All articles by Ryan Finnerty – Page 27
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NewsHermeus releases taxi test footage of first Quarterhorse flight vehicle
The US hypersonic flight developer is progressing toward the maiden sortie for its first flight-capable vehicle, the subsonic Quarterhorse Mk 1, which will serve as the foundation for an eventual hypersonic aircraft.
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In depthUS Air Force continues withdrawal of older F-15s from Japan
With production of Boeing’s latest F-15EX variant ramping up, the US Air Force is continuing to reassign ageing F-15C/D Eagle fighters from forward bases in Japan, which is set to receive the newer and more-capable Eagle II.
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In depthUS Army begins ‘most significant’ transformation of airborne surveillance in service history
Under a $991 million contract, systems integrator Sierra Nevada will convert Bombardier Global 6500 business jets into airborne surveillance and reconnaissance platforms to replace a current fleet of turboprops.
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NewsUSAF KC-46 suffers emergency during refuelling flight
While the US Air Force has not specified the nature of the issue, unverified photos on social media show the aircraft on the ground with a severed fuel-transfer boom.
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NewsShield AI algorithm completes multi-aircraft autonomous flight
The company whose artificial intelligence agent successfully controlled a Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter for dogfighting drills has notched another milestone, for the first time controlling multiple aircraft in flight simultaneously.
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NewsUS and South Korea launch 2,000 sorties in ‘largest-ever’ fighter drills
Dubbed Ulchi Freedom Shield, the five-day exercise over the Korean Peninsula includes a staggering 2,000 sorties during 120h of continuous flying.
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NewsUS Army activates new aviation command to oversee Arctic flight operations
The army’s new Alaska-based Arctic Aviation Command will oversee rotary-wing flight operations in the high north, which has become an area of increased focus for the USA, Russia and China.
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NewsUkraine challenges Russian air defences over Moscow
At least 10 uncrewed aerial vehicles were shot down over Moscow by Russian forces during a large air attack on 20 August, while Ukraine fired dozens more weapons at targets elsewhere across Russia.
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NewsB-2 stealth bombers make surprise appearance in Australia
Northrop Grumman B-2 stealth bombers from the US Air Force completed a transpacific flight from their base in the USA, making a night landing at a Royal Australian Air Force Base in Queensland on 16 August.
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NewsBAE to upgrade F-15EX and F/A-18E/F flight computers
The UK aviation systems producer was selected by Boeing to upgrade flight computers on two of the airframer’s marquee fighter platforms – the latest F-15EX and the long-serving F/A-18E/F.
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NewsSikorsky delivers final VH-92A presidential helicopter
Rotorcraft manufacturer Sikorsky has turned over the 23rd and final VH-92A presidential helicopter to the US Marine Corps, completing the programme of record for the new fleet of vertical lift aircraft for the US president.
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NewsUS Navy installs first MQ-25 control station on aircraft carrier
The new Unmanned Air Warfare Center, developed by Lockheed Martin, has been fitted in the USS George HW Bush, where it will be used to control the forthcoming Boeing MQ-25 autonomous refueller.
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NewsMerlin launches aerial testing on KC-135 autonomous flight system
The autonomous flight start-up reveals it has completed three evaluation flights with the US Air National Guard, and hopes to conduct an in-flight demonstration of its autonomous Merlin Pilot system during 2025.
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NewsTaliban flies US and Soviet helicopters in Afghanistan military parade
In an event marking three years since the militant group overran the capital of Afghanistan, forces of the ruling Taliban government showed off a host of military hardware captured from the now defunct Afghan National Army, including US- and Soviet-made helicopters of various types.
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NewsUSAF can no longer count on overseas bases for power projection
Top service leaders within the US Air Force say forward air bases can no longer be counted upon as sanctuaries for US forces in the era of modern conflict, and recently completed military exercises aimed to test new methods of generating combat sorties.
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NewsCanada begins construction of new quick reaction air base for F-35s
The new quick reaction alert facility at CFB Bagotville in Quebec will support the future deployment of Canada’s forthcoming Lockheed Martin F-35A stealth fighters in support of North American airspace defence missions.
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In depthUkraine pursues retired NATO fighter pilots to fly new F-16 fleet
The government of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has informed US legislators that it will seek to recruit retired NATO fighter pilots to supplement the country’s air force, which recently began operating donated Lockheed Martin F-16s.
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NewsUSMC cites pilot error in 2023 fatal Osprey crash in Australia
Investigators have concluded that a loss of situational awareness by the pilot, rather than any material or mechanical failure, caused the August 2023 crash of a Bell-Boeing V-22 tiltrotor near Darwin, Australia that killed three US Marine Corps personnel.
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NewsPentagon orders stealth fighter-equipped aircraft carrier to Middle East
The deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln to the Middle East will add a squadron of sea-based Lockheed Martin F-35C stealth fighters and three squadrons of Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet strike fighters to the existing USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group already in the region.
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NewsUSAF crew faulted for Ellsworth B-1B crash
The January incident at Ellsworth AFB resulted in the destruction of the $450 million bomber and a rare quadruple ejection of the crew, who were attempting to execute an instrument landing during poor weather.