refueling

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Navy Says Drone Made Aviation History

It refueled fighter jet in midair

(Newser) - The Navy says aviation history was made in a test flight over the Midwest when an unmanned aircraft refueled another aircraft for the first time. The Navy tweeted video of the Friday flight, in which a Boeing MQ-25 Stingray drone refueled a Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet in midair....

First It Was the 737 Max. Now Another 'Big Deal' for Boeing

This time the issue is trash and tools left behind on its KC-46 air refueling tankers

(Newser) - On the heels of the grounding of its 737 Max planes , Boeing now has a new problem: a "severe situation" tied to its KC-46 Pegasus air refueling tanker aircraft. That's how Will Roper, the Air Force's acquisitions chief, describes the garbage and loose industrial tools found during...

Refueling Crew Saves US Pilot Over ISIS Territory

F-16's fuel system had a glitch that would've been bad news if he'd had to eject

(Newser) - An F-16 fighter pilot's aircraft suffered a fuel system malfunction at perhaps the worst possible time—flying over ISIS-held territory—but the crew of a military refueling tanker stuck with him, likely saving his life, the Air Force Times reports. "Knowing the risks to their own safety, they...

Northrop Ditches, Leaves Boeing With Air Force Tanker

Bitterly fought $40B contract left suddenly uncontested

(Newser) - Boeing seems to have won its drawn out battle to build the Air Force’s new fleet of refueling planes by default; competitor Northrop Grumman withdrew its bid for the $40 billion contract. Northrop’s CEO said the company wouldn’t protest if Boeing got the contract without any real...

Kyrgyzstan to Shut Only US Air Base in Central Asia

Announces as Russia offers billions in aid

(Newser) - The fate of America's only military base in Central Asia was in doubt today after the president of Kyrgyzstan announced plans to shut the facility, reports the New York Times. The Manas Air Base serves as a refueling station for NATO fighter jets traveling to Afghanistan. But during a visit...

Tough Calls Await on Boeing Defense Bid

CEO can fold if feds deny appeal on tanker, or ramp up lobbying

(Newser) - The Government Accountability Office must rule by next Thursday on Boeing’s appeal of an Air Force deal granting European rival Airbus a multi-billion dollar tanker contract—and CEO Jim McNerney has a tough call ahead if Boeing loses, the Seattle Times reports. He can ground the appeal, or draw...

Japanese Party Scrambles to Keep Boss to Dodge Chaos

Opposition chief to quit amid deadlock mess

(Newser) - Members of Japan's opposition party are pleading with their leader to rethink his announced resignation, fearing the move will break up the party and hurt its chances at the polls. The head of the Democratic Party of Japan said he would resign yesterday after the party leadership resoundingly voted to...

New Air Force Drones Refuel Without Pilots

Technology gives fighter jets longer striking distance and more time in air

(Newser) - A Defense agency has developed an on-board flight system that connects an airplane to a re-fueling aircraft without the need for a human pilot, allowing unmanned fighter jets to remain in the air longer. The technology uses exact inertial, GPS, and video measurements to latch a probe into a 32-inch...

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