The War Zone
• Thomas Newdick
The Navy accepted its first newly built Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 for conversion into the E-130J Phoenix II, the next-generation aircraft for the Take Charge and Move Out mission. Northrop Grumman will provide mission systems as the service develops a successor to the Boeing E-6B Mercury fleet.
Military Aircraft Procurement
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The Canadian Forces Snowbirds have flown their final home-closing show with the CT-114 Tutor at 15 Wing Moose Jaw, ending 55 years with the jet. The team now faces an extended performance hiatus before transitioning to the PC-21 turboprop in the early 2030s.
Germany had aimed to become the first European country to field a collaborative combat aircraft by 2029, but a change in its plans to acquire Boeing’s MQ-28 drone wingman has put that timeline in doubt, according to a Boeing official. The shift leaves the country’s path to the milestone uncertain.
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The Navy accepted its first newly built Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 for conversion into the E-130J Phoenix II, the next-generation aircraft for the Take Charge and Move Out mission. Northrop Grumman will provide mission systems as the service develops a successor to the Boeing E-6B Mercury fleet.
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Ukraine is testing an experimental interceptor drone as Russian forces expand the use of jet-powered attack drones capable of flying at up to 600 km/h. Separate reporting describes Russia rapidly completing a large drone launch base, while Belgium has pledged 10 F-16s to Ukraine, which officials say can help strike the new threat.
Bell has completed key assembly milestones on the first MV-75 Cheyenne II for the U.S. Army, whose tiltrotor is in low-rate production and is intended to add speed, range and a digital, modular architecture. Separate reporting describes a demonstration of the MQ-72C cargo helicopter drone for the Army, alongside Marine Corps interest.
Israel’s Defense Ministry and the U.S. Pentagon have signed an agreement for 12 Boeing-manufactured AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, following Israeli government approval. Deliveries are expected to begin in the 2030s, making the purchase a long-lead addition to the Israel Defense Forces’ attack-helicopter fleet.
The aircraft, based on Bombardier’s Global business jet, will undergo testing and verification before its maiden flight and delivery. The rollout advances Sweden’s replacement of its Saab 340 AEW-300 fleet as Saab expands GlobalEye production amid growing international demand.
Australia’s Department of Defence announced a A$2.4 billion (about US$1.7 billion) investment over six years for a system to monitor the country’s airspace and coordinate responses to air and missile threats. The system is intended to connect Royal Australian Air Force F-35As with the missile defense network.
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