All Fixed-wing articles
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News
MBDA boosts missile output as backlog spikes to €37bn
European guided weapons specialist MBDA enjoyed record success in 2024, securing orders totalling €13.8 billion ($15 billion): up from a previous high of €9.9 billion in 2023.
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News
KAI to extend lifespan of Indonesian KT-1s
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has secured a contract to extend the life of KT-1B basic trainers in service with Indonesia’s air force.
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Analysis
Allies suggest passing on F-35 acquisitions amid questions of US reliability
Defence ministers from Portugal and Canada now say they must consider alternatives to the US-made Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighter for their fleet modernisation efforts, in light of recent comments from Washington about support for NATO and rhetoric toward allies.
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News
Tejas Mk1 conducts successful test of Astra air-to-air missile
A prototype of the Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) Tejas Light Combat Aircraft Mk1 has successfully launched a locally developed air-to-air missile.
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News
GCAP partner fleets in focus as Leonardo hints at initial 350-unit buy
Leonardo expects orders to be in place for 350 aircraft via the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) by the time of a new fighter’s service introduction in 2035. We look at its partner nations’ current fleet mixes.
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News
KAI, Hanwha take stakes in AI companies
Top South Korean defence aerospace players continue to invest in companies that specialise in artificial intelligence.
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News
Embraer pitches KC-390 and final assembly line to Poland
Embraer is offering to equip Poland’s air force with its KC-390 tactical transport and tanker, while also viewing the nation as a potential location for a new European final assembly line.
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In depth
US Air Force wrapping up analysis of next-generation tanker requirement
The general in charge of the service’s fleet of cargo and refueller aircraft says the service has been evaluating its needs for a new tanker aircraft, including runway requirements, fuel transfer capacity and observability signature.
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News
Swedish Gripens to make deployed NATO air policing debut in Poland
NATO’s newest member nation, Sweden, is set to make a first overseas air policing deployment for the alliance, sending up to eight Saab Gripen fighters to Poland.
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News
India develops life support system for Tejas fighter
India has conducted successful tests of a new integrated life support system (ILSS) for the Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) Tejas Light Combat Aircraft.
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News
Boeing lands upgrade, support contract for Australian E-7As
Boeing has landed an A$569 million ($360 million) contract for upgrade and maintenance work on the Royal Australian Air Force’s fleet of E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft.
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News
Dassault’s Trappier pours cold water on prospects of FCAS and GCAP merger
Hopes that Europe’s two future fighter programmes could move closer together appear unlikely to be realised, with Dassault Aviation’s chief executive distancing his firm from any such proposal.
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News
Saab details 10-year role in Germany’s Taurus cruise missile update
Saab has been awarded a major subcontract by its Taurus Systems joint-venture partner MBDA Germany for its part in the modernisation of KEPD 350 air-launched cruise missiles for the German air force. “The order includes significant system upgrades and modernisation… as well as a 10-year lifecycle maintenance [provision],” the Swedish ...
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News
South Korean F-16s accidently bomb civilian town
Two Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters operated by the Republic of Korea Air Force accidentally bombed a civilian area during an exercise.
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News
Manila grounds FA-50s after fatal crash during night mission
The Philippine air force has grounded its Korea Aerospace Industries FA-50PH light combat aircraft following a fatal crash during a nighttime mission.
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News
Dassault chief Trappier outlines roadmap for F5-standard Rafale
Dassault Aviation’s planned F5-standard Rafale fighter will have more powerful engines, improved survivability and data links, and will be accompanied by an unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) weighing more than 10t, according to the French airframer’s chief executive.
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News
France to receive PC-7 MKX trainers from 2027, Pilatus says
Pilatus will in 2027 begin deliveries of 22 PC-7 MKX basic trainers to the French air force, following a selection announced at the start of this year.
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In depth
French nuclear carrier bolsters interoperability during Asia-Pacific cruise
France’s aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is wrapping up a major deployment to the Asia-Pacific, which saw its air wing work closely with regional partners.
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News
Singapore ‘intently’ looking at P-8A, C295 to replace Fokker 50s
The Republic of Singapore Air Force is contemplating a major upgrade of its maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) fleet, as it announces replacement plans for its Fokker-50 MPA Enforcer Mk 2 MPAs.
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In depth
China’s new sixth-generation aircraft likely for air superiority role: USAF
The general in charge of the US Air Force’s fighter fleet says the Pentagon believes the sixth-generation aircraft seen over China late last year are intended to provide air superiority, as Beijing continues to expand its military readiness.