Fixed-wing – Page 31
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NewsItaly, Japan and UK confirm joint GCAP fighter development pact
Italy, Japan and the UK have agreed to jointly develop a future fighter, with the nations to advance the effort via a trilateral Global Combat Air Programme activity.
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NewsB-21 test pilots discuss preparations for first flight
Loads calibration, structural strength evaluations and testing flight systems using a business jet are just a few of the tasks test pilots from Northrop Grumman and the US Air Force are undertaking in preparation for the new stealth bomber’s first flight.
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NewsUS military to explore use of sustainable aviation fuel
A directive from Congress included in the 2023 defence spending bill would require the Pentagon to establish at least one refinery and production of a 10% SAF fuel blend by 2028.
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NewsEurope must do more to support domestic industry, says Airbus defence chief
Decades of indecision over fleet modernisation and the lack of a joined-up industrial strategy have left European defence firms at a disadvantage against their US rivals for domestic business, according to the head of Airbus Defence & Space.
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NewsPratt & Whitney awarded preliminary contract for F-35 engine ‘enhancement’
A decision by the US Air Force on whether to completely replace the Lockheed Martin jet’s single engine or opt for a cheaper core upgrade to the existing powerplant remains unresolved.
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NewsNorthrop Grumman reveals B-21 test aircraft as stealth programme roars toward first flight
Northrop Grumman has unveiled the next-generation stealth bomber under development for the US Air Force.
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NewsDassault and Airbus break FCAS impasse and sign Phase 1B agreement
Dassault and Airbus have finally signed off on the next phase of the next-generation fighter they are developing on behalf of France, Germany and Spain, but first flight will now not be before 2029.
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NewsMilitary certification approval clears Gripen E for operational debut
Saab has secured a Military Restricted Type Certificate for its Gripen E from the Swedish and Brazilian authorities, clearing the way for the type to enter operational use.
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NewsFighter jets team with UAVs in airborne targeting demonstration
Four defence contractors, including General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Tactical Air Support and General Dynamics, collaborated to test a Lockheed Martin sensor system using teams of crewed and uncrewed aircraft.
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NewsWashington approves Finland purchase of Raytheon air-to-air, air-to-ground missiles
The government in Helsinki received approval for an official Foreign Military Sales request to purchase 40 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder missiles and 48 AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapons from Raytheon.
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NewsA400M on track to assume UK special forces support role, Airbus says
Airbus Defence & Space is making good progress against an accelerated capability development plan for the UK Royal Air Force’s (RAF’s) A400M Atlas fleet, a senior company official says.
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NewsUK Wedgetail AEW delivery schedule slips to 2024
The UK will face a longer than expected operational gap until the reintroduction of a dedicated fixed-wing airborne early warning aircraft capability, with prime contractor Boeing Defence UK confirming a slip to the delivery schedule for its E-7A Wedgetail programme.
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NewsGeneral Atomics selected to design DARPA’s ‘Liberty Lifter’ seaplane
The manufacturer of unmanned air vehicles will receive nearly $8 million from the Pentagon’s research and development agency to design a heavy-lift seaplane that can operate without traditional aviation infrastructure.
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NewsUS Air Force to buy 45 additional AESA radars for F-16 upgrades
The deal worth nearly $100 million is part of the USAF’s $6 billion effort to upgrade its fleet of the ageing Lockheed Martin single-engined jets.
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NewsBombardier begins aircraft modifications for German signals intelligence effort
The Canadian airframer will specially modify three Global 6000 jets at its Wichita, Kansas hub in support of a Lufthansa Technik delivery to a German air force intelligence programme.
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AnalysisWhich types departed our World Air Forces fleet listing?
We highlight some of the most notable national fleet retirements recorded in the 12 months since we published our last World Air Forces directory at the end of 2021.
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AnalysisHow year of conflict affected World Air Forces inventory
Our annual World Air Forces directory – published in association with Embraer – details the military aircraft fleets of 162 nations, and analyses the main events of the last 12 months.
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NewsUS Air National Guard recommends acquiring Leonardo's BriteCloud decoy
The US Air National Guard (ANG) has taken a significant step towards acquiring Leonardo’s BriteCloud 218 active decoy to protect its Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters, after issuing a so-called fielding recommendation.
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NewsStratolaunch lands USAF support for hypersonic test vehicle
The company created by late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen received a contract from the US Air Force Research Laboratory to support a 2023 flight test of Stratolaunch’s Talon-A hypersonic vehicle.
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NewsUS Navy P-8s can now strike submarines from 30,000ft
Boeing in August began full-rate production of the High Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare Weapon Capability, which will add precision-guided capability to the US Navy’s fleet of Boeing P-8 Poseidon patrol aircraft.