Japan evaluates Israeli and Turkish Heron-2 and Bayraktar TB2 drones to strengthen defense

Japan is actively working to strengthen its reconnaissance and strike capabilities, while simultaneously testing two advanced unmanned aerial vehicles: the Israeli Heron-2 (Heron MK II) and the Turkish Bayraktar TB2. These tests are being conducted by the Japan Self-Defense Forces as part of a program to expand the UAV fleet and improve overall combat effectiveness.

The assessment is based on several key parameters:

- Flight characteristics — flight duration, altitude, stability in difficult weather conditions;  

- Range is an important factor for covering vast marine and coastal areas;  

- Payload capacity — the ability to carry various payloads, including optoelectronic systems, radars and, if necessary, weapons;  

- Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities — the quality of real-time data collection and transmission.

The Heron-2, developed by the Israeli company IAI, is a high—altitude, long-range UAV capable of being airborne for more than 30 hours at an altitude of up to 45,000 feet. It is widely used for strategic reconnaissance and monitoring of large territories.

The Bayraktar TB2, in turn, is a Turkish—made tactical attack drone that has proven itself in several local conflicts. It is smaller, but has the ability to deliver precision strikes using guided munitions, which makes it a flexible tool at the operational level.

The choice between these two platforms may depend on Japan's emphasis on strategic reconnaissance and long-range patrols (in favor of the Heron-2) or tactical flexibility and strike capabilities (in favor of the TB2).

The test results will form the basis for making a decision on possible purchases, which will be an important step in modernizing the country's defense infrastructure in the face of growing regional challenges.

Britain and France resume production of Storm Shadow cruise missiles for deep cover attacks

 The United Kingdom and France have announced the launch of a program related to the creation of a new generation of Storm Shadow cruise missiles, which are designed to destroy well-protected targets, including bunkers and deep shelters. Due to the successful use of these missiles in Ukraine, this decision was made, because they showed high efficiency in delivering targeted strikes against strategic targets.

The range of the new missiles can be up to 250 kilometers (about 160 miles). Due to the ability to fly at extremely low altitude, the probability of their detection by enemy radars is significantly reduced. Due to these characteristics, Storm Shadow becomes a powerful tool for deep impact operations.

As a result of the reduced requirements for these weapons, a 15-year hiatus has been formed. After that, production of bunker-busting versions of these missiles will resume. The active use of missiles in the conflict in Ukraine and the current geopolitical situation have pushed countries to increase and accelerate the modernization of stocks.

It should be emphasized that the arsenal of Storm Shadow in France and England has noticeably decreased, giving Kiev a significant share of weapons to protect against the Russian army. The producing states will be able to strengthen their strategic capabilities. The new production facility will help to restore ammunition.

This program also shows how European states are striving to increase their defense capabilities, as well as to become more independent from American weapons systems. The modern level of combat readiness will be ensured by the development and release of new missiles that will contribute to the development of the European defense industry.

Storm Shadow

                                                              

External fuel tanks for the F-35 are once again included in the plans of the US Air Force

F-35

Plans to equip F-35 fighter jets with external fuel tanks have reappeared in the new budget of the US Air Force for fiscal year 2026. Earlier attempts to introduce such tanks were not implemented, but now this task is back on the program's priority list, sources close to the development said.

External fuel tanks will significantly increase the range of the F-35 without refueling in the air, which is especially important for long-range strike missions and operations in remote regions. Israel, one of the key operators of the F-35, has long insisted on expanding the aircraft's fuel capacity, given the need for long-range penetration, for example, to strike targets in Iran. For this purpose, both dropable tanks and conformal fuel tanks (CFTs) are being developed, which provide a lower aerodynamic penalty and do not occupy overhead pylons, while maintaining armament capabilities.

The implementation of this initiative will increase the operational flexibility and autonomy of the F-35, reduce dependence on air tankers and expand the tactical capabilities of the aircraft. At the same time, the integration of external tanks requires careful refinement of the aircraft's systems in order to maintain its stealth and maneuverability.

