All articles by Ryan Finnerty – Page 5
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NewsGE and Kratos complete high-altitude testing of GEK800 autonomous fighter engine
GE Aerospace and Kratos have successfully completed high-altitude tests of their GEK800 turbofan, designed to power low-cost uncrewed tactical aircraft at significantly reduced prices compared to conventional fighter engines.
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NewsUS Army soldier becomes first non-aviator to operate autonomous UH-60 demonstrator
A US Army soldier has become the first non-aviator to independently plan and execute missions using Sikorsky’s optionally piloted UH-60 Black Hawk demonstrator in training exercises.
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NewsAnduril logs first flight with YFQ-44A autonomous fighter prototype
US air force secretary Troy Meink heralded the start of competitive flight-testing as a key breakthrough in the effort to field a new class of uncrewed tactical jets known as Collaborative Combat Aircraft.
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NewsUS Navy contractor phasing in Robinson TH-66 for rotary-wing training
US Navy and Coast Guard pilot trainees will receive basic rotary-wing instruction using Robinson’s TH-66 light helicopter under a new partnership with contractor Helicopter Institute.
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In depthUSAF seeks 22% fighter fleet expansion to 1,558 jets by 2035
The US Air Force requires a 22% expansion of its fighter fleet to 1,558 aircraft by 2035, up from 1,271 currently, according to an analysis report obtained by FlightGlobal that cites global security requirements and an ageing inventory as major impediments to the goal.
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In depthLawmakers urge Boeing to end 12-week strike at fighter plant strike
Sixteen House Armed Services Committee members have written to Boeing chief executive Kelly Ortberg demanding resolution of the 12-week strike at the company’s St. Louis fighter production facility, citing national security concerns as delays impact F-15EX deliveries.
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NewsUS Air Force ‘hurricane hunter’ flight turned back by severe turbulence
A US Air Force weather reconnaissance flight was forced to return early after encountering severe turbulence while collecting data on Hurricane Melissa, a powerful Category 5 storm that later struck Jamaica.
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NewsBell names chief commercial officer as new CEO after Atherton promotion
Rotorcraft manufacturer Bell has appointed chief commercial officer Danny Maldonado as its new chief executive, effective January, following Lisa Atherton’s promotion to lead parent company Textron.
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NewsTextron plans Wichita assembly for Beechcraft M-346N military trainer
US airframer Textron will build its new Beechcraft military jet at its Wichita hub if it secures a US Navy contract to supply the service’s next-generation trainer programme.
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NewsAirbus to pitch Eurofighter as replacement for Portugal’s F-16 fleet
Airbus Defence & Space has signed a memorandum of understanding with Portuguese manufacturers to develop a Eurofighter industrial proposition for the country’s Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter replacement programme.
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NewsTurkey orders 20 Eurofighter Typhoons under £5.4bn deal
Turkey has agreed to purchase 20 Eurofighter Typhoon fighters in a £5.4 billion deal that will extend production at UK manufacturing sites into the 2030s.
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NewsWashington orders aircraft carrier to Caribbean one day after B-1B overflight
The Pentagon has ordered aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford and its air wing to Latin America as part of a large build-up of military forces in the southern Caribbean Sea.
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AnalysisUS Air Force strategy ‘likely to fail’ in Taiwan conflict, new report warns
Academic study concludes US Air Force approach to airpower in East Asia during major war against China would likely fail, with Chinese missiles capable of targeting regional facilities used by American forces.
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NewsUS Air Force OA-1K Skyraider crashes during Oklahoma training mission
A US Air Force OA-1K Skyraider II turboprop crashed during a training mission in Oklahoma on 23 October, with both crew escaping injury. The incident involved one of the service’s newest light-attack aircraft.
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AnalysisFully autonomous Black Hawk ready for production: Lockheed Martin CEO
Sikorsky’s fully autonomous UH-60 Black Hawk variant is ready for production, according to Lockheed Martin chief executive Jim Taiclet, with prototype flights planned within a year.
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NewsNorthrop Grumman expects next B-21 production contract by year-end
Northrop Grumman expects to receive its next production contract for the B-21 Raider stealth bomber before year-end, as the company continues flight testing with two aircraft while discussing potential production acceleration with the US Air Force.
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In depthShield AI reveals X-BAT vertical take-off and landing autonomous fighter
Autonomy start-up Shield AI has expanded into jet-powered aircraft with the X-BAT, a vertical take-off and landing fighter platform offering 2,000nm range and 50,000ft operating altitude without pilot input.
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NewsUS Army inks deal with Boeing for nine CH-47F Block II Chinooks
The US Army has awarded Boeing a $461 million contract for nine CH-47F Block II Chinook helicopters, following through on commitments made in September to rapidly field the upgraded heavy-lift rotorcraft.
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NewsPentagon conducts Caribbean ‘bomber attack demonstration’ with F-35Bs and B-52H
The Pentagon has deployed stealth fighters and heavy bombers in what it terms a ‘bomber attack demonstration’ as part of an ongoing military build-up in Latin America targeting the Venezuelan government.
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NewsUkraine exploring purchase of Bell AH-1Z and UH-1Y helicopters
Ukraine has signed a letter of intent with rotorcraft manufacturer Bell exploring the purchase of combat helicopters.