All Fixed-Wing news – Page 4
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NewsNearly one-third of US Senators oppose selling F-16s to Turkey
In a letter to President Joe Biden, 29 US Senators officially declared their opposition to selling NATO ally Turkey F-16 fighter jets, unless Ankara drops its opposition to Finland and Sweden entering the military alliance.
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News
USAF launches effort to develop stealthy air tanker
Formerly known as “KC-Z”, the programme now dubbed Next Generation Air-refuelling System seeks to deliver an air tanker capable of surviving in a contested environment by 2040.
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News
Aurora and General Atomics advance in DARPA seaplane project
The aircraft manufacturers will develop designs for full-scale demonstrators under the ‘Liberty Lifter’ programme, which seeks to produce a heavy lift aircraft that can take-off and land without ground or ship-based infrastructure.
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Analysis
From freighters to Air Force One: how the current 747 fleet is deployed
After a production run totalling 1,574 aircraft, Boeing’s 747 remains in widespread use around the globe, with almost one-quarter of all delivered jumbos still operational.
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Analysis
How 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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News
RAF 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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News
USAF 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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News
JAL 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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News
Italian 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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News
Lockheed’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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News
Flat 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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News
Qinetiq 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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News
US, 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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News
USAF 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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News
France 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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News
Key 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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News
Airbus 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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News
Technical 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 depth
USA 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 depth
Falling 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.
