All articles by Ryan Finnerty – Page 8
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AnalysisBreaking Taiwan blockade via airlift would require 860 sorties per day, wargame indicates
A US-led airlift to break a Chinese blockade of Taiwan would require an unprecedented 860 daily cargo flights yet still fail to prevent economic collapse, according to new wargame findings.
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NewsBoeing extends ‘last, best and final’ contract offer to fighter assembly workers as strike looms
Described by Boeing as its “last, best and final offer”, the proposal includes wage increases beyond those offered in the deal previously rejected by union members.
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NewsNorthrop partners with Red 6, Merlin, Shield AI and others on Beacon testbed
Developers of several promising new aerospace technologies, including augmented reality cockpits and in-flight automation, are among the first cohort of companies selected by Northrop Grumman to test and mature their products on the new Beacon testbed.
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NewsF-35 pairs with quadcopter drone for precision strike targeting
The test event used a Precision Drone Works C100, equipped with a laser designator, to identify a ground target for a Lockheed Martin F-35 strike fighter.
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News‘We’ll manage’: Boeing CEO downplays risks of strike by fighter assembly workforce
Boeing chief executive Kelly Ortberg downplayed the potential impacts of a strike by the company’s fighter aircraft production workforce, noting that unit is roughly 10% the size of the commercial aircraft machinists unit that went on strike for more than seven weeks last year.
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NewsTextron unveils Leonardo M-346 variant for US Navy trainer bid
Textron will offer a US-made version of the Italian light jet under the designation Beechcraft M-346N.
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NewsStrike looms at Boeing fighter assembly sites after workers reject contract offer
More than 3,000 unionised employees at Boeing’s St. Louis defence manufacturing hub have rejected a contract proposal, meaning workers could strike after a seven-day cooling-off period.
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NewsUS Air Force to purchase dozens more KC-46 tankers from Boeing
Ending long-standing uncertainty about its immediate plans for tanker recapitalisation, the air force says it will procure up to 75 additional KC-46 jets from Boeing, rather than hold a competition for a new tanker platform.
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NewsUS Air Force testing drag-reducing finlets for C-130Js
Air Force Special Operations Command is testing thin finlets developed by Vortex Control Technologies as a possible cost-saving initiative that could lead to longer flight range and better fuel efficiency for C-130J transports.
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NewsL3Harris expects to offset any US OA-1K reductions with international sales
The fiscal year 2026 budget request from the Trump Administration seeks to reduce annual purchases of the new OA-1K militarised crop duster, which manufacturer L3Harris is confident can be offset with overseas sales.
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NewsDenmark to field four General Atomics MQ-9Bs
The deal secures a fourth European customer for the latest version of the combat-proven General Atomics remotely piloted vehicle.
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In depthLockheed confident in F-35 prospects despite effort to reduce US purchases
The airframer’s chief executive says international demand remains strong following recent battlefield successes, and there is a strong likelihood US lawmakers will plus up the Pentagon’s stealth fighter acquisition in the upcoming defence budget.
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NewsLockheed takes ‘significant losses’ on classified aeronautics programme
Although Lockheed executives remain bullish on the secretive programme’s long-term prospects, the effort generated $950 million in losses during the recent second quarter, tied to setbacks with design, integration, testing and performance of the classified air vehicle.
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In depthUS firms target Europe with uncrewed fighter offerings
American manufacturers developing the first generation of autonomous combat platforms are eyeing significant sales opportunities in Europe, with companies including General Atomics, Anduril, Boeing and Kratos pursuing partnerships with European firms to offer local production options.
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NewsU-2S high-altitude spyplane makes rare public display at UK air show
One of the distinctive Dragon Lady surveillance jets participated in this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo as part of the US Air Force contingent.
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NewsL3Harris aims to sow ‘pure chaos’ with swarmable long-range munitions
Starting with the kinetic strike Red Wolf and electronic warfare Green Wolf, L3Harris aims to offer the USA and allies a long-range munition that can deliver a variety of battlefield effects at low cost and high volume.
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AnalysisGeneral Atomics to offer European-built uncrewed fighter
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems will team with a German affiliate to offer a European-assembled autonomous combat aircraft.
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AnalysisPentagon moves to dramatically expand access to small drones for combat units
The US military is moving to dramatically expand access to small drones for its frontline combat units in a new initiative unveiled by the US Defense Secretary Pete Hesgeth.
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NewsCanada exploring purchase of autonomous fighter platform to complement F-35As
Documents obtained by The Canadian Press indicate the Department of National Defence is mulling the possible acquisition of uncrewed combat jets that could fly alongside the Royal Canadian Air Force’s planned fleet of Lockheed Martin F-35As.
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AnalysisLeonardo seeks partner to offer TH-73 for US Army flight school contract
While Leonardo does not plan to bid for the Flight School Next programme as a prime contractor, the rotorcraft manufacturer wants to partner with a training services provider to offer its TH-73 light-single as the US Army’s next training helicopter.