Lockheed Martin F-16

TransDigm Group announced July 13 it will not acquire Stellant Systems from its private equity owners, marking a rare, failed takeover attempt due to U.S. regulatory resistance.

In late May Taiwan finally approved a new special budget for defense, ensuring that the country’s defense budget will continue to be augmented by supplemental funds beyond 2026.

Ukraine ordered 16 single-seat Saab Gripen E fighters on June 30 for SEK 24.6 billion ($2.54 billion) for delivery in three-four years.

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

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

Lockheed Martin encountered development problems with its latest F-16 configuration, denting earnings along with issues on the C-130J Hercules.

Peru has selected the Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70 fighter over two European rivals, triggering the resignations of two cabinet officials in protest.

Official photos reveal a distinct similarity to the Zone 5 Technologies Rusty Dagger.

Norway has donated to Ukraine six of its now-retired Lockheed Martin F-16s, which are undergoing refurbishment, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre says.

Bahraini F-16 Block 70 achieves first air-to-air kill, intercepting Iranian drones amid regional tensions and missile attacks.

Flight training operations started for the Argentine air force’s newly acquired Lockheed Martin F-16Bs on March 30.

An electronic warfare upgrade for the Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 30/32 has entered low-rate initial production.

U.S. Air Force officials started looking for alternatives to the service’s next-generation anti-radiation missile on March 4.

The Air National Guard is facing uncertainty in how it will meet some of its homeland defense requirements as the Air Force retires aging aircraft.

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

Lockheed Martin in a recent test showed its autonomy software’s ability to take control of a fighter jet and evade a simulated incoming missile.

A new class of students are learning how to become F-16 pilots at Eglin AFB, Florida. But these students are AI-created agents.

The U.S. Navy on Feb. 19 announced it had cleared the GBU-53/B Stormbreaker Small Diameter Bomb Increment II for initial operational capability.

The Southern California-based Advanced Manufacturing Company of America (Amca) has purchased Payne Magnetics for an undisclosed sum.

After years of underinvestment, the tide is finally turning for the Hellenic Armed Forces, with the government pledging last year to inject €25 billion ($29 billion) into defense.

Slovakia is considering the purchase four more Block 70-model Lockheed Martin F-16s to add to the 14 it has already acquired.

BAE Systems will transform the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) II with dual-mode seekers to make the 2.75-in.-dia. guided rocket more effective at shooting down volleys of large numbers of one-way attack munitions.

High-speed aircraft developer Hermeus has begun taxi tests of its Pratt & Whitney F100-229-powered Quarterhorse Mk. 2.1 supersonic flight demonstrator.

Howmet Aerospace posted 21% defense sales growth in the fourth quarter, driven by engine demand from both advanced and legacy fighter jets.

According to Aviation Week’s recently released 2026 Military Fleet & MRO Forecast, the F-35 Lightning II represents by far the largest military aircraft program in terms of deliveries over the decade with a at least 1,468 aircraft due to be delivered to 18 different operators.