All United States Air Force articles – Page 6
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NewsUS defence secretary casts further doubt on E-7 acquisition plan
In recent congressional testimony, US secretary of defense Pete Hegseth gave the clearest indication yet that his Pentagon has soured on the battlefield value of Boeing’s E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning and control platform.
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NewsBoeing defence chief sees F-47 as a 'transformative' programme
The head of Boeing Defense, Space & Security is highly confident about the company’s ability to execute on the F-47 programme, a competition victory that reflects many years of investment and work.
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NewsUS Air Force conducts first-ever tri-bomber formation flight with fighter escort
The demonstration sortie over the Hyundai Air and Sea Show in Miami Florida saw all three of the USA’s dedicated bomber aircraft, plus multiple fighter types, flying in close formation for the first time ever.
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NewsGeneral Atomics developing Ghost strike and reconnaissance platform for US Air Force
UAV manufacturer General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has received a $99 million contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory to support development of a new reconnaissance and strike platform called Ghost, which will feature hybrid-electric propulsion and ducted fans for lift.
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NewsUS accepts Qatari 747-8I BBJ for presidential transport
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has accepted a Boeing 747-8I Boeing Business Jet from Qatar to serve as Air Force One, a mission that will require extensive modifications.
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NewsGA-ASI posts YFQ-42A image as ground tests continue
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) has released a photo of its YFQ-42A, a production representative test vehicle under the US Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft programme.
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NewsUSAF reveals inventory target for new F-47 fighter
The service aims to field at least 185 of the sixth-generation Boeing fighters, with each aircraft having a combat radius of over 1,000nm.
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NewsBoeing begins Lot 2 deliveries of F-15EX as production ramps up
Boeing has now delivered nine of the so-called 4.5-generation fighters to the US Air Force, which is initially fielding the modernised twin-engined fighter to the Oregon Air National Guard.
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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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NewsUpgrades to Little Bird fleet, FLRAA fielding remain on track for SOCOM
The US Army’s premier aviation force is moving forward with its ongoing effort to upgrade the fleet of Boeing A/MH-6 Little Bird helicopters and field a the next-generation tiltrotor under development by Bell.
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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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NewsTroubled T-7A takes step forward with successful sled ejection test
The troubled Boeing T-7A advanced jet trainer programme has taken a step forward with a successful test of its new escape system.
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AnalysisWashington prepares to close bidding on auction of retired KC-10 tankers
Ten of the Boeing refuellers have been listed for sale on a US government auction website, each with a minimum price of $500,000.
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NewsPentagon sending decommissioned F-16s to Ukraine for spare parts
The US Air Force says it is providing non-operational Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters to Ukraine to support the sustainment of Kyiv’s fleet of used jets provided by European allies.
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NewsAutonomous fighters will fly less often than crewed jets while not deployed: USAF
Unlike conventional fighter squadrons, whose pilots need to fly regularly to maintain proficiency, the US Air Force says its forthcoming fleet of uncrewed fighters will not have to fly a “significant number” of daily sorties.
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NewsUSAF begins ground testing Anduril uncrewed fighter prototype
Anduril’s YFQ-44A prototype has started ground trials ahead of the type’s first flight scheduled for later this year.
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NewsF-15EXs to replace retiring A-10s at Michigan fighter squadron
The White House says the 107th Fighter Squadron of the Michigan Air National Guard will be the next station to receive Boeing’s F-15EX multi-role fighter, replacing its current Fairchild Republic A-10s.
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NewsBell nears completion of final Osprey for US Air Force
Rotorcraft manufacturer Bell expects to deliver the final CV-22 variant Osprey tiltrotor for the US Air Force in the coming months, as the company moves toward winding down production on the pioneering aircraft.
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AnalysisNorthrop losses on B-21 climb to $2bn as company seeks to ‘accelerate’ production
The defence manufacturer says the loss results from changes made to its B-21 manufacturing process aimed at achieving “accelerated production rates” on the next-generation stealth bomber.
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In depthLockheed will not protest Boeing win in USAF sixth-generation fighter effort
Although the military airframer was unsuccessful in its bid to produce the US Air Force’s forthcoming sixth-generation fighter, Lockheed Martin plans to incorporate design features from the prototype into the F-35 chassis for an aircraft that can deliver “80% of sixth-generation capability” at a reduced price.