FlightGlobal
• Joseph Dainty
Dassault Aviation has signed a memorandum of understanding with AED Cluster Portugal to explore cooperation opportunities tied to the Portuguese Air Force’s future fighter renewal. The agreement strengthens Dassault’s industrial positioning as Portugal considers options to replace its F-16 fleet with Rafale aircraft.
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The U.S. Air Force plans to replace the Modular Mission Computer on Block 40, 42, 50 and 52 F-16s with a Next-Generation Mission Computer. The upgrade is part of a broader modernization effort that includes the APG-83 radar and is intended to sustain the fleet into the 2040s.
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Dassault Aviation has signed a memorandum of understanding with AED Cluster Portugal to explore cooperation opportunities tied to the Portuguese Air Force’s future fighter renewal. The agreement strengthens Dassault’s industrial positioning as Portugal considers options to replace its F-16 fleet with Rafale aircraft.
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AstroForge plans to launch what it describes as the first fully autonomous asteroid-mining mission in 2027. The mission could mark a significant step for commercial space exploration by demonstrating whether spacecraft can independently conduct an asteroid-focused operation without direct human control.
New air traffic control automation systems may initially add to controller workload rather than reduce it. The transition period can last for years, creating operational and staffing challenges before the technology delivers its intended efficiency gains.
Australia’s Royal Australian Air Force has reached major milestones across three intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance fleets in six months: completing its P-8A Poseidon force and declaring initial operational capability for the MQ-4C Triton and MC-55A Peregrine, according to the Department of Defence.
Microsoft said DARPA will receive direct, on-site access to its latest quantum computing hardware at a new Maryland research center. The facility, opened with the University of Maryland and other industry partners, is intended to support collaborative research involving the U.S. defense research agency.
IATA’s World Safety and Operations Conference will examine how airlines can strengthen resilience as crises multiply and aviation becomes more dependent on sophisticated IT systems. The 2026 agenda also addresses AI and automation, emphasizing the training and human expertise needed to maintain safe operations.
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The FAA has begun the initial deployment of SMART—Strategic Management of Airspace, Routes and Trajectories—an AI system focused on facilities in the Washington, D.C., area. The rollout proceeded without the involvement of the air traffic controllers’ union, raising questions about implementation and workforce coordination.
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