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Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

IDF fields RAMPAGE stand‑off missiles on F‑16I Sufas ahead of strikes on Iran

The Israel Defense Forces released images of Israeli Air Force F‑16I Sufa fighters fitted with RAMPAGE stand‑off missiles ahead of large‑scale strikes on Iran. The photos confirm operational carriage of the new stand‑off munition on frontline combat jets and underscore changes to Israel's strike posture.

2026-03-01T04:46:18.153891-08:00

Reuters

U.S. urges Portugal to pick F‑35 as F‑16 replacement ahead of 2025 reassessment

2026-02-23T01:41:28.824896-08:00

AeroTime

Reports of covert U.S.-Dutch-Ukrainian F-16 squadron defending Kyiv; Ukraine denies foreign combat pilots

2026-02-17T07:50:02.809275-08:00

The War Zone

US F-16s deploy to Middle East with 'Angry Kitten' EW pods

2026-02-20T15:50:09.269812-08:00

News Timeline

Air Data News

IDF fields RAMPAGE stand‑off missiles on F‑16I Sufas ahead of strikes on Iran The Israel Defense Forces released images of Israeli Air Force F‑16I Sufa fighters fitted with RAMPAGE stand‑off missiles ahead of large‑scale strikes on Iran. The photos confirm operational carriage of the new stand‑off munition on frontline combat jets and underscore changes to Israel's strike posture.

2026-03-01T04:46:18.153891-08:00

IDF fields RAMPAGE stand‑off missiles on F‑16I Sufas ahead of strikes on Iran

Reuters

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U.S. urges Portugal to pick F‑35 as F‑16 replacement ahead of 2025 reassessment The U.S. ambassador to Portugal, John Arrigo, has urged Lisbon to select Lockheed Martin's F‑35 Lightning II to replace its ageing F‑16 fleet, saying the stealth fighter would guarantee interoperability with Europe’s top air forces as Portugal prepares a 2025 reassessment of its fighter plans.

2026-02-23T01:41:28.824896-08:00

U.S. urges Portugal to pick F‑35 as F‑16 replacement ahead of 2025 reassessment

The War Zone

US F-16s deploy to Middle East with 'Angry Kitten' EW pods The U.S. is deploying F-16s to the Middle East equipped with 'Angry Kitten' electronic-warfare pods to improve survivability for fourth-generation fighters conducting Wild Weasel/SEAD missions. The pods provide onboard jamming and enhanced self‑protection, complementing broader US efforts to field advanced EW and anti-radiation capabilities in the region.

2026-02-20T15:50:09.269812-08:00

US F-16s deploy to Middle East with 'Angry Kitten' EW pods

The War Zone

Top Aces fits AESA, IRST, HMD and Link 16 to its F‑16 aggressors Top Aces has upgraded its F‑16 aggressor fleet with an AESA radar, IRST, helmet‑mounted display and an open‑architecture mission system, and added Link 16. The package networks sensors and situational awareness into adversary aircraft to deliver higher‑fidelity, data‑linked red‑air training.

2026-02-19T10:13:33.612312-08:00

Top Aces fits AESA, IRST, HMD and Link 16 to its F‑16 aggressors

AeroTime

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Reports of covert U.S.-Dutch-Ukrainian F-16 squadron defending Kyiv; Ukraine denies foreign combat pilots Multiple reports say a covert multinational F-16 squadron — staffed by U.S., Dutch and Ukrainian pilots on six‑month contracts — is flying combat missions to defend Kyiv and intercept Russian missiles and drones. The Ukrainian Air Force has rejected those claims, saying no foreign pilots are conducting combat sorties.

2026-02-17T07:50:02.809275-08:00

Reports of covert U.S.-Dutch-Ukrainian F-16 squadron defending Kyiv; Ukraine denies foreign combat pilots

The War Zone

NORAD: California F-16s scrambled twice Sunday to investigate mysterious targets — balloons, not UFOs NORAD scrambled F-16s out of California twice on Sunday to intercept unidentified targets over Nevada and California. After both intercepts, the aircraft reported the objects were balloons rather than unknown aircraft, with officials treating the missions as routine responses to airspace alerts.

2026-02-16T15:09:49.712496-08:00

NORAD: California F-16s scrambled twice Sunday to investigate mysterious targets — balloons, not UFOs

DefenseNews.com

Slovakia in talks with US to buy four additional F-16s, boosting fleet to 18 Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said Bratislava is in talks with the United States to buy four additional Lockheed Martin F‑16s — increasing Slovakia’s Block 70 order to 18 — after transferring jets to Ukraine, a move intended to restore the country’s air‑policing and sovereignty.

2026-02-16T05:25:36.084345-08:00

Slovakia in talks with US to buy four additional F-16s, boosting fleet to 18

The War Zone

Turkish F-16s deploy to Mogadishu International Airport as fighting with al-Shabab escalates Turkish F-16 fighters have deployed to Mogadishu International Airport as clashes with al-Shabab intensify, marking a direct Turkish military presence in Somalia. The arrival at the capital's airport raises security risks for civil aviation and underscores Ankara's growing regional assertiveness.

2026-02-03T16:35:46.682801-08:00

Turkish F-16s deploy to Mogadishu International Airport as fighting with al-Shabab escalates

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F-16 News

IDF fields RAMPAGE stand‑off missiles on F‑16I Sufas ahead of strikes on Iran

U.S. urges Portugal to pick F‑35 as F‑16 replacement ahead of 2025 reassessment

Reports of covert U.S.-Dutch-Ukrainian F-16 squadron defending Kyiv; Ukraine denies foreign combat pilots

US F-16s deploy to Middle East with 'Angry Kitten' EW pods

News Timeline