Global Conflict Reporting

Tag: US military

  • U.S. Navy Announces AIM-424 ‘Malice’ LRAAM.

    U.S. Navy Announces AIM-424 ‘Malice’ LRAAM.

    This week, the AIM-242 Malice, a LRAAM (Long Range Air-to-air Missile), was announced by the U.S. Navy. 

    We don’t know much about the missile, but what we do know is that it was quietly worked on by Raytheon and is capable of hitting targets over 250 nautical miles (463 kilometers) away, according to Navy reporting. Its 13.5″ diameter and aerodynamic profile were built for range as well as for the ability to be carried by fighters with internal weapons bays.

    The missile was officially announced on August 22, 2026, at the Tailhook symposium in Reno, Nevada. The Navy announced there that the weapon was already in flight testing and being developed for deployment on the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, the Lockheed Martin F-35, and the future F/A-XX program.  

    Two AIM-424

    It’s thought that the development of the AIM-424 comes from the Long-Range Engagement Weapon (LREW) special access program first disclosed to the public in 2017. At the time, the US Air Force was looking for a two-stage air-to-air missile that could be carried in the internal weapons bay of a stealth fighter (F-35 or F-22), a similar use case to AIM-424.

    The range of the AIM-424 has been quoted as around 250 nautical miles, which is similar to the publicly reported upper limits of the AIM-174B Gunslinger, which is a derivative of the sea-based RIM-174B Standard Extended Range Active Radar Missile (ERAM, Standard Missile-6, or SM-6). What the AIM-424 brings to the table is versatility, as the Gunslinger is a much larger missile and currently only known to be carried by the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. 


    A U.S. Navy Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet (BuNo 166673) of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 9 (VX-9) flies over the Point Mugu Sea Range in Southern California (USA), 24 September 2024. The aircraft carries two AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles, three AIM-120 AMRAAM and four AIM-174B long-range air-to-air missiles, an infrared search and track system (IRST) in a modified drop tank on its centerline, as well as an ATFLIR targeting pod on its left cheek station.

    The U.S. Air Force and Navy have both put a priority on extending the engagement range of its fighters as the U.S.’s potential enemies extend the range of their armaments. China fields the PL-17 with a reported range of over 300 miles.

    PLA Air Force J-16, armed with the PL-17 long-range air-to-air missile

    An important caveat to all of this is that the published range figures are usually much larger than what the missile can reasonably expect to make a hit on a target. The range is tested using high altitude, in good weather conditions, against a non-maneuvering target. The tests don’t use any sort of jamming or defensive countermeasures. Taking these factors into account, the range these that any air-to-air missile can expect to score a kill is much shorter than what is published. 

    In air-to-air combat, you have a concept of the No-Escape Zone (NEZ). This is the volume of space in which the target cannot defeat the missile through pure kinematics (turning away, accelerating, diving, or any combination of those) no matter how well the pilot flies. Outside the NEZ, the probability of kill (Pk) falls off steeply. For many conventional solid-rocket missiles (most of them), the NEZ is often roughly one-third (or less) of the advertised maximum range.

     A related concept is the practical effective engagement range against an alert, maneuvering fighter that is using countermeasures. That distance is usually even shorter than the pure kinematic NEZ once you factor in real-world degradation factors. 

    Most missiles that use solid rocket fuel burn their fuel very quickly, most medium range within the first 10-12 seconds of launch. After that, burnout the missile is coasting. It is a finite amount of energy that it must manage all the way to the target. Course corrections and drag come into play, and at very long range, the missile could simply lose all energy and “go ballistic”, keeping a straight course and falling to the Earth. 

    While these factors are all important it shows why companies are continuing to push the envelope and produce these long range systems, as the more you can push the ideal range, the longer range that the missile will have under less than ideal combat situations where the enemy is jamming the missile, and using ever tool he has to evade.

  • U.S. resumes strikes on Iran. 

    U.S. resumes strikes on Iran. 

    On Tuesday July 7 2026, the U.S. launched a wave of strikes on Iran in retaliation for recent strikes carried out in international shipping by Iran. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) put the following statement following the strikes. 

     

    Video from Bandar Abbas showed explosions as the U.S. Air Force and Navy carried out their strikes over 80 targets, including 60 IRGC speedboats in and near the Strait of Hormuz.

    Video shows U.S.Strikes on Bandar Abbas.

    The U.S. also targeted Iranian air defense systems, command and control networks, coastal radar sites, and anti-ship missile capabilities. This is the largest strike since the ceasefire was agreed upon in April.

