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Aviation Week • Steve Trimble

US State Department clears $1.5B Foreign Military Sale for five MH-60R Seahawk maritime helicopters to New Zealand

The U.S. has approved a Foreign Military Sale valued at about $1.5 billion for New Zealand to acquire five Sikorsky MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters and associated equipment. The transfer supports New Zealand’s plan to nearly double military spending to bolster defense capabilities.

2026-06-05T13:42:18.546543-07:00

AeroTime

France successfully conducts first supersonic Rafale firing test of MBDA MICA NG

2026-06-05T04:42:33.076030-07:00

The War Zone

USAF pushes for an “MQ-9 Next” Reaper successor that is modular and designed to be cheaper amid MQ-9 losses

2026-06-04T16:27:24.422548-07:00

AINonline

Merlin autonomous software clears C-130J integration gate for USSOCOM

2026-06-05T13:42:17.307436-07:00

News Timeline

Aviation Week

US State Department clears $1.5B Foreign Military Sale for five MH-60R Seahawk maritime helicopters to New Zealand The U.S. has approved a Foreign Military Sale valued at about $1.5 billion for New Zealand to acquire five Sikorsky MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters and associated equipment. The transfer supports New Zealand’s plan to nearly double military spending to bolster defense capabilities.

2026-06-05T13:42:18.546543-07:00

US State Department clears $1.5B Foreign Military Sale for five MH-60R Seahawk maritime helicopters to New Zealand

AINonline

Merlin autonomous software clears C-130J integration gate for USSOCOM Merlin completed a critical design review for applying cockpit autonomy software on Lockheed Martin C-130Js operated by U.S. Special Operations Command. The CDR marks the transition into aircraft integration, advancing Merlin’s autonomy approach for SOCOM missions based on the C-130J platform.

2026-06-05T13:42:17.307436-07:00

Merlin autonomous software clears C-130J integration gate for USSOCOM

AeroTime

France successfully conducts first supersonic Rafale firing test of MBDA MICA NG France’s defense procurement agency (DGA) and MBDA have completed a successful first test of the MICA NG air-to-air missile fired from a Dassault Rafale while the jet flew at supersonic speed. The trial validated the missile’s infrared seeker performance under the high thermal loads of supersonic flight, clearing a key hurdle toward qualification and operational service.

2026-06-05T04:42:33.076030-07:00

France successfully conducts first supersonic Rafale firing test of MBDA MICA NG

AeroTime

Leonardo Q1 2026: orders up 31% to €9B on Eurofighter, M-346 and UK AW149 deals; backlog hits €56.8B, EBITA up 33% Leonardo reported €9 billion in Q1 2026 orders, a 31% year-on-year increase, boosted by Eurofighter, the M-346 trainer, and UK AW149 helicopter business. EBITA rose 33% and backlog reached €56.8 billion, underscoring momentum across fighters and rotorcraft sustainment/production programs.

2026-06-05T04:26:34.176997-07:00

Leonardo Q1 2026: orders up 31% to €9B on Eurofighter, M-346 and UK AW149 deals; backlog hits €56.8B, EBITA up 33%

FlightGlobal

China’s Shaanxi Y-15/Y-30 tactical transport: satellite-image clues of a potential Y-9 replacement Improved imagery of China’s Shaanxi Y-15/Y-30 tactical transport suggests a new platform that visually resembles Airbus Defence and Space’s A400M. Observers describe it as likely positioned to replace the long-running Y-9 family, signaling an evolution in China’s medium tactical airlift fleet design.

2026-06-04T23:46:17.583794-07:00

China’s Shaanxi Y-15/Y-30 tactical transport: satellite-image clues of a potential Y-9 replacement

The War Zone

USAF pushes for an “MQ-9 Next” Reaper successor that is modular and designed to be cheaper amid MQ-9 losses The Air Force is accelerating talks around what it calls an “MQ-9 Next” Reaper replacement, driven by recent losses of the current MQ-9 fleet. The service wants a new uncrewed-attack platform concept that is modular and targeted for lower acquisition and sustainment cost.

2026-06-04T16:27:24.422548-07:00

USAF pushes for an “MQ-9 Next” Reaper successor that is modular and designed to be cheaper amid MQ-9 losses

Breaking Defense

Sen. Ted Budd urges lawmakers to boost defense aviation ahead of midterms North Carolina Sen. Ted Budd says lawmakers are getting closer to the midterm elections and outlines concerns for defense firms, arguing for steps to strengthen U.S. defense aviation. The remarks frame near-term policy actions as critical to sustaining defense aviation capacity and competitiveness.

2026-06-04T07:28:03.537475-07:00

Sen. Ted Budd urges lawmakers to boost defense aviation ahead of midterms

FlightGlobal

Boeing says KC-46 Remote Vision System completes initial flight tests to lift tanker readiness under USAF pact Boeing’s defense team says the KC-46 tanker’s new Remote Vision System has completed initial flight testing, with the company targeting improved fleet readiness as the program moves through its USAF agreement. The milestone is positioned as a step toward reducing operational friction and supporting mission effectiveness.

2026-06-04T07:10:59.288927-07:00

Boeing says KC-46 Remote Vision System completes initial flight tests to lift tanker readiness under USAF pact

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Military Aircraft Procurement News

US State Department clears $1.5B Foreign Military Sale for five MH-60R Seahawk maritime helicopters to New Zealand

France successfully conducts first supersonic Rafale firing test of MBDA MICA NG

USAF pushes for an “MQ-9 Next” Reaper successor that is modular and designed to be cheaper amid MQ-9 losses

Merlin autonomous software clears C-130J integration gate for USSOCOM

News Timeline