Lockheed Martin C-130J

Rearmament in Europe is focused on strengthening combat and support aircraft capacity and ground-based air defenses.

Aviation Week has assembled this guide to some of the most important contests that are unfolding between 2024 and 2033.

According to Aviation Week Intelligence Network analysis, the new contract for three Embraer C-390s brings the number of outstanding firm or expected orders to 35, with Portugal, Austria, Brazil, Hungary, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic all expected to introduce fleets.

The future seems bright for Embraer’s C-390 assembly line surrounded by sugar cane fields in Gaviao Peixoto, Brazil.

Embraer and Saudi Arabian Military Industries are exploring a potential final assembly line in Saudi Arabia for the C-390 airlifter.

The regional market for medium and heavy military transports is heating up as Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states work to modernize their airlift capabilities.

Aging fleets and regional instability are making Gulf Cooperation Council member countries prime marketing opportunities for airlifter OEMs.

The Philippines Department of National Defense (DND) has approved acquisition of three new Lockheed Martin C-130J-30s.

Maintainers serving with the Franco-German airlift squadron flying the C-130J Hercules will shortly begin training in a new facility developed by the OEM.

The Program Executive Office - Fixed Wing and SOFWERX, the command’s rapid prototyping agency, plan to host a series of demonstrations of loitering munitions.

A sources sought notice published on Sept. 19 calls for responses for a Long Range Attack Munition that can be purchased in fiscal 2025 and fielded in 2027.

Austria has become the latest European nation to adopt Embraer’s C-390, choosing the airlifter over Lockheed Martin’s C-130J.

Members of Niger’s military rose up against President Mohamed Bazoum, who has been under house arrest since July 26.

UK-based C-130 Hercules maintenance, repair and overhaul specialist Marshall Aerospace will service and modify the South African Air Force’s fleet of C-130s.

Legislators hope that completing the final transfer of the aircraft will end an almost decade-long saga.

The Senate Appropriations Committee on July 27 approved its $831.8 million defense spending bill for 2024.

President Joe Biden has tapped Gen. David Allvin to become the next Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force.

India’s hunt for a new medium transport aircraft (MTA) has attracted interest from Airbus, Embraer and Lockheed Martin.

The U.S. Air Force’s Air Mobility Command (AMC) has conducted a successful test of the Rapid Dragon pallet system.

The Australian Defense Department has confirmed that it will be refreshing its Hercules fleet.

The U.S. Air Force plans to conduct additional test flights of drag reduction modifications to its Boeing C-17, KC-135 and Lockheed Martin C-130 aircraft.

Embraer is looking to grab a slice of Europe’s defense modernization pie with sales of the C-390 airlifter and A-29 Super Tucano.

Airbus will coordinate 33 companies including airframers, engine producers and defense electronics specialists on studies for a new European airlifter.

Norway advised to invest in an expanded ground-based air-defense capability, uncrewed air systems and long-range precision fires.

The USMC modernization plan for aviation focuses a starting a new loitering munition program and investing in vertical take-off and landing systems.