Tag: military aviation
348 articles
Army Awards $234M in Funding for Black Hawk Helicopter Deal
The Army has awarded Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin subsidiary, $234 million in funding to produce 16 more UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, setting the stage for the next generation of Black Hawk aircraft. This new agreement builds on an existing production line and lays the groundwork for future Black Hawk models.
Embraer A-29 Targets Drone Threats with Airborne Counter-UAS Capability
Embraer's A-29 Super Tucano is being adapted to tackle drone threats as a mid-range counter-UAS interceptor, forming a crucial layer in a defense strategy that protects high-value assets from swarms of unmanned aircraft. This airborne solution fills the gap between ground-based defenses and high-end fighters, safeguarding a wider perimeter.
USAF Courts European Allies for Collaborative Combat Aircraft Program
The US Air Force is gearing up for a game-changing fleet of collaborative combat aircraft, with a goal of 500 in service by 2032. Top leaders are now rallying European allies to join forces in this innovative program.
USAF Weighs Restarting C-17 Production Amid Airlift Revamp
The US Air Force is seriously considering reviving C-17 production as part of a major overhaul of its airlift capabilities, with a key decision expected after an upcoming Analysis of Alternatives. All options, including restarting C-17 production, are on the table as the Air Force weighs its next move.
Air Force Details KC-135 Repair After Iranian Shrapnel Attack
In a heart-stopping moment, airmen scrambled for cover as an unexpected attack warning blared, only to emerge and find their fully loaded KC-135 riddled with holes and smoking. Miraculously, a swift response by the maintenance team helped prevent disaster, as they quickly patched up the damage and drained 200,000 pounds of jet fuel within 48 hours.
General Atomics Accelerates FQ-42 Vengeance Drone Development
General Atomics is turbocharging development of its FQ-42 Vengeance drone, a key player in the USAF's Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, which aims to revolutionize the future of air combat. The company is making significant strides alongside its Wildfire design, geared towards the Massed Modular Aircraft program.
Israel Accelerates SPICE 1000 Integration with F-35I Fighter
Israel is set to supercharge its F-35I fighter jets with the SPICE 1000 standoff weapon, thanks to a joint project with Lockheed Martin that's expected to wrap up in several months. This game-changing integration will eventually be available to F-35 operators worldwide.
Lockheed Unveils Modular AGM-158 JASSM Missile Concept
Lockheed Martin is shaking things up with its AGM-158 FLEX concept, a game-changing modular airframe design that promises to unlock future cost savings and unleash a new era of versatility for the AGM-158 missile family. This innovative approach allows for interchangeable components and easy reconfiguration for different sensors, lengths, and launch methods.
USAF Deploys Fighter Drones in Large-Scale Exercise
Get ready for a game-changer: the US Air Force is gearing up to deploy fighter drones in a large-scale exercise, marking a major milestone with the first live large-force employment integration for Collaborative Combat Aircraft in December. This ambitious test, dubbed Emerald Flag, will push the boundaries of mission autonomy and capabilities.
GA-ASI Unveils Next-Gen Uncrewed Aircraft for High-Tech Warfare
GA-ASI President David Alexander says the company is pushing the boundaries of innovation with its next-gen uncrewed aircraft, driven by the need for advanced capabilities in modern warfare. Recent combat losses have shown that evolving large Uncrewed Aircraft Systems is crucial to delivering scalable surveillance and precision strike while keeping aircrews safe.
US Air Force Bolsters Base Defenses Against Aerial Threats
The US Air Force is overhauling its base defense strategy to counter aerial threats, shifting from a position of sanctuary to proactive protection of its bases and personnel from missiles and drones. Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach emphasized that point defense can no longer be a secondary focus, but a core function, driven by recent operational lessons from conflicts like the war with Iran.
Anduril's YFQ-44A Fury Integrates Air-To-Ground Munitions
The US Air Force is weighing its options for the YFQ-44A Fury's capabilities, with Anduril's recent integration of air-to-ground munitions sparking interest in expanded combat potential. New images reveal the aircraft configured with air-to-ground stores, marking a significant step towards enhanced versatility.
