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• David Donald
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems is positioning its Wildfire unmanned aircraft for the program to replace the MQ-9 Reaper, linking the company’s next-generation drone offering to a major U.S. military aircraft procurement effort.
Military Aircraft Procurement
Latest source-backed stories
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems is positioning its Wildfire unmanned aircraft for the program to replace the MQ-9 Reaper, linking the company’s next-generation drone offering to a major U.S. military aircraft procurement effort.
France has begun Rafale F5 development with contracts for Dassault Aviation, Thales, MBDA France and Safran, targeting qualification around 2033. In parallel, Pegase 2026 is deploying Rafale fighters alongside A330 MRTT Phénix tankers and A400M transports to Alaska via the Arctic.
Indra says Spain’s government has ordered development and procurement of a new family of tactical unmanned aircraft for the armed forces. The program establishes a domestic tactical-UAS effort, with initial deliveries scheduled for 2028, although the company did not disclose the order’s value or aircraft quantity.
France has ordered an additional Airbus Helicopters U050 Capa-X system following its assessment of an initial unit. Separately, Canada is advancing procurement of six uncrewed systems through a new drone marketplace while expanding defense co-production and air-defense support with Ukraine.
Embraer has unveiled the first C-390 Millennium in the colors of Uzbekistan’s Air and Air Defence Forces, marking the type’s entry into Central Asia. The aircraft appears to have originally been prepared for delivery to Brazil, suggesting a reassignment in the program’s customer pipeline.
The Royal Australian Air Force has declared initial operational capability for two long-range strike capabilities: JASSM-ER integration on its F/A-18F Super Hornets and LRASM on its P-8A Poseidon fleet. The milestone expands Australia’s ability to conduct stand-off land-attack and anti-ship missions.
France has ordered the MBDA-Safran Thundart guided rocket system, designed to replace the Army’s LRU and reach 150 km, while Sweden and Croatia pursue different rocket-artillery solutions. Australia has also declared initial operational capability for the AGM-158C LRASM and AGM-158B JASSM-ER.
Angola has taken delivery of six Anavia HT-100 uncrewed rotorcraft from EDGE Group after a successful test campaign. The vertical-takeoff-and-landing assets will operate from the decks of Angola’s new naval corvettes, expanding the navy’s shipborne surveillance and mission capabilities.
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