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The Air Current • Carter Johnston

Helicopters move into counter-drone roles as NATO militaries test “agnostic” drone integration

As drone warfare reshapes air defense concepts, the Pentagon is increasingly eyeing helicopters as counter-UAS platforms. Airbus Helicopters is signaling that direction through H160M “agnostic” drone integration for France’s army, expansion of H145M for anti-drone missions, and integrated helicopter–drone teaming for ISR and life-saving wildfire/search-and-rescue operations.

2026-06-16T13:24:11.122201-07:00

FlightGlobal

Embraer to open C-390 Millennium assembly in India, targeting six deliveries in 2026 and up to 10 per year by 2030

2026-06-16T14:17:17.484427-07:00

Air Data News

Congress again moves to block Air Force retirement of the U-2 Dragon Lady fleet

2026-06-16T09:44:21.780860-07:00

Vertical Mag

Indian Navy retires Westland Sea King Mk 42B/C after MH-60R selection

2026-06-16T03:33:52.707320-07:00

News Timeline

FlightGlobal

Embraer to open C-390 Millennium assembly in India, targeting six deliveries in 2026 and up to 10 per year by 2030 Embraer expects to deliver six C-390 Millennium tankers/transports this year and scale production to as many as 10 aircraft annually by 2030. A formal Indian tender is not yet out, but the company says New Delhi’s planned fleet recapitalisation could cover up to 80 transport aircraft, supported by an assembly site in Gavio Peixoto.

2026-06-16T14:17:17.484427-07:00

Embraer to open C-390 Millennium assembly in India, targeting six deliveries in 2026 and up to 10 per year by 2030

The Air Current

Helicopters move into counter-drone roles as NATO militaries test “agnostic” drone integration As drone warfare reshapes air defense concepts, the Pentagon is increasingly eyeing helicopters as counter-UAS platforms. Airbus Helicopters is signaling that direction through H160M “agnostic” drone integration for France’s army, expansion of H145M for anti-drone missions, and integrated helicopter–drone teaming for ISR and life-saving wildfire/search-and-rescue operations.

2026-06-16T13:24:11.122201-07:00

Helicopters move into counter-drone roles as NATO militaries test “agnostic” drone integration

Air Data News

Congress again moves to block Air Force retirement of the U-2 Dragon Lady fleet A new push in Congress targets the Air Force’s plan to retire the Cold War-era U-2 Dragon Lady reconnaissance aircraft, setting up another clash with service leaders who want to end the program. The legislative effort would preserve U-2 fleet capacity amid continuing debate over mission needs.

2026-06-16T09:44:21.780860-07:00

Congress again moves to block Air Force retirement of the U-2 Dragon Lady fleet

Vertical Mag

Indian Navy retires Westland Sea King Mk 42B/C after MH-60R selection The Indian Navy has formally retired its 25 Westland Sea King Mk 42B/C aircraft for maritime combat and maritime search-and-rescue, ending a process launched in autumn 2018 after the service selected the Sikorsky MH-60R. The move completes the transition away from the Sea King fleet.

2026-06-16T03:33:52.707320-07:00

Indian Navy retires Westland Sea King Mk 42B/C after MH-60R selection

FlightGlobal

US clears possible KC-130J support package for Kuwait’s Lockheed Martin tanking fleet The US government has approved a potential support package for Kuwait’s Lockheed Martin KC-130J tactical transport aircraft, operating as tankers. Kuwait’s fleet consists of three KC-130Js in the tanking role, with the cleared effort focused on enabling sustainment and support.

2026-06-16T01:17:15.752908-07:00

US clears possible KC-130J support package for Kuwait’s Lockheed Martin tanking fleet

Breaking Defense

U.S. Army contracts General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems to demonstrate ERAP extended-range maneuvering 155mm artillery The U.S. Army awarded General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) a contract to showcase a long-range maneuvering 155mm projectile under the Extended Range Artillery Projectile (ERAP) programme. The effort follows last year’s test in which the projectile hit targets more than 74 miles away when fired from an M777 howitzer.

2026-06-15T13:38:20.315327-07:00

U.S. Army contracts General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems to demonstrate ERAP extended-range maneuvering 155mm artillery

The War Zone

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USAF B-52 crashes shortly after takeoff at Edwards AFB; all eight crew killed A U.S. Air Force Boeing B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff on 15 June at Edwards Air Force Base in California, erupting into flames and killing all eight crew members, officials said. Edwards AFB said initial indications were the crash was “not survivable,” with wreckage scattered across charred ground.

2026-06-15T12:21:02.836310-07:00

USAF B-52 crashes shortly after takeoff at Edwards AFB; all eight crew killed

The War Zone

USAF A-10 service extension to 2030: operational case strengthened, but funding and planning lag An opinion piece argues the USAF’s decision to extend A-10 service to 2030 is credible on mission grounds, but that accompanying funding and force-planning do not match the stated sustainment timeline. It calls for faster alignment between the extension decision and the resourcing required to execute it.

2026-06-15T11:03:18.808463-07:00

USAF A-10 service extension to 2030: operational case strengthened, but funding and planning lag

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Military Aircraft Procurement News

Helicopters move into counter-drone roles as NATO militaries test “agnostic” drone integration

Embraer to open C-390 Millennium assembly in India, targeting six deliveries in 2026 and up to 10 per year by 2030

Congress again moves to block Air Force retirement of the U-2 Dragon Lady fleet

Indian Navy retires Westland Sea King Mk 42B/C after MH-60R selection

News Timeline