News

FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Joby and L3Harris to demo autonomous S-4T hybrid-electric rotorcraft for the US Army

Joby Aviation and defense contractor L3Harris plan to demonstrate a modified, hybrid-electric version of Joby’s S-4 rotorcraft—dubbed the S-4T—for the US Army in the coming days. The S-4T pairs the all-electric S-4 airframe with hybrid-electric propulsion and an autonomous flight control system.

2026-04-16T16:16:26.237964-07:00

DefenseNews.com

USAF moves toward A-10 retirement, raising CSAR questions as ‘Sandy’ missions lose their legacy rescue platform

2026-04-16T13:40:12.737867-07:00

Aviation Today

USAF requests industry input for AIRCM to protect HH-60W Jolly Green II CSAR helicopters

2026-04-16T14:30:56.741270-07:00

The War Zone

U.S. Army advances Bell MV-75 Cheyenne II FLRAA tiltrotor amid refueling ambition and airborne capability setbacks

2026-04-16T11:58:37.655672-07:00

News Timeline

FlightGlobal

Joby and L3Harris to demo autonomous S-4T hybrid-electric rotorcraft for the US Army Joby Aviation and defense contractor L3Harris plan to demonstrate a modified, hybrid-electric version of Joby’s S-4 rotorcraft—dubbed the S-4T—for the US Army in the coming days. The S-4T pairs the all-electric S-4 airframe with hybrid-electric propulsion and an autonomous flight control system.

2026-04-16T16:16:26.237964-07:00

Joby and L3Harris to demo autonomous S-4T hybrid-electric rotorcraft for the US Army

Aviation Today

USAF requests industry input for AIRCM to protect HH-60W Jolly Green II CSAR helicopters The U.S. Air Force is seeking industry feedback on an advanced infrared countermeasures (AIRCM) system it could field on the Lockheed Martin HH-60W Jolly Green II for combat search and rescue (CSAR). The request indicates a push to improve survivability against infrared threats for CSAR missions.

2026-04-16T14:30:56.741270-07:00

USAF requests industry input for AIRCM to protect HH-60W Jolly Green II CSAR helicopters

DefenseNews.com

USAF moves toward A-10 retirement, raising CSAR questions as ‘Sandy’ missions lose their legacy rescue platform The U.S. Air Force is proceeding with plans to phase out the A-10 Thunderbolt II, long regarded as an ideal combat search-and-rescue (CSAR) asset. With the “Sandy” CSAR callsign tied to generations of operations, USAF faces decisions on what replaces the A-10’s cost-and-capability role as drone-swarm threats intensify.

2026-04-16T13:40:12.737867-07:00

USAF moves toward A-10 retirement, raising CSAR questions as ‘Sandy’ missions lose their legacy rescue platform

The War Zone

U.S. Army advances Bell MV-75 Cheyenne II FLRAA tiltrotor amid refueling ambition and airborne capability setbacks Bell has been designated the MV-75 Cheyenne II under the U.S. Army’s FLRAA programme, with new renderings showing Night Stalker-specific features including a radar, sensors, and in-flight refueling capability. At the Army Aviation Warfighting Summit, officials also pointed to the Navy’s MQ-25 Stingray as a possible model for future drone-tanker refueling concepts, alongside discussion of operational setbacks affecting AH-6 Little Birds.

2026-04-16T11:58:37.655672-07:00

U.S. Army advances Bell MV-75 Cheyenne II FLRAA tiltrotor amid refueling ambition and airborne capability setbacks

Breaking Defense

U.S. Army ATI overhaul: nearly 60% of Apache D models divested as aviation modernization accelerates Army aviation’s ATI overhaul is well underway, with leadership saying the service has divested nearly 60% of its AH-64 Apache D models in the past year. Col. Tim Jaeger, director of Army aviation at G3/5/7, framed the divestment as “significant headway” toward fleet transformation.

2026-04-16T09:28:16.015696-07:00

U.S. Army ATI overhaul: nearly 60% of Apache D models divested as aviation modernization accelerates

The War Zone

L3Harris shows modular Red Wolf launched-effects integration on SKY RAIDER II International for evolving mission needs L3Harris demonstrated integration of its Red Wolf launched-effects vehicle onto the SKY RAIDER II INTERNATIONAL aircraft, emphasizing a flexible, modular architecture intended to let operators adapt capabilities in real time as mission requirements evolve. The company is also positioning Red Wolf for broader U.S. Army rotorcraft applications beyond Marine Corps work.

2026-04-16T09:12:33.477970-07:00

L3Harris shows modular Red Wolf launched-effects integration on SKY RAIDER II International for evolving mission needs

AeroTime

France confirms MBDA Stratus Rapid Strike for Rafale SEAD, adding laser-guided rocket and C-UAS software/armament upgrades France will use MBDA’s Stratus Rapid Strike (RS) missile to equip Dassault Rafale for suppression of enemy air defences. Parallel measures include Rafale software updates for cannon-based C-UAS, deployment of laser-guided rocket pods (including Thales rounds) for counter-drone/anti-Shahed roles, and DGA-stated timeline targets by summer 2026.

2026-04-16T06:57:20.561985-07:00

France confirms MBDA Stratus Rapid Strike for Rafale SEAD, adding laser-guided rocket and C-UAS software/armament upgrades

FlightGlobal

Australia begins search for next-generation replacement for Boeing E-7A Wedgetail AEW&C Australia has started assessing what could replace its Boeing E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft, with Canberra pointing to a long-range intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) future in the 2026 National Defence Strategy. The RAAF’s next-generation priorities frame a potential procurement shift beyond the Wedgetail fleet.

2026-04-16T02:09:21.630712-07:00

Australia begins search for next-generation replacement for Boeing E-7A Wedgetail AEW&C

Menu

Military Aircraft Procurement News

Joby and L3Harris to demo autonomous S-4T hybrid-electric rotorcraft for the US Army

USAF moves toward A-10 retirement, raising CSAR questions as ‘Sandy’ missions lose their legacy rescue platform

USAF requests industry input for AIRCM to protect HH-60W Jolly Green II CSAR helicopters

U.S. Army advances Bell MV-75 Cheyenne II FLRAA tiltrotor amid refueling ambition and airborne capability setbacks

News Timeline