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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Uncrewed Systems Boeing partners with Rheinmetall to offer MQ-28 to Germany

The move sets up a showdown for the Luftwaffe tender between the Boeing-Rheinmetall team and an Airbus-Kratos partnership announced last year.
Fixed-Wing US Navy launches competition to replace T-45 trainer

The US Navy has officially launched a competition to select its next fighter trainer after years of delays.
Fixed-Wing US ‘wild weasel’ squadron in Japan begins transition from F-16 to F-35

Four Lockheed Martin F-35A stealth fighters have arrived in Japan as part of the US military’s permanent forward presence in Asia.
UNCREWED SYSTEMS Near Earth Autonomy to demonstrate ship-to-shore supply drone for US Navy

The demonstration contract calls for an aircraft-agnostic solution that can autonomously deliver cargo in GPS-denied environments.
Helicopters US Army integrates air-launched UAS with AH-64E attack helicopter

The US Army has positioned “launched effects” as a major pillar of its aviation modernisation strategy, enhancing the capability of crewed rotorcraft while increasing survivability.
Uncrewed Systems Japan’s TerraDrone launches defence unit targeting military business

Japanese manufacturer of civil uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) TerraDrone is launching a foray into the defence market, citing an “increasingly unstable” geopolitical environment and rapid rise of drones as military weapons.
DELIVERY Second MC-55 long-range intelligence jet arrives in Australia

Canberra plans to operate four converted Gulfstream G550 business jets for long-range intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance alongside other assets including Boeing P-8A maritime patrol aircraft and Northrop Grumman MQ-4C uncrewed vehicles.
DEFENCE RCAF fires extended-range AMRAAM as part of F/A-18A upgrades

As part of the effort to extend the service life of its aged fleet of Boeing F/A-18A Hornet fighters, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) has test fired an extended-range version of Raytheon’s AMRAAM missile.
UNCREWED SYSTEMS US Army to field AV P550 long-range reconnaissance UAS

The US Army says $117 million production contract will deliver enhanced reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition capabilities to frontline combat units.
Fixed-Wing First US Air Force E-7 prototype arrives in UK for mission conversion work

The 737-700 passenger jet that will become the first Boeing E-7A Wedgetail prototype for the US Air Force was spotted in transit to Birmingham in the UK, where standard 737s are converted into the specialised military aircraft used to detect airborne threats and manage friendly activity.
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.
Fixed-Wing Lockheed Martin begins final assembly of Germany’s first F-35A

Evaluation and check-out flights for the Germany air force’s inaugural F-35 stealth fighter will begin later this year.