Ryan Finnerty
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Covering defense and military aviation for @flightglobal. Formerly @ncpr @wearehpr @hiconversation @usarmy.
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Articles by Ryan Finnerty
Israel signs for 12 E-model Apache attack helicopters
Carriers F-35C logs first landing aboard Ford-class aircraft carrier The John F Kennedy is the US Navy’s newest aircraft carrier and the second vessel in the Ford-class line. 14 October 2026 UNCREWED SYSTEMS Airbus Helicopters readies HTeaming crewed-uncrewed system for year-end service entry Technology enables crew on helicopter to task activities involving drones.
What Boeing’s F/A-XX win means for the US aerospace industry
UNCREWED Shield AI announces new test flight and production sites for X-Bat jet X-Bat production is slated for 2029 and will reach full rate in the early 2030s. 2 October 2026 Heritage Royal Australian Air Force certifies two new Spitfire pilots The RAAF’s heritage squadron still flies the iconic World War II dogfighter.
Royal Australian Air Force certifies two new Spitfire pilots
The RAAF’s heritage squadron still flies the iconic World War II dogfighter. While much of the aerospace world is focused on the production of advanced sixth-generation fighters like the US Navy’s F/A-XX and deliveries of Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth jets, Australia is minting new pilots for fighters of the past. The Royal Australian Air Force has certified two pilots on the iconic World War II-era Supermarine Spitfire, eight decades after the aircraft rolled off an assembly line in the UK.
Anduril requests flight approval for new twin-boom CP-200 remotely piloted aircraft
Uncrewed By Ryan Finnerty | 30 September 2026 Anduril's prevously undisclosed CP-200 uncrewed aircraft will be used as a research, development and test platform technologies related to autonomous flight, like those used on Anduril's own FQ-44A fighter jet (above). Anduril Industries An FAA filing reveals the Group 3 UAS is a fixed-wing, propeller-driven design powered by a small internal combustion reciprocating engine. Subscribe to gain access to all news Already have a subscription? Log in.
Stratolaunch acquires Boeing 777-200ER to support hypersonic Talon-A flights
Uncrewed Anduril requests flight approval for new twin-boom CP-200 remotely piloted aircraft An FAA filing reveals the Group 3 UAS is a fixed-wing, propeller-driven design powered by a small internal combustion reciprocating engine. 30 September 2026 FIGHTERS Belgium to send three F-16s to Ukraine by year end Transfer will help Kyiv to counter rise in Russian Geran-4 one-way drone attacks.
New Russian attack drones found to use Chinese turbojet engines
SUSTAINMENT UK Royal Air Force to boost A400M fleet readiness via extended Airbus support deal Enhanced in-service sustainment pact will deliver 30% increase in number of Atlas airlifters ready for duty each day. 2 October 2026 Safety Spitfire fatally crashed as carburettor debris restricted fuel flow Battle of Britain Memorial Flight aircraft lost airspeed moments after take-off from UK base.
Archer to acquire Wisk Aero, SkyGrid and Insitu from Boeing
Airlines Gol appoints new chief executive and president Abra Group has major international ambitions for Gol. 13 August 2026 Engines GE’s new Black Hawk engine achieves preliminary flight rating GE Aerospace designed the T901 Improved Turbine Engine to replace the T700 turboshaft powering both the UH-60M and AH-64E helicopters.
Archer launches autonomous Halo tiltrotor concept as complement to Midnight
The new uncrewed tiltrotor will target commercial cargo and parapublic customers as a complement to the Midnight passenger aircraft. Electric aircraft developer Archer Aviation has unveiled a new concept for an uncrewed tiltrotor aimed at commercial cargo and parapublic operators. Revealed at the 2026 Farnborough air show, the Halo is a complement to the Thunder armed tiltrotor announced earlier at the event by Archer and US defence start-up Anduril Industries.
Anduril YFQ-44 Completes Live-Fire Missile Shot
The test event over the Mojave Desert involved an externally carried Raytheon AIM-120 AMRAAM radar-guided missile.
Anduril YFQ-44 completes live-fire missile shot
The test event over the Mojave Desert involved an externally carried Raytheon AIM-120 AMRAAM radar-guided missile. Anduril Industries has successfully fired an air-launched missile from the developmental YFQ-44 prototype. The test shot took place on 10 July over California’s Mojave Desert and was confirmed by both the US Air Force (USAF) and Anduril on 15 July. A single Raytheon AIM-120 AMRAAM (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile) was fired from an underwing pylon on the YFQ-44’s port side.
