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FlightGlobal • Dominic Perry

NATO next‑generation rotorcraft project finalises ~90% of requirements as RfP nears; Boeing re‑emerges as potential bidder

A six‑member NATO programme to develop a next‑generation military rotorcraft has agreed roughly 90% of its requirements ahead of a planned request for proposals to industry this summer. The milestone narrows design scope, accelerates the procurement timetable and has reopened the field to major OEMs, with Boeing re‑emerging as a possible bidder.

2026-03-02T02:26:22.982794-08:00

The Guardian

Rolls‑Royce says Germany could still join Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP)

2026-03-01T21:35:29.709156-08:00

FlightGlobal

UK awards £1bn New Medium Helicopter contract to Leonardo for 23 AW149s

2026-03-01T05:34:42.656693-08:00

Reuters

Bolivian Air Force C-130H carrying newly printed banknotes crashes on landing at El Alto; at least 15 dead

2026-02-27T17:01:24.686448-08:00

News Timeline

FlightGlobal

RAF advances crew training as Indra-built E-7A Wedgetail simulator arrives at Lossiemouth The RAF has edged closer to reinstating its airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) capability after an Indra-built Boeing E-7A Wedgetail simulator arrived at RAF Lossiemouth. The simulator enables initial crew training as the long-delayed E-7A approaches RAF service entry, a pivotal step to restore the lapsed capability.

2026-03-02T03:56:32.825980-08:00

RAF advances crew training as Indra-built E-7A Wedgetail simulator arrives at Lossiemouth

FlightGlobal

NATO next‑generation rotorcraft project finalises ~90% of requirements as RfP nears; Boeing re‑emerges as potential bidder A six‑member NATO programme to develop a next‑generation military rotorcraft has agreed roughly 90% of its requirements ahead of a planned request for proposals to industry this summer. The milestone narrows design scope, accelerates the procurement timetable and has reopened the field to major OEMs, with Boeing re‑emerging as a possible bidder.

2026-03-02T02:26:22.982794-08:00

NATO next‑generation rotorcraft project finalises ~90% of requirements as RfP nears; Boeing re‑emerges as potential bidder

The Guardian

Rolls‑Royce says Germany could still join Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) Rolls‑Royce CEO Tufan Erginbilgiç said he would welcome Germany joining the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), but stressed the decision rests with the German government. He indicated German participation remains a real possibility, keeping the door open for shifts in European fighter partnerships.

2026-03-01T21:35:29.709156-08:00

Rolls‑Royce says Germany could still join Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP)

FlightGlobal

UK awards £1bn New Medium Helicopter contract to Leonardo for 23 AW149s The UK has awarded Leonardo a £1 billion contract for 23 AW149 helicopters under the New Medium Helicopter (NMH) programme, with airframes to be built at Leonardo’s Yeovil facility. The deal secures roughly 3,300 jobs and confirms the AW149 as the MoD’s NMH selection.

2026-03-01T05:34:42.656693-08:00

UK awards £1bn New Medium Helicopter contract to Leonardo for 23 AW149s

The War Zone

Israeli F-15 ‘Baz’ fighters escorted a B-52 while carrying older-era air-to-air missiles Photos show Israel's modified F-15 'Baz' fighters escorting a US B-52 while carrying an eclectic mix of air-to-air missiles, including older-era rounds. The images underscore the Baz fleet's bespoke loadouts and its role patrolling Israeli airspace during allied bomber transits.

2026-02-28T03:12:23.980960-08:00

Israeli F-15 ‘Baz’ fighters escorted a B-52 while carrying older-era air-to-air missiles

Reuters

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Bolivian Air Force C-130H carrying newly printed banknotes crashes on landing at El Alto; at least 15 dead A Bolivian Air Force C-130H transport carrying newly printed banknotes veered off the runway while landing at El Alto International Airport and came to rest in a nearby field and urban road; at least 15 people were killed and dozens injured. Authorities have opened an investigation amid reports of attempted looting.

2026-02-27T17:01:24.686448-08:00

Bolivian Air Force C-130H carrying newly printed banknotes crashes on landing at El Alto; at least 15 dead

Space.com

US Air Force officially designates missile-shaped experimental aircraft as X-68A The U.S. Air Force has formally designated its missile‑shaped experimental X‑plane as the X‑68A, giving the developmental aircraft an official X‑series identity. The designation documents the program within USAF experimental test channels and establishes a formal reference for forthcoming flight test and reporting.

2026-02-27T12:13:23.211373-08:00

US Air Force officially designates missile-shaped experimental aircraft as X-68A

The War Zone

High operational demand and small nuclear‑qualified B‑52 pool squeeze engine and AESA retrofit schedules The USAF’s effort to re‑engine B‑52s and install AESA radar upgrades is facing a scheduling crunch: only a small subset are nuclear‑qualified and the whole fleet is heavily tasked globally, leaving few airframes available for the lengthy depot work the programs require.

2026-02-27T09:56:47.367424-08:00

High operational demand and small nuclear‑qualified B‑52 pool squeeze engine and AESA retrofit schedules

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Military Aircraft Procurement News

NATO next‑generation rotorcraft project finalises ~90% of requirements as RfP nears; Boeing re‑emerges as potential bidder

Rolls‑Royce says Germany could still join Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP)

UK awards £1bn New Medium Helicopter contract to Leonardo for 23 AW149s

Bolivian Air Force C-130H carrying newly printed banknotes crashes on landing at El Alto; at least 15 dead

News Timeline