who will turn to alternative providers without such a policy.”

Mr O’Leary, who is 64 years old, was quick to downplay such fears. He said: “I’m old, and I travel from Ryanair on a very, very regular basis, and I use the Ryanair app, it is pretty simple, pretty easy to use.”

For those particularly concerned about the change, Mr O’Leary said that airline would be flexible, promising that “nobody would be cut off at the knees.” He said that it would be “reasonably forgiving” of people showing up with paper boarding passes through Christmas and into January, Belfast Live reported.

“The critical thing: If you’ve checked online before you get there and you lose your phone, we’ll have your name in the system,” he said.

“We will manually board you at the boarding gate so if your phone goes off, you lose your phone, your phone gets stolen, it is not going to make any issue as long as you checked in online before you got the boarding gate, which, by the way, would eliminate all the check-in fees at the airport.”

Mr O’Leary argued that it was patronising for people to suggest that the elderly would not be able to cope with the change.

“Actually, what you find is the old people firstly just get their kids or grandkids to make bookings for them, and then pretty quickly they’re adopting it themselves. And it is slightly patronising, this notion that old people can’t and won’t move to mobile technology or to the apps,” he said, Mail Online reported.

The change has been delayed by a week to November 12, to avoid UK and Irish half-term.

Ryanair chief marketing officer Dara Brady said: “To ensure a seamless transition to 100 per cent digital boarding passes for our customers, we will make the switch from November 12, which is traditionally a slightly quieter time for travel following the busy mid-term break period.

“Ryanair’s move to 100 per cent digital boarding passes will mean a faster, smarter, and greener travel experience for our customers, streamlined through our best-in-class “myRyanair” app, where passengers will also benefit from helpful in-app features, like Order to Seat and live flight information.”

Ryanair’s move to fully digital boarding passes follows other key ticket industries (such as festivals, music, and sport events) which have successfully switched to digital-only ticketing.

Cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Disney Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises all offer up some very cool activities and attractions onboard their cruise ships

Long gone are the days when entertainment on cruise ships consisted of lounging around by the pool all day before heading over to the buffet.

Yes, those experiences are still absolutely available for those who want them, but nowadays cruises have seriously upped the ante when it comes to their onboard entertainment. Cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises and Celebrity Cruises have pulled out all of the stops with onboard rollercoasters, go-kart tracks and thrill attractions for guests who are after an adrenaline rush during their holidays.

That’s not even including the epic water parks that often boast high speed slides and fun for the whole family (although make sure you’re aware of a little-known pool rule before getting in, or you could face having to leave the pool area!).

We take a look at some of the ridiculously cool attractions you can find on cruises – check out our top picks below!

1. Crown’s Edge, Royal Caribbean

Usually a stroll around a cruise ship involves a dedicated track, or just wandering through the decks; but Royal Caribbean has added a major thrill factor for those who dare to brave Crown’s Edge. Described as a “part skywalk, part ropes course, part thrill ride”, it’s definitely not one for the faint-hearted as you step onto the walkway that takes you right above the water below! The attraction is available on the cruise line’s newest ships, Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas, which also happen to be sharing the title of world’s biggest cruise ship!

Find out more on royalcaribbean.com.

2. Robotron, MSC Cruises

If you love a fairground ride, then you’re going to want to check out Robotron onboard MSC Seascape. This terrifying ride involves a giant robotic arm that’s attached with a gondola to seat three guests, and sends them soaring 53 metres above the sea, with 360 degree views of the horizon (just be prepared to be flipped upside down and in all sorts of directions!).

Find out more on msccruises.com.

3. Go-karting, Norwegian Cruise Line

Get ready to show off your competitive side on board Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Bliss, where you can find some of the world’s longest race tracks at sea. Passengers can race their electric karts at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour, with highlights including a pit lane, viewing spaces for spectators, and engine sounds through the headrest so you feel like you could be joining the F1 line-up.

Find out more on ncl.com.

4. BOLT, Carnival Cruise Lines

Riders who brave the world’s first rollercoaster at sea will not only be treated to epic sea views, but they’ll get to control the speed at which they ride on the motorcycle-style car, with the ability to reach up to 40 miles per hour. The ride is available on ships including Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee.

