MiG-25 “Foxbat”: Mach 2.83 (about 1,900 mph / 3,058 km/h), the fastest operational fighter; in 1976 a defector flew one to Japan and testing reached Mach 3.2, with only a handful remaining in service as recon aircraft. MiG-31 “Foxhound”: Mach 2.83 (≈1,900 mph / 3,058 km/h) long-range interceptor and one of the fastest jets still…
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Zurich follows Swiss federal drone law under FOCA; there are no separate Zurich drone laws, though local rules may restrict use near parks, events, or sensitive sites such as the Kasernenareal. There is no distinction between recreational and commercial drone use in Switzerland; both follow the same rules, including registration, pilot testing, insurance, altitude limits,…
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Luxembourg implements EU drone rules by risk category (Open, Specific, Certified), with no legal distinction between recreational and commercial pilots. Open category comprises three subcategories—A1, A2, and A3—defined by drone weight and proximity to people, with most everyday flights falling under Open. Maximum altitude is 120 meters above ground, drones must stay in visual line…
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Since December 31, 2020, EU drone regulations governing Open, Specific and Certified categories apply in Denmark, with a 120-meter altitude limit in the Open category. Registration requires most operators to register with Trafikstyrelsen, and drones weighing 250 grams or heavier, or any drone with a camera, must display a visible Operator ID on the drone,…
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In 1958, the Mirage III became the first Western European combat aircraft to exceed Mach 2 in level flight. The Mirage IIIC entered French service by 1961. The Mirage F1 first flew in 1966 and could land about 60 knots slower than the Mirage III. The Mirage 2000 first flew in 1978 and introduced fly-by-wire…
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In June 2025, F-22 Raptors from the 1st Fighter Wing deployed from Langley AFB to the Middle East as part of Operation Midnight Hammer, joining a strike package of 125 U.S. aircraft including B-2 bombers dropping 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs on Iran’s Fordow and Natanz, marking the Raptor’s first direct strikes against a nation-state. On July…
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March–May 2025: six B-2 Spirit bombers deployed to Diego Garcia to strike Houthi targets in Yemen, marking the bomber’s first combat employment in years. June 21–22, 2025: seven B-2s launched from Whiteman AFB for Operation Midnight Hammer, striking Iran’s Fordow and Natanz facilities after an 18-hour flight with multiple refuelings and dropping 14 GBU-57A/B Massive…
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Greece implements the EU Drone Regulation 2019/947 and 2019/945, effective end of 2020, using Open, Specific, and Certified risk-based categories. The Open category allows drones under 25 kg to fly up to 120 meters and in visual line-of-sight with no prior authorization if the rules are followed. Registration is required for drones over 250 g…
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FCAS/SCAF aims to field a “system of systems” including a Next-Generation Fighter (NGF) with remote carrier drones and a combat cloud, targeting 2040 in-service and costs exceeding €100 billion. The United States’ NGAD is a “family of systems” with a manned core fighter plus loyal wingman drones, potentially costing around $300 million per fighter and…
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The FAA has exclusive authority over U.S. airspace, so federal rules govern drones in Los Angeles while local city/county rules govern ground-based restrictions like takeoff/landing sites and permits. Recreational drones weighing more than 0.55 pounds must be registered with the FAA for $5, pass the free TRUST test, fly below 400 feet AGL, stay in…
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