The Aviationist

The Aviationist

  1. End of an Era: Italy’s 154th Squadron Transitions from Tornado to F-35A

    On July 3, 2025, the 154th Squadron “Red Devils” officially transitioned from the Tornado IDS to the F-35A, becoming the second unit within the 6th Wing to operate the fifth-generation aircraft. Over the course of two days of ceremonies, held on July 2 and 3, 2025, the Italian Air Force’s 154° Gruppo (Squadron), known as […]

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  2. Boeing Contracted to Deliver More Torpedo Glide Kits for U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidons

    Boeing contract HAAWC Torpedo kit

    A $61m contract awarded to Boeing exercises an option for additional production of High Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare Weapon Capability kits for Mark 54 torpedoes. High Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare Weapon Capability, or HAAWC, adds a deployable wing and guidance system to Mark 54 torpedoes, which allows their deployment from P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft operating at […]

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  3. Raptors Unleashed: A Look Back At The F-22’s Initial Combat Operations Against ISIS

    F-22 ISIS

    Looking back at its first combat operations against ISIS, the F-22 proved it could do much more than dominate the skies, delivering precision strikes and sharing critical data with allied platforms across the battlespace. Although primarily designed as an air dominance fighter, the fast super-maneuverable and stealthy F-22 also fills other roles, including precision air-to-ground […]

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  4. RAF Will Open Competition to Replace Hawk T1 and T2 Jets

    RAF Hawk Replacement competition

    Defence minister Maria Eagle confirmed to Parliament that a competition will be opened to replace the venerable British-designed training jet, also used by the Red Arrows display team. The recommendation to procure a new “cost-effective fast jet trainer” to replace the Hawk was included in the UK Strategic Defence Review, released in early June, but […]

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  5. USAF Tests SpaceX’s Starshield on C-130J Super Hercules

    The service is looking for an alternate rapid tactical communications and data-linking capability to better equip the mobility fleet for logistics in high-end, contested environments. The 317th Airlift Wing at Dyess AFB, Texas, is working towards the Air Mobility Command’s (AMC) vision to have 25% of its fleet with alternative Line-of-Sight (LOS) and Beyond Line-of-Sight […]

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