Find out more on carnival.com.

5. AquaDuck, Disney Cruise Line

Thrill attractions don’t always have to be for adults and big kids; on Disney’s Cruise Line, the Aquaduck water ride can be ideal for smaller adrenaline-seekers. Families can get propelled along the water tunnels in a dinghy around the ship, across a four-deck drop.

The cruise line’s newest ships including the Disney Wish, Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny will feature a similar water ride, although this one is the AquaMouse and features cool features including screens as you join Mickey and Minnie Mouse on their adventures.

Find out more on disneycruise.disney.go.com.

6. Magic Carpet, Celebrity Cruises

Before you get visions of joining Aladdin for a quick-stop flight around the world, this one’s actually a bar! Celebrity’s cantilevered platform is a firm favourite with holidaymakers as you can enjoy a tipple or two while moving up and down the ship. Plus, as it’s on the edge of the ship, you can get unrivalled views of the ocean! You’ll find this very cool feature on Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Beyond, and Celebrity Ascent.

Find out more on celebritycruises.com/gb.

7. Zip line, Royal Caribbean

If you’re not afraid of heights, then this suspended zip line that zooms over the Boardwalk, offering you brilliant views of the ship (if you dare keep your eyes open that is). You’ll typically find this attraction on the cruise line’s Oasis Class ships, including Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, and Utopia of the Seas.

Find out more on royalcaribbean.com.

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In what it claims is the first such attack in history, Ukraine has used drones to strike a pair of Russian Navy Be-12, a twin-turboprop amphibious aircraft that we have profiled in depth in the past. The raid appears to have targeted two of the extremely scarce seagoing planes, potentially halving the number of airframes available to Russia and leaving a question mark over the future service for the type.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense today published a video showing the attack on an airfield in Russian-occupied Crimea, which it says is “the first ever strike on a Be-12.” Seen from the perspective of the kamikaze drones, two of the amphibians are hit (one of them with the Bort number 08) and a Mi-8 helicopter is also struck. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense claims the destruction of all three aircraft, but that cannot currently be independently verified. The airbase is almost certainly Kacha, near the Black Sea Fleet’s major naval base at Sevastopol.

According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense’s Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR), the drone strike was carried out on September 21 by the “Ghost” special forces unit.

The Be-12, known as Tchaika, or Seagull, in Russian and codenamed Mail by NATO, was first flown in 1960 and which then served throughout the rest of the Cold War. It has played an unsung but important role since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, most notably helping hunt for Ukrainian uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), or ‘drone boats,’ in the Black Sea.

What is clear, however, is that the number of these amphibians available to Russia was already strictly limited.

The U.K.-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) think tank reports that, at the beginning of 2023, Russia had six Be-12s. All were said to be in the Be-12PS search-and-rescue configuration. Recent satellite imagery of Kacha airfield in Crimea shows seven or eight Be-12s, of which four or five were airworthy, according to the Ukrainian Channel 24.

Provided that the two aircraft struck by the GUR were airworthy, and both are now either destroyed or damaged beyond repair, then the Be-12 force available to the Russian Navy may well have been halved. On the other hand, the fact that one aircraft appears to lack a propeller on one of its engines suggests it might already have been withdrawn from use. It could still be a highly valued source for spare parts though.

Videos and photos showing Russian Be-12s operating over the coast of Crimea began to proliferate in summer 2022, and, since then, there have been multiple reports indicating that these aircraft are being used to spot USVs, and likely other Ukrainian activity, including by special forces teams, combat divers, and reconnaissance parties, in and around the peninsula.

During its Cold War heyday, the Be-12 was mainly an anti-submarine warfare platform, but, without any significant upgrades, the aircraft has long since ceased to have any real utility in this role.

Today’s aircraft can also be used for combat search and rescue, for example, dropping supplies to Russian airmen downed over the Black Sea. The Be-12PS can also carry 13 survivors, although, since there are very strict limits on landing on water, due to the age of the airframes, this is of little relevance.

