Ryan Finnerty
Ryan Finnerty is the Americas defence reporter for FlightGlobal.com and Flight International magazine, covering military aviation and the defence industry. He is a former United States Army officer and previously reported for America’s National Public Radio system in New York and Hawaii covering energy, economics and military affairs.
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NewsNew four-engined Chinese tactical transport spotted in flight
A new four-engined military transport aircraft, believed to be the AVIC Y-30, has been photographed in flight over China, revealing design characteristics that appear partially influenced by the Airbus A400M.
NewsRolls-Royce begins testing AE 1107F engine for US Army’s new MV-75 tiltrotor
The engine manufacturer has initiated testing of the new turboshaft in Indianapolis, with the new AE 1107F variant sharing 80% commonality with the existing AE 1107C that powers the V-22 Osprey.
NewsLockheed unveils first F-35A stealth fighter bound for Finland
Lockheed Martin has displayed the first F-35A Lightning II destined for Finland at its Fort Worth facility, marking a milestone for the Nordic nation’s 64-aircraft programme to replace its Boeing F/A-18C/D Hornet fleet.
AnalysisChina reveals first flight of stealthy CH-7 UAV for long-range targeting mission
The tailless uncrewed jet contains several features associated with low-observable aircraft and is believed to play a role in the development of kill chains for the Chinese military.
In depthMaterial failure involved in more than half of serious Osprey safety incidents since 2021
A multi-year review conducted the US military’s airworthiness authority for the V-22 tiltrotor found that out of 12 Class A mishaps in recent years, seven featured material failure as a causal or contributing factor.
NewsChina completes first flight of Jetank ‘swarm carrier’ drone
China’s state-owned AVIC has completed the first flight of its Jetank drone swarm carrier, designed to deploy dozens of smaller uncrewed aircraft from an internal hive module.
In depthT-38C phase out begins as USAF flight school receives first T-7A trainer
The US Air Force’s Air Education and Training Command has received its first Boeing T-7A Red Hawk trainer jet, marking a significant milestone in the service’s efforts to modernise pilot training and replace its ageing fleet of Northrop T-38C Talon aircraft.
NewsUS Air Force begins testing new radar for B-52 bomber
The US Air Force has begun evaluating a new active electronically scanned array radar system for its B-52H bomber fleet, with testing now underway at Edwards AFB following delivery of the first modified aircraft from Boeing’s San Antonio facility.
NewsBeehive Industries planning flight trials for Frenzy turbojet in early 2026
US propulsion start-up Beehive Industries has completed high-altitude testing of its developmental Frenzy turbojet and plans to begin flight trials in the first quarter of 2026.
NewsUS lawmakers approve 84% funding cut to US Navy’s F/A-XX sixth-generation fighter
Lawmakers in Washington are supporting a Trump Administration plan to provide only minimal funding to the US Navy’s F/A-XX sixth-generation fighter programme, instead favouring the US Air Force’s F-47.
NewsUS Army awards $13m contract to AV for P550 drones
The US Army has awarded uncrewed aircraft manufacturer AV a $13 million contract to supply P550 drones for training soldiers on aerial reconnaissance tactics under its Long Range Reconnaissance programme.
NewsCongress moves to protect E-7A Wedgetail programme from cancellation
Lawmakers in the US Congress are taking legislative action to prevent the Trump Administration from cancelling the US Air Force’s Boeing E-7A Wedgetail acquisition programme, overriding opposition from the White House, which favours space-based alternatives.
NewsArgentina takes delivery of initial six F-16 fighters from Denmark
Argentina has received its first tranche of secondhand Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters from Denmark, marking the restoration of supersonic fighter capability for the Argentine air force after decades of restrictions following the 1982 Falklands War.
NewsPentagon deploys first one-way attack squadron using Shahed-136 derivative
US Central Command has activated its first one-way attack squadron, operating strike drones reverse-engineered from Iran’s Shahed-136 kamikaze aircraft – marking a major shift toward low-cost offensive drone capabilities.
NewsDamaged B-2 stealth bomber returns to frontline duty after four-year repair from landing gear collapse
B-2 tail number 89-0129 has been restored to flight status after extensive repairs to damage caused by a landing gear collapse in 2021, boosting the USAF’s limited stealth bomber capability.
NewsNorthrop Grumman reveals Talon autonomous fighter design
Northrop Grumman has unveiled its Talon concept for an uncrewed fighter aircraft seemingly based on the Scaled Composites Model 437 low-cost jet.
NewsUS Air Force takes delivery of 100th KC-46A tanker
The milestone delivery comes as the Air Mobility Command is increasingly relying on KC-46As to support frontline military operations across the globe.
NewsThunderbirds F-16 crashes during California training flight
A Lockheed Martin F-16 from the US Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration team has crashed during a training flight in California, with the pilot ejecting safely and remaining in stable condition.
NewsElectra launches defence unit targeting military applications for EL9 ‘ultra-short’ concept
US aircraft developer Electra has established a dedicated defence business unit to pursue military applications for its EL9 ultra-short take-off and landing concept, appointing former Boeing executive Donn Yates as general manager.
NewsUS Army launches aerial reconnaissance training with Edge Autonomy VXE30 Stalker
US Army soldiers will begin operating Edge Autonomy’s VXE30 Stalker this month as the service fields the vertical take-off uncrewed system in support of aerial reconnaissance instruction courses.