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The Bundestag Budget Committee approved amendments to Germany’s proposed 2027 defense budget and Bundeswehr special fund, advancing plans to acquire 16 tactical Airbus A400Ms. The aircraft would replace older airlifters and provide new work for a production line that has been short of orders; the reports describe authorization steps, not a completed contract.
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The Bundestag Budget Committee approved amendments to Germany’s proposed 2027 defense budget and Bundeswehr special fund, advancing plans to acquire 16 tactical Airbus A400Ms. The aircraft would replace older airlifters and provide new work for a production line that has been short of orders; the reports describe authorization steps, not a completed contract.
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Two pilots and a flight-test engineer flew the battery-powered CE-25A for 16 minutes at Binzhou, marking the first time people have been aboard the aircraft. The full-scale demonstrator, with a maximum takeoff weight of about 22,046 pounds, had reportedly been undergoing autonomous flight tests for months before its public emergence in October.
Lufthansa will keep more A340-300s available through the summer 2027 schedule as continuing Boeing 777-9 delays constrain fleet replacement. The carrier has retained 11 four-engine aircraft after retiring its last A340-600, with some A340-300 flights already scheduled for winter 2027/2028.
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Northrop Grumman’s B-21 Raider has completed its first test release of a conventional munition at Edwards Air Force Base, advancing the stealth bomber into weapons testing. The Air Force and Northrop have not disclosed which munition was used; the test’s results were not detailed.
Boeing recorded 165 October orders valued at $10.2 billion, while Boeing Business Jets is pursuing demand in emerging markets for aircraft with multiple roles. The coverage also argues that prioritizing quality over near-term expectations could support a production ramp, though it provides no details on delivery timing or the orders’ composition.
CFM International’s RISE program is advancing an Open Fan engine architecture designed to improve fuel efficiency by 20% while withstanding hot, harsh operating environments. The development links potential performance gains with the durability requirements of real-world service.
Airbus Helicopters has started final assembly of the third and final H160M Guepard prototype at its Marignane site in southern France. The medium twin is supporting development of a combined variant for France’s naval and air forces.
Air New Zealand is calling for industrywide changes to how aviation safety agencies approve aircraft interior designs, arguing the process is adding to already lengthy delays in new-aircraft deliveries. The airline’s appeal focuses on premium cabin seats and the approval timeline for cabin configurations.
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