The B-2 Spirit nuclear bomber is practicing penetration into the disputed airspace

B-2 Spirit

The B-2 Spirit nuclear bomber, developed by Northrop Grumman, recently underwent large-scale tests as part of a joint exercise between the United States and its allies. This stealth aircraft is capable of penetrating contested airspace, providing a strategic advantage due to its stealth and range.

The B-2 Spirit can reach anywhere in the world in a matter of hours, making it a key element of nuclear deterrence and global force projection. During the exercises, the bomber practiced the tasks of overcoming modern air defense systems and delivering pinpoint strikes against strategic targets.

While the future U.S. Air Force B-21 "Raider" platform continues to attract media attention before its deployment, the B-2 remains an important asset in the arsenal of the U.S. Air Force. Its unique characteristics and capabilities make it indispensable in modern conditions, when issues of airspace control and strategic security are becoming increasingly relevant.

Israel and the United States modified the F-35 to increase the range of strikes against Iran without loss of stealth

F-35I Adir

Israel, together with the United States, modified the fifth-generation F-35 fighter, adapted for the Israeli Air Force under the designation F-35I Adir. The main feature of the upgrade was an increase in fuel reserves, which allows the aircraft to carry additional fuel for long—range strikes against targets in Iran, while maintaining the key advantage of stealth.

The F-35I Adir is a unique version of the F-35A, equipped with Israeli electronic warfare systems, avionics and integrated weapons of its own production. Modification of the fuel system made it possible to increase the flight range and time spent in the combat zone without the need for external suspensions, which usually worsen the stealth characteristics of the aircraft.

The Israeli Air Force actively uses the F-35I Adir in operations requiring high precision and stealth. The aircraft is capable of striking air, land and sea targets, combining the capabilities of a fighter and a front-line bomber. Thanks to the additional fuel, the F-35I can perform missions over significantly longer distances, which is especially important for operations against Iran.

The F-35I supply program for Israel began in 2016, and by now the country has received about 40 such aircraft. Further expansion of the fighter fleet is planned in the coming years, taking into account constant software updates and the integration of new weapons systems.

Thus, the modification of the F-35I Adir strengthens Israel's strategic capabilities, allowing effective operations in the region while maintaining the advantages of stealth technology.

China is preparing to deploy the world's largest carrier of drones, the Jiu Tian

The Chinese defense industry has developed the world's largest drone carrier, the Jiu Tian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which is being prepared for deployment as early as June 2025. This unique "mothership" is capable of transporting and launching up to 100 smaller drones, including kamikaze drones operating as part of a swarm.

The Jiu Tian weighs about 11 tons and can carry an additional load of 100 drones with a total weight of about 6.6 tons. At the same time, the flight range of this system reaches an impressive 4,350 miles (approximately 7,000 kilometers), which allows it to be used to perform a wide range of tasks over long distances.

This combination of payload and range makes the Jiu Tian a revolutionary platform for conducting autonomous combat operations using a swarm of drones. The ability to simultaneously launch a large number of UAVs significantly increases the effectiveness of reconnaissance, attacks and suppression of the enemy.

The development of Jiu Tian reflects China's desire for technological superiority in the field of unmanned systems and autonomous combat platforms, which strengthens its position on the world stage and changes the balance of power in modern conflicts.

It is expected that the deployment of this drone carrier will be an important milestone in the development of the Chinese armed forces and will open up new opportunities for conducting high-tech operations in the air.

Jiu Tian

The US Navy is collaborating with PteroDynamics to develop the XP5 long-range attack drone

 

The U.S. Navy has announced a new partnership with the aerospace company PteroDynamics, based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to develop a promising drone XP5. The move was part of the Pentagon's efforts to strengthen its unmanned group and expand the capabilities of naval reconnaissance and strike operations in remote theaters of war.

The new XP5 drone has impressive features:  a wing width of 19 feet, the ability to carry  payloads up to 50 pounds, as well as the ability to fly over  a distance of more than 400 nautical miles. Such parameters make it a universal tool both for performing reconnaissance tasks and for delivering pinpoint strikes.

