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Breaking Defense • Mark Pomerleau

RTX/Raytheon modifies EA-18G Growler’s next-gen electronic attack jammer for land- and sea-based use

Raytheon’s Chuck Angus says RTX is modifying the EA-18G Growler’s next-generation jammer to generate non-kinetic effects and protect high-value assets, using its Surface Electronic Attack System concept so the capability can work from land or sea.

2026-04-15T13:15:16.762358-07:00

The War Zone

Boeing pitches optionally crewed CH-47 Chinook concept and air-launching drone swarms

2026-04-15T11:35:11.644276-07:00

FlightGlobal

Airbus advances autonomous rotorcraft testing for US Marine Corps logistics and MQ-72C cargo mission

2026-04-15T09:53:32.849911-07:00

Breaking Defense

Raytheon wins $3.7B Patriot GEM‑T interceptors for Ukraine; Schrobenhausen GEM‑T production ramps via COMLOG JV

2026-04-15T07:54:30.492416-07:00

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The War Zone

Germany trials airborne delivery of Wiesel ‘tankettes’ from A400M transports Germany is expanding its airborne fire-support toolkit by dropping the compact Wiesel “tankette” vehicle from A400M transports. The approach leverages the platform’s agility to rapidly put firepower forward, adding a new way to deliver armored effects behind or near contested areas.

2026-04-15T13:35:24.407150-07:00

Germany trials airborne delivery of Wiesel ‘tankettes’ from A400M transports

Breaking Defense

RTX/Raytheon modifies EA-18G Growler’s next-gen electronic attack jammer for land- and sea-based use Raytheon’s Chuck Angus says RTX is modifying the EA-18G Growler’s next-generation jammer to generate non-kinetic effects and protect high-value assets, using its Surface Electronic Attack System concept so the capability can work from land or sea.

2026-04-15T13:15:16.762358-07:00

RTX/Raytheon modifies EA-18G Growler’s next-gen electronic attack jammer for land- and sea-based use

The War Zone

Boeing pitches optionally crewed CH-47 Chinook concept and air-launching drone swarms Boeing is identifying growing interest in an optionally crewed CH-47 Chinook configuration, positioning the type as a launch platform for drone swarms. The concept ties crewed helicopter flexibility to scalable uncrewed strike/sensing options—designed to expand mission reach without fully ceding control to autonomy.

2026-04-15T11:35:11.644276-07:00

Boeing pitches optionally crewed CH-47 Chinook concept and air-launching drone swarms

FlightGlobal

Airbus advances autonomous rotorcraft testing for US Marine Corps logistics and MQ-72C cargo mission Airbus U.S. Space & Defense completed its fourth autonomous flight test on an H145, integrating autonomy and edge-computing technologies from Shield AI, L3Harris and Parry Labs into a single aircraft. Separately, Airbus says it has completed the fourth test flight of its MQ-72 autonomous cargo helicopter as it pursues an armed/expanded logistics pathway.

2026-04-15T09:53:32.849911-07:00

Airbus advances autonomous rotorcraft testing for US Marine Corps logistics and MQ-72C cargo mission

Breaking Defense

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Raytheon wins $3.7B Patriot GEM‑T interceptors for Ukraine; Schrobenhausen GEM‑T production ramps via COMLOG JV Raytheon has secured a $3.7 billion contract to supply Ukraine with Patriot Guidance Enhanced Missile‑Tactical (GEM‑T) interceptors, tied to a new GEM‑T production facility in Schrobenhausen, Germany. The facility—operated by COMLOG, a Raytheon‑MBDA Deutschland joint venture—is designed to support direct commercial sales and strengthen interceptor supply-chain resiliency as Ukraine seeks replenishment.

2026-04-15T07:54:30.492416-07:00

Raytheon wins $3.7B Patriot GEM‑T interceptors for Ukraine; Schrobenhausen GEM‑T production ramps via COMLOG JV

The War Zone

U.S. Army officially names MV-75 FLRAA “Cheyenne II,” progressing Bell’s tiltrotor fielding plan The U.S. Army has designated its Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) as the MV-75 “Cheyenne II,” marking the first formal service naming of the next-generation vertical lift platform. The announcement follows Bell’s work delivering the first of six MV-75 test aircraft for the Army’s tiltrotor fielding program.

2026-04-15T07:35:36.436499-07:00

U.S. Army officially names MV-75 FLRAA “Cheyenne II,” progressing Bell’s tiltrotor fielding plan

FlightGlobal

US Army clears Sierra Nevada ATHENA‑S Global 6500 SIGINT aircraft for operational use The US Army has cleared Sierra Nevada’s ATHENA‑S fleet for operational use after a comprehensive test programme. SNC has prepared two Bombardier Global 6500s for SIGINT collection under a contractor-owned, contractor-operated (COCO) model, with both aircraft now operational.

2026-04-15T06:38:57.749974-07:00

US Army clears Sierra Nevada ATHENA‑S Global 6500 SIGINT aircraft for operational use

FlightGlobal

GE Aerospace says US Army’s T901 Improved Turbine Engine work continues amid UH-60M Black Hawk powerplant upgrade flight testing Senior Army officials in 2025 indicated they would not proceed with the T901 Improved Turbine Engine, but GE Aerospace says the program is still active, with flight testing and development continuing. The Army is also persisting with a new powerplant effort for Sikorsky’s UH-60M Black Hawk medium-lift helicopter, despite prior signals of delays.

2026-04-15T06:23:51.328731-07:00

GE Aerospace says US Army’s T901 Improved Turbine Engine work continues amid UH-60M Black Hawk powerplant upgrade flight testing

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Military Aircraft Procurement News

RTX/Raytheon modifies EA-18G Growler’s next-gen electronic attack jammer for land- and sea-based use

Boeing pitches optionally crewed CH-47 Chinook concept and air-launching drone swarms

Airbus advances autonomous rotorcraft testing for US Marine Corps logistics and MQ-72C cargo mission

Raytheon wins $3.7B Patriot GEM‑T interceptors for Ukraine; Schrobenhausen GEM‑T production ramps via COMLOG JV

News Timeline