May 2026

Dollars and Sense

F-35 Cyber Risk: Future Quantum Computers Could Crack the F-35’s Encryption — The Pentagon Is Already Preparing Defenses

The F-35 Lightning II operates as a “flying computer.” It senses, gathers, and securely transmits critical battlefield data across multinational combat formations. All of...

Kris OsbornMay 11, 2026

The F-117A Nighthawk Image By National Security Journal

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Stealth Down: A 1960s-Era Russian-Built Missile System Shot Down America’s F-117 Nighthawk ‘Fighter’ in Serbia

On March 27, 1999, during NATO’s Operation Allied Force, Serbian air defenses shot down a U.S. Air Force F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter over Yugoslavia....

Kris OsbornMay 11, 2026

PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct. 1, 2024) The Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Mobile (LCS 26) comes alongside the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) for a fueling-at-sea, Oct. 1, 2024. Theodore Roosevelt, flagship of Carrier Strike Group 9, is underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations. An integral part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 3rd Fleet operates naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides he realistic, relevant training necessary to execute the U.S. Navy’s role across the full spectrum of military operations – from combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. U.S. 3rd Fleet works together with our allies and partners to advance freedom of navigation, the rule of law, and other principles that underpin security for the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Richard Tinker)

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Iran’s Demand: War Reparations From the U.S. to End the Conflict — Trump Called It ‘Totally Unacceptable’ Ahead of His Xi Meeting

President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s latest proposal to end the U.S.-Iran war. Tehran’s demands include U.S. war reparations, full Iranian sovereignty over the Strait...

Brent M. EastwoodMay 11, 2026

A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress departs after being refueled by KC-135 Stratotanker over the Pacific Northwest July 18, 2024. The 92nd Air Refueling Wing and 141st ARW’s ability to rapidly generate airpower at a moment’s notice was put to the test when Air Mobility Command’s Inspector General team conducted a no-notice Nuclear Operational Readiness Inspection, July 16–18, 2024. During the NORI, Airmen demonstrated how various capabilities at Fairchild AFB enable units to generate and provide, when directed, specially trained and equipped KC-135 Stratotanker aircrews to conduct critical air refueling of U.S. Strategic Command-assigned strategic bomber and command and control aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Lawrence Sena)

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Bent Spear: The U.S. Air Force Lost Track of 6 Nuclear Warheads for 36 Hours — Two Generals Were Forced to Resign

On August 29-30, 2007, six AGM-129 cruise missiles armed with W80-1 thermonuclear warheads were loaded onto a B-52H bomber at Minot Air Force Base....

Steve BalestrieriMay 11, 2026

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

China’s New J-36 Stealth Fighter Has 3 Engines, a Diamond Wing, and No Tail — A Configuration No Fighter or Bomber Has Ever Used

China’s emerging 6th-generation stealth aircraft, designated J-36, has now appeared in public photography twice. The first set of images surfaced on Chinese social media...

Kris OsbornMay 11, 2026

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

2731 MPH Fact: In 35 Years of SR-71 Blackbird Operations, the Air Force Lost 12 Aircraft to Accidents — Only 1 Mishap Was Fatal

Between its maiden flight in 1964 and its retirement in 1999, the U.S. Air Force lost 12 of its Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance aircraft...

Christian OrrMay 11, 2026

A B-52 Stratofortress lands at Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, April 15, 2021. The aircraft was featured at the Cocoa Beach Air Show April 17 - 18. The B-52 is is a long-range, heavy bomber capable of flying at up to 50,000 feet. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. James Hodgman)

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

In 1966, the U.S. Lost a Hydrogen Bomb Off the Coast of Spain — A Spanish Fisherman Helped the Navy Find It Two Months Later

On January 17, 1966, a U.S. Air Force B-52G strategic bomber from Seymour Johnson AFB in North Carolina — flying Operation Chrome Dome, a...

Christian OrrMay 11, 2026

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Only 2 F-16XLs Were Ever Built — One Flew Alongside an SR-71 Blackbird to Help NASA Measure Sonic Booms

In 1981, General Dynamics began flight testing the F-16XL — a radical “cranked-arrow” delta-wing variant of the F-16 Fighting Falcon with approximately twice the...

Caleb LarsonMay 11, 2026

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor assigned to Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, takes off during Checkered Flag 23-1 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Nov. 4, 2022. Checkered Flag is a large-force aerial exercise which fosters readiness and interoperability through the incorporation of 4th and 5th-generation aircraft during air-to-air combat training. The 23-1 iteration of the exercise was held Oct. 31 - Nov. 10, 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Betty R. Chevalier)

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

For 20 Years, the F-22 Raptor Couldn’t Carry External Fuel Tanks Without Losing Stealth — Lockheed Just Solved That Problem

At the Air & Space Forces Association Warfare Symposium in February 2026, Lockheed Martin publicly displayed a production-representative scale model of what it informally...

Jack BuckbyMay 11, 2026

National Security Journal

Dollars and Sense

F-35 Cyber Risk: Future Quantum Computers Could Crack the F-35’s Encryption — The Pentagon Is Already Preparing Defenses

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Stealth Down: A 1960s-Era Russian-Built Missile System Shot Down America’s F-117 Nighthawk ‘Fighter’ in Serbia

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Iran’s Demand: War Reparations From the U.S. to End the Conflict — Trump Called It ‘Totally Unacceptable’ Ahead of His Xi Meeting

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Bent Spear: The U.S. Air Force Lost Track of 6 Nuclear Warheads for 36 Hours — Two Generals Were Forced to Resign

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

China’s New J-36 Stealth Fighter Has 3 Engines, a Diamond Wing, and No Tail — A Configuration No Fighter or Bomber Has Ever Used

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

2731 MPH Fact: In 35 Years of SR-71 Blackbird Operations, the Air Force Lost 12 Aircraft to Accidents — Only 1 Mishap Was Fatal

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

In 1966, the U.S. Lost a Hydrogen Bomb Off the Coast of Spain — A Spanish Fisherman Helped the Navy Find It Two Months Later

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Only 2 F-16XLs Were Ever Built — One Flew Alongside an SR-71 Blackbird to Help NASA Measure Sonic Booms

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

For 20 Years, the F-22 Raptor Couldn’t Carry External Fuel Tanks Without Losing Stealth — Lockheed Just Solved That Problem

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