The Be-12 can also be used in a transport capacity, if required.

In an uncontested environment, the Be-12 still offers useful reconnaissance capabilities. Its radar is able to provide a basic situational awareness picture of the coastline, as well as detect ships, in a sea-control role. More importantly, especially for USV detection, is the extensively glazed nose station, accommodating the navigator/observer.

Plane spotters in Fort Worth, Texas, caught a glimpse of something rare yesterday, one of the U.S. Air Force’s four E-4B Nightwatch jets flying completely stripped of paint and with much of its skin covered in a green zinc chromate coating. The Boeing 747-200-based E-4Bs are commonly called ‘doomsday planes’ as they serve as secure flying command posts for the president and other senior military officials so they can perform their duties, including directing nuclear strikes, even during the most serious crises.

Aviation photographer Tori Mae Fontana was kind enough to share pictures of the ‘naked’ E-4B with TWZ, which she captured as the aircraft left Meacham International Airport in Fort Worth yesterday. The jet used the callsign Spice 98 for the flight.

“So it was here at International Aerospace Coatings (IAC),” Fontana told TWZ. “They have painted E-4s before. I know they have previously had a Boeing contract. I am assuming it’s still current.”

Boeing, among others, uses green zinc chromate coatings to protect the skins of unpainted planes, typically before delivery. The standard paint scheme for the Nightwatch aircraft, also known as National Airborne Operations Centers (NAOC), is overall white with a blue cheat line on either side of the fuselage, as well as a blue section extending from the top of the nose to above the cockpit. Even without their normal paint job, the E-4Bs are readily identifiable by the large satellite communications (SATCOM) enclosure on top of the forward end of the fuselage, as well as other distinctive antennas on their dorsal spine and elsewhere along the fuselage. The jets also have an aerial refueling receptacle on the nose.

TWZ has reached out to the Air Force for more information, including whether there are any plans for a new paint scheme for this particular aircraft.

“I am also assuming it went back to San Antonio because Boeing has the contract for the E-4 maintenance,” Fontana added.

Online flight data shows that at least one E-4B, with the serial number 73-1676, has been at Kelly Field in San Antonio, Texas, since September 2024. That aircraft was tracked flying on August 23 and again on August 28 using the Spice 98 callsign. Boeing performs depot maintenance on the Nightwatch jets, as well as the Air Force’s two Boeing 747-200-based VC-25A Air Force One aircraft, at Kelly Field, which sits adjacent to Lackland Air Force Base.

E-4B NAOC 73-1676 as Spice-98 is up on its second test flight following programmed depot maintenance at Lackland AFB, aka Kelly Field. It arrived in September of 2024 and the first flight was 5 days ago. pic.twitter.com/ss7S6RRwGh

— MeNMyRC (@MeNMyRC1) August 28, 2025

Ensuring the readiness of the E-4B fleet, as well as keeping their highly sensitive systems up to date, is extremely important given the critical role the jets play as part of the U.S. government’s broader continuity of government plans. Those mechanisms are in place to ensure that national-level authorities, including the ability to launch nuclear retaliatory strikes, remain functional in the face of any contingency, as you can read more about here.

At the same time, sustaining the heavily modified E-4Bs has become increasingly challenging, due in large part to the age of the underlying Boeing 747-200 airliners they were converted from. Three of the E-4Bs started their Air Force careers as E-4A Advanced Airborne Command Posts (AACP), which began entering service in the 1970s. Those aircraft were later upgraded to the NAOC configuration in the 1980s, and were eventually joined by the fourth aircraft. The very last 747-200 rolled off Boeing’s production line in 1987, and few are still flying in any configuration globally today. Boeing ended production of the 747 series entirely in 2022.

The Air Force is now in the process of acquiring E-4C Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) jets to replace the aging E-4Bs. The Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) is converting those aircraft from newer 747-8 airframes acquired secondhand from Korean Air. SNC is doing the SAOC work at a facility in Dayton, Ohio, and announced earlier this month that it had begun some degree of “early risk reduction flight testing” to help “ensure on-time delivery of new aircraft to the USAF.”

