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Flying Magazine • Jack Daleo

Merlin launches “Merlin Pilot for Commercial Cargo” to bring AI autonomy to large multi-crew aircraft, while pursuing C-130J mil

Merlin is rolling out its aircraft-agnostic, AI-powered autonomy core into the commercial cargo market via a new “Condor” product line, starting with large fixed-wing cargo aircraft. The company says it’s also adapting the same autonomy stack for certification work on military transports including a Lockheed Martin C-130J.

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

Air Data News

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

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

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

Aviacionline

Argentina grounds the A-4AR Fightinghawk as it advances F-16M Fighting Falcon 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

❗️

Merlin launches “Merlin Pilot for Commercial Cargo” to bring AI autonomy to large multi-crew aircraft, while pursuing C-130J mil Merlin is rolling out its aircraft-agnostic, AI-powered autonomy core into the commercial cargo market via a new “Condor” product line, starting with large fixed-wing cargo aircraft. The company says it’s also adapting the same autonomy stack for certification work on military transports including a Lockheed Martin C-130J.

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

Merlin launches “Merlin Pilot for Commercial Cargo” to bring AI autonomy to large multi-crew aircraft, while pursuing C-130J mil

FlightGlobal

Peru signs for a fifth Leonardo C-27J Spartan to expand tactical airlift and emergency reach The Peruvian Air Force (FAP) has ordered an additional C-27J Spartan multirole tactical airlifter to strengthen air mobility amid challenging terrain and the need to serve remote areas. Leonardo’s contract also marks the twin-turboprop’s 100th sold example, with the aircraft expected to deliver improved avionics, efficiency and mission capability.

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

Peru signs for a fifth Leonardo C-27J Spartan to expand tactical airlift and emergency reach

Aviacionline

Argentina grounds the A-4AR Fightinghawk as it advances F-16M Fighting Falcon integration The Argentine Air Force has officially retired and grounded its Douglas A-4AR Fightinghawk fighter-bombers, closing a nearly three-decade service era. The move is tied to sustainment and logistics cost considerations and a transition of institutional resources toward the incoming F-16M Fighting Falcon.

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

Argentina grounds the A-4AR Fightinghawk as it advances F-16M Fighting Falcon 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 launches “Merlin Pilot for Commercial Cargo” to bring AI autonomy to large multi-crew aircraft, while pursuing C-130J mil

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

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

Argentina grounds the A-4AR Fightinghawk as it advances F-16M Fighting Falcon integration

News Timeline