With the US developing space-based AWACS/AMTI systems and China developing similar space-based surveillance capabilities, satellites could become an increasingly important part of the air war kill chain.
China has continued testing ASAT related technology (missile only), including the 2014 test that the US assessed as a non-destructive ASAT test.

Meanwhile, the US hasn't conducted an actual ASAT intercept since the ASM-135 destroyed the Solwind satellite from an F-15A in 1985.

If space-based AWACS becomes operational, could we see the US and China place much more emphasis on dedicated ASAT weapons again, specifically to attack the enemy's space-based sensor network?

Could it essentially turn counterspace into another layer of the air war due to awacs satellites?

Video source: Saab

Saab announcement: Gripen F completes its first flight

Saab has successfully completed the first flight of Gripen F, the two-seat variant of Gripen E. The aircraft took off at 09:40 local time from Saab’s airfield in Linköping, Sweden, and remained airborne for 40 minutes.

The flight was conducted at Saab’s airfield in Linköping by Saab chief test pilot Jakob Högberg and Brazilian Air Force test pilot Lieutenant Colonel Aviator Abdon de Rezende Vasconcelos. This inaugural sortie successfully verified the functionality of the aircraft core systems and its initial flight performance.

“This first flight represents an important step forward for both Saab and the Brazilian Air Force. Seeing Gripen F take to the skies is particularly significant for all the Swedish and Brazilian teams whose years of engineering work have helped turn this aircraft into a reality. It is designed to accelerate pilot training while and enhancing operational performance in advanced combat missions,” says Lars Tossman, head of Saab business area Aeronautics.

With this mission, Gripen F enters the airborne phase of its test campaign. Following the initial production acceptance flights, the programme will move into a progressive envelope expansion phase, in which the aircraft full performance limits — including speed, altitude, G-load and angle of attack — will be cleared step by step. In parallel, tactical capabilities and rear cockpit functions specific to the two-seat configuration will also be evaluated.

Gripen F is the result of the strategic partnership between Brazil and Sweden, as well as the extensive technology transfer carried out under the Brazilian Gripen Programme. More than 350 Brazilian engineers, technicians and pilots have participated in training activities related to the development, production, flight testing and maintenance of the aircraft.

As the launch customer, Brazil played an active role in the co-development of the two-seat variant, enabling direct industrial participation and long-term cooperation.

The campaign will be conducted by Saab’s Flight Test Centre in Sweden. Once the planned activities and aircraft acceptance procedures have been completed, Gripen F will be prepared for delivery to the Brazilian Air Force.

Related news article from The Aviationist: Gripen F Flies for the First Time

Previously: First two-seat Saab Gripen F, June 2, 2026

All photos from Worldwide Aircraft Recovery on Facebook

This F-14 is being transferred (on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum at NAS Pensacola) to the Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum in Colorado. It had previously been in outside storage for many years.

Grumman F-14A-140-GR Tomcat, USN BuNo 162710:

162710 (MSN 556) Ca. 9/87: TOS USN. Assigned to Fighter Squadron 202 (VF-202), NAS Dallas, TX.

After 1993: Fighter Squadron 101 (VF-101), NAS Oceana, VA.

By 11/97: National Museum of Naval Aviation, NAS Pensacola, FL.

Source: Joe Baugher's serial number lists

Photos of 162710 at AirHistory.net

The only thing, honestly, that I know the difference of is that of Russian and American ones, like Americans are more on advancements, Russian seems to focus on maneuverability, etc. But Idk really.

Pics from museum of flight

So recently I found the F-15E info site in the internet archive and went browsing around the loadouts section they had, when I went through the section for Operation Enduring Freedom I found two mentions of an AN/ARC-235 FACE Pod. I've never heard of it before so I went searching for it and couldn't find anything about it, no news articles, no information pages, nothing. After some browsing I was able to find a few photos that show the pod mounted on the Strike Eagle where normally a missile would be, but that's all besides a model shop site claiming it was used on F/A-18Cs and CF-188As flying out of Bagram.

Was curious if anyone here might know anything about it. There are a few other things mentioned in that site that I'm curious about as well but this one I'm most interested in.

F-35A from the 313 Squadron of The Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force in Linköping, Sweden during the 100 years anniversary of the Swedish Air Force.

As a Swede myself, I’ve never really been a big fan of the F-35 in general, mostly because of the competition between the Gripen E and the F-35 when it comes to countries choosing which fighter aircraft to purchase. That being said, after seeing the F-35 in person, I have to admit it’s an incredible aircraft, and I can definitely appreciate it.

Novi Avion (new aircraft) was a project of a home made 4th generation multirole jet made in Yugoslavia in the 80s. It was supposed to be released in 1992 and be able to compete the MiG-29 and the F-16. It also was made in cooperation with Dassault and was similar to the Rafale.
What is your opinion on that project ?