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Flying Magazine • Jack Daleo

Merlin Pilot autonomy platform enters large-cargo market with “Condor” product line while targeting certification for military t

Merlin is rolling out its Merlin Pilot, an AI-powered, aircraft-agnostic autonomy core, starting with large commercial cargo aircraft via a new “Condor” product line. The company says it is adapting the same platform for large multi-crew civil and military airframes and is pursuing certification work for military transport applications.

2026-05-14T10:50:57.055655-07:00

FlightGlobal

US Air Force awards $18m contract to Aevex for production of Group 3 one-way attack drones

2026-05-14T13:23:50.008346-07:00

Breaking Defense

USAF says B-52 modernization is “stabilized” after cost spikes and schedule delays

2026-05-14T11:53:51.215990-07:00

Aviacionline

Argentina decommissions A-4AR Fightinghawk fleet as it prepares for F-16M integration

2026-05-14T09:32:03.466000-07:00

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Air Data News

Thailand’s Gripen E/F: Saab begins assembling the first fighters in Linköping for RTAF F-16 replacement Royal Thai Air Force officials visited Saab in Sweden to review progress on Thailand’s Gripen E/F acquisition. Saab says production has started, with assembly of the first jet beginning at the company’s Linköping facility under the program aimed at replacing RTAF F-16 Block 15 aircraft.

2026-05-14T14:16:27.813591-07:00

Thailand’s Gripen E/F: Saab begins assembling the first fighters in Linköping for RTAF F-16 replacement

FlightGlobal

US Air Force awards $18m contract to Aevex for production of Group 3 one-way attack drones The US Air Force has signed an $18 million contract with Aevex for the production of an undisclosed number and type of Group 3-sized one-way attack drones. The award expands USAF inventory into the rapidly growing one-way attack drone category as procurement shifts further toward expendable UAS.

2026-05-14T13:23:50.008346-07:00

US Air Force awards $18m contract to Aevex for production of Group 3 one-way attack drones

Breaking Defense

USAF says B-52 modernization is “stabilized” after cost spikes and schedule delays The Air Force is working to steady B-52 modernization momentum after recent cost growth and schedule slips, according to a service official commenting amid ongoing upgrade execution pressures. The remarks suggest the program’s near-term risk profile has improved even as budgets and timelines remain under scrutiny.

2026-05-14T11:53:51.215990-07:00

USAF says B-52 modernization is “stabilized” after cost spikes and schedule delays

Flying Magazine

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Merlin Pilot autonomy platform enters large-cargo market with “Condor” product line while targeting certification for military t Merlin is rolling out its Merlin Pilot, an AI-powered, aircraft-agnostic autonomy core, starting with large commercial cargo aircraft via a new “Condor” product line. The company says it is adapting the same platform for large multi-crew civil and military airframes and is pursuing certification work for military transport applications.

2026-05-14T10:50:57.055655-07:00

Merlin Pilot autonomy platform enters large-cargo market with “Condor” product line while targeting certification for military t

FlightGlobal

Peru Air Force orders fifth C-27J Spartan as Leonardo logs 100th aircraft milestone Peru’s Fuerza Aérea del Perú (FAP) has ordered an additional C-27J Spartan multirole tactical airlifter, adding a fifth aircraft to its fleet to better serve operations across the Amazon, the Andes and remote areas. The contract with Leonardo also marks the 100th sold C-27J of the twin-turboprop type, with delivery set for 2027 for the first “Next Generation” Spartan.

2026-05-14T09:53:28.796088-07:00

Peru Air Force orders fifth C-27J Spartan as Leonardo logs 100th aircraft milestone

Aviacionline

Argentina decommissions A-4AR Fightinghawk fleet as it prepares for F-16M integration Argentina’s Air Force has formally grounded and retired its A-4AR Fightinghawk fleet, ending a nearly 30-year service history. The decision is tied to sustainability and logistics cost criteria and to concentrating resources on the incoming F-16M Fighting Falcon program.

2026-05-14T09:32:03.466000-07:00

Argentina decommissions A-4AR Fightinghawk fleet as it prepares for F-16M integration

Aviation Today

USAF to solicit industry support-equipment proposals for B-52H CERP at Tinker AFB The Air Force contracting office at Tinker AFB, Okla., will meet with companies to support the tooling and equipment needs for the B-52H Commercial Engine Replacement Program (CERP), as the service prepares to modify two aircraft later this year and begin broader fleet re-engining.

2026-05-14T09:30:10.827299-07:00

USAF to solicit industry support-equipment proposals for B-52H CERP at Tinker AFB

Aviation Today

US Air Force pins VC-25B “bridge” retrofit on Qatar-gifted 747-8i at ~$400M; program spending tops $4.2B The Air Force estimates that modifying the Qatar-gifted 747-8i to serve as a VC-25B interim “bridge” aircraft will cost less than $400 million. The nearly decade-long VC-25B effort to field two Boeing Air Force One replacement planes has already reached more than $4.2 billion.

2026-05-14T09:30:10.040896-07:00

US Air Force pins VC-25B “bridge” retrofit on Qatar-gifted 747-8i at ~$400M; program spending tops $4.2B

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Military Aircraft Procurement News

Merlin Pilot autonomy platform enters large-cargo market with “Condor” product line while targeting certification for military t

US Air Force awards $18m contract to Aevex for production of Group 3 one-way attack drones

USAF says B-52 modernization is “stabilized” after cost spikes and schedule delays

Argentina decommissions A-4AR Fightinghawk fleet as it prepares for F-16M integration

News Timeline