military

A collection of 368 posts

military

Report: China Deploys Converted J-7 Fighter Drones Near Taiwan Strait

China has reportedly converted older J-7 fighter jets into unmanned aerial vehicles and stationed them at air bases near Taiwan. According to a defense intelligence report by Janes, satellite imagery has identified these drones at the Longtian and Huian bases. This strategic move is believed to be part of an

military

China Stations Converted Jet Drones at Bases Near Taiwan Strait, Report Says

According to a new report, China has begun stationing repurposed older fighter jets as unmanned drones at air bases near the Taiwan Strait. The aircraft, identified as J-7 fighters, have been observed at the Longtian and Huian bases. This information comes from analysis of recent satellite imagery. Military analysts suggest

military

Peru Selects F-16 Fighting Falcon for Air Force Modernization

Peru's Ministry of Defense has reportedly selected the F-16 Fighting Falcon to modernize its air combat fleet. This decision is a key part of the country's plan to replace its aging MiG-29 and Mirage 2000 aircraft. The American-made jet was chosen over competitors including the HAL

military

Pentagon Silent on How Iranian Fire Detected and Damaged an F-35 Stealth Fighter

An F-35 stealth fighter was reportedly struck by Iranian fire, forcing it to make an emergency landing. The incident raises critical questions about the effectiveness of the aircraft's advanced low-observable technology. This event marks a significant potential failure for a platform designed specifically to penetrate and operate within

military

Germany Expresses Interest in Acquiring Australian-Made 'Ghost Bat' Combat Drone

Germany's air force is considering the acquisition of the Australian-developed 'Ghost Bat' combat drone. The head of the German air force, Lt. Gen. Ingo Gerhartz, expressed significant interest in the uncrewed system during a visit to an Australian air base. Developed by Boeing Australia, the Ghost

military

NTSB Team Investigating LaGuardia Near-Miss Delayed by Airport Security Lines

The National Transportation Safety Board dispatched a team to investigate a serious runway incursion at New York's LaGuardia Airport. The incident involved a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 that was cleared for takeoff and an American Eagle Embraer E175 cleared to cross the same runway. Air traffic controllers intervened

military

Russia Relaunches Il-96 Production to Bridge Sanction-Induced Widebody Gap

Russia's United Aircraft Corporation is resuming serial production of the Ilyushin Il-96 widebody aircraft in a direct response to Western sanctions. This strategic move aims to address a critical shortage of long-haul jets, as Russian airlines are cut off from new Airbus and Boeing aircraft. The modernized Il-96-400M,

military

Peru Backtracks on F-16 Fighter Selection After President's Remarks Spark Confusion

The Peruvian government has clarified its position on new fighter jet acquisitions following confusing remarks from President Dina Boluarte. The president had suggested that the country was set to acquire F-16 fighters. In response, both the Ministry of Defense and the Peruvian Air Force Command issued statements confirming no final

military

FAA Certifies Boeing 787 Weight Increase, Unlocking 400-Mile Range Boost

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has officially certified a Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) increase for the Boeing 787-9 and 787-10 Dreamliner models. This approval allows the 787-9 to carry an additional 11,000 lbs and the 787-10 an extra 7,000 lbs. The increased weight capacity directly translates into

military

United Airlines Threatens to Cancel Boeing 737 MAX 10 Order Amid Certification Delays

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has publicly stated the airline is considering canceling its significant order for the Boeing 737 MAX 10 due to ongoing certification delays. This frustration stems from Boeing's persistent production and quality control issues, which have been exacerbated by the recent Alaska Airlines MAX

military

Finnair Selects Embraer E2 for Regional Fleet Renewal, Overlooking Airbus A220

Finnair is preparing to modernize its regional fleet, currently operated on its behalf by Nordic Regional Airlines (Norra). The airline aims to replace its aging ATR 72 and Embraer E190 aircraft with a single, more efficient jet type. The competition narrowed to two key contenders: the Embraer E2 family and

military

The Engineering of Invisibility: Why the B-2 Spirit Bomber Is Flat

The Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit's iconic flat architecture is central to its stealth capabilities. As a 'flying wing' aircraft, it lacks a conventional fuselage and vertical tail fins, which significantly minimizes its radar cross-section. This unique shape is specifically engineered to deflect enemy radar waves away

