Defense

The U.S. Air Force is focused on near-term tanker recapitalization—extending purchases of the Boeing KC-46 and planning minor situational awareness upgrades.

Leonardo nears UK decision on AW149 helicopter deal, with CEO Cingolani signaling imminent resolution to long-pending NMH procurement that could safeguard Yeovil operations.

Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani says the company is in the final stages of agreeing an aerostructures partnership that will lead to the creation of a player with worldwide aerospace ambitions.

Airbus is exploring the potential of a reconfigurable compound rotorcraft that would allow military users to both install and remove a proprotor system.

U.S. startup MightyFly has raised $10 million to accelerate development and early deployments of its autonomous hybrid eVTOL logistics aircraft.

Canada’s Top Aces has secured a deal through the Pentagon to provide F-16 instructor pilot training to Argentina.

The UK Royal Navy has begun exploring ideas for a future crewed platform that would replace its Leonardo Merlin and Wildcat helicopters on its warships.

Israel’s ImageSat International says it plans to launch the first of its new Knight Earth-imaging satellites next year.

Turkish defense electronics specialist Aselsan grew export sales 89% last year to $958 million and booked over $2 billion in new contracts from buyers abroad.

BAE Systems has become the latest big defense prime to team up with Estonian anti-drone missile developer Frankenburg Technologies.

The U.S. Air Force has confirmed that four engine-makers have been awarded initial conceptual design awards for the second increment of CCA.

Lockheed Martin plans to demonstrate a number of on-orbit capabilities related to missile defense over the next three year, a company executive said Feb. 23.

BAE Systems repackaged the EA-37B Compass Call’s advanced electronic attack systems into a pod that could be carried by a large uncrewed aircraft system.

The USAF needs to press forward on modernizing its airlift fleet after being too slow on progress to replace its C-17 and C-5 fleet, a top official argues.

China has banned the export of dual-use items to 20 Japanese firms and other institutions.

President Trump is fighting hard again for his tariffs on imported goods and doubling down on trade wars; aerospace and defense should not be surprised when it is used as a bargaining chip again.

The Algerian Air Force has made recapitalizing its fighter fleet a top priority, especially given the retirement of the MiG‑25 in 2021 and the planned withdrawal of the aging Su‑24 fleet, with plans to expand the inventory to around 120 aircraft by 2035.

The Department of the Air Force wants to test its ability to fuse sensor data from across the Defense Department via a series of exercises.

PBS Aerospace will supply turbojet engines for Zone 5 Technologies.

The cover of Aviation Week & Space Technology’s March 1, 1976, issue featured a U.S. Air Force/Fairchild Industries A-10 armed with a laser- guided Mk. 84 2,000-lb. bomb and an electro-optically guided Mk. 84 turning in for a strafing run at Edwards AFB, California, to test the effects on externally mounted ordnance of firing the General Electric GAU-8/A Gatling-type 30-mm. gun.

The U.S. House of Representatives failed to approve the Senate-passed bill that calls for a widespread ADS-B In mandate.

Ursa Major has unveiled a new hypersonic missile designed to be produced at a large scale and with the potential to be used as both a weapon and a target.

The U.S. Air Force will continue the two Boeing E-7A Wedgetail rapid prototypes.

Rolls-Royce is advancing F130 engine testing for the B-52J program, refining design and preparing production for strategic missions starting in 2027.

As the first U.S.-funded Collaborative Combat Aircraft prototypes enter weapons testing, new details are being released.