When the E-4Cs may begin entering operational service is unclear. Questions also remain about how big the SAOC fleet may be in the end. SNC has previously said it negotiated the purchase of five 747-8s from Korean Air, but past reports have indicated that the Air Force may want between eight and 10 of the jets in the end.

Part of this uncertainty is intertwined with the U.S. Navy’s plans to replace its E-6B Mercury aircraft, which are also ‘doomsday’ planes, but are not configured to act as much more than robust flying command centers like the E-4s. The E-6Bs currently serve as key airborne control nodes for the Navy and Air Force legs of America’s nuclear deterrence triad, mission sets referred to as Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) and Looking Glass, respectively. At present, the plan is for the E-130J Phoenix II aircraft that are set to replace the Mercury jets to be configured for the TACAMO mission only. This, in turn, has raised the possibility that the future SAOC fleet could take on the Looking Glass mission, at least to a degree.

Regardless, until the E-4Cs begin flying operationally, the E-4Bs will need to continue performing their essential role, and will need continued depot maintenance and other work to ensure they remain as ready and capable as possible.

Howard Altman contributed to this story.

Special thanks again to Tori Mae Fontana for sharing the images of the ‘naked’ E-4B with us.

Contact the author: [email protected]

What looks to be a previously unseen low-observable flying-wing drone variant with a ‘cranked kite’ planform has emerged in a satellite image from China’s secretive test base near Malan in the country’s far western Xinjiang province. The design has a strong resemblance to a known Chinese uncrewed high-altitude, long-endurance uncrewed aircraft called the CH-7, and is most likely an evolution thereof, or at least it shares a very similar planform.

TWZ obtained the image from Planet Labs. It was taken on August 14, but it only recently appeared in the company’s online archive database. Malan is a hub for leading-edge military aviation developments, and work on advanced uncrewed aircraft in particular, in China. Another new and especially large, low-observable, high-altitude long-endurance flying-wing also emerged in a Planet Labs image of Malan taken back in May, which we were first to report on. That design may have now flown if it didn’t prior to the satellite image.

The very dark-colored drone seen in the August image, which is positioned at the end of a runway, has a wingspan of around 137 feet. It also looks to have a single air intake at the front of its center body section and a matching exhaust at the rear.

There are some unusual shadows cast around the outer edges of the drone’s wings, which might point to vehicles or other equipment on the tarmac underneath. Vehicles and/or other equipment are clearly seen nearby on the runway. It is also worth noting that the image was taken in broad daylight, and there are no indications of any efforts to conceal the drone from prying eyes, despite the knowledge when specific imaging satellites, including those far more powerful than what Planet Labs has access to, regularly pass overhead. Malan notably features a massive high-security hangar to help with operational security.

As mentioned, what is visible of the design in the image taken in August bears clear similarities to a drone that officially broke cover in China in November 2024. That uncrewed aircraft was said to be the first real example of a design called the CH-7 (or Caihong-7, meaning Rainbow-7), and notably differed in shape and size from models and mock-ups that had previously been shown publicly. Available top-down imagery may point to them being very close in size based on their width relative to the runways they are on. However, it is unknown whether the runways have similar widths.

The uncrewed aircraft seen at Malan in the image from last month itself has a wider and longer forward nose section and other differences in its overall shape compared to the CH-7 design seen last year. Smaller differences in wing and trailing edge sweep and wing chord, as well as wingtip geometry, also appear to be present with this new drone.

It is still very possible, if not probable, that this is a further evolution of the CH-7, which has looked most suited for the intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance (ISR) role, but has also been described as a potential uncrewed combat air vehicle (UCAV) capable of performing strike missions. Size-wise, the uncrewed has emerged in the satellite image of Malan from last month looks to be in between a large UCAV-like drone and the much larger design that we previously reported on.

Other drone designs with ‘cranked kite’ planforms have also emerged in China in the past, including one spotted years ago in Chengdu, where one of the country’s major military aviation companies is based. However, none of them seem to directly align with what is visible in the August image of Malan.

