All articles by Ryan Finnerty – Page 24
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NewsUS Navy designates E-6B replacement the E-130J
The US Navy’s fleet of E-6B Mercury nuclear missile command and control jets will be replaced by a Lockheed Martin C-130J-based platform, now designated the E-130J.
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NewsJapan inaugurates second aircraft carrier with landing of US F-35B
Short take-off and landing stealth fighters from a US Navy test squadron made the F-35’s first landing on the JS Kaga – a converted helicopter carrier officially labelled as a multi-functional destroyer by Tokyo and Washington.
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NewsMilitary operators increasingly turn to business jets for specialty missions
Drawn by reliability and affordability, militaries are increasingly turning to business jets to fill niche roles within their aviation fleets including intelligence collection and electronic warfare.
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NewsAirbus developing uncrewed UH-72 helicopter for Pacific logistics role
Airbus plans to develop an unmanned variant of its H145-derived UH-72B Lakota military helicopter with autonomous flight capability under a US Marine Corps logistics programme.
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NewsSpirt AeroSystems furloughs 700 workers as Boeing strike drags on
The aerostructures supplier is sending home 700 workers on its 767 and 777 fuselage programmes, as a machinists strike at partner Boeing has hobbled aircraft production.
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NewsUS B-2 stealth bombers strike targets in Yemen
The USA’s military headquarters for the Middle East oversaw air strikes, including those conducted by B-2 stealth bombers, against weapons storage sites in Houthi-controlled Yemen.
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NewsRecord number of Chinese military aircraft tracked around Taiwan
Chinese military activity around the self-governing island has been steadily increasing for several years, with a record-setting number of aircraft from the People’s Liberation Army Air Force identified during Beijing’s recent blockade exercise surrounding Taiwan.
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NewsL3Harris appeals selection of Sierra Nevada for US Army intelligence jet
Work on the army’s High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System business jet-based intelligence programme is now paused, while auditors review the process by which the service selected Sierra Nevada Corporation over L3Harris.
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NewsUS Army announces survivability and communications upgrades for rotorcraft fleet
Lockheed Martin will develop a new electronic warfare system for the service’s attack helicopters, while BAE Systems is upgrading its rotary-wing fleet with new encrypted radios and missile warning systems.
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NewsNegotiations ongoing to extend Black Hawk production to 2032
Sikorsky and the US Army are continuing negotiations on the 11th multi-year procurement deal for UH-60 Black Hawks, which would see production of the iconic helicopter extended to 2032.
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NewsBell drops Spirit AeroSystems as supplier of FLRAA fuselages
The decision from Bell comes as Boeing works to close its acquisition of Spirit, which manufacturers numerous structural components for Boeing jets, including 737 fuselages.
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In depthSikorsky to modify ‘MX’ Black Hawk for autonomous flight
Under a $6 million grant from the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Sikorsky will modify a government-owned UH-60M helicopter with autonomy technologies that could allow for single-pilot or fully pilotless flight.
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NewsBoeing to cut 10% of workforce and end 767F production, while delaying 777X
Boeing plans to lay off roughly 17,000 workers, delay its first 777-9 delivery and end 767 Freighter production, part of a plan to restructure its business around “core” products and keep afloat amid a crippling machinists strike and numerous other business challenges.
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NewsSee cockpit footage of an F-35 road landing in Finland
Following its milestone landing of a Lockheed Martin F-35A stealth fighter on a Finland roadway in September, the US Air Force has released cockpit footage of the event, which marked the first time a US stealth aircraft had done so in Europe.
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In depthUS government subpoenas Saab regarding Brazilian Gripen acquisition
A decade after Saab signed a contract with Brasilia to provide the Brazilian air force with Gripen E/F fighters, the US government is investigating the deal for unspecified reasons.
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NewsEmbraer Super Tucanos join USAF test fleet
Three Embraer A-29 Super Tucanos have arrived at the US Air Force’s test pilot school in the California desert, where they will be used to conduct training and research on a variety of sensors and weapon systems.
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NewsLockheed names new head of F-35 programme
Lockheed’s current deputy F-35 manager Chauncey McIntosh will take over as head of the troubled fighter programme, which is the company’s largest individual revenue generator, but has battled engineering and delivery challenges for more than year.
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NewsUS Army exploring replacement for Airbus UH-72 as helicopter trainer
The US Army is seeking proposals from industry to reduce costs and increase efficiency in training new rotary-wing aviation, including replacing the militarised Airbus Helicopters H145s currently used for initial flight certification.
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NewsItaly approved for purchase of EA-37B electronic attack mission systems
US export regulators have approved Rome to purchase sensitive mission systems for the Gulfstream G550-derived EA-37B electronic attack jet, in a deal valued at $680 million.
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In depthCan the US Air Force actually make its disposable fighter jets at an affordable price?
The service is betting much of its future on developing and fielding large numbers of so-called “attritable” combat jets that cost a fraction of traditional fighter aircraft. But can that goal actually be achieved?