All Fixed-Wing news – Page 23
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NewsPratt & Whitney awarded preliminary contract for F-35 engine ‘enhancement’
A decision by the US Air Force on whether to completely replace the Lockheed Martin jet’s single engine or opt for a cheaper core upgrade to the existing powerplant remains unresolved.
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NewsNorthrop Grumman reveals B-21 test aircraft as stealth programme roars toward first flight
Northrop Grumman has unveiled the next-generation stealth bomber under development for the US Air Force.
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NewsDassault and Airbus break FCAS impasse and sign Phase 1B agreement
Dassault and Airbus have finally signed off on the next phase of the next-generation fighter they are developing on behalf of France, Germany and Spain, but first flight will now not be before 2029.
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NewsMilitary certification approval clears Gripen E for operational debut
Saab has secured a Military Restricted Type Certificate for its Gripen E from the Swedish and Brazilian authorities, clearing the way for the type to enter operational use.
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NewsFighter jets team with UAVs in airborne targeting demonstration
Four defence contractors, including General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Tactical Air Support and General Dynamics, collaborated to test a Lockheed Martin sensor system using teams of crewed and uncrewed aircraft.
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NewsWashington approves Finland purchase of Raytheon air-to-air, air-to-ground missiles
The government in Helsinki received approval for an official Foreign Military Sales request to purchase 40 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder missiles and 48 AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapons from Raytheon.
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NewsA400M on track to assume UK special forces support role, Airbus says
Airbus Defence & Space is making good progress against an accelerated capability development plan for the UK Royal Air Force’s (RAF’s) A400M Atlas fleet, a senior company official says.
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NewsUK Wedgetail AEW delivery schedule slips to 2024
The UK will face a longer than expected operational gap until the reintroduction of a dedicated fixed-wing airborne early warning aircraft capability, with prime contractor Boeing Defence UK confirming a slip to the delivery schedule for its E-7A Wedgetail programme.
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NewsGeneral Atomics selected to design DARPA’s ‘Liberty Lifter’ seaplane
The manufacturer of unmanned air vehicles will receive nearly $8 million from the Pentagon’s research and development agency to design a heavy-lift seaplane that can operate without traditional aviation infrastructure.
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NewsUS Air Force to buy 45 additional AESA radars for F-16 upgrades
The deal worth nearly $100 million is part of the USAF’s $6 billion effort to upgrade its fleet of the ageing Lockheed Martin single-engined jets.
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NewsBombardier begins aircraft modifications for German signals intelligence effort
The Canadian airframer will specially modify three Global 6000 jets at its Wichita, Kansas hub in support of a Lufthansa Technik delivery to a German air force intelligence programme.
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AnalysisWhich types departed our World Air Forces fleet listing?
We highlight some of the most notable national fleet retirements recorded in the 12 months since we published our last World Air Forces directory at the end of 2021.
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AnalysisHow year of conflict affected World Air Forces inventory
Our annual World Air Forces directory – published in association with Embraer – details the military aircraft fleets of 162 nations, and analyses the main events of the last 12 months.
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NewsUS Air National Guard recommends acquiring Leonardo's BriteCloud decoy
The US Air National Guard (ANG) has taken a significant step towards acquiring Leonardo’s BriteCloud 218 active decoy to protect its Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters, after issuing a so-called fielding recommendation.
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NewsStratolaunch lands USAF support for hypersonic test vehicle
The company created by late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen received a contract from the US Air Force Research Laboratory to support a 2023 flight test of Stratolaunch’s Talon-A hypersonic vehicle.
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NewsUS Navy P-8s can now strike submarines from 30,000ft
Boeing in August began full-rate production of the High Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare Weapon Capability, which will add precision-guided capability to the US Navy’s fleet of Boeing P-8 Poseidon patrol aircraft.
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NewsQinetiq-led team gets new Tempest engineering support contract
A Qinetiq-led team has been awarded £31 million ($37 million) to continue delivering engineering support to the UK’s Future Combat Air System programme until mid-2025.
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NewsUSAF KC-46A completes record-breaking 36h endurance flight
The Boeing aerial refuelling jet’s 14,000nm flight path took it from the US state of New Hampshire to Guam and back, in what the USAF calls a “proof of concept” operation demonstrating long-range force projection.
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NewsGermany reports key agreement will revive stalled FCAS effort
Europe’s three-nation Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme has edged closer to entering its delayed next stage, following the conclusion of key talks.
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NewsRAF Voyager tanker makes history with 100% SAF-powered flight
A UK Royal Air Force (RAF) tanker/transport has conducted a milestone flight performed using only sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), with the service and its industry partners claiming the achievement to be a world first.