All articles by Ryan Finnerty – Page 32
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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.
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NewsUS Navy releases photos of first Swiss F-5E fighter destined for aggressor duty
The US Navy is in the process of acquiring 22 decommissioned Northrop F-5 Tiger II fighters from Switzerland, with plans to use the legacy aircraft for adversary air training.
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NewsUS Army orders pilot proficiency training after 10 non-combat fatalities in six months
The service has ordered mandatory safety training for its rotary-wing aviation forces, after 12 non-combat crashes in the past six months resulted in 10 fatalities.
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In depthGovernment auditors criticise US Coast Guard plan to consolidate rotary fleet
The US Coast Guard, which performs both law enforcement and military missions, is in the midst of consolidating its multi-platform rotary-wing aviation fleet to a single helicopter type, with an eye toward greater efficiency.
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NewsUS Air Force reveals photos of restored B-1B bomber
After recalling a decommissioned Boeing B-1B bomber to service, US Air Force technicians restored the supersonic aircraft to flying condition at the Davis-Monthan AFB “boneyard” before a transfer to Tinker AFB in Oklahoma for a full overhaul and modernisation.
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NewsLockheed test fires four Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles simultaneously
The stealthy air-launched cruise missile is expected to be a critical asset in any maritime conflict, particularly in the Indo-Pacific where Pentagon planners are preparing for a Taiwan invasion scenario potentially involving hundreds of enemy surface vessels.
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NewsCanada announces $13.5bn helicopter modernisation plan
Under a new strategy to boost defence spending and modernise the Canadian military, Ottawa will spend some $13.5 billion over 20 years to acquire a new helicopter fleet.
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NewsGreece confirms intent to purchase 35 UH-60Ms from Sikorsky
Athens signed an official letter of offer and acceptance to procure 35 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters from Sikorsky, a deal that has already received export approval from the US government.