Iran launched a two-stage ballistic missile toward the U.S.-UK base on Diego Garcia, according to the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) Chief of Staff, in what would be the longest-range strike attempt ever attributed to Iran at roughly 4,000 km. Early assessments indicate a system that exceeds Iran’s declared 2,000-kilometer limits, signaling a significant expansion of its strike capability. The attempt places Diego Garcia, a cornerstone of U.S. bomber operations and Indo-Pacific logistics, within potential reach for the first time, forcing an immediate reassessment of base vulnerability, force dispersion, and missile defense priorities. It also raises escalation risks across the region, as Iran demonstrates a capacity to threaten high-value Western assets far beyond its previously accepted operational range. Read full Defense News at this link … Estimated 4,000 km strike envelope of Iran’s two-stage ballistic missile, extending reach from Iranian territory to Diego Garcia and markin...
U.S. Tests F-22 Raptor with Stealth Fuel Tanks and Sensor Pods for Long-Range Missions in Contested Airspace
On March 21, 2026, aviation photographer Jarod Hamilton captured the clearest public images yet of an F-22A Raptor flying with stealth-shaped external fuel tanks and faceted mission pods, including one with an apparent infrared or electro-optical sensor aperture. The images reveal a concrete upgrade to the U.S. Air Force’s premier air-superiority fighter, aimed at extending survivable range and enabling passive target detection in high-threat environments. Read Full Defense News At This Link. New images show an F-22 Raptor flying with stealth fuel tanks and sensor pods, signaling a U.S. push to extend range and boost passive detection in high-threat air combat (Picture Source: Jarod Hamilton on X) from World Defence News https://ift.tt/QDctATI via IFTTT