Japan Air Self-Defense Force Global Hawk Presumed Crashed Off Western Japan
A Japan Air Self-Defense Force RQ-4B Global Hawk has presumably crashed off western Japan after disappearing from radar on September 15, prompting a massive multi-agency search effort. The unmanned surveillance aircraft, which took off from Misawa Air Base, vanished while flying over waters roughly 50 kilometers north of the coast.
Anduril's Fury CCA Flies Alongside F-35s in US Air Force Tests
Anduril's Fury CCA is taking flight with a major milestone: flying in formation alongside F-35 fighters in a recent US Air Force test exercise. The cutting-edge CCA aircraft successfully demonstrated its capabilities in a July exercise at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, marking a significant step forward in autonomous aviation.
China's PLA Unveils Maritime Strike Package with Stealthy J-35, J-15T Fighters
China's PLA has just unveiled a game-changing maritime strike package, featuring the stealthy J-35 and J-15T fighters, capable of launching a devastating attack from the seas. A recent video shows the two Shenyang-built fighters flying together, with the J-15T armed with YJ-15 supersonic anti-ship missiles.
USAF Targets 500 Collaborative Combat Aircraft by 2032
Get ready for a game-changer in military aviation: the US Air Force is aiming to deploy at least 500 Collaborative Combat Aircraft by 2032, bringing autonomous fighters to the forefront of modern warfare. This ambitious plan was announced by Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink at the Air & Space Forces Association's 2026 conference.
Swarm Aero Unveils Gamera Drone to Disrupt MQ-9A Reaper Market
Meet the Gamera Drone, a game-changing unmanned aircraft that's shattering conventional wisdom with its bold design and impressive specs: a 72-foot wingspan, 7 munitions hardpoints, and an unrefueled range of 10,357 miles.
France Accelerates Rafale F5 Upgrade Amid FCAS Collapse
France is fast-tracking the Rafale F5 upgrade, with the Direction générale de l'armement (DGA) ordering initial work on key components to mitigate technical risks, ahead of a major development contract expected by year-end. The upgrade targets critical systems, including navigation, propulsion, radar, and self-protection.
F-15EX Conducts First Live Bomb Drops in Operational Training
The Oregon Air National Guard's 142nd Wing just made history with the F-15EX Eagle II, successfully conducting the first live bomb drops during a training deployment to Nellis Air Force Base. This milestone achievement unlocks a world of possibilities for the aircraft's future capabilities.
General Atomics Unveils Wildfire Drone to Supplant Reaper
Meet the Wildfire, General Atomics' game-changing drone designed to revolutionize high-demand missions with its cutting-edge, attrition-tolerant design and flexible payload capabilities. This sleek, next-gen aircraft is poised to outshine its predecessor, the MQ-9A Reaper, with a scalable and cost-effective solution for the modern battlefield.
General Atomics Unveils Wildfire, MQ-9 Reaper Successor
Meet Wildfire, the game-changing successor to the MQ-9 Reaper, engineered to deliver unparalleled capabilities: long ferry range, heavy firepower, and cutting-edge autonomy. It's a beast of a drone that's got everyone in the industry buzzing, with insiders clamoring for a fleet of 100 or more.
Europe's Fighter Programs Accelerate
Europe's next-generation combat aviation is at a crossroads, with three key options emerging: FCAS, GCAP, and upgraded Eurofighter Typhoons. The choices on the table will shape the future of Europe's fighter programs.
China Unveils XJJ Trainer to Replace Aging CJ-6 Fleet
China just took a major leap forward in its military aviation capabilities with the public debut of the XJJ trainer aircraft at the 2025 Dubai Airshow, a move that signals the potential retirement of the aging CJ-6 fleet. The XJJ's emergence on the international stage marks a significant milestone in replacing the CJ-6 as the People's Liberation Army Air Force's go-to basic trainer.
USAF Accelerates Reaper Replacement Amid Heavy Losses
The US Air Force is speeding up the replacement of its aging MQ-9 Reaper fleet with a new generation of remotely piloted aircraft, known as Massed Modular Aircraft (MMA), after suffering significant losses in combat operations, including at least 45 Reapers lost during recent conflicts. This accelerated transition aims to bolster the Air Force's capabilities and mitigate future risks.