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FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

GA‑ASI and Calidus sign MOU to explore UAE co‑production of MQ‑9B SkyGuardian and Gambit CCA

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and UAE‑based Calidus Aerospace signed a memorandum of understanding to explore co‑production in the Emirates of MQ‑9B SkyGuardian/SeaGuardian remotely piloted aircraft and Gambit collaborative combat aircraft, alongside command‑and‑control and battle‑management systems. The agreement outlines prospective local assembly and systems integration rather than a firm order.

2026-01-20T20:51:25.985574-08:00

Breaking Defense

Who’s who in USAF acquisition and new surface-navy tech from the SNA expo

2026-01-20T20:04:56.134118-08:00

Vertical Mag

Matthieu Louvot appointed CEO of Airbus Helicopters, effective 1 April 2026

2026-01-20T16:47:39.957415-08:00

Breaking Defense

Congress restores E‑7 funding, boosts sixth‑gen fighters and C‑130Js in $839B FY‑26 compromise

2026-01-20T10:31:57.070247-08:00

News Timeline

FlightGlobal

GA‑ASI and Calidus sign MOU to explore UAE co‑production of MQ‑9B SkyGuardian and Gambit CCA General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and UAE‑based Calidus Aerospace signed a memorandum of understanding to explore co‑production in the Emirates of MQ‑9B SkyGuardian/SeaGuardian remotely piloted aircraft and Gambit collaborative combat aircraft, alongside command‑and‑control and battle‑management systems. The agreement outlines prospective local assembly and systems integration rather than a firm order.

2026-01-20T20:51:25.985574-08:00

GA‑ASI and Calidus sign MOU to explore UAE co‑production of MQ‑9B SkyGuardian and Gambit CCA

Breaking Defense

Who’s who in USAF acquisition and new surface-navy tech from the SNA expo The Weekly Break Out profiles the key offices and decision-makers shaping U.S. Air Force procurement while reporting from the Surface Navy Association expo on emerging naval surface technologies. The piece maps the acquisition ‘alphabet soup’ and vendor offerings that signal near-term capability priorities and contractor positioning.

2026-01-20T20:04:56.134118-08:00

Who’s who in USAF acquisition and new surface-navy tech from the SNA expo

Vertical Mag

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Matthieu Louvot appointed CEO of Airbus Helicopters, effective 1 April 2026 Airbus has announced that Matthieu Louvot, currently Executive Vice‑President, Strategy at Airbus, will replace Bruno Even as CEO of Airbus Helicopters. The appointment takes effect 1 April 2026, marking a senior group executive’s move into leadership of the rotorcraft division.

2026-01-20T16:47:39.957415-08:00

Matthieu Louvot appointed CEO of Airbus Helicopters, effective 1 April 2026

Reuters

U.S. clears $2.316B sale of four Boeing P-8A Poseidons and MK 54 torpedoes to Singapore The U.S. State Department approved a potential $2.316 billion Foreign Military Sale for Singapore to acquire up to four Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and eight MK 54 lightweight torpedoes, with Boeing as lead contractor; deliveries are slated for 2025 to modernize Singapore’s patrol fleet.

2026-01-20T12:46:05.172260-08:00

U.S. clears $2.316B sale of four Boeing P-8A Poseidons and MK 54 torpedoes to Singapore

DefenseNews.com

Offutt bids farewell as OC-135B Open Skies observation jets retire Offutt AFB airmen bid farewell as the OC-135B observation jets retire after 20 years of Open Skies aerial‑photography missions, primarily over Russia. The retirements remove a dedicated manned platform used to collect treaty imagery under the international Open Skies transparency regime.

2026-01-20T12:25:21.081978-08:00

Offutt bids farewell as OC-135B Open Skies observation jets retire

DefenseNews.com

USAF opens basing competition for next KC-46 units as fleet and production outlook shape activation The USAF has opened a competition among eight bases to host the next KC-46A active‑duty and Reserve tanker units. A companion analysis breaks down current Pegasus fleet numbers, Boeing's production outlook and remaining tanker availability — factors that will determine activation timelines and infrastructure requirements for selected bases.

2026-01-20T12:25:20.202076-08:00

USAF opens basing competition for next KC-46 units as fleet and production outlook shape activation

Breaking Defense

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Congress restores E‑7 funding, boosts sixth‑gen fighters and C‑130Js in $839B FY‑26 compromise Congressional conferees unveiled an $839B FY‑26 defense spending compromise that adds roughly $8B above the Pentagon request, restoring more than $1 billion to sustain Boeing's E‑7 Wedgetail, increasing buys for Air Force and Navy sixth‑generation fighters and new C‑130Js, and blocking several Pentagon plans.

2026-01-20T10:31:57.070247-08:00

Congress restores E‑7 funding, boosts sixth‑gen fighters and C‑130Js in $839B FY‑26 compromise

Breaking Defense

Air Force acquisition overhaul reshapes procurement landscape; new surface Navy tech showcased at expo The U.S. Air Force is overhauling its acquisition structure, consolidating authorities and reshaping procurement practices that will alter contracting, program oversight and timelines. At the same time, the Navy’s annual surface expo highlighted new shipboard technologies and countermeasure systems that signal near-term supplier opportunities.

2026-01-20T09:54:14.116422-08:00

Air Force acquisition overhaul reshapes procurement landscape; new surface Navy tech showcased at expo

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Defense Industry & Major Contractors News

GA‑ASI and Calidus sign MOU to explore UAE co‑production of MQ‑9B SkyGuardian and Gambit CCA

Who’s who in USAF acquisition and new surface-navy tech from the SNA expo

Matthieu Louvot appointed CEO of Airbus Helicopters, effective 1 April 2026

Congress restores E‑7 funding, boosts sixth‑gen fighters and C‑130Js in $839B FY‑26 compromise

News Timeline