    Further explosions were reported in Sirik and as far as Kharg Island, Iran’s largest oil facility handling 90% of its oil export. The U.S. previously struck targets on the island in April; however, it stuck to just hitting military sites and infrastructure and leaving the oil export untouched.

    Official U.S. of the strikes

    NASA Firms is a satellite program used primarily to track wildfires. That data can also be used to track combat strikes. Some area show on FIRMS every days, such as industrial zones however tonight shows multiple fires where we wouldn’t expect to see fires in Iran, and specially looking at Bandar Abbas and the Geruk area.

    Strikes one and two in Bandar Abbas show what seems to be strikes on the port where smaller IRGC patrol boats are kept. Video from the city confirms this as well.
    Close up on the port to the left.
    Second port
    NASA FIRMS shows potentially two locations struck here at Sarkhur Tahruyi. The boat dock itself as well as what looks to be a comms tower of some sort.
    This comms antenna is right beside the dock and also shows signs of being struck.

    Iranian response

    Khatam al-Anbiya Central, Iran’s top joint military command, put out a statement saying that the U.S. had committed a “blatant act of aggression” by targeting parts of southern Iran. The statement said Iranian armed forces would deliver a “crushing response.” The command also said that it would accept no U.S. interference in the management of the Strait of Hormuz and that the only safe passage for commercial shipping and tankers was the route Iran has laid out.

    In the hours after Bahrain was the first to report incoming Iranian drones and missiles, they announced their people should seek shelter and that their army was engaging hostile missiles. Kuwait also received incoming fire.

  • U.S. and Iran Trade Fresh Strikes Near Strait of Hormuz, Testing Ceasefire

    U.S. and Iran Trade Fresh Strikes Near Strait of Hormuz, Testing Ceasefire

    Wednesday, May 27, 2026, U.S. forces launched a fresh wave of strikes on Iranian targets, primarily in southern Iran. The strikes came after U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that Iran had launched a ballistic missile toward a U.S. base in Kuwait. The missile was reported as being intercepted by Kuwait forces. Hours earlier, Iran had launched a wave of four one-way attack drones, which were shot down by U.S. forces.

    This exchange continues a pattern of back-and-forth attacks in the past week – from both sides – that has put the fragile April ceasefire to the test as negotiations are currently ongoing. A further 60 day ceasefire is awaiting a signature from U.S. President Donald Trump today.

    Timeline of strikes

    Here’s a timeline of events over the past week to provide clearer context:

    May 25, 2026

    Iran attempted to deploy naval mines near the Strait of Hormuz, posing risks to U.S. forces and shipping. U.S. forces responded by sinking IRGC vessels involved in the mine-laying efforts. Iran then fired surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) at U.S. aircraft. These actions set the stage for the clashes that followed.

    [Video Placeholder: Claimed intercepted missile tracking an F-35 or related footage]

    May 26, 2026 (Monday)

    U.S. CENTCOM carried out “self-defense” strikes in southern Iran, primarily in the Bandar Abbas area. The targets included Iranian missile launch sites and boats allegedly attempting to emplace naval mines in or near the Strait of Hormuz.

    The U.S. described the operation as necessary to protect troops and maritime traffic during the ongoing ceasefire. Some Iranian personnel were reported killed. Iranian officials viewed the strikes as a violation of the ceasefire.

    May 27, 2026 (Tuesday)

    U.S. forces shot down four Iranian one-way attack drones that were threatening the Strait of Hormuz area. They also struck an Iranian ground control station near Bandar Abbas International Airport to prevent a fifth drone launch.

    May 28, 2026 (Wednesday/Thursday, ongoing)

    The U.S. carried out additional defensive strikes near Bandar Abbas, targeting a military/ground control site linked to drone threats. U.S. forces intercepted Iranian drones. CENTCOM emphasized restraint while defending U.S. forces and interests.

    Video reportedly shows the U.S. attack on Bandar Abbas. A cruise missile can be seen flying through the sky before it strikes a target out of view of the camera.

    In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched a retaliatory ballistic missile (and reportedly a drone) attack toward a U.S. air base. The IRGC claimed it targeted the base responsible for the strikes near Bandar Abbas, which has been widely linked to facilities in Kuwait. Kuwait activated its air defenses and intercepted the incoming missile(s) and drones. No major casualties were reported. The IRGC called the strike a “serious warning” and threatened more decisive action if U.S. aggression continues.

