All Defence articles – Page 5
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NewsGeneral Atomics unveils Gambit 6 uncrewed tactical jet for air-to-ground missions
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has revealed the Gambit 6, a new air-to-ground variant of its Gambit family of modular, uncrewed tactical jets, with international deliveries planned from 2027 and European versions available in 2029.
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NewsGeneral Atomics flies second YFQ-42A prototype fighter
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems confirms it is now flying two examples of its YFQ-42A prototype fighter, with the second aircraft conducting flight testing under the US Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft programme.
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NewsGE and Kratos complete high-altitude testing of GEK800 autonomous fighter engine
GE Aerospace and Kratos have successfully completed high-altitude tests of their GEK800 turbofan, designed to power low-cost uncrewed tactical aircraft at significantly reduced prices compared to conventional fighter engines.
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NewsNorway and NH Industries avoid court fight with €375m settlement over NH90 contract axe
Norway and NH Industries have reached an out-of-court settlement that sees the airframer pay €375 million ($431 million) to end a long-running dispute over a cancelled contract for 14 NH90 military helicopters.
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NewsUS Army soldier becomes first non-aviator to operate autonomous UH-60 demonstrator
A US Army soldier has become the first non-aviator to independently plan and execute missions using Sikorsky’s optionally piloted UH-60 Black Hawk demonstrator in training exercises.
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NewsAnduril logs first flight with YFQ-44A autonomous fighter prototype
US air force secretary Troy Meink heralded the start of competitive flight-testing as a key breakthrough in the effort to field a new class of uncrewed tactical jets known as Collaborative Combat Aircraft.
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NewsUS Navy contractor phasing in Robinson TH-66 for rotary-wing training
US Navy and Coast Guard pilot trainees will receive basic rotary-wing instruction using Robinson’s TH-66 light helicopter under a new partnership with contractor Helicopter Institute.
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In depthUSAF seeks 22% fighter fleet expansion to 1,558 jets by 2035
The US Air Force requires a 22% expansion of its fighter fleet to 1,558 aircraft by 2035, up from 1,271 currently, according to an analysis report obtained by FlightGlobal that cites global security requirements and an ageing inventory as major impediments to the goal.
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NewsNew Chinese trainer hints at need to train fifth-generation pilots
Images circulating on Chinese social media show a new twin-engined advanced jet trainer featuring canted tails and low-observable design elements, potentially aimed at preparing pilots for fifth-generation fighter operations.
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NewsAustralia begins P-8A Poseidon capability upgrade programme
The first Australian Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft has entered a capability upgrade programme that will improve its submarine detection and targeting capabilities.
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In depthLawmakers urge Boeing to end 12-week strike at fighter plant strike
Sixteen House Armed Services Committee members have written to Boeing chief executive Kelly Ortberg demanding resolution of the 12-week strike at the company’s St. Louis fighter production facility, citing national security concerns as delays impact F-15EX deliveries.
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NewsUS Air Force ‘hurricane hunter’ flight turned back by severe turbulence
A US Air Force weather reconnaissance flight was forced to return early after encountering severe turbulence while collecting data on Hurricane Melissa, a powerful Category 5 storm that later struck Jamaica.
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NewsFrench navy to lease trio of Pilatus PC-24 business jets from Jet Aviation
Jet Aviation is to acquire a trio of Pilatus PC-24 midsize business jets for lease to the French navy as transport and training assets.
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NewsItaly lines up follow-on order for 29 AW249 Fenice attack helicopters in €1.22 billion deal
Italy has begun the process of contracting a third batch of Leonardo AW249 Fenice attack helicopters for its army in a deal valued at €1.22 billion ($1.41 billion).
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AnalysisSecond J-36 prototype emerges with configuration changes
Fresh imagery from Chinese social media indicates a second prototype of China’s three-engined J-36 fighter has begun test flights, featuring significant configuration modifications including revised engine intakes, landing gear arrangement and exhaust system.
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NewsBell names chief commercial officer as new CEO after Atherton promotion
Rotorcraft manufacturer Bell has appointed chief commercial officer Danny Maldonado as its new chief executive, effective January, following Lisa Atherton’s promotion to lead parent company Textron.
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NewsTextron plans Wichita assembly for Beechcraft M-346N military trainer
US airframer Textron will build its new Beechcraft military jet at its Wichita hub if it secures a US Navy contract to supply the service’s next-generation trainer programme.
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NewsAirbus to pitch Eurofighter as replacement for Portugal’s F-16 fleet
Airbus Defence & Space has signed a memorandum of understanding with Portuguese manufacturers to develop a Eurofighter industrial proposition for the country’s Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter replacement programme.
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NewsTurkey orders 20 Eurofighter Typhoons under £5.4bn deal
Turkey has agreed to purchase 20 Eurofighter Typhoon fighters in a £5.4 billion deal that will extend production at UK manufacturing sites into the 2030s.
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NewsSeoul reviews AH-64E plans, with CH-47F as only bidder for special ops deal
Seoul is reviewing its planned acquisition of 36 additional Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, while the CH-47F Chinook has emerged as the only bidder for a separate special operations helicopter requirement.