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DefenseNews.com • Brian Everstine

U.S. Air Force: Turbulence and MC-1B Predator turbocharger failure led to June 2025 Afghanistan crash

The U.S. Air Force says last year’s MC-1B Predator crash in Afghanistan resulted from turbulence combined with a turbocharger failure. The incident occurred after the drone experienced the propulsion malfunction, culminating in a crash, according to the service’s announcement.

2026-04-25T00:50:52.169081-07:00

DefenseNews.com

UK military aviation faces safety risk as engineer shortage looms

2026-04-25T00:50:55.734656-07:00

DefenseNews.com

Germany seeks to revive Euro Hawk after 2013 cancellation over cost and airworthiness concerns

2026-04-25T00:50:54.838021-07:00

DefenseNews.com

Pentagon: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter gun remains on schedule for 2017 operational fielding

2026-04-25T00:50:54.219227-07:00

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DefenseNews.com

UK military aviation faces safety risk as engineer shortage looms A senior UK military aviation safety official warned that an imminent shortage of engineers and other skilled personnel could undermine aviation safety. The risk highlights how staffing levels—not just aircraft hardware—are becoming a limiting factor for safe operations across the UK defense aviation enterprise.

2026-04-25T00:50:55.734656-07:00

UK military aviation faces safety risk as engineer shortage looms

DefenseNews.com

Germany seeks to revive Euro Hawk after 2013 cancellation over cost and airworthiness concerns Germany plans to restart the Euro Hawk high-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle programme it canceled in 2013, citing spiraling costs and airworthiness issues at the time. The move signals renewed interest in procuring long-range, ISR-focused UAS capability despite the project’s prior setbacks.

2026-04-25T00:50:54.838021-07:00

Germany seeks to revive Euro Hawk after 2013 cancellation over cost and airworthiness concerns

DefenseNews.com

Pentagon: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter gun remains on schedule for 2017 operational fielding The Pentagon’s F-35 Program Office said the fighter’s gun is still on track to become operational in 2017. The statement keeps the weapons system timeline intact amid ongoing program activity around F-35 software and mission system upgrade delivery.

2026-04-25T00:50:54.219227-07:00

Pentagon: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter gun remains on schedule for 2017 operational fielding

DefenseNews.com

U.S. Air Force: Turbulence and MC-1B Predator turbocharger failure led to June 2025 Afghanistan crash The U.S. Air Force says last year’s MC-1B Predator crash in Afghanistan resulted from turbulence combined with a turbocharger failure. The incident occurred after the drone experienced the propulsion malfunction, culminating in a crash, according to the service’s announcement.

2026-04-25T00:50:52.169081-07:00

U.S. Air Force: Turbulence and MC-1B Predator turbocharger failure led to June 2025 Afghanistan crash

FlightGlobal

USAF graduates final class of new A-10 pilots as service winds toward Thunderbolt II retirement The US Air Force has graduated its last class of newly qualified A-10 pilots, marking a final step in the pipeline as the service proceeds—albeit gradually—toward retiring the A-10 Thunderbolt II. The move signals near-term sustainment pressures for manned ground-attack force generation.

2026-04-24T18:18:14.422780-07:00

USAF graduates final class of new A-10 pilots as service winds toward Thunderbolt II retirement

FlightGlobal

Aura Aero targets first flight this year for Enbata MALE drone under France DGA timeline French manufacturer Aura Aero says it remains on track to deliver a first flight later this year for its Enbata medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) uncrewed aircraft. The milestone is aligned with the schedule set by France’s DGA, signaling progress toward the programme’s next flight-test phase.

2026-04-24T13:41:21.237147-07:00

Aura Aero targets first flight this year for Enbata MALE drone under France DGA timeline

AINonline

AINsight: Circle-to-Land Approach Hazards—where VFR-style maneuvering can erode final-approach discipline Stuart “Kipp” Lau highlights the specific hazards embedded in circle-to-land operations, focusing on how the maneuvering phase can drive breakdowns in scan, stabilization, and decision-making right before touchdown. The analysis ties the risk to technique and situational discipline rather than the presence of approach charts alone.

2026-04-24T13:34:14.713243-07:00

AINsight: Circle-to-Land Approach Hazards—where VFR-style maneuvering can erode final-approach discipline

The War Zone

Ukraine mounts P1-SUN interceptor drones on An-28 turboprops to counter Shahed-type attacks Ukraine is using an Antonov An-28 as an air-launch platform for interceptor drones, deploying SkyFall’s P1-SUN to hunt Shahed-type targets. Video shared by operators shows the An-28 crew associated with the method, signaling a shift toward mobile, airborne drone employment for layered counter-UAS defense.

2026-04-24T13:11:48.356135-07:00

Ukraine mounts P1-SUN interceptor drones on An-28 turboprops to counter Shahed-type attacks

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Aviation Safety & Regulation News

U.S. Air Force: Turbulence and MC-1B Predator turbocharger failure led to June 2025 Afghanistan crash

UK military aviation faces safety risk as engineer shortage looms

Germany seeks to revive Euro Hawk after 2013 cancellation over cost and airworthiness concerns

Pentagon: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter gun remains on schedule for 2017 operational fielding

News Timeline