All articles by Ryan Finnerty – Page 21
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NewsSikorsky to demonstrate autonomous Black Hawk for US Marine Corps
Sikorsky will fly its Optionally Piloted Vehicle variant of the UH-60 Black Hawk for the US Marine Corps throughout 2025, showcasing the potential to convert existing rotorcraft into uncrewed, autonomous aircraft capable of executing resupply and medical evacuation missions.
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NewsCongress orders review of US air-to-air missile inventory needs
A provision in the draft legislation covering 2025 Pentagon operations would require the US Air Force and US Navy to assess their inventory requirements for air-to-air missiles, including possible extension of AIM-120 AMRAAM production beyond 2028.
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NewsNorthrop begins production of first E-2D for French navy
The three airborne command and control turboprops will replace France’s fleet of E-2C Hawkeye 2000 aircraft.
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NewsLawmakers move to cut US F-35 purchases over ‘long-standing’ sustainment issues
A provision in wide-ranging defence legislation covering Pentagon operations for 2025 would limit new acquisitions of the Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighter to 48 examples until concerns about availability rates and aircraft sustainment are addressed.
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NewsIsrael strikes hit Syrian navy amid leadership uncertainty
The Israeli ministry of defence has confirmed it sank at least 15 Syrian naval vessels in the ports of Al-Bayda and Latakia as the region waits to see who will take control of the war-torn country’s new government.
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NewsDutch F-35s intercept Russian surveillance aircraft over Baltic Sea
Just a week after they arrived in Estonia to support NATO air patrols along the Russian border, F-35 fighters from the Royal Netherlands Air Force have intercepted Russian military aircraft over the Baltic Sea.
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NewsPentagon again grounds Osprey fleet after recent ‘near-crash’
The US miltiary’s fleet of Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey tiltrotors are grounded for the second time this year after what the Pentagon describes as a “near-crash” in November.
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NewsSyrian Il-76 disappears from flight tracking as ousted president defects to Russia
With a lightning advance of rebel fighters reaching Damascus, the country’s dictatorial president Bashar al-Assad fled the capital around the time a Syrian Air flight originating in Damascus disappeared from tracking over the rebel-controlled city of Homs.
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In depthNational leaders argue strong defence industry is essential to USA’s geopolitical position
Amid a turbulent transition into a new presidential administration in Washington, senior figures in the government are urging a continued commitment to the USA’s defence industry, at a time of precarious global security.
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NewsBoeing lands Lot 3 contract for US Army Block II Chinooks
The deal for three rotorcraft comes as Boeing and the US Army are negotiating a full-rate production deal for the latest version of the CH-47F, which could see hundreds of orders for Boeing.
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NewsOutgoing US Air Force leaders defer sixth-generation fighter decision to Trump administration
After promising for months to deliver a new strategy for the next generation of new aircraft development, civilian leaders of the US Air Force are deferring a decision on the service’s sixth-generation fighter programme to the incoming administration of Donald Trump.
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NewsLockheed names head of integrated fighters business to run Skunk Works
OJ Sanchez, a former US Air Force F-22 pilot, will take over the secretive Skunk Works advanced projects division after heading Lockheed’s integrated fighter group.
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NewsNorway, UK and USA test F-35 data-sharing during live-fire bombing drills
The drills over Norway and the North Sea involved fighters and bombers teaming with surveillance jets, reconnaissance aircraft, tankers and ground-based fire-control personnel to strike targets in Norway with live ordnance.
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NewsSierra Nevada begins modifying first 747-8 for ‘Doomsday’ jet replacement programme
Known as the Survivable Airborne Operations Centre, or SAOC, the new fleet of Boeing 747-derivative jets are intended to replace the US Air Force’s Boeing E-4B Nightwatch aircraft, which can serve as an airborne platform for commanding the American nuclear arsenal.
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NewsPentagon confirms A-10 strikes in Syria, claiming defence of US forces
Although the Pentagon has denied taking any part in the rebel offensive against Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, Washington says it conducted what are described as “self-defence strikes” in Syria against unspecfied threats to US forces and their partners.
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NewsLockheed ‘getting close’ on finalised contract for F-35 Lot 18 and 19 production
The defence giant’s chief financial officer says the company has secured a “handshake” agreement with the Pentagon on terms for the next round of F-35 orders, with a firm contract coming potentially by end-of-year.
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NewsUSA approves $1bn potential upgrade to India’s MH-60Rs
Arms regulators in Washington approved a possible package of support equipment for India’s fleet of Sikorsky MH-60R anti-submarine warfare helicopters, including a jam-resistant data communications system, external fuel tanks and forward-looking infrared vision systems.
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NewsDutch F-35s arrive in Estonia for NATO air policing mission
The Royal Netherlands Air Force F-35As are the first NATO fighter jets to deploy to the newly renovated Amari air base in Estonia, supporting the alliance’s combat air patrols along the eastern frontier with Russia.
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NewsTurkey drops plan to purchase F-16 Block 70 upgrade kits, opting for domestic improvement work
While Turkey will still move forward with the purchase of 40 new F-16V fighter jets from Lockheed Martin, Ankara has decided to scrap a planned acquisition of 79 Block 70 upgrade kits for its existing F-16 fleet, opting instead to contract with domestic Turkish Aerospace for the modernisations.
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NewsUS Air Force seeks new ‘runway independent’ regional airlifter
The Next Generation Intra-theater Airlift programme aims to enhance the air force’s existing airlift capability with a regional logistics aircraft able to operate without ground infrastructure like a maintained runway.