    CENTCOM labeled Iran’s attack an “egregious ceasefire violation.” Iran also reported incidents involving warning shots at ships in the Hormuz area.

    Iranian sources dispute the U.S. claim of conducting purely self-defense strikes, arguing that Iran was only responding to aggressive U.S. actions.

    The White House and Tehran are currently working on a 60-day extension of the ceasefire to allow more time for negotiations.

    Video released from the IRGC shows the shoot down of a US AGM-158B JASSM-ER stealth cruise missile. The video is the view from a thermal detection systems, which is built around passive Infrared signals which can detect stealth aircraft because of the heat they emit. Earlier in the war a U.S. F-35 was struck because it was detected and tracked with this technology.

  • U.S. A-10 Warthog Shot Down; Pilot Ejects over Kuwait.

    U.S. A-10 Warthog Shot Down; Pilot Ejects over Kuwait.

    The U.S. confirms a Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II (Warthog) has been shot over the Persian Gulf. This aircraft was believed to have been a part of today’s C-SAR mission to recover the downed F-15E pilots in Iran or operating independently running operations near the strait. An A-10 was seen earlier near the area where the F-15E Strike Eagle was downed.

    The U.S. has confirmed the aircraft was downed/shot but have yet to say what weapon hit the aircraft. The pilot has already been recovered and is alive (some reports say he is receiving medical attention).The pilot managed to limp the aircraft to Kuwaiti airspace and ejected there, with the plane going down in Kuwait.

    This video was released by Iran as evidence of a shoot down however this aircraft looks more like an MQ-9 drone instead of an A-10.

    The A-10 is a ground-attack jet, known for its 30mm GAU-8 cannon and ability to operate at low altitude in contested environments. It is thought of by the soldiers whose lives it’s saved as the “King of CAS” however it is also useful in this conflict for interdicting Iranian fast attack boats and minelayers, and also being used to hit Iranian backed militia targets in Iraq. It is heavily armored and can carry a variety of munitions. The A-10 is also likely nearing the end of its service as some in the Air Force leadership continue to push for its retirement. While other platforms can do CAS work, like the F-16 and F-35, neither is a designated CAS platform and as such does the job with less success.

  • Confirmed- US fighter jet shot down over Iran. C-SAR mission ongoing for pilots.

    Confirmed- US fighter jet shot down over Iran. C-SAR mission ongoing for pilots.

    (Updated)

    The videos have all been geolocated by GCR to an area of western/southwestern Iran. The search area appears very large — two of the videos when geolocated show areas at least 150 miles apart. One is a bridge going over the Karun River in Khuzestan province, the other video shows an A-10 thought to be providing air cover for C-SAR assets located 150 miles south near Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province.

    A U.S. Air Force fighter has been shot down over Iran according to two U.S. officials who spoke with the Washington Post. The fighter, an F-15E Strike Eagle from the 494th Fighter Squadron (“Panthers,” 48th Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, UK), carries a crew of two ,pilot and a weapons systems officer, both of whom are still missing after go ejecting from the aircraft.

    Currently a search and rescue mission is underway for the crew. Video verified by GCR shows HC-130J Combat King II aircraft flying low over parts of Iran. This tanker is also shown refueling at least two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, which specialize in C-SAR (Combat search and rescue) operations. Other videos from the same region show additional U.S. aircraft flying low over the area where the plane was thought to have been downed. In another video the search and rescue assets take small arms fire from the Iranian military/IRGC. Also shown in these videos is an HC-130 Combat King II which acts as a mobile surveillance platform and specializes in C-SAR missions.

    Some of the early GCR geolocation work showing the general search area.

    This news is less shocking than it could be, as this morning images appeared on Iranian state media that appeared to show the wreckage from a U.S. fighter. Iranian outlets (including Tasnim and IRIB) initially claimed the downed jet was an F-35 stealth fighter, but quickly aligned their reporting with the visible wreckage, which clearly matches an F-15E Strike Eagle. The debris shows burned and fragmented sections of the vertical tail, wings, and fuselage, with distinctive markings including the “LN” tail code, red/yellow band, “EUROPE” script, and U.S. Air Forces in Europe badge, consistent with the 494th FS aircraft.

    Iranian state television has gone further, urging civilians in the area to search for the missing American crew and offering rewards for their capture. The IRGC is treating the incident as a major propaganda victory.

    This is a rapidly developing story as part of the ongoing U.S./Israeli Operation Epic Fury. U.S. officials have confirmed the loss to select media, but CENTCOM has not yet issued a full public statement. GCR will continue monitoring and geolocating new videos as they emerge.

