All articles by Ryan Finnerty
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In depth‘There is no kill switch’: Pentagon denies F-35 rumours as calls grow to ditch US defence products
With allied governments and industrial competitors now openly discussing possible cancellation of orders for the American stealth fighter, the Pentagon’s F-35 office is officially denying unsubstantiated rumours it can remotely disable the jets of overseas operators.
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NewsAustralia races to field MQ-4C maritime surveillance fleet amid heightened Chinese naval activity
With its first Northrop Grumman MQ-4C uncrewed aircraft delivered, and two more examples soon to follow, the Royal Australian Air Force plans to have a long-range maritime surveillance capability operational by early next year.
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AnalysisAllies suggest passing on F-35 acquisitions amid questions of US reliability
Defence ministers from Portugal and Canada now say they must consider alternatives to the US-made Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighter for their fleet modernisation efforts, in light of recent comments from Washington about support for NATO and rhetoric toward allies.
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NewsGeneral Atomics testing remotely piloted flight with satellite network key to polar operations
The uncrewed aircraft manufacturer says it has completed two test flights of a Gray Eagle 25M controlled remotely via a low-earth-orbit satellite network – technology that could allow expanded range in polar regions.
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In depthUS LC-130s pioneer take-off and landing on frozen lakes
Recent training operations in the Canadian Arctic saw the New York Air National Guard’s unique fleet of Lockheed Martin LC-130 “Skibirds” land on a frozen lake surface, the first time the ski landing gear-equipped transports have operated from freshwater ice, rather than the polar sea ice or snow they typically use.
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In depthUS Air Force wrapping up analysis of next-generation tanker requirement
The general in charge of the service’s fleet of cargo and refueller aircraft says the service has been evaluating its needs for a new tanker aircraft, including runway requirements, fuel transfer capacity and observability signature.
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In depthUncrewed fighter makers shift away from disposable concept to reusable aircraft
Rather than the ultra-cheap, single-use weapon systems at one time envisioned for the US Air Force’s new generation of uncrewed fighters, developers of the new aircraft now say the jets will be intended for reuse, but with far shorter lifespans than traditional military platforms.
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In depthChina’s new sixth-generation aircraft likely for air superiority role: USAF
The general in charge of the US Air Force’s fighter fleet says the Pentagon believes the sixth-generation aircraft seen over China late last year are intended to provide air superiority, as Beijing continues to expand its military readiness.
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In depthCanada outlines role of P-8 and MQ-9B fleets in Arctic defence
The senior Canadian officer at the bi-national North American Aerospace Defence Command says Ottawa’s planned fleet of General Atomics MQ-9B uncrewed aircraft will be used to provide broad surveillance of Canada’s three oceanic coastlines, while the country’s forthcoming Boeing P-8A maritime patrol jets will conduct in-depth investigations of potential threats.
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NewsUSAF designates first uncrewed fighter prototypes YFQ-42A and YFQ-44A
The experimental designs from General Atomics and Anduril, which are set to fly this summer, are the first aircraft in the US inventory to bear the FQ designation representing an uncrewed fighter.
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NewsUSAF pauses KC-46 deliveries over structural cracks
The US Air Force, which operates 89 of the 767-derived tankers, has paused delivery of new aircraft after the discovery of structural cracks in two recently assembled jets that Boeing was preparing to turn over.
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NewsCollins advances bid to supply new F-35 power and cooling system
Although the Pentagon has not decided how to address long-term power and cooling needs of the Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighter, aviation systems supplier Collins Aerospace is hoping to oust current provider Honeywell Aerospace on the lucrative programme.
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NewsPentagon deploys additional aviation assets to US-Mexico border
Some 650 military aviation personnel from the US Army are being sent to the USA’s frontier with Mexico, including Sikorsky UH-60 and Boeing CH-47 helicopter crews, as part of Trump administration’s ongoing border security push.
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NewsPoland signs lease agreement with US Army covering eight Apache attack helicopters
The eight older Boeing AH-64Ds will serve as an advance force for 96 new AH-64Es Poland plans to buy from the US airframer.
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NewsArgentina unveils first of used F-16s being acquired from Denmark
Buenos Aires is only now rebuilding its fighter fleet more 40 years after diplomatic fallout over the Falklands War left the country barred from accessing modern combat aircraft.
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In depthUS Air Force dubs new OA-1K armed crop duster ‘Skyraider II’ ahead of first delivery
The US Air Force and Special Operations Command are preparing to field the new low-cost close air support platform developed under the Armed Overwatch programme, which uses an Air Tractor turboprop modified for combat service by L3Harris.
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In depthTrump to impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico in March
US President Donald Trump on 27 February affirmed his intention to raise import duties on the two key trade partners starting on 4 March, after previously delaying the punitive measures.
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NewsCanadian start-up reveals balloon-launched glider for long-range strike
Alberta-based Landing Zones Canada has completed development and flight testing of the Eagle Advanced Payload Delivery System, a low-observable glider that deploys from stratospheric altitudes via balloon to deliver lethal effects over significant distances.
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NewsUS Navy renews fighter avionics sustainment contract with GE Aerospace
The performance-based logistics agreement will cover fighter jets from the US, Australian and Spanish navies as well as Bell AH-1Z attack helicopters from the US Marine Corps.
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NewsUS Navy works to salvage crashed EA-18G from San Deigo harbour
Underwater salvage divers and explosive ordnance disposal technicians have already recovered more than 7,275kg (16,000lb) of wreckage from the doomed fighter jet, which crashed into the waters of San Diego Bay on 12 February.