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Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Boeing 777-8 Freighter reaches advanced assembly stage at Everett; engines still to be installed

Images from Boeing’s Everett factory show the first 777-8 Freighter structurally complete and nearing completion, with the next step being engine installation. The milestone adds physical momentum to a programme that has also been advancing through FAA certification and testing approvals.

2026-04-26T04:37:40.925591-07:00

The Aviationist

U.S. Navy MQ-25 Stingray completes first flight of first production-representative airframe

2026-04-25T10:35:10.238680-07:00

DefenseNews.com

Boeing and Paramount Group to weaponize mission systems for South Africa’s Mwari light reconnaissance aircraft

2026-04-25T18:04:30.112701-07:00

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

United 787-9 Polaris-equipped aircraft makes emergency diversion after electrical smell fills cabin shortly after takeoff from S

2026-04-25T09:56:41.192280-07:00

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Air Data News

Boeing 777-8 Freighter reaches advanced assembly stage at Everett; engines still to be installed Images from Boeing’s Everett factory show the first 777-8 Freighter structurally complete and nearing completion, with the next step being engine installation. The milestone adds physical momentum to a programme that has also been advancing through FAA certification and testing approvals.

2026-04-26T04:37:40.925591-07:00

Boeing 777-8 Freighter reaches advanced assembly stage at Everett; engines still to be installed

DefenseNews.com

Boeing and Paramount Group to weaponize mission systems for South Africa’s Mwari light reconnaissance aircraft Boeing and Paramount Group will jointly weaponize and integrate Boeing mission systems for South Africa’s Mwari light aircraft, positioning the platform for armed reconnaissance roles. The move deepens Boeing’s participation in local defense aircraft mission-equipment integration and expands Paramount’s capability set for weaponized light ISR missions.

2026-04-25T18:04:30.112701-07:00

Boeing and Paramount Group to weaponize mission systems for South Africa’s Mwari light reconnaissance aircraft

The Aviationist

U.S. Navy MQ-25 Stingray completes first flight of first production-representative airframe The first production-representative Boeing MQ-25 Stingray completed its maiden flight on April 25, 2026, marking a key step toward an operational carrier-based unmanned aerial refueling capability. The flight advances the Navy’s effort to field the world’s first operational carrier UAS tanker, under Boeing development.

2026-04-25T10:35:10.238680-07:00

U.S. Navy MQ-25 Stingray completes first flight of first production-representative airframe

DefenseNews.com

Boeing halts work at Philadelphia plant for two weeks amid COVID-19 spread, pausing H-47 and V-22 production Boeing will close for two weeks at its Philadelphia facility as COVID-19 spreads in the region, temporarily stopping work tied to the H-47 and V-22 programs. The pause adds near-term risk to defense production schedules during an ongoing push to stabilize Boeing’s manufacturing throughput.

2026-04-25T10:05:26.426162-07:00

Boeing halts work at Philadelphia plant for two weeks amid COVID-19 spread, pausing H-47 and V-22 production

DefenseNews.com

Boeing to restart KC-46 tanker and P-8 maritime patrol line after ~two-week suspension Boeing will reopen its KC-46 tanker and P-8 maritime surveillance production lines after they were suspended for a little over two weeks. The move signals the company is resuming work on two key US and allied defense aircraft programs following a short production interruption.

2026-04-25T10:05:26.223029-07:00

Boeing to restart KC-46 tanker and P-8 maritime patrol line after ~two-week suspension

DefenseNews.com

Boeing maps an autonomous refueling pathway for the KC-46 tanker amid ongoing program scrutiny Boeing’s KC-46 now has a defined “pathway for autonomous aerial refueling,” positioning the tanker to move from manned operations toward automation-driven refueling. The update arrives as the platform faces persistent issue resolution requirements raised by senior U.S. Air Force leadership.

2026-04-25T10:05:23.994434-07:00

Boeing maps an autonomous refueling pathway for the KC-46 tanker amid ongoing program scrutiny

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

United 787-9 Polaris-equipped aircraft makes emergency diversion after electrical smell fills cabin shortly after takeoff from S A brand-new United Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner with the airline’s next-generation Polaris Business Class cabin made an emergency diversion after an electrical smell filled the cabin shortly after takeoff from Singapore. The cluster centers on early-flight electrical odor escalation on a newly delivered airframe.

2026-04-25T09:56:41.192280-07:00

United 787-9 Polaris-equipped aircraft makes emergency diversion after electrical smell fills cabin shortly after takeoff from S

ch-aviation

Boeing eyes 737 MAX output ramp to 47 aircraft/month Boeing plans to increase 737 MAX production to 47 units per month, signaling a further step in its effort to stabilize the program’s delivery cadence. The move targets higher factory throughput as Boeing seeks to meet operator demand and close remaining schedule gaps.

2026-04-24T08:09:34.078404-07:00

Boeing eyes 737 MAX output ramp to 47 aircraft/month

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Boeing News

Boeing 777-8 Freighter reaches advanced assembly stage at Everett; engines still to be installed

U.S. Navy MQ-25 Stingray completes first flight of first production-representative airframe

Boeing and Paramount Group to weaponize mission systems for South Africa’s Mwari light reconnaissance aircraft

United 787-9 Polaris-equipped aircraft makes emergency diversion after electrical smell fills cabin shortly after takeoff from S

News Timeline