All articles by Craig Hoyle – Page 39
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AnalysisWhich types departed our World Air Forces fleet listing?
We highlight some of the most notable national fleet retirements recorded in the 12 months since we published our last World Air Forces directory at the end of 2021.
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NewsUS Air National Guard recommends acquiring Leonardo's BriteCloud decoy
The US Air National Guard (ANG) has taken a significant step towards acquiring Leonardo’s BriteCloud 218 active decoy to protect its Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters, after issuing a so-called fielding recommendation.
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NewsQinetiq-led team gets new Tempest engineering support contract
A Qinetiq-led team has been awarded £31 million ($37 million) to continue delivering engineering support to the UK’s Future Combat Air System programme until mid-2025.
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NewsGermany reports key agreement will revive stalled FCAS effort
Europe’s three-nation Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme has edged closer to entering its delayed next stage, following the conclusion of key talks.
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NewsRAF Voyager tanker makes history with 100% SAF-powered flight
A UK Royal Air Force (RAF) tanker/transport has conducted a milestone flight performed using only sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), with the service and its industry partners claiming the achievement to be a world first.
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AnalysisHow Leonardo’s M-346 helped Italy to become a training Master
A little over a decade since the first customer example of Leonardo’s M-346 advanced jet trainer was handed over, the type is now in service with six nations, and supporting the instruction of new pilots for multiple other air forces.
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NewsBahraini AH-1Z makes show debut, as deliveries gather pace
One of Bahrain’s newly delivered Bell AH-1Z attack helicopters broke cover on the opening day of the Bahrain International Airshow, with the “Zulu” appearing in the static display.
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NewsRoyal Jordanian signs Pratt & Whitney deal for A320neo, E-Jet fleets
Royal Jordanian and Pratt & Whitney have signed propulsion contracts to equip the carrier’s future Airbus A320neo-family and Embraer E-Jet E2 aircraft with geared turbofan engines.
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AnalysisF-16 deliveries near resumption, as Bahrain’s lead Block 70 jet takes shape
Instead of dying out as Lockheed Martin’s fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II scoops up an increasing number of international orders, the manufacturer’s older F-16 is enjoying a late-life revival.
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NewsPakistan debuts JF-17 fighters at Bahrain air show
Pakistan’s air force has brought a trio of JF-17 fighters to make the type’s Bahrain show debut, with the “Thunder” taking part in the flying display.
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NewsTunisian air force receives its first T-6C trainer
Tunisia has received its first of eight Beechcraft T-6C trainers, making it the second African nation to field the turboprop-powered type.
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NewsRomania signs $385m deal to acquire 32 surplus Norwegian F-16 fighters
Romania’s defence ministry has signed a €388 million ($385 million) contract to acquire 32 surplus Lockheed Martin F-16A/Bs from Norway, with the jets to be transferred from late 2023.
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NewsFirst RAF Wedgetail gains its MESA radar array
The first of three Boeing 737NG airframes undergoing modification into the E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control configuration for the UK has had its distinctive “top hat” radar array installed.
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NewsRoyal Jordanian Air Force orders Bell 505 trainers
The Royal Jordanian Air Force is to acquire 10 Bell 505s for training duties, under a deal signed with the US manufacturer on 1 November.
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NewsMajor RAF exercise hones Asraam missile use
Pilots from multiple Royal Air Force (RAF) squadrons have taken part in what the service describes as the “largest ever mass firing” of MBDA Asraam short-range air-to-air missiles. During a 10-day activity conducted over the Hebrides air weapons ranges, “pilots from eight different squadrons successfully launched a total of 53 ...
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NewsUK takes its penultimate A400M, as Airbus demonstrates tactical progress
The UK Royal Air Force has received the penultimate example of its on-order A400M tactical transports, with Airbus Defence & Space having transferred its 21st Atlas on 11 October.
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NewsNorway retires electronic warfare-roled Falcon 20s after 50 years of service
The Royal Norwegian Air Force has retired its two Dassault Falcon 20 electronic warfare aircraft, bringing to an end half a century of operations with the adapted business jets.
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NewsUK MoD accepts its first Protector RG1 from General Atomics
The UK Ministry of Defence has accepted its first Protector RG1 from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, with the remotely piloted aircraft now supporting Royal Air Force personnel training tasks in the USA.
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NewsNew Eurofighter arrivals include Kuwait’s first single-seat Typhoon
Kuwait has taken delivery of its latest pair of Leonardo-assembled Eurofighter Typhoons, including the first single-seat example to have been received by the Gulf state.
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In depthHow Flight covered Chuck Yeager’s supersonic success, 75 years ago
To mark mid-October’s 75th anniversary of the first manned supersonic flight, we revisit our reporting from the time, when Cold War tensions rapidly propelled new fighter technologies.