Ryan Finnerty
Ryan Finnerty is the Americas defence reporter for FlightGlobal.com and Flight International magazine, covering military aviation and the defence industry. He is a former United States Army officer and previously reported for America’s National Public Radio system in New York and Hawaii covering energy, economics and military affairs.
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NewsUS Air Force takes delivery of 100th KC-46A tanker
The milestone delivery comes as the Air Mobility Command is increasingly relying on KC-46As to support frontline military operations across the globe.
NewsThunderbirds F-16 crashes during California training flight
A Lockheed Martin F-16 from the US Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration team has crashed during a training flight in California, with the pilot ejecting safely and remaining in stable condition.
NewsElectra launches defence unit targeting military applications for EL9 ‘ultra-short’ concept
US aircraft developer Electra has established a dedicated defence business unit to pursue military applications for its EL9 ultra-short take-off and landing concept, appointing former Boeing executive Donn Yates as general manager.
NewsUS Army launches aerial reconnaissance training with Edge Autonomy VXE30 Stalker
US Army soldiers will begin operating Edge Autonomy’s VXE30 Stalker this month as the service fields the vertical take-off uncrewed system in support of aerial reconnaissance instruction courses.
NewsBrazil test fires Meteor beyond-visual-range missiles from Gripen E
Brazil has achieved a significant milestone in its Gripen E programme by test firing MBDA’s Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile from an F-39E fighter, marking a crucial step in expanding the capabilities of the country’s growing fleet.
AnalysisHow the Ukraine war has (and has not) changed the helicopter’s role in combat
Significant Russian helicopter losses in the early months of the Russia-Ukraine war have led many to proclaim the end of rotary-wing aviation in combat, but a former US Army general and Bell executive argues it was just bad tactics and poor planning.
NewsBoeing lands $4.6bn Apache attack helicopter order for Poland, Kuwait and Egypt
Boeing has secured a $4.6 billion international order for AH-64E Apache attack helicopters that includes 96 aircraft for Poland and an unspecified number for Kuwait and Egypt.
NewsUS Air Force inks $2.4bn contract with Boeing for KC-46A Lot 12
Boeing has secured a $2.4 billion US Air Force contract for 15 KC-46A Pegasus aerial refuellers under production Lot 12, with deliveries expected to be complete by mid-2029.
NewsDARPA launches X-plane competition for new uncrewed cargo drone
The Pentagon’s technology incubator has launched a competition seeking novel designs for uncrewed cargo aircraft capable of carrying payloads more than four times their own weight, with applications spanning military logistics to civil package delivery.
NewsBoeing secures $271m order for MH-47G special operations Chinooks
Boeing’s vertical lift division has secured an $271 million contract from the US Special Operations Command for MH-47G special operations rotorcraft, likely covering around 18 aircraft based on previous pricing.
NewsAurora progressing on assembly of X-65 active flow control demonstrator
Aurora Flight Sciences has shared images of its X-65 active flow control demonstrator under assembly, with the prototype designed to eliminate traditional control surfaces through embedded aerodynamic effectors.
NewsUS F-35A test dropped inert B61 nuclear bombs in August
US Air Force Lockheed Martin F-35A fighters have completed integration tests with inert B61-12 nuclear gravity bombs, proving the stealth jet’s “dual capable” status of being able to deliver conventional and nuclear munitions.
In depthFormer Canadian military officers urge Ottawa to ignore Gripens and proceed with F-35 buy
Twelve retired senior Royal Canadian Air Force officers have written to Prime Minister Mark Carney warning against reducing Canada’s planned 88-aircraft F-35A purchase in favour of Swedish Saab Gripen fighters, as political tensions with the USA prompt Ottawa to reconsider its fighter modernisation programme.
NewsRed 6 adds augmented reality to Apache attack helicopter testbed
Augmented-reality start-up Red 6 has integrated its Advanced Tactical Augmented Reality Systems into a Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopter cockpit, marking the company’s inaugural foray into rotary-wing applications.
NewsF-22 successfully controls uncrewed MQ-20 in demonstration flight
The US Air Force has successfully demonstrated the ability of an F-22 Raptor to control an General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-20 Avenger unmanned jet during flight, marking a significant step toward integrating the stealth fighter with future Collaborative Combat Aircraft.
NewsTrump to approve F-35 fighter sale to Saudi Arabia
President Donald Trump says he will approve the sale of Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighters to Saudi Arabia, marking a significant shift in US Middle East defence policy and potentially making the kingdom the F-35 programme’s 21st global operator.
NewsUkraine signs deal with France to purchase up to 100 Rafale fighters
Ukraine has signed a procurement agreement with France covering the acquisition of 100 Dassault Rafale F4 fighters by 2035, along with air defence systems and joint drone production programmes.
NewsUSA now has sufficient military assets in Caribbean to wage air campaign against Venezuela
According to recent analysis, the Pentagon has assembled sufficient military assets in the Caribbean to launch an air campaign against Venezuela, including the USS Gerald R Ford carrier strike group and F-35B stealth fighters, as tensions between Washington and Caracas smolder.
NewsTurkish air force C-130 breaks apart mid-flight over Caucasus
Video circulating on social media shows what appears to be a portion of the aircraft’s fuselage and wing spiraling downward and ultimately impacting the ground.
NewsFirst P-8A anti-submarine warfare aircraft arrives in Germany
Germany’s first Boeing P-8A Poseidon has arrived at Berlin-Brandenburg airport, marking the beginning of a fleet modernisation that will replace the country’s retired P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft with eight advanced anti-submarine warfare jets by 2029.