military

Delta Air Lines Expands European Network with Four New Summer Routes

Delta Air Lines is significantly expanding its transatlantic network for the upcoming summer season by adding four new routes. The carrier will launch a new service from New York-JFK to Munich and resume its JFK to Naples flight, which has not operated since 2019. Additionally, Delta is introducing a new

military

Wizz Air Suspends All Flights to Moldova Citing Airspace Safety Concerns

Wizz Air has announced it will suspend all flights to and from Chișinău, Moldova, effective March 14th. The decision was made due to elevated but not imminent safety and security risks in the country's airspace. This move comes amid heightened regional tensions related to the war in neighboring

military

Airbus Increases A350-900 List Price to Over $325 Million for 2024

Airbus has updated its aircraft catalog, increasing the list price for the A350-900 to $325.7 million. This represents a 2.1% rise from its previous price of $319.1 million. While these official list prices are published, airlines typically negotiate significant, confidential discounts for large orders. The price adjustment

military

DARPA Delivers Autonomous Black Hawk System to US Army for Advanced Testing

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has officially transferred its Aircrew Labor In-cockpit Automation System (ALIAS) to the U.S. Army. Developed by Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, the system enables Black Hawk helicopters to fly autonomously with either a reduced crew or no pilots at all. This handover

military

De Havilland Canada Delivers Milestone 1000th Twin Otter Aircraft

De Havilland Aircraft of Canada has achieved a significant production milestone with the delivery of its 1,000th Twin Otter. The landmark aircraft, a new DHC-6 Twin Otter Classic 300-G, was handed over to the Swiss-based operator, Zimex Aviation. This delivery represents the sixth Twin Otter to join the Zimex

military

Analyzing the Cost: What to Expect for a Premium Economy Upgrade on US Airlines

Upgrading to premium economy on major US airlines like American, Delta, and United typically offers passengers enhanced comfort for a variable price. This cabin class bridges the gap between standard economy and business class, providing more legroom, wider seats, and improved amenities. The cost for these upgrades can range significantly,

military

Germany's First F-35A Enters Final Assembly at Lockheed Martin Plant

Germany's inaugural F-35A Lightning II has officially entered the final assembly and integration phase at Lockheed Martin's facility in Fort Worth, Texas. This event marks a significant production milestone for the German Air Force's order of 35 advanced stealth fighters. The specific aircraft, designated

military

China's Major Airlines in Advanced Talks for Large COMAC C919 Jet Orders

China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines are reportedly in advanced discussions to purchase a significant number of C919 passenger jets from Chinese manufacturer COMAC. Sources familiar with the matter suggest each airline could be considering an order for as many as 100 aircraft. This potential deal marks a major

military

Miracle at LaGuardia: The Story of the Air Canada Flight Attendant Ejected During a 1989 Crash

On February 16, 1989, Air Canada Flight 646, a McDonnell Douglas DC-9, crashed while on approach to New York's LaGuardia Airport. The aircraft stalled due to ice accumulation on its wings that was not properly addressed before takeoff in Toronto. Upon impact near the runway, the fuselage ruptured,

military

Boeing Secures FAA Approval for Heavier 787-9 and 787-10, Enhancing Performance

Boeing has received approval from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to increase the maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) for its 787-9 and 787-10 Dreamliner models. This certification raises the MTOW for both variants to 256,734 kg, a notable increase that enhances their operational capabilities. The update allows airlines to

military

New Isn't Always Better: The Hidden Advantages of Older Commercial Aircraft

While new aircraft are celebrated for fuel efficiency and modern technology, they often suffer from significant 'teething problems' and unforeseen technical issues during their initial years of service. In contrast, older, well-maintained aircraft benefit from decades of operational data, making them highly reliable and predictable. These mature airframes

military

Air Canada CRJ-900 Collides With Fire Vehicle at LaGuardia, Killing Both Pilots

A major incident has occurred at New York's LaGuardia Airport involving an Air Canada CRJ-900. The regional jet reportedly collided with an airport fire vehicle while on the runway. The collision resulted in a catastrophic outcome for the flight crew. According to initial reports, both pilots were tragically

military

Eglin, Nellis, and Luke AFB Set to Host Most USAF Aircraft by 2026

A new projection details the largest US Air Force bases based on the number of active aircraft expected by 2026. Eglin Air Force Base in Florida is forecast to be the largest, primarily due to its extensive fleet of F-35A Lightning IIs used for training. Following closely are Nellis AFB