Latest news with #USAF
9 News
a day ago
- Politics
- 9 News
'One weapon, one plane' that can end Iran's nuclear program
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here Israel claims that in the last few days it has taken complete control of Iran's airspace, and that it has set back the country's nuclear program immensely with targeted attacks on key sites and people. So why is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu still courting a US entry into the conflict ? It comes down to one weapon. The US GBU-57 massive ordnance penetrator, or "bunker buster" missile. (CNN) Iran's key nuclear enrichment facility, Fordow, is buried up to 100m below the surface of the ground, rendering it all but impervious to Israeli aerial action. And observers say that while this facility is online, Iran's nuclear program may be set back, but it's not knocked out. "There is only one weapon in the world that can destroy a place like Fordow, and there's only one plane in the world that can carry that weapon," retired US Air Force colonel and CNN military analyst Cedric Leighton said. The bunker buster can only be carried by a B2 bomber. (CNN) That weapon is the "bunker buster" that has been brought up at times during the ongoing turmoil. More properly, it's the GBU-57, a massive ordnance penetrator (MOP). The MOP is a six-metre, 13.6-tonne bomb that can strike a deeply buried target after multiple impacts with "pinpoint accuracy", Leighton said. And the only plane in the world capable of carrying it is the USAF B2 bomber. "Israel doesn't have any of these planes, or any of these bombs, and that's why they want the US to join their aerial campaign against Iran," Leighton said. President Donald Trump has given himself a two-week deadline to decide whether the US will do so. national War Weapons military Iran USA World CONTACT US
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Planespotters gather at airbase as jets arrive
Planespotters have gathered outside an airbase after a dozen jets rarely seen outside of the United States landed. F-22 Raptor fighter jets, which are exclusively flown by the US Air Force (USAF), arrived at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk on Wednesday night. It comes as at least 30 other US military planes were moved from bases in the United States to Europe over the past few days as Israel and Iran continue to attack each other. A United States defence official said they were unable to provide details about the deployment of aircraft due to "operational security". RAF Lakenheath hosts the USAF's 48th Fighter Wing and is the largest US fighter operation in Europe. The wing employs four combat-ready fighter squadrons of F-15 Strike Eagles and F-35A Lighting II aircraft. Planespotters at RAF Lakenheath reported an increase in activity over the past few days with the F-22 jets' arrival as well as 16 F-35As leaving on Monday. They expressed excitement at being able to see the aircraft but also concern at the reasons for their appearance. John Millard travelled to the viewing area to get a look for himself and said it was often "jam packed" when news of incoming jets breaks. "It's one of their stealth fighter bombers and of course in coming here there's been a lot of interest," he said of the F-22 jets. "Here at Lakenheath they've got the F-15s and F-35s so it's unusual for another fighter bomber to actually arrive." The base is currently closed due to a United States holiday and the jets were expected to be leaving again in the next few days. "Unfortunately we don't know which runway they'll be using, it all depends on the wind," Mr Millard continued. "But yes, I'll come along." Mick Coppin travelled from Lincolnshire to the base to watch the activity. "It's quite exciting for me today hearing that news - we now hope to see some F-22 Raptors because they're awesome planes," he said. "We don't know the reason there here... but just to see one would be spectacular. "It's the sheer power and you don't see them outside the USA, to see them here would be wonderful." Mr Coppin believed the arrival of the F-22s "should concern us all", but he added there was "nothing we can do about it". Steve Huntley came up from Essex and got to the viewing point early. "I've been going to many airshows over the years and never seen one and the fact that 12 (F-22s) arrived here last night is really something," he said. "It's a very rare sight." Mr Huntley did not believe it was something to be worried about. "I think it's more of a deterrent," he added. "They're the best fighter aircraft in the world... they're an amazing aircraft and for an enthusiast it's like Christmas." Tanker aircrafts have also been spotted arriving at nearby RAF Mildenhall. The 352nd Special Operations Wing, based at the site, performs specialised operations and uses advanced aircraft, tactics and air fuelling techniques to transport and resupply military forces. An United States official told the BBC: "Due to operational security, we cannot provide details about the deployment of aircraft, personnel, or capabilities." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. US moves 30 jets as Iran attack speculation grows Trump approves Iran attack plan but has not made final decision, reports say Your questions answered on the Israel-Iran conflict RAF Lakenheath
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
RAF Lakenheath planespotters gather as F-22 fighter jets arrive
