DefenseNews.com
• Cristina Stassis
The U.S. Air Force says its aerial-refueling fleet modernization will extend for decades, combining recapitalization of existing tankers with the introduction of new platforms. Air Mobility Command Deputy Commander Maj. Gen. Gerald Donohue said the final KC-135 pilot has not yet been born, underscoring the fleet’s long operational horizon.
Military Aircraft Procurement
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The U.S. Air Force says its aerial-refueling fleet modernization will extend for decades, combining recapitalization of existing tankers with the introduction of new platforms. Air Mobility Command Deputy Commander Maj. Gen. Gerald Donohue said the final KC-135 pilot has not yet been born, underscoring the fleet’s long operational horizon.
Anduril executives said the company cannot start work on a production contract for the Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft without funding in the fiscal 2027 budget. The company expects production assets to be moving through its facilities in 2027, but says internal investment alone is insufficient.
Air Force officials say the F-35 performed effectively in combat operations against Iran, even as readiness concerns persist: a GAO review found three in four aircraft unable to fly a full mission and estimated $13.7 billion is needed to address sustainment shortfalls. Europe also received more than three dozen F-35s over the past year.
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Lockheed Martin have begun integrating the 1,000-pound SPICE 1000 air-to-surface munition on Israel’s F-35I Adir. The electro-optically guided weapon has a range exceeding 120 kilometers and is designed to operate in jammed or GPS-denied environments, potentially enabling future adoption by other F-35 operators.
Fighter jets conducted nighttime takeoffs and landings aboard the nuclear-powered USS George Washington in the Middle East. The carrier was deployed to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln as regional tensions with Iran remained elevated, underscoring ongoing U.S. carrier-based air operations in the region.
France has ordered early development work for five Rafale F5 systems, including the RBE2-XG radar, SPECTRA F5 electronic-warfare suite and M88 T-REX engine. The activity establishes the core technology package ahead of the next-generation Rafale standard’s launch.
The U.S. Air Force has designated General Atomics’ CCA as the FQ-42 Vengeance and Anduril’s aircraft as the FQ-44 Fury. The service plans to field at least 500 semi-autonomous combat aircraft by 2032, with an FQ-44 production mock-up displayed at AFA Air, Space & Cyber.
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Pratt & Whitney says its F-35 engine enhancement has passed a risk-reduction design review, advancing improvements in longevity, thrust and fuel efficiency. Separately, the company has licensed Hermeus to manufacture the F100-PW-229 for its Quarterhorse Mk 2, supporting the hypersonic aircraft developer’s next phase of development.
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