All Fixed-wing articles
-
NewsKAI secures contract for KF-21 strike capabilities
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has secured a W686 billion ($465 million) contract from Seoul’s defence procurement agency to expand the KF-21 fighter’s weapons capability beyond air-to-air systems, with air-to-ground testing now accelerated to early 2027.
-
NewsPortugal takes delivery of first Embraer A-29Ns and eyes potential for final assembly line
Portugal has taken delivery of its first five of 12 A-29N Super Tucano training and close air support aircraft, with Lisbon also announcing a partnership with Embraer to explore the establishment of an in-country final assembly line.
-
NewsRAAF C-130J fleet achieves FOC with Block 8.1 upgrade
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has achieved Final Operational Capability for its upgraded C-130J tactical transport fleet, with 12 aircraft brought to the Block 8.1 configuration under the AIR 5440 programme. The improvements enhance reliability and readiness ahead of new aircraft deliveries later this decade.
-
NewsNew four-engined Chinese tactical transport spotted in flight
A new four-engined military transport aircraft, believed to be the AVIC Y-30, has been photographed in flight over China, revealing design characteristics that appear partially influenced by the Airbus A400M.
-
NewsLeonardo receives formal contract for Austrian M-346 F Block 20 acquisition
Leonardo is to start work on the Austrian air force’s future fleet of 12 M-346 F Block 20 training and light-attack aircraft, having received a contract award via Italy’s Directorate of Aeronautical Armaments and Airworthiness.
-
NewsLockheed unveils first F-35A stealth fighter bound for Finland
Lockheed Martin has displayed the first F-35A Lightning II destined for Finland at its Fort Worth facility, marking a milestone for the Nordic nation’s 64-aircraft programme to replace its Boeing F/A-18C/D Hornet fleet.
-
AnalysisChina reveals first flight of stealthy CH-7 UAV for long-range targeting mission
The tailless uncrewed jet contains several features associated with low-observable aircraft and is believed to play a role in the development of kill chains for the Chinese military.
-
NewsC-130J 'uniquely positioned' for India's Medium Transport Aircraft need, Lockheed Martin says
Lockheed Martin is confident that its C-130J is best placed to meet the Indian air force’s Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) requirement, with the US company highlighting its existing relationship with the nation’s defence industrial base.
-
NewsBAE Systems to supply updated IFF system for Seoul’s KF-21 Boramae fighter
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has awarded BAE Systems Inc an $11 million contract to provide updated identification friend or foe (IFF) equipment for integration with its in-development KF-21 fighter.
-
NewsUS Air Force places $240m Lot 2 order for Kongsberg Joint Strike Missiles
The US Air Force has awarded Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace a $240 million contract for Lot 2 production of its air-launched Joint Strike Missile.
-
NewsCanada picks Global 6500 for six-unit RCAF buy
Bombardier is to supply six Global 6500 business jets to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) under a C$753 million ($546 million) contract.
-
NewsChina completes first flight of Jetank ‘swarm carrier’ drone
China’s state-owned AVIC has completed the first flight of its Jetank drone swarm carrier, designed to deploy dozens of smaller uncrewed aircraft from an internal hive module.
-
NewsSwitzerland to trim F-35A purchase, with cost rises leaving 36-unit buy ‘not financially feasible’
Switzerland’s acquisition of Lockheed Martin F-35A stealth fighters will fall short of its contracted 36 examples due to budget limitations, the nation’s Federal Council has announced.
-
NewsJetBlue A320 crew startled by encounter with ‘unseen’ military tanker north of Venezuela
A JetBlue Airbus A320 crew reported a close encounter with a US Air Force tanker aircraft operating without an active transponder during climb-out from Curacao on 12 December, forcing the commercial flight to halt its ascent.
-
In depthT-38C phase out begins as USAF flight school receives first T-7A trainer
The US Air Force’s Air Education and Training Command has received its first Boeing T-7A Red Hawk trainer jet, marking a significant milestone in the service’s efforts to modernise pilot training and replace its ageing fleet of Northrop T-38C Talon aircraft.
-
NewsAustralia awards CAE 10-year contract to deliver Future Air Mission Training System
CAE has been awarded a more than A$300 million ($200 million) contract to deliver the Royal Australian Air Force’s Future Air Mission Training System capability.
-
NewsUS Air Force begins testing new radar for B-52 bomber
The US Air Force has begun evaluating a new active electronically scanned array radar system for its B-52H bomber fleet, with testing now underway at Edwards AFB following delivery of the first modified aircraft from Boeing’s San Antonio facility.
-
NewsNetherlands crew demonstrates F-35A weapons loading for USAF aircraft
Netherlands air force maintainers have successfully demonstrated weapons loading procedures on a US Air Force F-35A, highlighting growing interoperability capabilities among European F-35 operators during a demonstration at Germany’s Ramstein air base.
-
NewsUS lawmakers approve 84% funding cut to US Navy’s F/A-XX sixth-generation fighter
Lawmakers in Washington are supporting a Trump Administration plan to provide only minimal funding to the US Navy’s F/A-XX sixth-generation fighter programme, instead favouring the US Air Force’s F-47.
-
NewsBangladesh signs LOI with Leonardo for Eurofighter Typhoon purchase
Bangladesh has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Leonardo signalling its interest in acquiring Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft.