Aircraft & Propulsion

The U.S. Army is grappling with the challenge of compressing a nine-year timeline for delivering the first operational unit of MV-75s Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft.

France’s Air and Space Force is studying how to separate the Dassault Rafale fighters and Airbus A330 multirole tanker transports it uses for nuclear deterrence from the rest of its fleets.

AeroVironment is expanding its loitering munition product line, while also unveiling a new version of its Vapor drone.

Sikorsky has modified an ex-U.S. Army UH-60L Black Hawk into a flight demonstrator for the proposed U-Hawk uncrewed utility aircraft.

German sensor technology provider Hensoldt has teamed up with compatriot Avilus to push an uncrewed air vehicle offering with a local focus.

Honeywell is planning a set of block upgrades for its best-selling super-midsize (SMS) business jet engine series.

Malaysia has allocated MYR21.7 billion ($5.1 billion) for defense and security in fiscal 2026, representing a 2.9% year-on-year increase.

Boeing has unveiled a large, high-speed and vertical take-off-and-landing (VTOL), uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) for the U.S. Army.

Denmark will grow its Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter fleet to 43 aircraft following political agreements on a series of major defense procurements.

Italy has budgeted nearly €600 million ($697 million) through 2030 to launch the acquisition of a new maritime patrol aircraft.

Sweden is investing 1.5 billion krona ($160 million) to boost the availability of its Gripen fleet and enable smoother operations from temporary bases.

CFM International has begun key dust ingestion tests on the high-pressure (HP) turbine blades and nozzles at the center of the future small-core design.

Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

In all, more than 180 new-build aircraft could enter Australian service in the coming decade.

The nominee to become the U.S. Air Force’s next chief is committed to supporting airborne “domain awareness” programs.

Dassault Aviation has delivered the 300th Rafale combat aircraft, a milestone in the French combat aircraft’s ongoing export resurgence.

The Swedish Air Force is to receive its first Saab JAS-39 Gripen Es on Oct. 20.

The French Navy has selected the Pilatus PC-24 light business jet as a replacement for its long-serving Dassault Falcon 10 business jet utility aircraft.

Baykar’s Kizilelma uncrewed combat air vehicle (UCAV) has completed its first weapon releases just days after beginning carriage tests.

The UK government-sponsored Future Flight Challenge officially came to an end in 2024, but on Sept. 29 the follow-on Future Flight Program announced a £4.4 million slate of awards.

L3Harris will offer airborne and electronic warfare variants of the ground-based Vampire counter-UAS now fielded in Ukraine, company executives say.

Taiwan is doubling down on efforts to build a multifaceted uncrewed systems ecosystem, the defense ministry says in a new report.

Ireland has taken delivery of a dedicated transport variant of the Airbus C295 airlifter, giving the country a dedicated tactical airlifter for the first time.

German lawmakers have approved spending on an additional top-up order for Eurofighter combat aircraft and a crucial upgrade path for the fighter.

Hoverfly Technologies, a manufacturer of tethered drone systems for the defense sector, has secured $20 million in a Series B funding round.