All Special Operations Command articles
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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.
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NewsUS Air Force OA-1K Skyraider crashes during Oklahoma training mission
A US Air Force OA-1K Skyraider II turboprop crashed during a training mission in Oklahoma on 23 October, with both crew escaping injury. The incident involved one of the service’s newest light-attack aircraft.
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NewsUS special operations C-130Js will get AESA radars, as Lockheed Martin eyes fresh sales
Lockheed Martin’s C-130J is to receive a major capability update for the US Air Force Special Operations Command, while the airframer eyes numerous additional domestic and international opportunities to further extend production of the type.
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NewsAutonomous aviation developer Merlin to go public via SPAC offering
Amid surging interest in autonomous aviation for military applications, Merlin will become a publicly traded company using the unconventional method known as a special purpose acquisition company listing.
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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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InterviewLong life ahead for CV-22, but no plans for FLRAA in USAF special operations
In a wide ranging interview with FlightGlobal, the three-star general in charge of US Air Force special operations outlined his long-term plans for the USA’s air commandos, legacy platforms like the CV-22 Osprey and MQ-9 Reaper, and the next-generation tiltrotor Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft.
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NewsUS Army special operations to field T901 engine on MH-60 fleet
As the US Army begins the process of integrating the latest GE Aerospace T901 turboshaft into the fleet of more than 2,300 Sikorsky UH-60 helicopters, the service’s special operations aviators say they plan to also field the new engine for their small fleet of MH-60 Black Hawks.
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NewsDARPA to fund assembly of only one High Speed Vertical Take-Off and Landing design
Bell and Aurora Flight Sciences have taken radically different approaches in a Pentagon X-plane contest to develop an experimental aircraft capable of taking off and landing vertically, while also achieving fixed-wing jet speeds in horizontal flight.
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In depthL3Harris closing in on first export sales of Sky Warden armed turboprop
The military systems integrator says it is in discussions with three potential export customers for its armed variant of the Air Tractor AT-802, with serious interest in Africa, the Middle East and Oceania.
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In depthAeroVironment debuts swarmable one-way attack UAS with 200nm range
AeroVironment, which recently rebranded as AV after acquiring fellow defence manufacturer Blue Halo, has launched a new small autonomous aircraft called Red Dragon that the company says has been tested in a combat environment against real world electronic warfare countermeasures.
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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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NewsBoeing to axe Little Bird once current production run ends
Boeing is likely to cease production of the AH-6i Little Bird once it completes deliveries of the light-attack helicopter to its sole remaining customer Thailand.
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NewsBell accelerates SPRINT design through windtunnel test phase
Bell has completed windtunnel tests of the Stop/Fold rotor system it is developing for a future high-speed vertical lift aircraft under a US Department of Defense-backed project.
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In depthBell focused on future upgrades as FLRAA advances toward delivery of first prototype
The rotorcraft manufacturer says its Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) tiltrotor will be the first major Pentagon procurement programme to incorporate features designed to reduce the cost and time needed to incorporate potential new capabilities.
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NewsEmbraer Super Tucanos join USAF test fleet
Three Embraer A-29 Super Tucanos have arrived at the US Air Force’s test pilot school in the California desert, where they will be used to conduct training and research on a variety of sensors and weapon systems.
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NewsLeidos to test launching cruise missiles from AC-130 gunships
The US defence technology firm is preparing to test its Black Arrow small cruise missile, designed to be an affordable long-range munition that can be launched from cargo aircraft.
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NewsL3Harris exploring intelligence and crisis-response roles for Armed Overwatch turboprop
Amid criticism from government auditors, the US Special Operations Command and contracter L3Harris are expanding the potential capabilities of the new OA-1K close-air support turboprop to include more intelligence collection and electronic warfare.
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In depthUS Special Operations cuts Armed Overwatch acquisition nearly 20%
US Special Operations Command is lowering its procurement target for the L3Harris OA-1K armed reconnaissance turboprop to 62 aircraft from the original target of 75, after scrutiny from government auditors.
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NewsMerlin Labs exploring aircrew reduction technologies for SOCOM
The Boston-based autonomy start-up secured a $105 million contract from US Special Operations Command to design, integrate and test new technologies aimed at reducing the number of crew needed on MC-130J flights.