All articles by Ryan Finnerty – Page 14
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AnalysisStrong backlog but lack of new design work paints mixed picture at Sikorsky
The company that pioneered rotary-wing aviation boasts a years-long backlog for its existing aircraft, particularly variants of the H-60, but has not yet secured a customer for a clean-sheet aircraft using Sikorsky’s proprietary X2 compound coaxial technology.
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NewsAurora advances in DARPA competition to build high-speed VTOL X-plane
The Boeing subsidiary received an additional $25 million for its fan-in-wing vertical take-off and landing aircraft being designed for the Speed and Runway Independent Technologies X-plane competition.
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NewsBoeing tests software allowing pilots to control MQ-25 autonomous refuellers
The US airframer is continuing to build toward delivering flight-worthy MQ-25 autonomous refuelling jets for the US Navy, most recently testing software that will enable the pilotless aircraft to transfer fuel to crewed fighters.
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AnalysisUSAF awards Sierra Nevada contract for replacement ‘Doomsday’ aircraft
Officially known as the Survivable Airborne Operations Center, the new aircraft will replace the Boeing E-4B Nightwatch jet capable of commanding the USA’s nuclear arsenal.
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AnalysisUS Army still sees need for long-range airborne troop carrier in future conflict
Although battlefield observations from the Ukraine War led the army to cancel its next-generation armed scout helicopter, the service’s senior aviation leaders say they still see a need for Bell’s V-280 Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft in future conflicts.
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NewsGriffon and Textron advance to flight stage in competition to replace RQ-7B Shadow
The US Army’s Future Tactical Uncrewed Aerial System programme aims to deliver a vertical take-off and landing-capable aircraft that will replace the Textron RQ-7B Shadow and improve the ability of ground troops to collect and report intelligence.
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AnalysisSikorsky powers up Raider X prototype but has no plans to fly
The Raider X prototype, built for the US Army’s now-cancelled Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft programme, features the new GE Aerospace T901 Improved Turbine Engine that will eventually be fitted into the army’s UH-60 Black Hawk fleet.
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AnalysisBoeing eyes secondary market for older CH-47s
Following the US Army’s decision to modernise its fleet of heavy-lift rotorcraft with Boeing’s latest Block II Chinook, the company sees an opportunity to develop a secondary market for older Block I CH-47Fs, particularly among international operators.
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NewsAnduril and General Atomics advance in USAF autonomous fighter programme
Two manufacturers have been selected by the US Air Force to advance in the competition to develop an autonomous fighter aircraft.
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NewsBoeing expects to soon deliver first Block II Chinook
Speaking at the annual US Army aviation summit in Denver, Colorado, executives from Boeing’s vertical lift division say the company has successfully flown its first Block II CH-47F helicopter and expects to deliver four examples of the twin-rotor type to the army by year-end.
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NewsGeneral Atomics testing gun pod for uncrewed aircraft
The manufacturer of uncrewed aerial vehicles is partnering with armaments producer Dillon Aero to adapt the DAP-6 gun pod for use on several General Atomics platforms.
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NewsNASA prepares to retire DC-8 airborne laboratory
Described by the American space agency as the “largest flying science laboratory in the world”, the modified DC-8 airliner was in service with NASA for 37 years, supporting a wide range of scientific missions with a configurable sensor package.
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NewsUSAF launches show of force with 12 B-2 sortie
The flight, which incorporated nearly two-thirds of the stealth bomber fleet, was part of annual drills meant to test the US Air Force’s ability to generate sorties with Washington’s only nuclear-capable bomber capable of penetrating modern air defences.
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NewsDARPA tests dogfighting AI against human fighter pilot
Using a specially modified F-16 fighter known as the X-62A VISTA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the US Air Force pitted a dogfighting artificial intelligence system against human fighter pilots in recent air-to-air combat exercises.
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In depthFrustrations build in Washington over continued halt on F-35 deliveries
The Pentagon is preparing to curtail the latest upgrade package for the fifth-generation F-35 stealth fighter, as lawmakers expressed frustration with an eight-month freeze in new aircraft deliveries related to certifying new control software.
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In depthArgentina signs deal to buy used F-16s from Denmark
The long-discussed deal was made official on 16 April, when Argentine defence minister Luis Petri signed an agreement with Copenhagen to acquire 24 of the fourth-generation F-16s, as Denmark transitions its fleet to the Lockheed Martin F-35A.
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NewsOmega completes contracted air refuelling with B-52 for first time
Contractor Omega Air Refueling Services for the first time topped off a US Air Force B-52 bomber and an MC-130J special-operations transport.
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NewsIranian attack on Israel included 150 one-way UAVs: Pentagon
The weekend barrage by Iran’s armed forces, which marked Tehran’s first-ever direct attack on Israel, featured more than 300 missiles and air vehicles, according to the Pentagon.
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NewsOsprey returns to carrier flight decks under USMC recertification effort
US Marine Corps MV-22 Ospreys are once again operating from the decks of the navy’s light carrier amphibious assault ships, as the service progresses toward recertifying its tiltrotors and crews after a three-month grounding order was lifted.
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NewsEmbraer explores civil air cargo opportunities for C-390 tactical transport
The Brazilian airframer is teaming with the nation’s state-operated postal company to explore opportunities in the air-cargo realm for Embraer aircraft, including the C-390 military transport and E-Jet passenger jets.