All Fixed-Wing news – Page 7
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NewsUS F-22s shoot down unidentified high-altitude object over Alaska
The Pentagon says at the direction of US President Joe Biden fighter aircraft shot down an unknown object off the coast of Alaska around 40,000ft, with military officials describing the craft as posing a hazard to commercial aviation.
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U-2 spy planes monitored Chinese balloon during USA transit
While the US military is keeping quiet about what measures it took during the recent balloon flyover, a senior American diplomat says high-altitude Lockheed Martin U-2 reconnaissance aircraft were used to collect information on the airship.
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Leonardo to upgrade avionics on USA’s remaining C-27Js
The $91 million contract with the US Special Operations Command will provide an upgraded avionics package on the ageing Leonardo tactical transports, currently operated by the US Coast Guard and the US Army’s special operators.
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UK announces Ukrainian fighter pilot training pact
The UK Ministry of Defence has pledged to deliver future training to Ukrainian air force fighter pilots, although its commitment stops short of any transfer of combat aircraft to Kyiv.
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Nearly 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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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.
