Military Aviation

An Army investigation found an F-35 pilot with no previous experience in the type was at the controls of an Apache attack helicopter when it crashed at a base in Utah last February. According to KUTV, which got a copy of the report, the pilot was a colonel and he had 35 minutes of sim […]

The prototype of the future Loyal Wingman uncrewed fighter flew for the first time last week with test pilot Brian Maisler twisting the knobs. The Scaled Composites Model 437 Vanguard took off from Mojave Air and Space Port in California for the local flight and Maisler didn’t mention any hitches. “Today’s first flight was in […]

A fully autonomous Cessna Caravan shuttled components to support a major military exercise between nine different airports across two states earlier this month. The Caravan, operated by Xwing, which was acquired by Joby earlier this year, covered 3,900 miles and the human monitor pilot onboard never touched the controls. Exercise Agile Flag 24-3 is one […]

The U.S. Air Force is exploring options for a new long-range/endurance drone for its Task Force 99, based in Qatar at El Udeid Air Base. Established in October 2022, Task Force 99 performs intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, as well as experimenting with new technologies. According to a post on the Defense Scoop online news service, […]

Sikorsky’s long-awaited modified presidential VH-92A made its debut as “Marine One” yesterday (Aug. 19), as it transported President Biden from O’Hare International Airport to the parking lot adjacent to the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, site of the Democratic National Convention. The development program that led to the helicopter’s entry into service has been […]

Two French Air and Space Force Rafale crewmembers are still missing after a midair collision between a pair of Rafale fighters. The single pilot of the second aircraft ejected and was not seriously injured, according to a statement by French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu. “One of the pilots was found safe and sound,” he said. […]

A fatal Marine Osprey crash in Australia last year has been blamed on human factors rather than the trouble-plagued aircraft. According to Military.com, a military investigation found “pilot error and complacency” to be the cause of the accident, which killed three Marines, including both pilots and a corporal who died trying to save them. Cpl. […]

Ukraine is now recruiting retired F-16 pilots to bolster its ranks, according to a senior U.S. lawmaker. Sen. Lindsay Graham said this week that ex-Viper pilots can likely get a combat job if they want one. “If you’re a retired F-16 pilot and you’re looking to fight for freedom, they will hire you here,” Graham […]

Robotics company Merlin says it has flown the first three flights in its autonomous control program on the KC-135. The flights were conducted at the Pittsburgh Air National Guard Base under a waiver from the Air Force. Merlin has contracts to develop autonomous flight systems for several Air Force platforms and the 1960s-era tankers are […]

Ukraine is trying to manage expectations as the first F-16s enter service with its air force over the next couple of weeks. For one thing, only six Ukrainian air force pilots have been fully trained to fly the Vipers, and Ukraine is expected to take a conservative approach to their deployment. According to the Washington […]