All articles by Ryan Finnerty – Page 16
-
NewsBoeing extends Super Hornet production to 2027 with final new-build order from USA
After a lengthy dispute that saw the Pentagon attempt to avoid purchasing new Super Hornet strike fighters that were already funded by Congress, the US Navy has agreed to a final production contract covering 17 new-build Block III F/A-18 jets.
-
NewsNiger moves to expel US forces from West African airbase
The military junta that overthrew Niger’s elected government in 2023 has ordered American forces to vacate their last remaining air base in the country, which has been critical to counter-terrorism operations in the troubled Sahel region.
-
NewsCanada highlights arctic aviation capability with far-northern drills
During a series of exercises known as Operation Nanook-Nunalivut, the Royal Canadian Air Force highlighted its ability to deliver ground forces and equipment on missions in high latitudes.
-
NewsIndian navy retakes hijacked cargo ship with C-17 commando airdrop
The operation to free a pirate-controlled bulk carrier ship involved marine commandos parachuting from a Boeing C-17 strategic transport, supplemented with reconnaissance support from a Boeing P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol jet.
-
NewsUS Navy takes delivery of first MQ-25 autonomous refueller
Marking the receipt of the service’s first-ever carrier-based without a pilot, the US Navy accepted delivery of the first MQ-25 Stingray tanker jet from Boeing.
-
NewsCanada prepares $630m airfield upgrades as part of tanker acquisition
Improvements to runways and hangar facilities will support Ottawa’s planned fleet of nine Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport jets.
-
In depthUS Air Force cuts fighter acquisition goals for 2025
In its fiscal year 2025 budget request, the US Air Force reveals it plans to acquire fewer F-15EXs, temporarily slow the pace of F-35 purchases and spend billions of dollars developing a sixth-generation fighter and autonomous jets to support the new platform.
-
NewsBell extends H-1 production with $455m attack helicopter order from Nigeria
The US rotorcraft manufacturer finalised a contract to provide the Nigerian air force with 12 of the latest AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters.
-
NewsPentagon declares full-rate production on F-35, years behind schedule
The US Department of Defense has approved Lockheed Martin for full-rate production on the F-35 stealth fighter programme, years behind schedule and well after the airframer had already started assembling the jets at maximum capacity.
-
NewsBoeing MH-139 nuclear security helicopter begins operational service
An operational US Air Force unit has for the first time received one of the new Grey Wolf helicopters which will replace the Bell UH-1N in supporting physical security at the service’s nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missile silos.
-
NewsCanada retires Hawk jet trainers without replacements identified
The Royal Canadian Air Force says its fighter training squadron has entered a “period of hiatus” after the service retired its fleet of BAE Systems CT-155 Hawk trainer jets.
-
NewsStratolaunch completes first powered flight of hypersonic test vehicle
While the first Talon-A flight did not break the Mach 5 hypersonic barrier, Stratolaunch says the vehicle achieved high supersonic speed before executing a planned water landing.
-
In depthPentagon to resume Osprey flights, despite unanswered questions around fatal crash
Although the US military now knows what caused the fatal crash of a Bell-Boeing V-22 tiltrotor last November, the airworthiness authority for the type still does not know why the deadly failure occurred, even as it plans to restart flight operations.
-
NewsCanada takes delivery of new King Air 350ER-based surveillance aircraft
Under the Manned Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance project, L3Harris will modify three Beechcraft King Air 350ER turboprops with mission packages for service with the Royal Canadian Air Force under the designation CE-145C Vigilance.
-
NewsUSAF deepens cooperation with Sweden on eve of NATO integration
Washington and Stockholm launched joint air combat drills involving American B-1B heavy bombers and Swedish Gripen fighters as the Nordic country completes the long-delayed process of officially joining the transatlantic military alliance.
-
NewsCanada to sunset leased King Air fleet in favour of air force modernisations
The Royal Canadian Air Force is declining to renew leases on two Beechcraft King Air transports, with Ottawa saying the savings will be used to support a sweeping modernisation plan for the service.
-
NewsSaab looks to expand Gripen footprint globally
As production of the latest Gripen E ramps up, Swedish airframer Saab is eyeing new opportunities in South America, Asia and Europe.
-
NewsBoeing nears delivery of first combat-configuration F-15EXs
Boeing has already delivered six examples of the latest F-15 variant to the US Air Force in an operational test configuration, with tail numbers seven and eight marking the first combat-configured aircraft.
-
NewsUSAF teases export potential for future autonomous fighters
Speaking at the Singapore air show, the top procurement official for the US Air Force said subsequent versions of the autonomous fighter aircraft currently being developed could be eligible for sale to overseas customers.
-
NewsUS Navy still bullish on Osprey potential despite ongoing grounding
The US Navy’s head of logistics in the Western Pacific says the service remains optimistic about the strategic benefits of the CMV-22 variant of the Bell-Boeing Osprey tiltrotor and has no plans to phase out the troubled type.