Military Aircraft Procurement News

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High activity

Northrop Grumman delivers first 21 of 150 satellites for SDA’s proliferated military LEO network

Northrop Grumman has delivered 21 satellites to Vandenberg Space Force Base, the first shipment in a planned pipeline of 150 spacecraft for the Space Development Agency’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. The data-relay satellites support a space-based military communications and missile-defense network alongside systems from York Space Systems and Lockheed Martin.

FlightGlobal

UK to Seek Bids for Apache ‘Loyal Wingman’ Drone in Coming Weeks

The UK Ministry of Defence is preparing to issue an invitation to tender for a drone designed to operate alongside Apache attack helicopters. The move will advance the country’s ‘loyal wingman’ program into its next procurement phase, with bidders now preparing their proposals.

Air Data News

Second Lufthansa 747-8I departs for U.S. Air Force to support VC-25B fleet

A second Boeing 747-8I sold by Lufthansa to the U.S. Air Force has departed Frankfurt for Pinal Airpark, Arizona. The aircraft will provide spare parts and support the future VC-25B Air Force One fleet, expanding the U.S. government’s access to 747-8 components.

AeroTime

Dassault positions Rafale for Portugal’s F-16 replacement with industry cooperation pact

Dassault Aviation has signed a cooperation agreement with AED Cluster Portugal as it seeks to position the Rafale in Portugal’s competition to replace 24 F-16AM/BM fighters. The pact is intended to explore industrial partnerships as Saab and Embraer deepen their defense relationship in the market.

Air Data News

Canada receives first two of 19 Pilatus PC-21 trainers for military aircrew training

The Royal Canadian Air Force has received the first two of 19 Pilatus PC-21 turboprop trainers, which will support a new military aircrew training system. Canada also plans a separate PC-21 fleet to replace the Snowbirds’ CT-114 Tutor jets.

Air Data News

A-10 Thunderbolt II departs Nellis after nearly five decades, but retirement remains distant

The last A-10 Thunderbolt II assigned to Nellis Air Force Base departed on September 22, ending almost 50 years of operations at a pivotal installation in the attack aircraft’s history. The move marks a transition for Nellis, not the end of the Air Force’s A-10 fleet.

The War Zone

Navy targets 2028 operational service for lower-cost Blackbeard hypersonic missile

The U.S. Navy is advancing Blackbeard, a lower-cost, rapidly producible standoff weapon, with the missile recently seen flying on an F/A-18 Super Hornet for the first time. The service aims to field the capability no later than 2028.

The War Zone

Air Force Certifies Anduril’s Barracuda as First Open-Architecture Production Munition as Latvia Plans Purchase

Anduril’s Barracuda cruise missile has received U.S. Air Force certification as its first large-scale production munition with an open systems architecture. Latvia is moving to acquire the long-range weapon, potentially expanding NATO’s eastern flank precision-strike capability as regional conventional firepower increases.