The War Zone
• Tyler Rogoway
The U.S. Navy has publicly disclosed the AIM-424 Malice, a next-generation long-range air-to-air missile now undergoing testing and evaluation. With a reported engagement range exceeding 250 nautical miles (463 kilometers), Malice would substantially extend the reach of carrier-based fighter aviation.
Aircraft Carrier
Latest source-backed stories
High activity
The U.S. Navy has publicly disclosed the AIM-424 Malice, a next-generation long-range air-to-air missile now undergoing testing and evaluation. With a reported engagement range exceeding 250 nautical miles (463 kilometers), Malice would substantially extend the reach of carrier-based fighter aviation.
China’s fourth aircraft carrier is continuing to take shape, according to the latest imagery and reporting. The vessel could become the country’s first nuclear-powered carrier, a development that would mark a significant evolution in China’s carrier fleet and long-term naval aviation ambitions.
A U.S. aircraft carrier has departed the Middle East after an extended deployment, marking a shift in the region’s naval posture as Washington manages carrier availability and ongoing security demands.
The U.S. Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, USS John F. Kennedy, has completed acceptance sea trials, marking a key construction milestone before its planned 2027 entry into service. The trials advance the carrier toward delivery and operational integration with the fleet.
High activity
The Asia-based USS George Washington has begun operating in the Middle East, relieving the USS Abraham Lincoln after a nine-month deployment largely supporting U.S. operations against Iran. The Nimitz-class carrier recorded its 200,000th fixed-wing aircraft recovery while transiting to the region.
President Donald Trump has ordered a change to the warplane launch systems planned for new U.S. aircraft carriers. The contractor responsible for the systems says the switch could increase program costs, putting the administration’s carrier and naval aviation priorities at odds with established procurement plans.
Families of service members aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln are raising concerns about the aircraft carrier’s uninterrupted 270-day deployment in the Middle East. The complaints underscore the personnel and family pressures associated with sustained naval operations in a region requiring prolonged U.S. military presence.
President Trump is pushing for major changes to U.S. aircraft carrier design, including a return to steam catapults and relocating the carrier island. The demands could disrupt established procurement plans and delay future Navy acquisitions as the service and industry assess the implications.
Create a free account to see more recent Aircraft Carrier stories and keep bookmarks in one place.