Ukraine creates export framework for military technology sales
Kyiv says the system establishes clear rules for international partners to acquire battle-tested Ukrainian hardware. Ukraine has approved a new export mechanism that will allow Ukrainian defence manufacturers to sell products abroad. The Ukrainian ministry of defence announced the new framework on 1 July, saying countries with existing agreements on joint production and technology exchange will receive accelerated export approvals in 30 days or less.
Trump Administration moves to approve F110 engine sale to Turkey for Kaan fighters
The deal has apparently not received congressional approval, as is typical for large exports of military systems. The Trump Administration intends to approve the export of fighter engines to Turkey as part of Ankara’s efforts to develop a new indigenous fifth-generation fighter aircraft. The deal, first reported by Reuters, will see Turkey acquire “dozens” of F110 turbofans from GE Aerospace.
Trump logs first presidential flight on VC-25B Air Force One converted from Qatari 747-8
The new Air Force One ferried the president from Washington, DC to North Dakota. US President Donald Trump has logged the first executive flight aboard the US Air Force’s newest Air Force One presidential jet. Trump boarded the aircraft at Joint Base Andrews outside of Washington, DC on 1 July and flew to Bismarck Municipal airport in North Dakota for a public appearance.
Ukranian drone manufacturer to establish first US production line
F-Drones is the first Ukrainian producer authorised by Kyiv to export its uncrewed weapons to the US military. For the first time, a Ukrainian manufacturer of military drones is establishing a production line in the United States. F-Drones specialises in assembling the small, first-person view (FPV) quadcopters that have become ubiquitous with the more than four-year-old Russia-Ukraine War.
Sino-Russian bomber patrol over East China Sea intercepted by US and Japanese fighters
The sortie included J-16 fighters escorting H-6K and Tu-95 strategic bombers. Russia and China have conducted a large joint air patrol over the East China Sea, including fighters, strategic bombers, aerial tankers and other support aircraft. The action on 27 June has been confirmed by both Beijing and Moscow, with China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) describing the sortie as the 11th such joint strategic air patrol.
Ukraine takes delivery of 10 Alto ultralights for new pilot training
Five of the Czech-made piston-singles were paid for by Prague, while five more were donated by the Darek pro Putina charity group. Ukraine has taken delivery of 10 Alto NG ultralight aircraft produced by Czech manufacturer Direct Fly. The piston-singles will be used to support new pilot training for the Ukrainian air force, which is now conducting regular combat operations with the Lockheed Martin F-16A and Dassault Mirage 2000.
India declares Netra Mk 1 airborne early warning fleet fully operational
The early warning aircraft are modified Embraer ERJ-145 regional jets India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has declared the country’s airborne early warning fleet fully operational. The milestone came on 25 June in Bengaluru, where the Indian air force’s fleet of Netra Mk 1 jets received final operational clearance (FOC) from the DRDO. Within India’s defence system, the FOC certificate signifies a system is combat ready after completing all trials and evaluations.
Skyhawks and Alpha Jets from Top Aces fly adversary air for Danish F-35As
The training took place in April and May as part of a trial demonstration of commercially provided aggressor services for the Royal Danish Air Force. Privately owned fighter jets from commercial operator Top Aces have flown against Lockheed Martin F-35As from the Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) in air combat exercises. The drills took place in April and May, according to Top Aces, but were only confirmed by the RDAF last week.
Greece poised to become latest C-390 customer
Athens will acquire three of the Brazilian-made transports using purchase options belonging to Portugal. Greece is set to become the latest customer of Embraer’s C-390 multi-role military transport aircraft, after a proposal to acquire three of the twinjets was approved by a parliamentary committee in Athens.
U.S. Marine Corps Concludes Harrier Operations With AV-8B ‘Sundown’
Wednesday 3 June marked a seminal milestone in the aviation world: the end of Harrier jump jet operations in the USA.
Boeing Works To Expand B-1B Weapons Capacity
Boeing Works To Expand B-1B Weapons Capacity Engineers at Boeing are advancing design work to repurpose decomissioned weapons stations for the US Air Force’s (USAF’s) B-1B Lancer supersonic bombers. Read Full Article »
AFSOC Unveils Rapid Deployment Capability for OA-1K
U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command has expanded the scope of its Skyraider II close air support aircraft to include rapid disassembly, loading into transport aircraft, reassembly and deployment Read Full Article » Show comments Hide Comments
Pentagon Chief Reverses Course on Air Force's E-7 Wedgetail
“There are gaps that need to still be filled,” Hegseth says. “The E-7 is one of those. I think it has a future. It has a place on the battlefield.” Read Full Article » Show comments Hide Comments
U.S. Navy Super Hornet Disables Iranian Oil Tanker With 20mm Cannon
The American fighter jet used a burst of 20mm cannon fire to damage the vessel’s rudder in international waters
B-52 Re-Engine Initative Passes Critical Design Review
The Rolls-Royce F130 low-bypass turbofan is set to replace the eight Pratt & Whitney TF33 engines currently installed on B-52 heavy bombers
F-15EX Moving Toward Full-Rate Production
The U.S. Air Force wants to significantly expand its purchases of F-15EX Eagle II fighters
Lockheed Martin bows out of US Navy T-45 replacement competition
The US defence contractor had partnered with Korea Aerospace Industries to offer a variant of the T-50. Defence manufacturer Lockheed Martin has bowed out of the competition to find a new trainer jet for the US Navy (USN). After years of delays and requirement development, the navy in March launched the Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS) effort to replace its Boeing T-45 Goshawks.
