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Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Boeing begins structural assembly of Canada’s first P-8A Poseidon

Boeing has begun structural assembly of the first P-8A Poseidon ordered by Canada, joining the aircraft’s major fuselage sections at its production facility. The work marks the start of airframe assembly for Ottawa’s P-8A and a tangible production milestone for the program.

2026-02-22T23:36:26.139921-08:00

Reuters

Rolls‑Royce to return more than £1bn to shareholders via share buyback, Sky News reports

2026-02-22T10:25:46.949934-08:00

Air Data News

Pratt & Whitney XA103 promo appears to reveal conceptual F‑47 adaptive‑engine fighter

2026-02-22T04:05:09.975815-08:00

SpaceNews.com

German defense firm reportedly weighing bid for laser-communications company Mynaric

2026-02-22T03:55:58.840476-08:00

News Timeline

Air Data News

Boeing begins structural assembly of Canada’s first P-8A Poseidon Boeing has begun structural assembly of the first P-8A Poseidon ordered by Canada, joining the aircraft’s major fuselage sections at its production facility. The work marks the start of airframe assembly for Ottawa’s P-8A and a tangible production milestone for the program.

2026-02-22T23:36:26.139921-08:00

Boeing begins structural assembly of Canada’s first P-8A Poseidon

Reuters

Rolls‑Royce to return more than £1bn to shareholders via share buyback, Sky News reports Rolls‑Royce will this week unveil plans to return more than £1 billion ($1.35 billion) to shareholders via a share buyback, Sky News reported, signaling improved cash generation after consecutive profit gains and a rally in the stock driven by defence and aftermarket recovery.

2026-02-22T10:25:46.949934-08:00

Rolls‑Royce to return more than £1bn to shareholders via share buyback, Sky News reports

Air Data News

Pratt & Whitney XA103 promo appears to reveal conceptual F‑47 adaptive‑engine fighter Pratt & Whitney released a promotional video showcasing its XA103 adaptive‑cycle engine for the U.S. Air Force’s Next Generation Adaptive effort, and the clip includes a revealing image of a conceptual adaptive‑engine fighter identified as the F‑47. Observers say the graphic may have accidentally disclosed an OEM design concept.

2026-02-22T04:05:09.975815-08:00

Pratt & Whitney XA103 promo appears to reveal conceptual F‑47 adaptive‑engine fighter

SpaceNews.com

German defense firm reportedly weighing bid for laser-communications company Mynaric An unnamed German defense contractor is reportedly weighing a bid for Mynaric, the specialist in laser-based communications for space and airborne links. The move would add optical satellite-communications capability to the bidder’s portfolio amid growing demand for high-capacity, line-of-sight datalinks.

2026-02-22T03:55:58.840476-08:00

German defense firm reportedly weighing bid for laser-communications company Mynaric

Air Data News

France to deliver additional Mirage 2000-5 fighters to Ukraine Ukraine's Air Force said it expects additional Dassault Mirage 2000-5 fighters from France as Kyiv seeks to bolster its combat aviation capacity. The move signals continued French military aviation support and will add multi-role jet capability to Ukraine's efforts to sustain frontline air operations.

2026-02-21T00:13:57.571284-08:00

France to deliver additional Mirage 2000-5 fighters to Ukraine

SpaceNews.com

❗️

Tory Bruno joins Blue Origin to lead 'urgent' national‑security space projects, including Blue Ring Former United Launch Alliance CEO Tory Bruno has joined Blue Origin to lead what he described as “urgent” national‑security space projects, including the Blue Ring effort. Bruno said he took the role to work on important national‑security programs at Blue Origin.

2026-02-20T18:07:21.608331-08:00

Tory Bruno joins Blue Origin to lead 'urgent' national‑security space projects, including Blue Ring

The War Zone

US F-16s deploy to Middle East with 'Angry Kitten' EW pods The U.S. is deploying F-16s to the Middle East equipped with 'Angry Kitten' electronic-warfare pods to improve survivability for fourth-generation fighters conducting Wild Weasel/SEAD missions. The pods provide onboard jamming and enhanced self‑protection, complementing broader US efforts to field advanced EW and anti-radiation capabilities in the region.

2026-02-20T15:50:09.269812-08:00

US F-16s deploy to Middle East with 'Angry Kitten' EW pods

DefenseNews.com

U.S. Army says drones are transforming aviation and combined‑arms training The U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence, under Maj. Gen. Clair A. Gill, is integrating unmanned systems into aviation and combined‑arms training, saying drones are "changing everything" for combined‑arms combat. The shift embeds UAS into tactics and instruction, accelerating doctrinal and operational adaptation.

2026-02-20T15:47:20.063792-08:00

U.S. Army says drones are transforming aviation and combined‑arms training

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Defense Industry & Major Contractors News

Boeing begins structural assembly of Canada’s first P-8A Poseidon

Rolls‑Royce to return more than £1bn to shareholders via share buyback, Sky News reports

Pratt & Whitney XA103 promo appears to reveal conceptual F‑47 adaptive‑engine fighter

German defense firm reportedly weighing bid for laser-communications company Mynaric

News Timeline