F-16 News

The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

US JCS chair Dan Caine says Ukrainian F-16 scored first air-to-air kill, downing a Russian Su-35S in early July

U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine told lawmakers that a Ukrainian F-16 shot down a Russian Su-35S in early July, marking the first recorded F-16 air-to-air victory for Ukraine. The announcement underscores shifting air combat effectiveness as Ukraine continues expanding its F-16 role.

10 Sources

2026-07-22T11:26:10.974937-07:00

DefenseNews.com

US Air Force completes milestone test of modified F-16 with AI-controlled flight at Eglin AFB

12 Sources

2026-07-20T05:55:29.616756-07:00

The Hill

NORAD scrambles F-16s and deploys flares after general aviation aircraft encroach on New Jersey restricted airspace during World

5 Sources

2026-07-20T10:54:11.824784-07:00

Breaking Defense

Air Force pauses F-16 ejection-seat competition ahead of a final 90-day decision

1 Source

2026-07-21T04:40:16.750960-07:00

F-16 News Timeline

The War Zone

10 sources

US JCS chair Dan Caine says Ukrainian F-16 scored first air-to-air kill, downing a Russian Su-35S in early July U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine told lawmakers that a Ukrainian F-16 shot down a Russian Su-35S in early July, marking the first recorded F-16 air-to-air victory for Ukraine. The announcement underscores shifting air combat effectiveness as Ukraine continues expanding its F-16 role.

2026-07-22T11:26:10.974937-07:00

US JCS chair Dan Caine says Ukrainian F-16 scored first air-to-air kill, downing a Russian Su-35S in early July

FlightGlobal

1 source

Elbit Systems pitches “F-35-like” sensor and self-protection upgrade for legacy F-16 fleets at Farnborough Elbit Systems says a sensor update can deliver “fifth-gen”-style situational awareness and self-protection capability to operators of legacy fighters such as the Lockheed Martin F-16. The Israeli defense firm is showcasing the technology at the Farnborough Airshow, positioning it as a retrofit path to modern survivability.

2026-07-22T10:43:25.945757-07:00

Elbit Systems pitches “F-35-like” sensor and self-protection upgrade for legacy F-16 fleets at Farnborough

Breaking Defense

1 source

Air Force pauses F-16 ejection-seat competition ahead of a final 90-day decision The Air Force has halted the competition for new ejection seats for the F-16, setting up a final decision within 90 days on whether the service should proceed with competing for the replacement deal. The pause follows a prior Air Force move to reopen the Next Generation Ejection Seat program.

2026-07-21T04:40:16.750960-07:00

Air Force pauses F-16 ejection-seat competition ahead of a final 90-day decision

The Hill

5 sources

❗️

NORAD scrambles F-16s and deploys flares after general aviation aircraft encroach on New Jersey restricted airspace during World NORAD reported that F-16 fighters intercepted multiple general aviation aircraft that entered temporary restricted airspace over Bedminster and East Rutherford, New Jersey, as the World Cup final was held at MetLife Stadium. Jets were scrambled three times and used flares to alert pilots while completing the intercepts.

2026-07-20T10:54:11.824784-07:00

NORAD scrambles F-16s and deploys flares after general aviation aircraft encroach on New Jersey restricted airspace during World

DefenseNews.com

12 sources

❗️

US Air Force completes milestone test of modified F-16 with AI-controlled flight at Eglin AFB The US Air Force has flown a modified F-16 under artificial-intelligence control during flight tests at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, marking a first step toward AI-operated tactical aircraft. Test efforts included piloted flights and autonomy trials with an AI flight kit installed and a test pilot remaining in the cockpit as backup.

2026-07-20T05:55:29.616756-07:00

US Air Force completes milestone test of modified F-16 with AI-controlled flight at Eglin AFB

FlightGlobal

3 sources

DARPA and U.S. Air Force conduct human-on-the-loop in-air testing of AI-capable F-16s using the VENOM Autonomy Kit DARPA and the U.S. Air Force are flying modified F-16s to test human-on-the-loop autonomy under the AI Reinforcements program. The VENOM Autonomy Kit uses an aftermarket controller that lets pilots switch between traditional manual flight controls and autonomous flight with a switch.

2026-07-17T02:58:38.844464-07:00

DARPA and U.S. Air Force conduct human-on-the-loop in-air testing of AI-capable F-16s using the VENOM Autonomy Kit

Reuters

7 sources

Turkey in talks with Russia over potential S-400 transfer as F-35 negotiations and U.S. sanctions lift efforts continue Turkey has started discussions with Russia to enable it to sell/transfer its S-400 air defense system, which led to Turkey’s removal from the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program. Turkish officials say the goal is to reach progress on lifting U.S. sanctions and preserve allied defense cooperation while keeping pathways open to purchase F-35s.

2026-07-10T08:29:46.346237-07:00

Turkey in talks with Russia over potential S-400 transfer as F-35 negotiations and U.S. sanctions lift efforts continue

AeroTime

29 sources

❗️

Zakynthos airport closed after Hellenic Air Force F-16 emergency landing and fire A Hellenic Air Force F-16C on a training flight made an emergency gear-up/belly landing at Zakynthos International Airport (July 9, 2026) following a mechanical malfunction. The single runway (16/34) was closed via NOTAM “for operational reasons,” disrupting hundreds of passengers until recovery operations cleared the damaged aircraft.

2026-07-09T07:16:03.308622-07:00

Zakynthos airport closed after Hellenic Air Force F-16 emergency landing and fire