It’s interesting to point out here that uncrewed aircraft seen in the recently released imagery of Malan bears some resemblance, in broad strokes, to certain unofficial renderings of the U.S. Air Force’s secretive so-called high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) RQ-180, something we also previously noted in relation to the CH-7. TWZ has explored in detail what the RQ-180 might look like, as well as its likely capabilities, which are in line with what we’ve now seen at Malan, in a past feature you can find here. The status of the program is unclear at this time.

Designs with cranked kite planforms have been eyed for other crewed and uncrewed U.S. military aircraft programs over the years, as well. The most well-known of these is the abortive X-47B UCAV developed by Northrop Grumman for the U.S. Navy. There were also relevant B-3 bomber concepts that preceded the U.S. Air Force’s Long Range Strike-Bomber (LRS-B) program that produced the B-21 Raider.

What is well established at this point is China’s very active pursuit of multiple tiers of flying-wing type drones intended to perform various missions. Years ago, TWZ assessed that this was an area of the Chinese aviation industry that was likely to see an explosion of investment, and in which the academic side of the country’s weapon development ecosystem would be deeply involved.

Just this week, another new twin jet engine-powered flying wing drone tied to the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) emerged ahead of the opening of an airshow in the northeastern part of the country, as you can read more about here. Though that uncrewed aircraft still remains unidentified, some similarities have now been drawn between it and a design concept called Star Shadow that a Chinese company called Star Systems first showed in model form at the Singapore Air Show in 2018. Most notably, both designs look to have a split air brake at the rear of the center body section between their engine exhausts.

Interesting theory or consideration regarding the new unknown UAV from the Chinese Academy of Sciences via DanWangJZ/SDF:

“This model looks very similar to the Star Shadow (星影) conceptual stealth UAV displayed at the SGP airshow in 2018.” pic.twitter.com/ZQEYRgqy6c

— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) September 17, 2025

Unless it is some type of decoy meant for counter-intelligence purposes, which is always a possibility, although a remote one, the uncrewed aircraft seen in the August satellite image of Malan is yet another entry into China’s vastly expanding stable of stealth flying wing drones.

Contact the author: [email protected]

A new twin-jet engine flying-wing drone design has emerged in China. While details are currently limited, the Chinese aviation industry has been developing an expanding array of flying-wing uncrewed aircraft, including as uncrewed combat air vehicles (UCAV) and high-altitude intelligence-gathering platforms, often in cooperation with state-run research institutions. TWZ assessed years ago that there was likely to be an explosion of investment in flying-wing drones in China and that the academic side of the Chinese weapons development ecosystem would be deeply involved.

Pictures of the drone have been circulating online since at least yesterday. The images are said to have been taken recently in the city of Changchun in Jilin province in northeastern China amid preparations for the Changchun Air Show, which is scheduled to officially open this week. Local authorities say the show will also mark the first “full activation” of the Changchun International Aviation Expo City, a sprawling aviation-themed venue in Changchun that contains a theme park and other attractions.

From what we have seen so far of the drone, which is emblazoned on at least one side with the logo of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), it looks to be more of a developed test article, rather than a mock-up. It has a notable dorsal hump in the center of its body with air intakes nestled up against it on either side. A look at the uncrewed aircraft from the rear also shows two separate exhausts. The intakes and exhausts might point to engines buried in the upper hemisphere of the center body.

The uncrewed aircraft has some features that are broadly in line with a stealthy design, including a chine along the leading edge of the center body and shaping of the engine intakes. At the same time, the exhausts are inset into the body, but are hardly concealed. The rear view also shows rivets or other fasteners that are not fully flush, as well as various seams and protrusions along the body and wings, all of which would have negative impacts on its radar cross-section. If what is seen is a test article, various aspects of the design and its construction may not be indicative of the expected final configuration.

The core design, with two engines situated relatively high up on either side of the center of the body, would create more space to work with in the middle. That space could potentially be configured to hold various payloads, including more fuel, sensors, communications arrays, and/or even a weapons bay.

