All United States articles – Page 145
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News
Virgin Galactic satellite launch plans advance with carrier aircraft modifications
Virgin Galactic’s bid to enter the small satellite launch business is building momentum on two fronts, with heavy work now under way in Texas on modifications to the 747-400 that will serve as a dedicated air-launch carrier while colleagues in California work to increase the payload capacity of the in-development ...
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News
USAF considers defensive lasers for future fighters
The dawn of the combat laser era might begin in 2021 when the US air force hopes to begin demonstrations of a podded electric laser system for fifth and sixth-generation fighter jets that can destroy incoming missiles, not just dazzle them.
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News
F-35A cost and readiness data improves in 2015 as fleet grows
The cost of operating the Lockheed Martin F-35A has come down 37.6% compared to last year and is now $17,000 cheaper to fly per hour than its fifth-generation cousin, the Lockheed F-22 Raptor.
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News
DOD reveals ‘arsenal plane’ and microdrones in budget speech
The Pentagon is building an repurposed “arsenal plane” that would carry large volumes of bombs and missiles into battle alongside modern combat aircraft like the Lockheed Martin F-35.
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News
Pentagon report questions ‘unrealistic’ F-35 test schedule
The Pentagon’s chief weapons tester says an operational evaluation of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II could be delayed by up to one year because of difficulties completing developmental testing by the due date of August 2017.
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News
Boeing may face gap in bridge to 737 Max: Analyst
Boeing may slow down the rate of 737NG deliveries this year due a demand shortfall in the 18-month bridge to the arrival of the re-engined 737 Max, UBS analyst David Strauss says.
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News
Boeing receives first contract of Air Force One recap
One year after being announced as prime contractor, Boeing is formally on contract to replace America’s 747-200-derived "Air Force One" fleet with up to three modified 747-8 widebodies.
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News
VIDEO: Boeing 737 Max completes maiden flight
Boeing’s lead 737 Max the “Spirit of Renton” defied Seattle’s seasonal drizzle to complete its maiden flight today, taking off over Lake Washington in front of thousands of cheering employees, who the company is hailing for having completed an “extremely clean airplane” marginally ahead of schedule.
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News
US commission urges tweaks to Army aviation restructure
A two-year-old US Army plan to restructure the aviation branch over the next five years while saving billions of dollars is overall a “well-crafted” approach, but should be tweaked, says the National Commission on the Future of the Army.
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News
Boeing secures deal for 20 US and Australian P-8 Poseidons
Boeing will supply 16 more armed P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to the US Navy and four to the Royal Australian Air Force under a $2.5 billion contract announced this week.
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News
Upgraded Coyote UAV contracted for hurricane hunting
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will continue to use Raytheon’s tube-launched Coyote unmanned air vehicle to track hurricanes, following a successful upgrade to the system that has increased its endurance and range.
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Opinion
OPINION: Is Boeing at risk of slowing?
A landmark in Boeing’s illustrious, 99-year history passed unnoticed last year, on 20 February, when its shares traded at $158.31. In nearly a century of achievement, Boeing’s market value had never been higher. More ominously, that value was a distinct peak.
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Analysis
ANALYSIS: Can cargo market ensure 747's future?
On 21 January, Boeing dealt another blow to the 747-8 programme, announcing that from September 2016 it will cut production from the current 1.3 aircraft per month to 0.5 per month.
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Opinion
OPINION: Is the world ready for new era of supersonic travel?
Those who mourn the passing of the Concorde era have cause to do more than mark last week’s anniversary – now a full 40 years ago – of the inauguration of commercial supersonic air service. For there is much cause to hope that NASA is poised to drive forward into ...
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News
Design review to unlock Sikorsky HH-60W funds
US air force’s Combat Rescue Helicopter programme is on track to complete a preliminary design review in April that will unlock funds for five more aircraft.
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News
F-35B due to make second attempt at UK airshow debut
Two years after Lockheed Martin's abortive attempt to give its F-35 an international debut was scuppered by an engine fire, as many as five Joint Strike Fighters will be in the UK in July to appear at two major air shows.
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News
Raytheon and Northrop to receive JSTARS radar contracts
The US air force is poised to award sole-source contracts to Raytheon and Northrop Grumman for the development of their competing active electronically scanned array radars as part of its Northrop Grumman E-8C JSTARS recapitalisation effort.
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News
Lockheed posts upbeat outlook as defence spending rises
Lockheed Martin chief executive Marillyn Hewson says the company ended 2015 “strategically and financially stronger” following the acquisition of Sikorsky and bump-up in F-35 Lightning II procurement funding for 11 more US aircraft in fiscal year 2016.
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News
PICTURE: Alaska unveils new livery and brand
Alaska Airlines announces the first major update to its branding in 25 years, rolling out a Boeing 737-800 adorned in a new font and with a logo that includes streaks of blue and green.
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News
Boeing correcting course as KC-46A refuels F-16C
The US Air Force is optimistic about awarding the first production contract to Boeing for the developmental KC-46A, following a flight test in which the 767-derived tanker transferred 725kg (1,600lb) of fuel to a Lockheed Martin F-16C – the most significant trial of its refuelling systems to date.