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Reuters

Switzerland trims F‑35 buy to about 30 jets amid rising unit costs, seeks European air‑defence fallback

Switzerland will reduce its planned purchase of Lockheed Martin F‑35A fighters from 36 to about 30 aircraft after rising unit costs pushed up the programme price. The government refuses to top up the budget and is exploring European air‑defence alternatives amid Patriot production delays.

2026-03-06T06:54:51.375903-08:00

Aviation Week

Merlin Labs completes Preliminary Design Review for autonomous flight system on Lockheed Martin C-130J

2026-03-05T16:32:47.324228-08:00

FlightGlobal

Extra Mirage 2000-5 fighters to boost Ukrainian air force’s defences

2026-03-06T04:20:22.452476-08:00

AeroTime

Zelenskyy says Kyiv preparing advance payments for Saab Gripen and Dassault Rafale fighters

2026-03-06T02:09:05.267911-08:00

News Timeline

Reuters

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Switzerland trims F‑35 buy to about 30 jets amid rising unit costs, seeks European air‑defence fallback Switzerland will reduce its planned purchase of Lockheed Martin F‑35A fighters from 36 to about 30 aircraft after rising unit costs pushed up the programme price. The government refuses to top up the budget and is exploring European air‑defence alternatives amid Patriot production delays.

2026-03-06T06:54:51.375903-08:00

Switzerland trims F‑35 buy to about 30 jets amid rising unit costs, seeks European air‑defence fallback

FlightGlobal

Extra Mirage 2000-5 fighters to boost Ukrainian air force’s defences Ukraine expects delivery of additional Dassault Mirage 2000‑5 fighters from France after the first donated examples arrived early last year. The reinforcements will expand Kyiv’s multirole combat aviation capacity and provide greater air‑defence flexibility amid ongoing missile and drone threats on the frontline.

2026-03-06T04:20:22.452476-08:00

Extra Mirage 2000-5 fighters to boost Ukrainian air force’s defences

AeroTime

Zelenskyy says Kyiv preparing advance payments for Saab Gripen and Dassault Rafale fighters President Zelenskyy told Ukrainian media Kyiv is preparing advance payments for future Saab JAS 39 Gripen and Dassault Rafale fighters, Ukrainian outlets report. The statement is Kyiv's first public confirmation of financial preparations for those Western combat aircraft; no delivery timelines or quantities were provided.

2026-03-06T02:09:05.267911-08:00

Zelenskyy says Kyiv preparing advance payments for Saab Gripen and Dassault Rafale fighters

Aviation Week

Merlin Labs completes Preliminary Design Review for autonomous flight system on Lockheed Martin C-130J Merlin Labs announced on March 5 it has completed the Preliminary Design Review for an autonomy software package for the Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules. The PDR advances a USSOCOM-supported effort to integrate Merlin’s autonomous flight system onto the C-130J airframe.

2026-03-05T16:32:47.324228-08:00

Merlin Labs completes Preliminary Design Review for autonomous flight system on Lockheed Martin C-130J

FlightGlobal

US Army test pilots complete MV‑22 course as service prepares for MV‑75 prototype by end‑2025 Six US Army test pilots completed a three-month familiarisation course with the US Marine Corps on the Bell‑Boeing MV‑22B Osprey, acquiring tiltrotor experience as the Army prepares to receive its first MV‑75 prototype as soon as end‑2025. The course aims to accelerate test and operational readiness for the new tiltrotor.

2026-03-05T14:01:29.917616-08:00

US Army test pilots complete MV‑22 course as service prepares for MV‑75 prototype by end‑2025

Aviation Today

Rolls‑Royce F130 Clears Altitude and Operability Tests for B‑52 CERP Rolls‑Royce said on Feb. 24 it has completed altitude and operability testing for its F130 engine under the U.S. Air Force's Commercial Engine Replacement Program, marking a key technical milestone in the effort to re‑engine the B‑52 fleet and advance qualification toward service entry.

2026-03-05T12:52:26.505988-08:00

Rolls‑Royce F130 Clears Altitude and Operability Tests for B‑52 CERP

Aviation Today

AN/APG‑85 brings ~2× radar power to F‑35 but fielding and integration challenges loom Lockheed Martin is developing a dual‑mount nose bulkhead for the F‑35 to accept either the baseline AN/APG‑81 or the more powerful AN/APG‑85 AESA, which offers roughly twice the capability. Officials say retrofitting and software/mission‑system integration create significant technical and schedule risks, with a two‑year fielding estimate.

2026-03-05T12:34:45.747359-08:00

AN/APG‑85 brings ~2× radar power to F‑35 but fielding and integration challenges loom

Vertical Mag

Leonardo's 8.3‑tonne AW249 Fenice on track for qualification and first deliveries in 2027 Leonardo Helicopters says its clean‑sheet AW249 Fenice — an 8.3‑tonne attack helicopter developed for the Italian Army — is on track for qualification and initial deliveries in 2027. The schedule milestone preserves the programme's near‑term production and export timetable.

2026-03-05T09:31:29.999554-08:00

Leonardo's 8.3‑tonne AW249 Fenice on track for qualification and first deliveries in 2027

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Military Aircraft Procurement News

Switzerland trims F‑35 buy to about 30 jets amid rising unit costs, seeks European air‑defence fallback

Merlin Labs completes Preliminary Design Review for autonomous flight system on Lockheed Martin C-130J

Extra Mirage 2000-5 fighters to boost Ukrainian air force’s defences

Zelenskyy says Kyiv preparing advance payments for Saab Gripen and Dassault Rafale fighters

News Timeline