What roles and missions the design might be intended to perform, and whether it is meant to be more than an experimental aircraft, are currently unknown. CAS, through various institutions under its broad umbrella, does have an extensive history of developing uncrewed aerial and maritime systems, as well as sensors and other advanced technology, with clear potential military applications. State-run research institutions in China often have strong ties to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), as well.

Local authorities are also billing the Changchun Air Show as a major showcase for the PLA Air Force (PLAAF).

Whatever the intended purpose of this new design from CAS might be, as noted, it does follow years now of very real development work on multiple flying-wing type drones in China. This includes the GJ-11 Sharp Sword, which looks increasingly set to be the PLA’s first operational UCAV. There are ever-growing signs that GJ-11 variants or derivatives are bound for future operation from the decks of aircraft carriers and big-deck amphibious assault ships.

Larger flying wing uncrewed aircraft designs that look more optimized to serve as high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platforms have also emerged in China. Just in June, TWZ was first to report on the appearance of a new and especially large low-observable HALE flying-wing drone, which may have now flown.

Flying-wing type designs are also just one part of an ever-more diverse array of uncrewed aircraft in development in China, which has increasingly positioned itself as a global leader in this space. The PLA debuted several new air combat drone designs at a huge military parade in Beijing earlier this month.

Sept. 14 (UPI) — A pilot program to establish electric flying taxis as a viable transportation option has been unveiled by the administration of President Donald Trump.

The Federal Aviation Administration announced Friday that it would administer the pilot program, officially the Electrical Takeoff and Landing Integration Pilot Program, which will form public-private partnerships between local governments and private sector companies to develop new frameworks and regulations for enabling safe operations.

The announcement comes after Trump penned an executive order in June for “unleashing drone dominance.” At the time, the president had said the United States “must accelerate the safe commercialization of drone technologies and fully integrate UAS into the National Airspace System.”

The pilot would cover passenger trips and cargo runs, testing crewed eVTOL aircraft alongside remotely piloted and autonomous drones.

“The next great technological revolution in aviation is here. The United States will lead the way, and doing so will cement America’s status as a global leader in transportation innovation,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy.

“That means more high-paying manufacturing jobs and economic opportunity. By safely testing the deployment of these futuristic air taxis and other [advanced air mobility] vehicles, we can fundamentally improve how the traveling public and products move.”

The FAA said that the program will include at least five pilot projects and run for three years after the first becomes operational. So far, at least two companies have expressed willingness to participate.

Joby Aviation, a California-based firm developing air taxis for commercial passenger service, said that the program ensures such air taxis can take off in select markets before a full FAA certification. In 2023, the FAA greenlit a plan from the company to begin test flights on a prototype.

“We’ve spent more than 15 years building the aircraft technology and operational capabilities that are defining advanced aerial mobility, and we’re ready to bring our services to communities,” Joby’s chief policy officer, Greg Bowles, said in a statement.

“We look forward to demonstrating our aircraft’s maturity and delivering early operations in cities and states nationwide.”

Another firm, Archer Aviation, heralded the announcement as the “first federal initiative designed specifically to accelerate real-world electric air taxi operations in the U.S.”

“This is a landmark moment for our industry and our country,” said Adam Goldstein, Archer founder and CEO. “These early flights will help cement American leadership in advanced aviation and set the stage for scaled commercial operations in the U.S. and beyond.”

As airlines are getting stricter with their baggage restrictions, travellers are coming up with inventive ways to pack more while paying less – but there’s one trick experts are urging people not to risk doing

There are so many different travel ‘hacks’ circulating on social media – but experts urge travellers not to follow the viral pillowcase luggage trick as it’s not worth the risk.

Many of us are guilty of overpacking when going away, so it’s no wonder we’re always looking at ways to pack more and keep within the allowed size and weight limit for our luggage without paying more.

However the viral pillowcase hack, that sees travellers stuffing an empty pillowcase with extra clothes rather than bags when boarding a plane could come at a risk that experts advise people not to follow.

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As airlines become stricter on their hang luggage rules, Amanda Parker from Netflights has shared her thoughts. She said: “Passengers are cunningly avoiding these strict hand luggage limits and avoiding paying up to £150 in extra fees by taking advantage of an empty pillowcase.

