Fixed-wing – Page 130
-
NewsChanging world creates vexing challenge for USAF planners: Rand
Washington think tank Rand has outlined the challenges facing US Air Force (USAF) and defence planners in a series of papers focusing on the future of warfare in the coming decade. The series of papers, which were sponsored by USAF, points out that the US has a poor record predicting ...
-
News‘Agile’ strategy fails to deliver as F-35 upgrade two years late and cost rise $1.5bn
The Block 4 upgrade, modernisation of the relatively new stealth fighter’s software and hardware, was initially to be delivered by 2024, but now will not be handed over until 2026. Problems also pushed up the cost on the modernisation effort to an estimated $12.1 billion.
-
NewsRoyal Canadian Air Force fighter competition delayed by coronavirus until 31 July
The deadline was pushed back at the request of potential bidders in the competition. Ottawa wants to buy 88 fighter aircraft, worth $15 to $19 billion.
-
NewsUSAF abandons 80% mission capability goal after three fighters miss target
The mission capability rate is defined as the percentage of a fleet of an aircraft that are able to perform at least one assigned mission over a period of time.
-
NewsLeonardo gains initial certification for M-345
Leonardo has secured initial certification for its M-345, edging the jet trainer closer to service introduction with the Italian air force.
-
NewsLockheed Martin Skunk Works demos autonomous reconnaissance pod
Lockheed Martin’s Advanced Development Programs, also known as Skunk Works, has demonstrated an artificial intelligence-powered intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance pod autonomously searching out and confirming a target in a demonstration.
-
NewsLong-Range Standoff Weapon franchise worth $10 billion over lifetime: Raytheon
The USAF gave Raytheon a sole-source contract in April for the LRSO, ending the missile development competition early. Lockheed Martin was also competing to design and build the missile.
-
NewsJoint battlefield network one of USAF’s highest priorities: chief of staff nominee
US Air Force chief of staff nominee General Charles Brown plans to make pursuit of the Pentagon’s Joint All-Domain Command and Control battlefield network concept one of the service’s highest priorities.
-
In depthDynetics plans operational hypersonic missile factory by autumn 2020
The weapons technology company is leading a team of subcontractors, including General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Technologies to build the USA’s first production example of a hypersonic weapon, the Common Hypersonic Glide Body
-
In depth8 key hypersonic missile efforts for the US Department of Defense
In a race to catch up with China and Russia, the US Air Force, Army and Navy are sharing funding, designs and maybe eventually components from hypersonic weapons. These heady early days of industry and service co-operation will probably not last, but represent the all-hands-on-deck urgency that the US Department of Defense believes is needed.
-
In depth7 technical challenges that need to be overcome by hypersonic missile builders
There remain great challenges to designing, building and fielding a reliable hypersonic weapon. Overcoming these seven technical problems is essential to advancing hypersonic missile technology to an operational state, according to leading experts at Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Raytheon Technologies.
-
In depthPentagon to launch National Consortium for Applied Hypersonics by end of 2020
The US Department of Defense is moving forward with a plan to build and fund a consortium of universities to boost its hypersonic missile development efforts and train a new generation of scientists and engineers in the field
-
In depthGeneration Orbit starts building X-60A hypersonic test vehicle
The X-60A rocket, designed to test components of hypersonic missiles, is approaching flight readiness and safety reviews by the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). Those milestones come ahead of initial flight tests, which are expected to begin later this year and continue into 2021.
-
NewsCameroon picks Marshall for C-130 maintenance
The UK’s Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group has secured a five-year contract to maintain the Cameroon air force’s Lockheed Martin C-130H tactical transports.
-
NewsBronco II light attack aircraft returns with Leidos bid for US Special Ops Armed Overwatch
Leidos is leading a team that is putting forward the Bronco II light attack aircraft as an option for the US Special Operation Command’s Armed Overwatch programme.
-
NewsBAE completes purchase of Raytheon airborne radios business
BAE Systems has finalised its planned purchase of Raytheon’s airborne tactical radios business, completing a disposal process mandated as part of the US company’s recent merger with United Technologies.
-
NewsNorthrop to prototype communications gateway for fifth-generation fighters
Northrop Grumman will develop the prototype of a new system that enables improved communications among diverse platforms. The company labels the system gatewayOne, and is undertaking the work under the US Air Force’s (USAF’s) Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) effort, following a contract with the service’s Life Cycle Management Center. ...
-
NewsUS Air Force launches study of another hypersonic cruise missile
The US Air Force is conducting market research in search of companies capable of helping to build an air-breathing hypersonic cruise missile.
-
News‘Air Force One’ gets $168 million cost overrun due to coronavirus
Boeing added a $168 million charge to its development of the US Air Force’s VC-25B presidential transport due to disruptions to its engineering process caused by coronavirus.
-
NewsBoeing KC-46A refuelling boom camera redesign to cost $551 million
Total losses on the KC-46A programme have now risen to about $4.6 billion.