All Fixed-Wing news – Page 14
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In depthTwo decades of under-investment has left the US Air Force hollowed-out: Mitchell Institute
The airpower think tank says the USA’s fleet of combat aircraft is currently smaller, older and less ready than it has been in decades.
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News
All F-35s contain component made from Chinese-origin metal: Pentagon
The Pentagon now says that every F-35 fifth-generation fighter ever made contains a component with ties to China, following a halt on new deliveries of the jet over the revelation.
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News
Boeing expands purchase of F-15 electronic warfare systems from BAE
The deal will provide additional units of the Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System under low-rate initial production.
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RN flagship picks up US exercise role after carrier breakdown
The UK Royal Navy’s (RN’s) flagship aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth departed Portsmouth on 7 September, after stepping in to replace sister ship Prince of Wales for a series of exercises off the US east coast.
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News
Pentagon suspends F-35 deliveries over China-sourced materials
An onboard component of the jet, produced by Honeywell, was found to have been manufactured using raw materials produced in China, a violation of US government rules for defence products.
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New F/A-18 targeting pod makes first test flight
Northrop Grumman’s Litening all-weather, electro-optical targeting pod is slated to replace the legacy system for the US Navy’s Super Hornet fleet.
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Singapore outlines journey to F-35B deliveries in 2026
The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) has outlined efforts related to its eventual receipt of the Lockheed Martin F-35B, including discussions with existing users.
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Analysis
Digital simulation tests aerial control of autonomous MQ-25 using open architecture
US airframer Boeing, which is developing the autonomous refuelling aircraft, says the demonstrations shows how an MQ-25 Stingray could be controlled and directed by the aircrew of multiple manned platforms.
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Analysis
Embraer completes flight testing for C-390 firefighting variant
The Brazilian airframer has been navigating the flight certification process for a C-390 Millennium transport equipped with a firefighting system capable of carrying some 11,300 litres of water and retardant.
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News
Citing lengthy aircraft development timelines, Pentagon pushes for faster technology rollout
Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks gives the multi-decade phasing in of stealth technology as an example of what the defence sector must move away from.
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News
$3bn-plus US Air Force, Israeli KC-46A deals boost Boeing tanker
Boeing has been awarded contracts worth more than a combined $3.1 billion to produce a next batch of 15 KC-46A tankers for the US Air Force (USAF) and the first four examples for international customer Israel.
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Embraer launches flight tests with Portugal’s first C-390 airlifter
Embraer has begun the flight-test campaign for Portugal, its first international customer for the C/KC-390 transport and tanker.
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News
F-22 test demonstrates first use of third-party software on fifth-gen fighter
The US Air Force conducted the test flight as part of a Pentagon push for open-source applications and faster technology integration.
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Analysis
Pentagon convenes safety council to address soaring aviation accident rate
The Joint Safety Council was created after a five-year study of aviation accidents in the US military tallied nearly 6,000 incidents resulting in 200 fatalities and more than 150 aircraft destroyed.
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News
Raytheon secures $972m contract for F3R-standard AMRAAMs
Raytheon Missiles & Defense has been awarded a $972 million contract to deliver its F3R-standard AMRAAM air-to-air missile to the US military and 19 international customers.
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RN’s Prince of Wales departs ahead of ‘landmark mission’ off USA
The UK’s largest warship – HMS Prince of Wales – has made a faltering start to a deployment that will involve the 65,000t vessel operating Lockheed Martin F-35Bs off the US east coast later this year.
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Gripen E performs first Meteor missile test shot
Saab has performed a successful first test firing of MBDA’s Meteor beyond visual-range air-to-air missile from its Gripen E fighter.
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News
B-2 stealth bomber successfully launches long-range cruise missile
The reveal comes from B-2 maker Northrop Grumman, which says the US Air Force successfully tested air launching the extended range variant of a low-observable cruise missile in December 2021.
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News
USA announces largest Ukraine weapons buy to date, but still no fighter jets
The $3 billion military aid package from the Biden administration includes UAVs, a new counter-UAV system and several advanced air defence platforms, but the transfer of US-made fighters has not yet been approved.
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News
Pentagon announces university-led hypersonic research effort
A one-year, $2 million effort funded by the US Department of Defense will provide money to four research universities to study hypersonic delivery vehicles.
