All articles by Ryan Finnerty – Page 4
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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.
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NewsUS P-8A transits Taiwan Strait with Chinese aircraft shadowing
A Boeing P-8A maritime patrol jet from the US Navy overflew the Taiwan Strait separating the island from mainland China, a waterway over which Beijing claims jurisdiction but Washington views as international water.
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NewsPresidential support MV-22 Osprey grounded following engine fire
The tiltrotor operated by US Marine Corps Helicopter Squadron One, which provides VIP transport for the US president, had been ferrying White House staff to New York for an event with President Joe Biden when it developed unspecified mechanical issues.
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NewsPentagon deploys AI-powered aircraft recognition system for Washington, DC air defence
The system uses a network of electro-optical/infrared cameras, backed up by artificial intelligence, to supplement traditional radar-powered identification of aircraft near the American capital.
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NewsBombardier delivers first Global 6500 for US Army’s Hades spy jet programme
Although the award to prime contractor Sierra Nevada has been challenged, Bombardier is moving forward with the delivery of Global 6500 airframes for the High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System.
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NewsLockheed uses L-39 and two L-29s to test air-to-air combat with autonomous fighters
In a series of flight tests, Lockheed Martin’s secretive Skunk Works unit simulated an offensive counter-air mission where an airborne, human battle manager aboard an Aero Vodochody L-39 Albatros directed two autonomous Aero Vodochody L-29 Delfin jets, which worked together to defeat two mock enemy fighters using simulated mission systems and weapons.
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NewsSierra Nevada completes first flight of Athena surveillance aircraft for US Army
Built on a Bombardier Global 6500, the Athena platform will offer an interim intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance solution to the US Army while it awaits delivery of an in-development long-range aircraft called Hades.
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NewsGE Aerospace tests hybrid-electric turboshaft engine for US Army
The engine-maker says the successful demonstration involved a GE Aerospace CT7 turboshaft engine combined with internally-produced electric machine and power electronics.
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NewsRomania makes formal commitment to acquire 32 F-35As
Two months after receiving the necessary export approval from Washington, Bucharest has signed a formal letter of offer and acceptance with airframer Lockheed Martin covering 32 of the company’s F-35As, making Romania the 20th country to adopt the prolific stealth fighter.
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NewsFirst Peruvian aeromedical evacuation King Air 360CHW enters service
The US airframer turned over the first of two Beechcraft King Air 360HCW turboprops to the Peruvian air force, which will use the aircraft for aeromedical evacuation.
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NewsUS Air Force to withdraw South Korea-based A-10s in 2025
The US Air Force is continuing with plans to retire its ageing fleet of Fairchild Republic A-10 ground-attack jets, including the withdrawal of its forward stationed squadron from South Korea in 2025.
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NewsChina unveils new ‘swarm carrier’ UAV at Zhuhai air show
The Jetank heavy uncrewed aerial vehicle, produced by Chinese state aerospace corporation AVIC, can carry a full load of conventional armaments or be used to deploy so-called swarms of smaller drones.
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NewsUS B-52 drops ordnance over Lithuania during live-fire training
Boeing B-52H heavy bombers with the US Air Force are currently on rotational duty in the UK for one of the Pentagon’s regular bomber task force missions, training with European members of the NATO alliance.
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NewsNorthrop delivers first Stand-in Attack Weapon for F-35 air defence suppression mission
The new Stand-in Attack Weapon is being positioned as a successor to Northrop’s AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile Extended Range, purpose built for the Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighter to hunt and destroy critical air defence assets.
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NewsBoeing names new head of Phantom Works advanced development unit
Colin Miller will take over the struggling airframer’s secretive military research and development unit after previously serving as the head of engineering within Northrop Grumman’s aeronautics business.
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NewsLockheed begins assembling US Navy’s first E-130J nuclear-missile command aircraft
Factory work is underway in Marietta, Georgia on the first of three C-130J airframes that Lockheed Martin will deliver to the US Navy as E-130s – a new type meant to replace ageing Boeing E-6B Mercury airborne command post jets.