Military Aircraft Procurement News

AINonline

South Korea selects Sikorsky S-92A+ for presidential transport

Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, will supply the Republic of Korea Air Force with an S-92A+ helicopter for presidential transport. The selection adds a specialized government transport mission to the helicopter’s role in South Korea’s military fleet.

AeroTime

High activity

Pentagon backs Rocket Lab’s Neutron expansion as Electra wins USAF test contract and France funds €1.5B-plus military satellite

The Pentagon conditionally committed a $150 million loan to expand Rocket Lab’s Neutron production and launch capacity, as the company also reported more than $515 million in launch contracts. Separately, the USAF awarded Electra $4.7 million for EL9 acoustic testing, while France contracted Airbus and Thales to develop two IRIS reconnaissance satellites.

FlightGlobal

US approves potential $1.075 billion sale of 11 UH-60M Black Hawks to Mexico

The proposed Foreign Military Sale includes 11 UH-60M helicopters, equipment, training and support, with the aircraft intended for Mexico’s counter-drug operations. If finalized, the deal would add international demand for Sikorsky’s Black Hawk program as US Army orders taper off.

Leeham News

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Embraer courts India as a commercial market and potential C-390 production and export hub

Embraer’s India ambitions span a possible E175 deal with an Indian airline and a proposed role for India in manufacturing and exporting C-390 Millennium transports across Asia. The C-390 strategy is tied to a potential Indian Air Force requirement for 60 aircraft and a cited regional market of 500 jets; the commercial push faces a test of airline economics.

AeroTime

U.S. Army assesses FD-1 interceptor drones in Poland as it seeks lower-cost counter-UAS options

Army air-defense soldiers spent five days at Poland’s Ustka Training Area operating FD-1 interceptor drones against aerial targets over the Baltic Sea. The internal assessment evaluated the system’s counter-uncrewed aerial systems capabilities as the Army looks for more affordable ways to counter large waves of enemy drones.

AeroTime

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Separate reports track Russia’s Su-57E export push and leased-aircraft extension

Russia says the Su-57E remains in its export portfolio despite India ruling out interest in the fighter. A separate report says Moscow has proposed extending rules that let domestic airlines operate disputed foreign-leased aircraft and engines through Dec. 31, 2028; the reports describe distinct developments.

Air & Space Forces Mag

US Air Force plans palletized cruise-missile launches from C-17s and C-130s, with Dragon Cart capability targeted for 2027

Air Force leaders say C-17 and C-130 transports will soon be able to release cruise missiles from cargo holds using standard airdrop pallets. The service’s Dragon Cart program is targeting 2027 to field the capability, turning mobility aircraft into additional platforms for delivering large numbers of standoff weapons.

Bloomberg

Germany expects decision on alternative fighter strategy by March 2027 after FCAS collapse

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius expects Germany to decide by the end of March 2027 how to pursue a next-generation fighter capability after the Franco-German FCAS project was scrapped. The decision could determine whether Germany forms a new partnership to jointly develop a fighter or pursues an alternative approach.