All Fixed-Wing news – Page 20
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AnalysisHow special 747 variants have delivered in military and niche roles
Boeing’s ever-versatile 747 continues to fill a range of niche applications for military and other operators, even including its use as a satellite launch platform.
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NewsRAF Hawk T2s airborne again after short grounding, as trainer developer seals AirTanker pact
The UK has returned its BAE Systems Hawk T2 jet trainers to service following a short precautionary grounding due to engine issues.
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NewsUSAF orders more Boeing KC-46s, as inspectors identify more failings
The US Air Force placed an order worth $2 billion with Boeing for 15 new KC-46 air tankers, just as the Pentagon’s test office identified new faults with the troubled jet.
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NewsJAL invests in sea-glider start-up Regent Craft
Japan Airlines Innovation Fund, the venture arm of the Japanese carrier, has invested in start-up sea glider developer Regent Craft.
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NewsItalian industry cements its role in GCAP fighter effort
Italy’s leading defence companies have signed a contract to advance the nation’s role in the UK-led Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), which seeks to deliver a new manned Tempest fighter and complementary systems for operational use from 2035.
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NewsLockheed’s first Greenville-built F-16 makes debut flight
Lockheed Martin has performed a debut flight with the first F-16 fighter built at its Greenville site in South Carolina: a two-seat, Block 70 example built for Bahrain.
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NewsFlat sales in 2023, return to growth in 2024 for Lockheed Martin
Inflation and supply chain headwinds continue to challenge the defence manufacturer, but company executives say new contracts and better than expected defence funding in the USA will drive a return to growth in 2024.
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NewsQinetiq boosts fixed-wing training fleet for German military
German operator Qinetiq GmbH has announced a fleet expansion involving its acquisition of nine secondhand Pilatus PC-9Bs and a new-build pair of Diamond DA62s.
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NewsUS, Turkish defence officials meet for second round of F-35 discussions
Washington removed the NATO ally from the multi-nation Joint Strike Fighter programme in 2019, following Anakra’s acquisition of a Russian air defence system.
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NewsUSAF launches AI-powered airlift planning competition
The Air Force Research Laboratory digital event invites researchers from around the world to improve the planning of airlift operations using artificial intelligence-driven algorithms.
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NewsFrance open to future MPA with Germany despite Patmar contracts
France says it remains open to working with Germany on a future maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) even while it undertakes early scoping work on a domestic solution.
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NewsKey US senator opposes F-16 sale to Turkey, favours F-35s to Greece
Senator Bob Menendez, who chairs the powerful committee on foreign relations – which wields approval authority over arms deals – opposes providing F-16 fighter jets to Ankara, but supports selling F-35s to Greece.
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NewsAirbus nears C295 maritime patrol deal with Spain
Airbus Defence & Space expects Spain to sign a contract this year to acquire C295 twin-turboprops adapted for maritime patrol duties, after the nation’s air force recently retired its last long-serving Lockheed P-3 Orion.
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NewsTechnical F-15 and F-16 documents leaked in online gaming forum
Military video game forum users posted apparently restricted documents pertaining to Boeing F-15s and Lockheed Martin F-16s.
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In depthUSA must pair anti-missile systems with ‘passive’ air base defences: Rand
Hardened shelters, camouflage and widely dispersing aircraft on the ground are the most cost-effective means of increasing the resiliency of air bases against attack from advanced adversaries, according to analysis by research group Rand Corporation.
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In depthFalling short: why India’s domestic fighter programmes must hit ambitious targets
With its combat fleet size in decline, the Indian air force is counting on domestic programmes to recapitalise its fighter inventory from the end of this decade.
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NewsAurora advances to second phase of DARPA ‘active flow’ flight-control experiment
The Boeing subsidiary is designing an aircraft for the US military that can fly without traditional mechanical control surfaces, as part of an attempt to increase aerodynamic performance.
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NewsStratolaunch completes second ‘captive carry’ test flight of hypersonic vehicle
The California-based hypersonic development firm is testing a two-aircraft system, in which the hypersonic vehicle is carried and launched from underneath a dual fuselage, high-wing jet.
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NewsUSA transfers third Lockheed C-130 to Niger
The donation is the third of the Lockheed Martin cargo transports Washington has provided the Niger air force as part of counter terrorism efforts in West Africa.
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NewsFrench air force to take 13 Rafales this year, as next order nears
The French air force should receive 13 new Dassault Rafales during 2023, with Paris also expected to this year sign a production contract for its final tranche of the multirole combat aircraft.