Aircraft & Propulsion

A Ukrainian Gripen acquisition could unlock follow-on purchases from Sweden, and Brazil is considering additional buys, too.

The German Air Force is undergoing an intense period of modernization through the end of the decade that will do more than just revitalize its core air dominance role, says Luftwaffe Inspector Lt. Gen. Holger Neumann.

The unique requirements of collaborative combat aircraft will force engine-makers to adopt a different mindset for design, schedule and cost.

A Danish audit of the country’s Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program has found that the country’s fleet of 27 aircraft could cost some 14 billion kronor more to operate than previously estimated.

Palladyne AI has signed an exclusive agreement to manufacture and market IAI’s Harpy, Harop and Mini Harpy loitering munitions to the U.S. Defense Department.

The U.S. Marine Corps is starting anew with an effort to replace its Bell AH-1Z and UH-1Y helicopter fleet with a new, potentially uncrewed aircraft.

Lufthansa Technik is preparing to ramp up its defense activities as Germany starts introducing into service a range of new aircraft.

South Korea has reversed plans to scale back production of the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) KF-21 fighter, restoring the program to its original schedule.

Airbus Helicopters is getting ready to unveil an uncrewed variant of its H145 twin-engine light helicopter at Berlin’s ILA Airshow, which opens June 10.

Partially as a result of their revolutionary nature, interest in CCAs continues to expand, with operators now putting funding into developing their own capabilities in this area.

For more information about Aviation Week Intelligence Network’s (AWIN) 2026 Military Fleet & MRO Forecast and other Aviation Week data products, please see: https://pgs.aviationweek.com/forecast

Leonardo Seaspray Radar Selected For Australian Border Force Fleet

The U.S. government has approved a $1.5 billion export of five Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawks and related equipment to New Zealand.

Brazil has expressed “intention and interest” in acquiring up to 20 more Saab Gripen fighters.

Russia's federal air transport agency Rosaviatsia has certified two key domestic aerospace programs: the PD-8 turbofan and Ilyushin Il-114-300 passenger turboprop.

The French Defense Procurement Agency says it has conducted a successful test firing of the MBDA Mica NG from a Dassault Aviation Rafale while it flew at supersonic speed.

Hensoldt, Indra and Leonardo are preparing to begin airborne trials of the new European Common Radar System (ECRS) Mk.1 radar destined for use on German and Spanish Eurofighters.

Ottawa is trying to modernize its military, strengthen its industry and forge closer ties to Europe with its surprise airborne early warning and control pick.

Cockpit autonomy provider Merlin completed the critical design review for applying autonomous software on Lockheed Martin C-130Js flown by U.S. Special Operations Command.

Lawmakers are again pressing the U.S. Air Force to find ways to keep the aging A-10 attack jet in service long-term.

A U.S. Navy depot delivered the first Lockheed Martin F-35 upgraded with a generational avionics improvement in May.

Gogo says its SD Government business has received a $7.5 million contract from the NOAA to provide comms services for the agency’s Lockheed WP-3D “hurricane hunter” aircraft.

France has conducted tests of the Airbus H225M Caracal helicopter in a counterdrone role using onboard machine guns.

A UK government decision to wrestle financial control of the Global Combat Air Program away from the defense ministry may place the trinational fighter program on firmer financial footing.

DARPA is exploring options for installing tactical high-energy laser systems on Collaborative Combat Aircraft and ground vehicles for self-defense.