    Update 5:38 EST

    One pilot has been found and has been recovered. During the course of the search and rescue operation the rescue aircraft came under small arms fire. The helicopters were hit and but made it back to base. One A-10 was hit but made it back to friendly territory before ejecting according to CBS and The New York Times. Iran released a video showing a surface to air missile of some kind striking the A-10.

  • Buildup continues; signals potential attack on Iran.

    Buildup continues; signals potential attack on Iran.


    The United States military is continuing a buildup of forces which are signaling that an attack on Iran could be imminent. While recent movements have brought offensive might to the region, some of the important elements that one would expect to see, weren’t there. That changed today when a number of aircraft moved from US based in the continental US and Europe moved towards the Middle East and the CENTCOM area off Responsibility (AOR).

    First off we have two E-3G Sentry Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) Aircraft that were seen departing Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska on Monday (Feb.16), DENALI01/02, arrived at RAF Mildenhall early on Tuesday at about 5:30AM Eastern (Feb.17). We expect them to continue on towards the Middle East however this could just be a routine rotation. Still something to watch. These planes are the eyes, ears and command of the US forces, coordinating air and ground forces and using their long range radar to look at the big picture. 

    RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, at about 5AM Eastern time UK showed the arrival of 12 F-22 Raptors Stealth Fighters from the1st Fighter Wing supported by KC-46A Pegasus and KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refuelling tankers. They were flying out of Langley, Virginia. The F-22 Raptor is America’s most dominant air-to air platform and is usually tasked with air defense and air superiority but can also carry a number of ground attack weapons internally in its weapons bay. It was used in Syria to strike a number of ground targets, (usually with 1000lb JDAMS and GBu-39 SDB’s) and is useful for hitting high value targets in a hostile airspace using its stealth to open up air corridors for other strikers. I’d like to note that several days before Operation Midnight Hammer, when US B-2 Spirit bombers attacked Iran’s nuclear facilities, a similar crossing of F-22’s took place. 

    UK Reporting on the arrival.

    https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/american-stealth-fighters-arrive-in-uk-in-iran-build-up/

    A large number of F-16′ “Vipers” have also been reported on the move as well, according to open source flight tracking. At least 36 from various bases including Aviano Air Base in Italy, Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany and McEntire Joint National Guard Base (JNGB) in South Carolina. F-16’s are one of the ultimate multi-role aircraft of their time and can be used for almost anything. Air defense, ground attack, SEAD/DEAD, CAS, anything you ask of it, the F-16 can do, making it the true workhorse of the US Air Force. These will add to the limited number of F-16’s already in the region. 

    The last aviation asset on the move is a U-2 Dragon Lady spy plane on its way to the region, the U-2 conducts high altitude surveillance but can also serve as a communications link between some assets that cannot communicate with each other such as the F-22 and F-35. 

    The US navy is reporting to some outlets that an additional Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, USS Pinckney (DDG-91) has been deployed to the region.The Pinckney departed Singapore about a week ago after some maintenance and repairs. 

    What was already sent.

    GCR has covered the buildup since the first signs that Trump could decide to launch strikes on Iran. A link to the previous post can be found here.

    U.S. Aircraft carrier adds to the growing amount of forces in the Middle East

    And here.

    United States Orders Second Aircraft Carrier to the Middle East.

    Another useful map can be found here, created by analysts and writer Ian Ellis which shows a visual representation of what has been moved and where.

    These U.S. forces will almost undoubtedly be supported and assisted by the forces of the Israeli IDF who have a sizable Air Force as well, all of which they will no doubt make available.

    Another unseen element not mentioned is the U.S. bomber fleet which can be called to strike targets anywhere in the U.S. with minimal notice in less than 24 hours.

    The U.S. and Iran concluded their most recent set of negotiation talks early on Tuesday, Supreme leader Khamenei, talking about the arrival of the U.S. aircraft carriers to the region warned in Iranian media that that Iran’s weaponry could “sink them to the bottom of the sea.”

    “Our missile program is none of America’s business,”

    Khamenei declared in a speech.

  • United States Orders Second Aircraft Carrier to the Middle East.

    United States Orders Second Aircraft Carrier to the Middle East.


    The New York Times has reported that the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (CSG) will join the Abraham Lincoln CSG which arrived in the Arabian Sea earlier this month. This addition of another aircraft carrier, its escorts, and the air wing, will bolster the offensive and defensive capabilities of the forces in the region. The Ford left the Middle East late in 2025 and arrived in the Caribbean at the end of January 2026 for Operation Southern Spear, now it’s been ordered back, extending its current deployment past the normal 7 month rotation.

