The Aviationist

Iranian Drone Took Out U.S. Apache Downed in the Strait of Hormuz As the U.S. begins retaliatory strikes, officials have told reporters that an Iranian Shahed drone was believed to be responsible for the downing of a U.S. Army AH-64 Apache during a patrol. The two crew members were rescued from the water by a U.S. Navy drone boat. Story: https://lnkd.in/dCU7tE7w

New Photos Offer Interesting Look At B-21 Raider’s Speed Brake Arrangement The photos appear to show the B-21 Raider’s outboard trailing-edge control surfaces deflected in opposite directions, suggesting a different speed-brake and drag-management arrangement than the B-2’s familiar split rudders. Story: https://lnkd.in/da9huCsA

U.S. AH-64 Goes Down Near Strait of Hormuz, Crew Safe A U.S. Army AH-64 Apache has crashed near the Strait of Hormuz for unknown reasons, with the crew rescued safely according to President Trump. Story: https://lnkd.in/dCMpid4y

France and Germany Set to End Future Combat Air System Program Germany is expected to announce the end of the FCAS/SCAF program at the Berlin Air Show, after an agreement with France was not reached regarding the industrial side. Story: https://lnkd.in/d4Pz6QQW

French Rafale Shoots Down Unknown Drone Over Latvia A France Rafale of the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission shot down an unknown drone which entered Latvian airspace from Russia.  Story: https://lnkd.in/dSebcGhD

NASA’s X-59 QueSST Goes Supersonic NASA’s X-59 QueSST flew faster than the speed of sound for the first time, expanding into the supersonic portion of its flight envelope. Story: https://lnkd.in/dQnwbVNV

FY27 NDAA Advances with New A-10 Oversight, C-UAS and Right-to-Repair Amendments The FY2027 NDAA sees lawmakers backing new right-to-repair measures, counter-drone initiatives and new A-10 restrictions to the retirement. Story: https://lnkd.in/dGu-mTuh

FRCE Delivers First F-35Bs with Technology Refresh-3 Upgrades The Fleet Readiness Center East completed the conversion of its first F-35Bs from the TR-2 to the TR-3 configuration, which will support the future Block 4 upgrades. Story: https://lnkd.in/daAJMjJm

Our Best Look at China’s Manned Tiltrotor in Flight The Chinese tiltrotor that broke cover last year was recently captured in images during what appears to be more expansive test flights. Story: https://lnkd.in/d3d5mh_B

Inside the MAGTF: Exclusive Interview with Marine F-35B Demo Pilot on Expeditionary Aviation Operations During the 2026 MCAS Cherry Point Air Show, The Aviationist interviewed F-35B pilot Major William Horn about expeditionary operations within the Marine Air-Ground Task Force and the demo for the public. Story: https://lnkd.in/dd_jP_P4