All Fixed-wing articles
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NewsLockheed delivers final MC-130J to US Air Force
Aircraft number 5994 arrived at Kirtland Air Force Base on 14 January after rolling off Lockheed Martin’s production line in Marietta, Georgia, in 2024.
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NewsIsrael picks Elbit Systems for F-16I self-protection upgrade
Elbit Systems has secured a contract to provide a new self-protection system for integration with the Israeli air force’s almost 100-strong fleet of Lockheed Martin F-16I “Sufa” combat aircraft.
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NewsLockheed to upgrade F-22 fleet with infrared threat-detection sensors
The latest version of Lockheed’s Tactical Infrared Search and Track system will provide passive threat detection capability to the stealthy F-22 air superiority fighter, in a low-observable configuration rather than a pod.
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NewsBoeing receives 737 fuselage for first US Air Force E-7A Wedgetail
The 737 fuselage made by Spirit AeroSystems was delivered to Boeing’s factory in Renton, Washington on 22 January, where it will be assembled into the first prototype of the US Air Force’s E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control jet.
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NewsTrump Administration orders military aircraft to support border crackdown
The Pentagon says fixed-wing transports will be used to repatriate some 5,000 undocumented migrants detained by US customs officials, while additional rotary-wing assets and crews will be deployed to the US-Mexico border to support monitoring efforts.
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NewsGermany flies A320 testbed modified to carry Eurofighter’s ECRS Mk1 radar
Germany’s DLR aerospace research centre has completed the first flight of an Airbus A320 adapted to conduct airborne testing of an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar for Eurofighter operator nations Germany and Spain.
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NewsSkyAlyne signs for three new-build Dash 8-400s in support of Canadian trainer recapitalisation effort
The joint venture of CAE and KF Aerospace has signed a contract with airframer De Havilland Canada to acquire three Dash 8-400 aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) programme, which covers 71 new turboprops and helicopters.
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NewsIndonesia’s lead A400M advances in final assembly, ahead of year-end delivery
Indonesia’s first A400M tactical transport has entered final assembly, with Airbus Defence & Space to deliver the airlifter from its San Pablo site in Seville, Spain before year-end.
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NewsSweden tops up trainer fleet with three more G120TPs
Sweden has bolstered its fleet of Grob Aircraft G120TP basic trainers, having ordered a new batch of three further examples.
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NewsFrance on track to receive final Rafales from tranche 4 order this year
Dassault Aviation will complete deliveries under France’s tranche 4 domestic production order for the Rafale fighter this year, following on from its bumper shipments in 2024.
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AnalysisUK defence committee decries BAE’s lack of Hawk successor programme
Ten years ahead of the planned entry into service of the UK’s Tempest fighter, a cross-party parliamentary committee has raised questions over the nation’s ability to train new pilots to operate the stealthy type.
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NewsPentagon continues stealth fighter rotations to Japan while awaiting F-15EX
Flights of F-35, F-22 and F-16 fighters continue to cycle through the strategic Kadena air base on Okinawa to backfill F-15CDs being permanently retired from service.
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NewsNorway flies F-35 using 40% sustainable fuel blend
The Royal Norwegian Air Force has become the first operator to fly the Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighter using what Oslo describes as being a “significant proportion” of sustainable aviation fuel.
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NewsUS Air Force delays T-7A trainer production decision until 2026
The service has delayed approving low-rate initial production for the new Boeing single-engined trainer jet until 2026, but also plans to purchase four more test aircraft in 2025.
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NewsWatch cockpit footage from military aircraft battling California wildfires
In addition to the array of civil firefighting aircraft operating on the frontline of the historic wildfires in the Los Angeles area, military aircraft equipped with firefighting systems have also been deployed to support the effort.
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NewsUruguay firms up order for five additional Super Tucanos
Uruguay has firmed up an option for five Embraer A-29 Super Tucanos, taking its total acquisition of the Brazilian-built type to six aircraft.
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AnalysisStrong GCAP commitment and more Typhoon exports vital for UK industry, defence committee argues
The UK aerospace industry faces a major challenge in preventing a skills gap between production of the Eurofighter Typhoon and a future manned type via the trinational Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a cross-party parliamentary group has warned.
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In depthDenmark eyes Greenland airport upgrades to support F-35 fighter deployment
Amid ominous messaging from US president-elect Donald Trump about the need to control Greenland for national security purposes, Copenhagen says it will expand the Danish defence presence on the autonomous Arctic island, including by upgrading a former air base to support Denmark’s new Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighters.
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NewsBabcock picks Pilatus PC-7 for new French training contract
Babcock France is to acquire 22 new Pilatus Aircraft PC-7 MKX trainers for a new contract with the French armed forces. Awarded on 10 January by the country’s DGA procurement body, the 17-year deal will see Babcock provide initial training to French air force and navy pilots under the Mentor2 ...
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NewsStratolaunch to expand Talon-A reusable hypersonic vehicle into missile-defence testing
A $24.7 million million contract from the US Missile Defense Agency will fund expansion of flight capabilities for the Stratolaunch Talon-A, a reusable rocket-powered vehicle that aims to provide a test platform for hypersonic flight technologies.