Nuclear Archives

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Baby Blackbird: Lockheed Built a Mach 3.3 Drone to Photograph China’s Nuclear Facility — All 4 Missions Failed and One Crashed in the USSR

The Lockheed D-21 was a Mach 3.3 reconnaissance drone. Lockheed’s Skunk Works built it in the early 1960s. Its mission: photograph China’s Lop Nor...

Brandon WeichertMay 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

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

PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 24, 2024) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) transits the Philippine Sea, Sept. 24, 2024. Theodore Roosevelt, flagship of Carrier Strike Group 9, is underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Adina Phebus)

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

In 2005, a Swedish Gotland-Class Submarine Slipped Past a U.S. Navy Carrier Strike Group — Undetected for the Entire Exercise

In 2005, a Swedish Saab-built Gotland-class diesel-electric submarine slipped past an entire U.S. Navy aircraft carrier strike group during joint naval drills — undetected....

Caleb LarsonMay 8, 2026

(Mar. 21, 2025) – The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine, USS Santa Fe (SSN 763), transits the Pacific Ocean, March 21, 2025. Santa Fe is one of four Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarines assigned to Commander, Submarine Squadron 11. Santa Fe is part of Commander Submarine Squadron 11, home to four Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarines, which are capable of supporting various missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-ship warfare, strike warfare and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Keenan Daniels)

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The U.S. Navy Has a Submarine Crisis — America’s Broken Shipyards Can’t Build Even Cheap Diesel-Electric Subs Anymore

The U.S. Navy is currently experiencing a submarine crisis. It needs more submarines than it has at its disposal. America’s naval shipyards are backlogged,...

Brandon WeichertMay 7, 2026

A U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler prepares to refuel from a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, March 29, 2025. The Growlers are assigned to the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group supporting maritime security operations in the CENTCOM AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gerald R. Willis)

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Iran Wants to Make Sure it Can ‘Close’ the Strait of Hormuz Anytime It Wants

“Project Freedom” lasted 48 hours. The U.S. military launched escort operations through the Strait of Hormuz on May 5, sank six Iranian small boats,...

Andrew LathamMay 6, 2026

Mach 3 D-21 Drone at the U.S. Air Force Museum

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

In 1964, Lockheed Skunk Works Built a ‘SR-71’ Drone That Hit Mach 3 and 95,000 Feet — Many Drones Today Can’t Match It

The D-21B was the SR-71 Blackbird’s little brother—a Mach 3 spy drone built by Lockheed’s legendary Skunk Works division to fly reconnaissance missions over...

Christian OrrMay 5, 2026

Type 093B Submarine from China. Image Credit: Screengrab.

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

China Launched 10 Nuclear Submarines in 4 Years — The U.S. Built 7 in the Same Period and Can’t Match Beijing’s Pace

China’s first Type 095 Sui-class nuclear-powered attack submarine has just been spotted preparing for sea trials at the Bohai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry Company shipyard...

Reuben JohnsonMay 4, 2026

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

2,117 Days Trapped in the Shipyard: Nuclear Aircraft Carrier USS George Washington Was Out of Action for 6 Years

The nearly six-year-long overhaul of the USS George Washington is a story (and a lesson) the U.S. Navy won’t soon forget. That Refueling and...

Jack BuckbyApril 28, 2026

National Security Journal

All posts tagged "Nuclear"

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Baby Blackbird: Lockheed Built a Mach 3.3 Drone to Photograph China’s Nuclear Facility — All 4 Missions Failed and One Crashed in the USSR

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

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

In 2005, a Swedish Gotland-Class Submarine Slipped Past a U.S. Navy Carrier Strike Group — Undetected for the Entire Exercise

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

The U.S. Navy Has a Submarine Crisis — America’s Broken Shipyards Can’t Build Even Cheap Diesel-Electric Subs Anymore

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

Iran Wants to Make Sure it Can ‘Close’ the Strait of Hormuz Anytime It Wants

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

In 1964, Lockheed Skunk Works Built a ‘SR-71’ Drone That Hit Mach 3 and 95,000 Feet — Many Drones Today Can’t Match It

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

China Launched 10 Nuclear Submarines in 4 Years — The U.S. Built 7 in the Same Period and Can’t Match Beijing’s Pace

Military Hardware: Tanks, Bombers, Submarines and More

2,117 Days Trapped in the Shipyard: Nuclear Aircraft Carrier USS George Washington Was Out of Action for 6 Years

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