Planespotters have gathered outside an airbase after a dozen jets rarely seen outside of the United States landed.F-22 Raptor fighter jets, which are exclusively flown by the US Air Force (USAF), arrived at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk on Wednesday comes as at least 30 other US military planes were moved from bases in the United States to Europe over the past few days as Israel and Iran continue to attack each other.A United States defence official said they were unable to provide details about the deployment of aircraft due to "operational security". RAF Lakenheath hosts the USAF's 48th Fighter Wing and is the largest US fighter operation in wing employs four combat-ready fighter squadrons of F-15 Strike Eagles and F-35A Lighting II at RAF Lakenheath reported an increase in activity over the past few days with the F-22 jets' arrival as well as 16 F-35As leaving on Monday. They expressed excitement at being able to see the aircraft but also concern at the reasons for their appearance. John Millard travelled to the viewing area to get a look for himself and said it was often "jam packed" when news of incoming jets breaks."It's one of their stealth fighter bombers and of course in coming here there's been a lot of interest," he said of the F-22 jets."Here at Lakenheath they've got the F-15s and F-35s so it's unusual for another fighter bomber to actually arrive."The base is currently closed due to a United States holiday and the jets were expected to be leaving again in the next few days."Unfortunately we don't know which runway they'll be using, it all depends on the wind," Mr Millard continued."But yes, I'll come along." Mick Coppin travelled from Lincolnshire to the base to watch the activity."It's quite exciting for me today hearing that news - we now hope to see some F-22 Raptors because they're awesome planes," he said."We don't know the reason there here... but just to see one would be spectacular."It's the sheer power and you don't see them outside the USA, to see them here would be wonderful."Mr Coppin believed the arrival of the F-22s "should concern us all", but he added there was "nothing we can do about it". Steve Huntley came up from Essex and got to the viewing point early."I've been going to many airshows over the years and never seen one and the fact that 12 (F-22s) arrived here last night is really something," he said."It's a very rare sight."Mr Huntley did not believe it was something to be worried about."I think it's more of a deterrent," he added."They're the best fighter aircraft in the world... they're an amazing aircraft and for an enthusiast it's like Christmas." Tanker aircrafts have also been spotted arriving at nearby RAF 352nd Special Operations Wing, based at the site, performs specialised operations and uses advanced aircraft, tactics and air fuelling techniques to transport and resupply military forces. An United States official told the BBC: "Due to operational security, we cannot provide details about the deployment of aircraft, personnel, or capabilities." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Telegraph
a day ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Britain ‘may have to inform Iran ally Mauritius' before air strikes from Chagos
Britain will be required to inform Mauritius about any future air strikes on Iran because of Sir Keir Starmer's Chagos Islands deal. The Iranian ally may have to be given advance warning about such strikes, after the Government decided to give away the Indian Ocean territory and lease back the Diego Garcia military base there. The base, which is jointly used by the UK and US, has previously been used for bombing runs on Iraq and Afghanistan. The US Air Force (USAF) has recently stationed B-2 long-range bombers there, which could be used if Donald Trump decides to launch an attack on Iran.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
United States Air Force Awards Gentex Corporation Aircrew Laser Eye Protection (ALEP) Ballistic Day and Night Spectacle Contract
CARBONDALE, Pa., June 18, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Gentex Corporation, a global leader in personal protection and situational awareness solutions for defense forces, aircrew, emergency responders and industrial personnel, announced today that it was awarded an additional United States Air Force Aircrew Laser Eye Protection (ALEP) contract to develop and produce its laser protective eyewear for aircrew, the Block 3 Day and Night Ballistic Spectacles. This order includes more than 3,800 Block 3 Day and Night Ballistic Spectacles over the next 18 months, including development and full rate production. The new ballistic spectacle joins the unique USAF Block 3 product line and follows Gentex's five previously awarded delivery orders for the USAF Block 3 Contract, which include the Ballistic Day Spectacle, Ballistic Night Spectacle, Day Spectacle, Aircrew Night Vision Goggles Joined LEP (ANJL) and Night Spectacle, totaling 29,400 pieces of state-of-the-art laser protective eyewear. The Block 3 LEP eyewear provides the warfighter a variety of form factors to best suit their mission profile and replaces the Block 2 spectacles with a higher performance product line. "Gentex is proud to continue to serve the USAF team and warfighters by providing the best ocular protection available to maintain their mission effectiveness while staying safe," said John Cueva, Senior Director of Optics at Gentex Corporation. About Gentex Corporation With a history of innovation that spans for 130 years, Gentex Corporation is the leading supplier of high-performance flight equipment for military, law enforcement, aircrew and aircraft maintainers worldwide. The company's comprehensive line of durable and innovative helmet systems for fixed wing, rotary wing and cross-platform applications allows for the easy integration of advanced capability upgrades without sacrificing protection. An equally comprehensive line of hearing protection and communication solutions provide these users with superior hearing protection and precise, intelligible communications in the most extreme noise environments. Learn more at View source version on Contacts Media Contact Alexandra E. Braxabrax@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