Pentagon Expands Fleet of F-35 ‘Flight Science’ Test Aircraft
Pentagon Expands Fleet of F-35 ‘Flight Science’ Test Aircraft Three jets, one in each F-35 variant, will be delivered in a flight test configuration to support upgrade efforts Read Full Article »
U.S. Army's AV P550 Long-Range Reconnaissance UAS
The U.S. Army is moving to operationally field the AV P550 uncrewed aerial system (UAS) to frontline combat units
Air Force E-7 Prototype Arrives in U.K. for Mission Conversion
Work to convert a Boeing 737 passenger jet into the US Air Force’s (USAF’s) new airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) platform is set to begin.
Purported Video of Iranian Strike on F-35 Shows Possible AI Manipulation
A video shared by Iranian state media on 19 March purports to show a US-operated Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighter being struck by an unspecified Iranian air defence weapon. Read Full Article » Show comments Hide Comments
Anduril begins production of YFQ-44A autonomous fighter at new Ohio factory
Anduril announced its selection of Columbus, Ohio as the location of the company’s first large-scale factory, dubbed Arsenal-1, in early 2025. US defence start-up Anduril Industries has begun assembling the company’s prototype uncrewed tactical jet at a newly opened factory in Ohio. California-headquartered Anduril revealed on 23 March that production work on the YFQ-44A autonomous fighter aircraft is now taking place at the company’s Arsenal-1 site in Columbus, Ohio.
Purported video of Iranian strike on US F-35 shows inconsistencies suggesting possible AI manipulation
A video shared by Iranian state media on 19 March purports to show a US-operated Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighter being struck by an unspecified Iranian air defence weapon. The footage depicts an F-35 in level flight, being followed by some type of infrared search and track thermal sensor. An unidentified projectile approaches from below the aircraft, detonating in close proximity.
US deploys A-10s and AH-64s to interdict Iranian vessels and drones in Strait of Hormuz
The Pentagon has deployed ground-attack jets and helicopters to interdict boats operating around the Strait of Hormuz. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, confirmed on 19 March that Fairchild Republic A-10 fighters and Boeing AH-64E attack helicopters are now operating over the strategic waterway off Iran’s southern coast. “The A-10 Warthog is now in the fight across the southern flank and is hunting and killing fast-attack watercraft in the Straits of Hormuz,” says Caine.
Sikorsky delivers first autonomous-capable H-60Mx Black Hawk to US Army
Rotorcraft manufacturer Sikorsky has delivered a new variant of the company’s venerable UH-60 Black Hawk utility helicopter to the US Army, one that can fly without pilots onboard. Developed in partnership with the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the H-60Mx is the first Black Hawk model provided to the US Army that offers the option to fly completely autonomously or with reduced crew.
US Air Force puts hold on contract for extra 75 KC-46 tankers until Boeing fixes deficiencies
The number two officer in the US Air Force (USAF) says the service will not ink a new contract with Boeing for an additional 75 KC-46 tanker aircraft until the airframer has addressed longstanding mechanical deficiencies with the twinjet.
Satellite images reveal China is surging manufacturing capacity for military aircraft, including J-20 and J-35 stealth fighters
China is aggressively expanding its ability to assemble and deliver new tactical military aircraft, including hundreds of the latest stealth fighters. That is the conclusion of a research analyst in Washington, DC, who used commercially available satellite imagery to track activity at several key hubs for China’s state-owned aerospace conglomerate – the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, or AVIC.
The US military’s new LUCAS low-cost attack drone offers strike range of over 400nm for under $55,000
The Pentagon has revealed additional details about its new one-way attack drone that is seeing combat service for the first time as part of the war against Iran. Known as the Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS), the US vehicle is derived from the Iranian Shahed-136 one-way attack drone, which has seen heavy combat use in Ukraine, the Red Sea and now the Persian Gulf theatre.
