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The Air Current • Carter Johnston

Boeing MQ-28A Ghost Bat enters Exercise Valiant Shield as first major multinational CCA deployment

The MQ-28A Ghost Bat collaborative combat aircraft is participating in Exercise Valiant Shield for the first time, marking its major-force debut. The event also includes the U.S. military’s first operational use of a stealthy, uncrewed fighter aircraft in a large field training exercise at a remote Pacific airfield.

2026-06-26T10:26:10.484950-07:00

FlightGlobal

FedEx restores MD-11F capacity: four freighters back in service, full fleet targeted by Q4

2026-06-26T06:12:54.740854-07:00

Breaking Defense

Breaking Defense’s three-part look inside the T-7 Red Hawk acquisition—where it’s coming together and where it could unravel

2026-06-26T08:11:41.944170-07:00

ch-aviation

Gulf Air signals revised Boeing 787-9 (B787-9) delivery timeline; new fleet/network strategy expected

2026-06-26T02:41:12.573738-07:00

News Timeline

The Air Current

Boeing MQ-28A Ghost Bat enters Exercise Valiant Shield as first major multinational CCA deployment The MQ-28A Ghost Bat collaborative combat aircraft is participating in Exercise Valiant Shield for the first time, marking its major-force debut. The event also includes the U.S. military’s first operational use of a stealthy, uncrewed fighter aircraft in a large field training exercise at a remote Pacific airfield.

2026-06-26T10:26:10.484950-07:00

Boeing MQ-28A Ghost Bat enters Exercise Valiant Shield as first major multinational CCA deployment

Breaking Defense

Breaking Defense’s three-part look inside the T-7 Red Hawk acquisition—where it’s coming together and where it could unravel Breaking Defense is publishing a three-part investigation into the T-7 Red Hawk advanced jet trainer, detailing how the Pentagon acquisition program is put together and identifying the specific pressure points that could cause it to stall or fail.

2026-06-26T08:11:41.944170-07:00

Breaking Defense’s three-part look inside the T-7 Red Hawk acquisition—where it’s coming together and where it could unravel

Breaking Defense

Inside the T-7 Red Hawk: Read our three-part investigation

2026-06-26T08:11:41.944170-07:00

Inside the T-7 Red Hawk: Read

FlightGlobal

FedEx restores MD-11F capacity: four freighters back in service, full fleet targeted by Q4 FedEx has returned four Boeing MD-11Fs to operations and expects to have all of its MD-11F freighters back in service by the fourth quarter. The reinstatement follows an earlier fix developed in the wake of the UPS Airlines Louisville MD-11F accident, with the carrier working through remaining steps to meet peak-season demand.

2026-06-26T06:12:54.740854-07:00

FedEx restores MD-11F capacity: four freighters back in service, full fleet targeted by Q4

ch-aviation

Gulf Air signals revised Boeing 787-9 (B787-9) delivery timeline; new fleet/network strategy expected Gulf Air is hinting at a new Boeing 787-9 delivery timeline and a broader strategy update. The development points to changes in the carrier’s planned long-haul widebody entry/expansion schedule, with potential knock-on effects for fleet planning, route commitments, and aircraft availability assumptions.

2026-06-26T02:41:12.573738-07:00

Gulf Air signals revised Boeing 787-9 (B787-9) delivery timeline; new fleet/network strategy expected

Bloomberg

Trump to take first flight on Qatar-gifted interim Air Force One next week White House officials say Donald Trump is expected to take his first trip on the Qatar-gifted aircraft—an interim Air Force One platform—when he travels to an event in North Dakota on July 1. The flight is scheduled for next week, underscoring the near-term transition path for VC-25B “Bridge” capability.

2026-06-25T17:40:46.657359-07:00

Trump to take first flight on Qatar-gifted interim Air Force One next week

Flying Magazine

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FAA investigates viral video allegedly showing Boeing 777 flying inches above runway A viral clip depicting a Boeing 777 executing an extremely low pass near a Texas airport has prompted an FAA review. The footage, which sparked debate over whether the jet narrowly avoided runway contact, is under scrutiny by aviation experts for flight-safety and operational compliance concerns.

2026-06-25T13:07:54.103250-07:00

FAA investigates viral video allegedly showing Boeing 777 flying inches above runway

Bloomberg

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FAA proposes rule to streamline approvals of new aircraft and engines, targeting lower cost and faster certification timelines The FAA is proposing a rule intended to reduce the cost and time required to obtain approvals for new aircraft and engines. If adopted, the change would be a potential tailwind for major manufacturers’ certification programs, including Boeing and GE Aerospace.

2026-06-25T11:12:13.557092-07:00

FAA proposes rule to streamline approvals of new aircraft and engines, targeting lower cost and faster certification timelines

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Boeing News

Boeing MQ-28A Ghost Bat enters Exercise Valiant Shield as first major multinational CCA deployment

FedEx restores MD-11F capacity: four freighters back in service, full fleet targeted by Q4

Breaking Defense’s three-part look inside the T-7 Red Hawk acquisition—where it’s coming together and where it could unravel

Gulf Air signals revised Boeing 787-9 (B787-9) delivery timeline; new fleet/network strategy expected

News Timeline