Air Data News
• Ricardo Meier
The Government Accountability Office warns that the U.S. Air Force’s effort to modernize the B-52 Stratofortress has become a roughly $21 billion program facing cost growth and schedule risks, raising questions about execution of the bomber’s long-term upgrade plan.
Military Aircraft Procurement
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The Government Accountability Office warns that the U.S. Air Force’s effort to modernize the B-52 Stratofortress has become a roughly $21 billion program facing cost growth and schedule risks, raising questions about execution of the bomber’s long-term upgrade plan.
NATO has released detailed requirements to four pre-qualified bidders for a next-generation military rotorcraft program, moving the initiative into the concept design phase. The bidders have until Aug. 31 next year to respond to the request for proposals, setting the next major milestone for the multinational effort.
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A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B crashed Friday near Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in Southern California after the pilot ejected from the aircraft. The pilot was taken for medical treatment and is expected to survive, with injuries described as non-life-threatening, according to the service.
Spain’s new Air and Space Force vision emphasizes AI, collaborative combat, missile defense and space dominance, while Spanish A330 MRTT forces participate in Exercise Pitch Black 2026. Separately, A400M aircraft are demonstrating expanded utility as high-capacity wildfire retardant bombers in France and Spain.
Turkish Aerospace Industries has begun powered taxi trials of the P1, the first fully representative prototype of Turkey’s fifth-generation KAAN combat aircraft. The milestone moves the program toward its maiden flight, additional flying prototypes and planned production deliveries in 2028.
Saab has secured a SEK 10.1 billion ($1 billion) contract to supply two GlobalEye airborne early warning and control aircraft to an undisclosed Middle Eastern customer. The aircraft, based on the Global 6500 platform, are scheduled for delivery in 2030, expanding the operator’s airborne surveillance capability.
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BAE Systems is expanding its industrial presence in India as New Delhi pursues defense self-reliance, while New Zealand begins acquiring a long-range surveillance UAV. In the UK, TEKEVER and iCOMAT are scaling collaboration around AR5 production, underscoring the growing emphasis on sovereign supply chains and indigenous aerospace technologies.
A senior U.S. Air Force officer said the Boeing F-47 remains on track for a first flight in 2028, while efforts to deploy Northrop Grumman’s B-21 bomber next year and field collaborative combat aircraft continue advancing. The comments reaffirm timelines for three central elements of the USAF’s next-generation combat-air strategy.
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