Steve Balestrieri

An Israeli F-35I Adir assigned to 140 Squadron, Nevatim Air Base, taxis out for a mission during Red Flag-Nellis 23-2 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, March, 15 2023. Red Flag is an opportunity to build on the success of JUNIPER OAK 23-2, JUNIPER FALCON, and additional combined exercises to enhance interoperability with Israel, strengthen bilateral cooperation, and improve capabilities in ways that enhance and promote regional stability and reinforce the United States’ enduring commitment to Israel’s security. (U.S. Air Force photo by William R. Lewis

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The F-35 Fighter Went to War for Israel and Proved It’s Worth Every Single Penny

Key Points and Summary – The F-35 is worth its high cost because stealth, sensor fusion, and data-sharing deliver outsized battlefield effects. -Citing Israeli...

Steve BalestrieriSeptember 20, 2025

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

‘Space Killer’: China Is Seriously Freaking Out Over The X-37B Spaceplane

Key Points and Summary – The X-37B is a reusable, unmanned U.S. spaceplane used as an orbital testbed since 2010. -Its long, classified missions...

Steve BalestrieriSeptember 20, 2025

An F/A-18F Super Hornet attached to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 9, the “Vampires,” takes off from Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California, September 11, 2025. Gray Flag 2025 is the naval aviation test community’s premier large force test event, providing unique venues for large scale integration of new capabilities across services and platform. Working with the Joint Force, industry, and our nation’s allies to ensure seamless integration and interoperability is key to ensuring warfighters have a decisive advantage in the field. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John T. Jarrett)

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The U.S. Navy’s F/A-18 Super Hornet Fighter Is Almost Obsolete

Key Points and Summary – Boeing will end F/A-18E/F Super Hornet production in 2027, citing no new export wins, Navy priorities for the sixth-gen...

Steve BalestrieriSeptember 20, 2025

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

China’s J-20 Stealth Fighter ‘Beast Mode Bomb Truck’ Is Coming

Key Points and Summary – China’s J-20 Mighty Dragon blends stealth with a “beast mode” loadout, swapping low observability for sheer firepower. -Recent footage...

Steve BalestrieriSeptember 19, 2025

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning assigned to the 356th Fighter Squadron, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, flies alongside of a U.S. Air Force KC-46A Pegasus assigned to the 77th Aerial Refueling Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina, over the Pacific Ocean while enroute to the Singapore Airshow 2022, Feb. 11, 2022. The Singapore Airshow is the largest defense exhibition and biennial international tradeshow in the Pacific attracting thousands of participants from 50 countries. The U.S. Military is participating in Singapore Airshow 2022 by providing aerial demonstrations and static aircraft to demonstrate commitment and build upon partnerships with Singapore. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Richard P. Ebensberger)

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The F-35 Stealth Fighter’s ‘Air Superiority’ Could Be At Risk

Key Points and Summary – The GAO says the F-35’s Block 4 modernization is five years late and $6 billion over budget, prompting the...

Steve BalestrieriSeptember 19, 2025

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Russia’s ‘New’ Tu-160M2 Blackjack Bomber Has a Message for NATO

Key Points and Summary – The Tu-160 “Blackjack” remains central to Russia’s triad, and Moscow is upgrading and restarting production as the stealth PAK...

Steve BalestrieriSeptember 18, 2025

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

SR-72 ‘Son of Blackbird’ Could Hit 4,000 Miles Per Hour

Key Points and Summary – Lockheed Martin’s SR-72 Son of Blackbird or “Darkstar” aims to replace the SR-71 with hypersonic ISR—and possibly strike—using a...

Steve BalestrieriSeptember 18, 2025