All articles by Ryan Finnerty – Page 6
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NewsLawmakers move to cut US F-35 purchases over ‘long-standing’ sustainment issues
A provision in wide-ranging defence legislation covering Pentagon operations for 2025 would limit new acquisitions of the Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighter to 48 examples until concerns about availability rates and aircraft sustainment are addressed.
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NewsIsrael strikes hit Syrian navy amid leadership uncertainty
The Israeli ministry of defence has confirmed it sank at least 15 Syrian naval vessels in the ports of Al-Bayda and Latakia as the region waits to see who will take control of the war-torn country’s new government.
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NewsDutch F-35s intercept Russian surveillance aircraft over Baltic Sea
Just a week after they arrived in Estonia to support NATO air patrols along the Russian border, F-35 fighters from the Royal Netherlands Air Force have intercepted Russian military aircraft over the Baltic Sea.
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NewsPentagon again grounds Osprey fleet after recent ‘near-crash’
The US miltiary’s fleet of Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey tiltrotors are grounded for the second time this year after what the Pentagon describes as a “near-crash” in November.
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NewsSyrian Il-76 disappears from flight tracking as ousted president defects to Russia
With a lightning advance of rebel fighters reaching Damascus, the country’s dictatorial president Bashar al-Assad fled the capital around the time a Syrian Air flight originating in Damascus disappeared from tracking over the rebel-controlled city of Homs.
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In depthNational leaders argue strong defence industry is essential to USA’s geopolitical position
Amid a turbulent transition into a new presidential administration in Washington, senior figures in the government are urging a continued commitment to the USA’s defence industry, at a time of precarious global security.
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NewsBoeing lands Lot 3 contract for US Army Block II Chinooks
The deal for three rotorcraft comes as Boeing and the US Army are negotiating a full-rate production deal for the latest version of the CH-47F, which could see hundreds of orders for Boeing.
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NewsOutgoing US Air Force leaders defer sixth-generation fighter decision to Trump administration
After promising for months to deliver a new strategy for the next generation of new aircraft development, civilian leaders of the US Air Force are deferring a decision on the service’s sixth-generation fighter programme to the incoming administration of Donald Trump.
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NewsLockheed names head of integrated fighters business to run Skunk Works
OJ Sanchez, a former US Air Force F-22 pilot, will take over the secretive Skunk Works advanced projects division after heading Lockheed’s integrated fighter group.
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NewsNorway, UK and USA test F-35 data-sharing during live-fire bombing drills
The drills over Norway and the North Sea involved fighters and bombers teaming with surveillance jets, reconnaissance aircraft, tankers and ground-based fire-control personnel to strike targets in Norway with live ordnance.
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NewsSierra Nevada begins modifying first 747-8 for ‘Doomsday’ jet replacement programme
Known as the Survivable Airborne Operations Centre, or SAOC, the new fleet of Boeing 747-derivative jets are intended to replace the US Air Force’s Boeing E-4B Nightwatch aircraft, which can serve as an airborne platform for commanding the American nuclear arsenal.
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NewsPentagon confirms A-10 strikes in Syria, claiming defence of US forces
Although the Pentagon has denied taking any part in the rebel offensive against Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, Washington says it conducted what are described as “self-defence strikes” in Syria against unspecfied threats to US forces and their partners.
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NewsLockheed ‘getting close’ on finalised contract for F-35 Lot 18 and 19 production
The defence giant’s chief financial officer says the company has secured a “handshake” agreement with the Pentagon on terms for the next round of F-35 orders, with a firm contract coming potentially by end-of-year.
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NewsUSA approves $1bn potential upgrade to India’s MH-60Rs
Arms regulators in Washington approved a possible package of support equipment for India’s fleet of Sikorsky MH-60R anti-submarine warfare helicopters, including a jam-resistant data communications system, external fuel tanks and forward-looking infrared vision systems.
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NewsDutch F-35s arrive in Estonia for NATO air policing mission
The Royal Netherlands Air Force F-35As are the first NATO fighter jets to deploy to the newly renovated Amari air base in Estonia, supporting the alliance’s combat air patrols along the eastern frontier with Russia.
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NewsTurkey drops plan to purchase F-16 Block 70 upgrade kits, opting for domestic improvement work
While Turkey will still move forward with the purchase of 40 new F-16V fighter jets from Lockheed Martin, Ankara has decided to scrap a planned acquisition of 79 Block 70 upgrade kits for its existing F-16 fleet, opting instead to contract with domestic Turkish Aerospace for the modernisations.
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NewsUS Air Force seeks new ‘runway independent’ regional airlifter
The Next Generation Intra-theater Airlift programme aims to enhance the air force’s existing airlift capability with a regional logistics aircraft able to operate without ground infrastructure like a maintained runway.
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NewsUS P-8A transits Taiwan Strait with Chinese aircraft shadowing
A Boeing P-8A maritime patrol jet from the US Navy overflew the Taiwan Strait separating the island from mainland China, a waterway over which Beijing claims jurisdiction but Washington views as international water.
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NewsPresidential support MV-22 Osprey grounded following engine fire
The tiltrotor operated by US Marine Corps Helicopter Squadron One, which provides VIP transport for the US president, had been ferrying White House staff to New York for an event with President Joe Biden when it developed unspecified mechanical issues.
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NewsPentagon deploys AI-powered aircraft recognition system for Washington, DC air defence
The system uses a network of electro-optical/infrared cameras, backed up by artificial intelligence, to supplement traditional radar-powered identification of aircraft near the American capital.