All Fixed-Wing news – Page 41
-
NewsQatar broadens defence partnership with the UK, including pilot training
Qatar and the UK have broadened their defence partnership, with new initiatives including “extending and expanding collaboration and knowledge sharing across the joint UK-Qatar [Eurofighter] Typhoon and [BAE Systems] Hawk aircraft squadrons”.
-
NewsCommander of USAF bomber force sees need to re-evaluate B-21 fleet plans
A senior US Air Force leader suggests that it would be prudent to consider obtaining significantly more Northrop Grumman B-21 bombers given the existing nature of threats.
-
NewsOutgoing US Air Force leaders defer sixth-generation fighter decision to Trump administration
After promising for months to deliver a new strategy for the next generation of new aircraft development, civilian leaders of the US Air Force are deferring a decision on the service’s sixth-generation fighter programme to the incoming administration of Donald Trump.
-
NewsAirbus details 5% staff reduction target for defence and space unit
Airbus has detailed proposed reductions that will reduce the headcount of its defence unit by approximately 5% over the next 18 months, with just over 2,000 posts to be removed.
-
NewsNorway, UK and USA test F-35 data-sharing during live-fire bombing drills
The drills over Norway and the North Sea involved fighters and bombers teaming with surveillance jets, reconnaissance aircraft, tankers and ground-based fire-control personnel to strike targets in Norway with live ordnance.
-
NewsSierra Nevada begins modifying first 747-8 for ‘Doomsday’ jet replacement programme
Known as the Survivable Airborne Operations Centre, or SAOC, the new fleet of Boeing 747-derivative jets are intended to replace the US Air Force’s Boeing E-4B Nightwatch aircraft, which can serve as an airborne platform for commanding the American nuclear arsenal.
-
AnalysisUK’s Strategic Defence Review process poised to enter next phase
The UK government’s Strategic Defence Review process is poised to enter its next phase, following the completion of an initial consultation period.
-
NewsRAF, Skunk Works collaborate to trial transatlantic F-35 data transfer
Lockheed Martin and the Royal Air Force (RAF) have conducted a claimed world-first test during which live data was relayed from an F-35 stealth fighter airborne in the USA to a UK-developed command and control (C2) system on the other side of the Atlantic.
-
NewsPentagon confirms A-10 strikes in Syria, claiming defence of US forces
Although the Pentagon has denied taking any part in the rebel offensive against Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, Washington says it conducted what are described as “self-defence strikes” in Syria against unspecfied threats to US forces and their partners.
-
NewsLockheed ‘getting close’ on finalised contract for F-35 Lot 18 and 19 production
The defence giant’s chief financial officer says the company has secured a “handshake” agreement with the Pentagon on terms for the next round of F-35 orders, with a firm contract coming potentially by end-of-year.
-
NewsUK launches new defence industrial strategy review, with resilience key
The UK government has begun work on a new defence industrial strategy, which it says will define steps to increase national resilience, prioritise investment in domestic companies, and boost exports.
-
NewsUSAF conducts test drop of new Stand-in Attack Weapon
The US Air Force has completed the first successful drop of the Stand-in Attack Weapon from a Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter.
-
NewsDutch F-35s arrive in Estonia for NATO air policing mission
The Royal Netherlands Air Force F-35As are the first NATO fighter jets to deploy to the newly renovated Amari air base in Estonia, supporting the alliance’s combat air patrols along the eastern frontier with Russia.
-
NewsSpanish Eurofighter makes first flight with AESA radar installed
A first flight has been completed by a Spanish air force Eurofighter equipped with a new active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar.
-
NewsBabcock, KAI join forces for European training sector push
Babcock and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) will jointly pursue training opportunities in Europe, under the terms of a newly signed memorandum of understanding.
-
NewsSkyAlyne signs G120TP, PC-21 trainer contracts in support of Canadian FAcT programme
Grob Aircraft and Pilatus have been awarded contracts to supply a combined 42 new turboprop-powered aircraft for use as part of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s future pilot training system.
-
NewsTurkey drops plan to purchase F-16 Block 70 upgrade kits, opting for domestic improvement work
While Turkey will still move forward with the purchase of 40 new F-16V fighter jets from Lockheed Martin, Ankara has decided to scrap a planned acquisition of 79 Block 70 upgrade kits for its existing F-16 fleet, opting instead to contract with domestic Turkish Aerospace for the modernisations.
-
NewsUS Air Force seeks new ‘runway independent’ regional airlifter
The Next Generation Intra-theater Airlift programme aims to enhance the air force’s existing airlift capability with a regional logistics aircraft able to operate without ground infrastructure like a maintained runway.
-
NewsUS P-8A transits Taiwan Strait with Chinese aircraft shadowing
A Boeing P-8A maritime patrol jet from the US Navy overflew the Taiwan Strait separating the island from mainland China, a waterway over which Beijing claims jurisdiction but Washington views as international water.
-
NewsAEC Skyline-Top Aces team lands Dutch adversary training service deal
The Royal Netherlands Air Force has selected AEC Skyline and Top Aces to provide advanced adversary air training services from 1 January 2025.