All articles tagged with #military aircraft
President Trump flies the new Boeing 747-B Air Force One, a Qatar-donated aircraft valued at about $400 million that will serve as a transitional Air Force One through 2028 while Boeing builds two new jets. The gift sparked bipartisan ethics concerns over foreign gifts and upgrade costs, and the plane boasts lavish interiors before it eventually moves to Trump’s presidential library after its service as a VC-25B Bridge.
CNN analyzed public flight-tracking data and found that U.S. intelligence-gathering flights off Cuba have surged since February, with at least 25 flights by P-8A Poseidon, RC-135V Rivet Joint and MQ-4C Triton drones near Havana and Santiago de Cuba, some within about 40 miles of shore. The open-source flights, visible on public dashboards, come as Washington tightens sanctions and rhetoric against Cuba. The Pentagon declined to comment; Cuban officials say the flights pose no threat. CNN notes a similar pattern of publicly visible surveillance surges before U.S. actions in Venezuela and Iran, suggesting a broader signaling trend alongside policy moves.
The Air Force will paint two newly modified Boeing 747s designated VC-25B, plus a 747 donated by Qatar, in Trump’s preferred red, white, gold and dark blue scheme, reversing Biden-era plans for a baby-blue livery due to cost and technical concerns. The paint will also be applied during maintenance to four C-32 aircraft, with the first C-32 already painted and slated for delivery in the coming months.
The Senate approved a bipartisan bill requiring all aircraft, including military ones, to broadcast their locations using ADS-B technology, aiming to prevent incidents like the January DC helicopter crash that caused 67 deaths, and to improve airspace safety around Washington, D.C.
Boeing workers at three Midwest plants have rejected a new contract proposal, leading to an extension of their nearly six-week strike over issues including wages and benefits, with no new negotiations scheduled.
Venezuela has flown military aircraft, possibly F-16 fighter jets, over the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Jason Dunham in international waters near South America for the second consecutive day, escalating tensions amid U.S. efforts against drug trafficking and narco-terrorism in the region.
Venezuela has flown military aircraft, possibly F-16 fighter jets, near the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Jason Dunham in international waters near South America for the second consecutive day, escalating tensions and prompting strong responses from the U.S. government, which has also conducted a strike against a Venezuelan drug-trafficking boat.
Two Venezuelan military aircraft flew near a US Navy vessel in international waters, an act described by the Pentagon as highly provocative and aimed at interfering with US counter-narcotics operations, following recent US military actions in the Caribbean.
Two Venezuelan military aircraft flew near a US Navy vessel in international waters, an act described as highly provocative by the US Department of Defense, amid escalating tensions between Venezuela and the US over military and anti-drug operations in the region.
Thousands of Boeing workers at Midwest military aircraft plants went on strike after rejecting a proposed four-year labor agreement, potentially impacting Boeing's defense production, though officials believe the impact will be less severe than previous strikes. The strike involves union members building fighter jets and weapons, and follows a rejected contract that included wage increases and bonuses. Boeing remains optimistic about managing the strike's effects, especially given its recent financial improvements and focus on defense contracts.
Several thousand Boeing workers at three Midwest plants went on strike after rejecting a labor agreement, potentially impacting Boeing's defense production, though the CEO downplayed the strike's impact compared to previous disruptions. The strike involves workers building military aircraft and weapons, and follows a rejected contract offer that included wage increases and bonuses.
L3Harris Technologies and Joby Aviation are collaborating to develop a military-grade VTOL aircraft, with flight testing planned for fall 2025 and demonstrations in 2026, featuring hybrid gas turbine technology for versatile missions.
Qatar has unconditionally donated a Boeing jet to the US Pentagon, intended to be used as a new Air Force One after upgrades, with the transfer confirmed by a signed memorandum of understanding, though the process involves significant retrofitting costs and ethical considerations.
A Delta Connection regional jet made a sharp maneuver to avoid a fast-moving US Air Force B-52 bomber, prompting the pilot to apologize to passengers for the aggressive move, which was prompted by an unexpected encounter with the military aircraft during approach to Minot, North Dakota. The incident is under investigation, and the pilot expressed surprise at the close call, emphasizing the importance of transparency and safety.
Germany summoned China's ambassador after a Chinese warship laser-targeted a German military aircraft in the Red Sea during an EU mission, prompting protests over safety and sovereignty concerns amid ongoing regional tensions.