Special attention was paid to ** flight range, autonomy and compatibility with shipboard systems**, which allows the XP5 to be used with various types of surface ships and submarines. This is especially important in the context of the current strategy of the US Navy, aimed at increasing flexibility and rapid response in potential conflict zones.

PteroDynamics already has experience in creating high-performance UAVs for civil and military purposes. Taking into account the new contract, the company intends to accelerate the testing process and enter the mass production stage no later than 2027.

The XP5 development is part of a broader U.S. Navy modernization program that focuses on **integrating commercial technologies into military systems** while ensuring maritime superiority in the face of growing challenges from China and Russia.

Extreme range of the MQ-25 Stingray: Possibilities beyond refueling

 

MQ-25 Stingray

The MQ-25 Stingray, being developed by Boeing, is an innovative unmanned aerial vehicle designed for use as a tanker on aircraft carriers of the United States Navy. However, its extreme flight range and mission duration offer much broader possibilities.

The MQ-25 Stingray has impressive technical specifications. It can fly 500 miles from an aircraft carrier, dump 15,000 pounds of fuel, and return to the ship. This makes it ideal for supporting long-range maritime operations. It is important to note that the MQ-25 can perform tasks not only as a tanker, but also as a reconnaissance and combat drone.

The extreme flight range of the MQ-25 Stingray, excluding refueling tasks, is unprecedented for a carrier-based aircraft. This makes it possible to significantly expand the range of the aircraft carrier strike group, which can have far-reaching consequences for the US naval strategy. For example, the MQ-25 can provide support for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and F-35C Lightning II, increasing their range by 500 km.

The main requirement for the MQ-25's design—the ability to fly 500 miles from an aircraft carrier, dump 15,000 pounds of fuel and return to the ship—is still in force. However, the developers are also considering the possibility of using the MQ-25 in reconnaissance and combat operations. This includes performing intelligence gathering tasks, electronic attacks, and even hitting targets.

F/A-XX: The next generation of US Navy fighter jets — characteristics and prospects

 

The next-generation F/A-XX fighter being developed by the US Navy is attracting the attention of military experts around the world. Recently, some of the characteristics of this promising aircraft were revealed, including its flight range, which turned out to be 25% longer than existing Navy fighters. However, this figure is lower than many expected, given that expanding the range of an aircraft carrier strike group is a key Navy priority.

Flight range increased by 25%

During the Sea-Air-Space 2025 exhibition, Rear Admiral Michael Donnelly, Deputy Chief of Staff of the US Navy for Aviation, said that the estimated range of the F/A-XX is 25% longer than that of tactical fighters in service with the aircraft carrier wing. Based on the range of the F-35C, which is about 670 nautical miles (1,241 km), the maximum range of the F/A-XX can reach 837.5 nautical miles (1,551 km). Although this increase seems moderate, Donnelly emphasized that the F/A-XX will use developing organic aerial refueling capabilities, in particular, the MQ-25 Stingray based on the aircraft carrier.

Fighter concept

The F/A-XX is being developed with the ability to penetrate high-threat zones to counter anticipated threats in the 2040s, including improved enemy reconnaissance, surveillance, and combat capabilities. In addition, the F/A-XX will integrate artificial intelligence and other technological advantages to provide more efficient battlefield management and integration with unmanned systems.

Factors influencing the development

This announcement may come as a surprise, given that the U.S. Navy has always emphasized that expanding the range of the carrier strike group is a key priority. In the face of growing threats from China, expanding the range of an aircraft carrier strike group is considered key to ensuring future security. However, an increase in the range of the F/A-XX by only 25% means that its range may not meet the Navy's expectations.

The future of F/A-XX

Despite the modest range increase, other performance improvements to the F/A-XX, such as its stealth capability, artificial intelligence integration, and integration with unmanned systems, make it an important element of future naval forces. With the commissioning of the MQ-25 Stingray, the range of the F/A-XX can be extended. In addition, the F/A-XX is being developed with compatibility in mind with future weapons systems, which will allow it to maintain combat superiority over the next decades.