    Both carriers, as well as the other forces in the region, including several squadrons of F-15E Strike Eagles and F-35, are a part of a military buildup to put pressure on the Iranian regime. US president Donald Trump, had threatened military strikes if Iran refused to stop its violent crackdown on anti-regime protesters. The crackdown and murder carried out by soldiers of the state was well recorded and spread through social media, even through a complete internet blackout in Iran. 

    The USS Gerald R Ford CSG

    Recent image of the USS Ford CSG during its operations in the Caribbean. (Bonus B-52 flyover).

    The Gerald R. Ford-Class Carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) homeported at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia. 

    USS Ford returns to naval station Norfolk.

    Arleigh Burke-Class Guided Missile Destroyers USS Bainbridge (DDG-96) and USS Mahan (DDG-72), both homeported at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia. Also included is the Air Defense commander USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81) which is homeported at Naval Station Mayport, Florida. 

    On the Ford is Carrier Air wing 8, details listed below.

    The “Tomcatters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 31. Flying F/A-18E Super Hornets from Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia 

    VFA-31 Super Hornet

    The “Ragin Bulls” of VFA 37,also flying F/A-18E Super Hornets from Naval Air Station Oceana.

    The “Golden Warriors” of VFA 87 flying F/A-18E superhornets  from Naval Air Station Oceana.

    The “Black Lions” of VFA 213,  F/A-18F superhornets from Naval Air Station Oceana.

    The “Gray Wolves” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 142 flying EA-18G Growlers from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington.

    VAQ-142 Growler

    The “Bear Aces” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 124 Flying  E-2D Hawkeye from Naval Air Station Norfolk,Virginia.

    The “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Squadron (VRC) 40 Det. Flying C-2A Greyhounds from Naval Air Station Norfolk.

    The “Spartans” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 70 flying  MH-60R Seahawks from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla.

    The “Tridents” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 9 flying MH-60S Seahawks from Naval Air Station Norfolk.

    The CSG will also be accompanied by at least one unnamed attack submarine which is standard procedure. 

    Low missiles production a constant problem.

    According to a recent article by the New York Times, when Trump made his threats to Iran in January the Pentagon begged him to slow down because the usual mass of US assets and forces in the region had been either redeployed or used up in the recent engagements. The U.S. burned through several months If not years worth of production of its Patriot missile stock during the Iranian ballistic missile attacks on Israel. Not to mention the even more valuable THAAD interceptor missiles,used specificly for long range theater air defense, and recently reported to have been deployed to an airbase in Jordan, had at least 25% of total stocks in 2025 engagements. A large number of Sea and air-launched air defense missiles (SM-2, SM-6) were also expended, especially in the Red Sea, during Operation Prosperity Guardian, firing hundreds of missiles defending the sea lanes against Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles and drones.  

    US THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense)

    While missile production has pretty much gone up across all of the defense companies, there hasn’t been a long enough time for the military to benefit from these production increases. Take the Patriot missiles for example, an important asset for any future war, Lockheed Martin only makes around 600 of them a year.

    Bottom line and some opinions.

    With the addition of the second CSG in the region, the potential for strikes on Iran in the near future has increased in my opinion. The Ford has been on deployment since June of 2025, being redirected multiple times to respond to the changing geopolitical landscape around the world. Moving the ford to the Middle East instead of waiting for another carrier to be available shows that the leadership believes it is important to have an another carrier there, right now.

    I also believe that the U.S. should do whatever it can to avoid a long drawn out engagement in the Middle East at this time. The best option would be another “Midnight Hammer” style raid where they target several high value targets with anything other than TLAM cruise missiles, another asset the US (and CENTCOM especially) likes to deploy like it’s going out of style. My thinking here is that while the U.S. should do whatever it can for the people of Iran they also need to follow their own recommendation of focusing on the Pacific and countering China. Not to get too far off the original article but China is growing into a major threat in the Pacific and has the range with its weapons to make any engagement against them a nightmare without a surplus of land and and sea based advanced air defense weapons. The U.S. should have a base line, this is how many missiles that planners think we need for defending against China’s missiles in the Pacific and then not letting CENTCOM fire off 40-50 PAC-2 and 3 missiles in a weekend.

    What are your thoughts?

    Leave a comment or email me at:

    GlobalConflictReporting@Proton.me

    Always available for questions or comments as well as interviews with subject matter experts.