Steve Balestrieri

Steve Balestrieri is a National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing on defense, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications.

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Forget the F-16: The JAS-39 Gripen Could Fly for Ukraine

Summary and 4 Key Points: As Ukraine struggles to sustain its air force in the ongoing war with Russia, Sweden might be considering transferring...

Steve BalestrieriApril 14, 2025

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Berretta M9A3: The Gun the U.S. Army Had to Say ‘No’ To

Key Points: The U.S. Army rejected the Beretta M9A3 pistol in its Modular Handgun System (MHS) program, favoring a more modern firearm. -While the...

Steve BalestrieriApril 14, 2025

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. – F-22 Raptors from the 1st Fighter Wing sit in position on the runway fduring the Elephant Walk at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, Jan. 31, 2025. The surge was designed to showcase the wing’s operational readiness and its ability to rapidly mobilize airpower. The 1st FW operates F-22 Raptors and T-38 Talons, maintaining combat capabilities that enable the U.S. Air Force to execute missions across the globe. With a focus on air superiority, the 1st FW plays a critical role in defending the nation’s interests. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Matthew Coleman-Foster)

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

F-22 Raptor: 5 Reasons This Is the Best Fighter on Earth

The US Air Force’s F-22 Raptor is the best fighter in the world today. Period. And that’s a great thing for America. In fact,...

Steve BalestrieriApril 14, 2025

Vanguard-Class Submarine From Royal Navy

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The Royal Navy’s New Dreadnought-Class Missile Submarine Is Coming

Article Summary: The Royal Navy’s Dreadnought-class submarines are the most advanced nuclear deterrent Britain has ever built, featuring stealthy propulsion and cutting-edge missile capabilities....

Steve BalestrieriApril 12, 2025

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Forget the F-35: EA-18G Growler Might Be the Navy’s Most Important Warplane

Article Summary: The EA-18G Growler is the U.S. Navy’s premier electronic warfare (EW) aircraft, built to suppress enemy air defenses and dominate the electromagnetic...

Steve BalestrieriApril 12, 2025

A B-52H Stratofortress taxis down the runway at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Sept. 16, 2021. The bomber is capable of flying at high subsonic speeds at altitudes up to 50,000 feet. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Wright)

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RANKED: 5 Worst U.S. Military Bombers to Ever Fly

Nobody even considered the bomber a possibility at the turn of the twentieth century. But by the start of World War II, the bomber...

Steve BalestrieriApril 11, 2025

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USS Wasp (CV-7): Meet the ‘Worst’ Aircraft Carrier Ever

Article Summary and Key Points: The USS Wasp (CV-7) was an aircraft carrier built under the constraints of the Washington Naval Treaty, which limited...

Steve BalestrieriApril 11, 2025