US Air Force B-1B bombers spotted loading 900kg guided bombs and cruise missiles at RAF Fairford
Amid the ongoing US-Israeli air campaign against Iran, US Air Force (USAF) bombers have been spotted at RAF Fairford in the UK loading up with munitions. Video posted to social media on 11 March shows at least two Boeing B-1B supersonic bombers staged on the ramp at the Gloucestershire air base that hosts US military personnel. The footage was first posted by UK journalist Richard Gaisford, working in a freelance capacity for Al Jazeera’s English-language service.
B-21 prototype logs close-proximity flight with KC-135 as part of aerial refuelling tests
Defence manufacturer Northrop Grumman has begun in-flight refuelling tests with the US Air Force’s (USAF’s) next-generation stealth bomber. Unofficial images showing what appeared to be Northrop’s B-21 Raider flying prototype docking with a USAF Boeing KC-135 tanker began circulating on 10 March. The photos were initially posted on X by a California-based plane spotter and subsequently shared by a number of prominent open source intelligence accounts.
Critical shortage or endless supply? The numbers on munitions availability in the Iran war
“We have a virtually unlimited supply of these weapons. Wars can be fought ‘forever’.” That was the claim made by US President Donald Trump on 2 March, roughly 48h into the joint US-Israeli air war against Iran. It is unclear who Trump was quoting in that Truth Social post, which was referencing the availability of “medium- and upper-medium-grade” weapons. The only clue offered by the president as to the source of that reality is that it “was stated to me today”, Trump said in the same post.
Near Earth Autonomy plans mission test flights in 2026 with UH-60L autonomous logistics demonstrator
Autonomous aviation developer Near Earth Autonomy is continuing work on a conversion kit that would allow the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk to fly in an unmanned configuration. The Pittsburgh-based firm is under contract from the US Army to develop a retrofit package for the older “Lima”-model Black Hawks that would allow the utility helicopters to fly without a pilot onboard. The army provided Near Earth with $15 million to support the effort as part of a deal announced in April 2025.
US Army pilots train on Osprey as Bell works to deliver first MV-75 tiltrotor
The US Army has begun training rotary-wing pilots to fly the Bell-Boeing MV-22B Osprey ahead of the service receiving its first Bell MV-75 tiltrotor prototype. Six experimental test pilots from the army have completed a three-month familiarisation course on the Osprey with the US Marine Corps (USMC), which is the largest global operator of tiltrotor, with more than 320 in service.
Aurora Flight Sciences completes fuselage fabrication for experimental X-65 ’active flow control’ demonstrator
Experimental aircraft developer Aurora Flight Sciences has completed fabrication of the fuselage for a new jet meant to operate without traditional mechanical control surfaces. Known as the X-65, the design replaces moving parts like rudders, flaps and ailerons with an array of effectors embedded in the fuselage that project jets of air to control pitch, roll, and yaw. The concept is called “active flow control”, or AFC.
US air campaign shifts to gravity bombs as Pentagon officials downplay munition concerns
The United States is accelerating its military campaign against Iran, sending more combat aircraft to the Middle East as senior leaders in Washington vow to keep pressing the offensive. Despite that posture, top defence officials in the Trump Administration say there is little risk of depleting the US military’s stores of critical munitions – a concern that has been publicly raised as the scale of the war becomes more clear.
Hermeus flies first supersonic-capable Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 in campaign to develop a hypersonic aircraft
Hermeus, the US start-up seeking to develop a reusable hypersonic vehicle, has flown its first supersonic-capable aircraft. The company on 2 March announced the maiden flight of its Quarterhorse Mk 2.1, the first of three planned iterations in the Mk 2 series. The unmanned Quarterhorse Mk 2 is intended to achieve supersonic flight, as Hermeus builds toward breaking the Mach 5 hypersonic barrier with the forthcoming Quarterhorse Mk 3 vehicle.
Chinese intelligence company tracking US military assets during Iran operations
Shanghai-based MizarVision has been publicly posting satellite imagery of American military movements throughout Operation Epic Fury, including locations of F-22 fighters, command and control aircraft, and aircraft carrier strike groups – with some sites subsequently targeted by Iranian retaliation.
Chinese intelligence company tracking US military assets during Iran operations
A Chinese company that specialises in generating geospatial intelligence is actively tracking American military aircraft and ships involved in ongoing operations against Iran, highlighting the vulnerability of conventional armed forces to observation from satellites in low Earth orbit.
U.S. Air Force Confirms Autonomous Fighter Decision Coming This Year
The US Air Force (USAF) confirmed plans to select a winner in the first increment of CCA development in the coming months Read Full Article » Show comments Hide Comments
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