Caleb Larson

Caleb Larson is an American multiformat journalist based in Berlin, Germany. His work covers the intersection of conflict and society, focusing on American foreign policy and European security. He has reported from Germany, Russia, and the United States. Most recently, he covered the war in Ukraine, reporting extensively on the war's shifting battle lines from Donbas and writing on the war's civilian and humanitarian toll. Previously, he worked as a Defense Reporter for POLITICO Europe. You can follow his latest work on X.

F-16 Fighting Falcon Onboard USS Intrepid

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The F-16V Viper Has a Message for the U.S. Air Force

Key Points and Summary – The F-16V “Viper” is the most advanced evolution of the Cold War–era F-16, aiming to bridge 4th- and 5th-generation...

Caleb LarsonSeptember 22, 2025

A joint team consisting of F-35 Patuxent River Integrated Test Force flight test members, U.S. Sailors and Marines, and the crew of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Izumo-class multi-functional destroyer JS Kaga (DDH-184) are executing developmental sea trials in the eastern Pacific Ocean to gather the necessary data to certify F-35B Lightning II short takeoff and vertical landing aircraft operations. While aboard the MSDF’s largest ship, the Pax ITF flight test team has been gathering compatibility data for analysis in order to make recommendations for future F-35B operational envelopes, further enhancing the Japanese navy's capabilities. The results of the testing will contribute to improved interoperability between Japan and the United States, strengthening the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. alliance and contributing to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Japan is an F-35 Joint Program Office foreign military sales customer planning to purchase 42 F-35Bs. The F-35 Joint Program Office continues to develop, produce, and sustain the F-35 Air System to fulfill its mandate to deliver a capable, available, and affordable air system with fifth-generation capabilities.

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The F-35 Stealth Fighter Needs a Big Update. The Problem: That Will Be 5 Years Late

Key Points and Summary: A new GAO report says the F-35’s Block 4 modernization is at least five years late and $6B over estimates....

Caleb LarsonSeptember 21, 2025

U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters from the 58th Fighter Squadron, 33rd Fighter Wing, Eglin AFB, Fla. perform an aerial refueling mission with a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 336th Air Refueling Squadron from March ARB, Calif., May 14, 2013 off the coast of Northwest Florida. The 33rd Fighter Wing is a joint graduate flying and maintenance training wing that trains Air Force, Marine, Navy and international partner operators and maintainers of the F-35 Lightning II. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Donald R. Allen/Released)

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Can the F-35 Stealth Fighter Really Replace the A-10 Warthog?

Key Points and Summary – The A-10 Thunderbolt II was purpose-built for close air support: long loiter, armor, and a 30mm cannon to shred...

Caleb LarsonSeptember 19, 2025

A 96th Test Wing F-15E Strike Eagle flies during a test mission May 22, 2025 over Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The 96 TW and the 53rd Wing teamed up to test AGR-20F Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II laser-guided rockets on the F-15E in May in an effort to get the capability to the warfighter as quickly as possible. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Thomas Barley)

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The U.S. Air Force Isn’t Ready for What Is Coming

Key Points and Summary: Change Is Coming To the U.S. Air Force – The U.S. Air Force is pivoting from counterterror missions to deterring...

Caleb LarsonSeptember 18, 2025

The B-21 Raider was unveiled to the public at a ceremony December 2, 2022 in Palmdale, Calif. Designed to operate in tomorrow's high-end threat environment, the B-21 will play a critical role in ensuring America's enduring airpower capability. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The New B-21 Raider Bomber Has a ‘Secret Weapon’

The Secret Weapon? Size (Key Points and Summary) – The B-21 Raider is smaller than the B-2, prompting doubts about range. But size alone...

Caleb LarsonSeptember 17, 2025

A B-21 Raider conducts flight tests, which includes ground testing, taxiing, and flying operations, at Edwards Air Force Base, California, where it continues to make progress toward becoming the backbone of the U.S. Air Force bomber fleet. The B-21 will possess the range, access, and payload to penetrate the most highly-contested threat environments and hold any target around the globe at risk. The B-21 program is on track to deliver aircraft in the mid-2020s to Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, which will be the first B-21 main operating base and location for the B-21 formal training unit. (Courtesy photo)

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

B-21 Raider: The New Stealth Bomber That Could Shake the U.S. Military To Its Core

Key Points and Summary – Northrop Grumman’s second B-21 Raider has joined the Edwards AFB test fleet, moving beyond basic flight profiles into weapons...

Caleb LarsonSeptember 17, 2025

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Russia’s T-90 Tank Has a ‘Jack-In-The-Box’ Problem That Can’t Be Fixed

Key Points and Summary – Russia’s T-90 main battle tank has underwhelmed in Ukraine. -Its low profile comes from a three-man crew and autoloader,...

Caleb LarsonSeptember 16, 2025

Tim Murry, a foreign threats compound contractor, drives a T-72 battle tank into position to serve as adversary targets for a joint service exercise, Emerald Flag, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Nov. 30. Emerald Flag is a multi-service exercise aimed to unify information sharing across joint domain platforms. (U.S. Air Force photo/1st Lt Karissa Rodriguez)

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Russia’s T-72 Main Battle Tank Summed Up in 4 Words

Key Points and Summary – Ukraine’s war has chewed through Soviet-era T-72 tanks on both sides, with visually confirmed losses in the hundreds. -The...

Caleb LarsonSeptember 16, 2025

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The U.S. Navy’s Big Railgun Failure Still Stings

It was to be the naval weapon technology of the future, holding the tantalizing promise of very low per-shot shots, deep magazines, high precision,...

Caleb LarsonSeptember 13, 2025

National Security Journal

Caleb Larson

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The F-16V Viper Has a Message for the U.S. Air Force

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The F-35 Stealth Fighter Needs a Big Update. The Problem: That Will Be 5 Years Late

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Can the F-35 Stealth Fighter Really Replace the A-10 Warthog?

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The U.S. Air Force Isn’t Ready for What Is Coming

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The New B-21 Raider Bomber Has a ‘Secret Weapon’

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

B-21 Raider: The New Stealth Bomber That Could Shake the U.S. Military To Its Core

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Russia’s T-90 Tank Has a ‘Jack-In-The-Box’ Problem That Can’t Be Fixed

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Russia’s T-72 Main Battle Tank Summed Up in 4 Words

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The U.S. Navy’s Big Railgun Failure Still Stings

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