“Travellers are using a standard pillowcase, removing the pillow inside, and instead using it as a secret storage compartment for extra clothes. Travellers rely on airlines not counting a pillow as an additional item when boarding, so by stuffing a standard pillowcase with soft clothing items like T-shirts and jumpers, they’re essentially creating a travel ‘pillow’ that they hope to sneak through.”

However the expert said “airlines are cracking down on sneaky flight hacks” and said you might want to think twice about testing this hack on your next flight.

“An overly stuffed pillowcase bursting with clothes can raise suspicion, and if you’re already boarding the plane with maximum baggage, then your pillow can be flagged as extra.” Amanda said what works for one airline may not for another as different airlines cabin baggage rules vary.

She added: “By risking the pillowcase hack, you could risk holding up the boarding process or being denied boarding entirely if you can’t pay the fee. Some low-cost airlines state that any item used to carry belongings, even if disguised, must be treated as luggage,” and advised before jetting off to always check the baggage allowance rules with the correct bags.

The expert said airlines issue fines for overweight baggage due to the fact that the heavier a plane is, the more fuel it burns. “So every kilogram of baggage increases the plane’s weight, which directly impacts fuel consumption.

“Since fuel is one of the biggest costs for airlines, they want to limit unnecessary weight, and charging for excess baggage is one way to do it.”

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Car owners are heading to Amazon in droves to pick up a smart device for vehicles that’s dropped in price.

This handy gadget, similar to Apple Carplay, is now just £36.99, a 20% discount from its original price of £45.99.

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Aonerex Car Stereo, £36.99 (was £45.99)

This deal has been so popular that the device is the fourth best-selling car stereo on the Amazon website at the time of writing.

While we in the Sun Shopping team haven’t tested this car device ourselves, it comes with a wide range of features that are pretty impressive-looking for that low price.

It’s also gathered some rave reviews from happy drivers on Amazon.

Think of the Aonerex Wireless Auto Screen as a portable, all-in-one smart device for your car.

It’s a 7-inch HD touchscreen that’s super easy to install: you just plug it into your car’s power outlet (it works with any 12-24V socket) and use either the suction cup or the base stand it comes with.

The screen itself is really sharp and clear.

It has a built-in speaker, but for a better sound experience, you can connect it to your car’s stereo using Bluetooth, an AUX cable, or by matching the FM radio frequency.

It works seamlessly with both iPhone and Android phones, so everyone can use it.

Basically, this gadget allows you to:

• Connect wirelessly: Use wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto by connecting your phone via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
• Get real-time navigation: Send smart GPS navigation software, like Google Maps, from your phone directly on the screen.
• Control with your voice: Use Siri or Android voice assistants to make calls, send messages, and control your music hands-free.
• Mirror your phone: Cast your iPhone or Android screen to the large 7-inch display to watch videos or stream sports games.
• Enjoy powerful audio: Play music through the device’s built-in speaker or connect to your car’s speakers for a richer sound.

With an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 on the Amazon website, shoppers are loving this device.

One happy customer wrote: “Good, affordable and works perfectly.

“I bought this because it was affordable and I was curious to see how it would work in my car with navigation… I have to say, it performs much better than I expected.

“The screen size is just right, and installation was simple.

“I’d definitely recommend this if you’re looking for a budget-friendly CarPlay option.”

Another buyer said: “Great CarPlay screen. Easy to fix to the dashboard and set up either wired or Bluetooth with phone.

Works really well with iPhone. Really good clear display and plays music well. Touchscreen is good and great for maps.”

And a third customer noted: “Fantastic price, great for using Maps to navigate.

“Android screen mirroring works perfectly, brilliant for Netflix or Spotify.”

Amazon has this marked as the ‘lowest price in 30 days’, so we’re not sure if it’s a temporary deal or if the price is going to stay like this for a while.

And one final note: while you might be able to cast video to the device’s screen, please drive carefully, folks. Keep those eyes on the road.

Aonerex Car Stereo, £36.99 (was £45.99)

Head to The Sun’s shopping motoring hub for more news and deals for car owners.