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FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

USMC retires the AV-8B Harrier II as Marine Attack Squadron VMA-223 transitions to the F-35B

Wednesday, June 3 marks the end of Harrier-era operations for the U.S. Marine Corps, concluding AV-8B “jump jet” service. VMA-223 “Bulldogs” is transitioning its fleet to the Lockheed Martin F-35B as the squadron hits its final operational milestones ahead of the USA’s Harrier sundown.

2026-06-03T05:42:00.279621-07:00

FlightGlobal

Boeing’s F-15EX push meets factory friction: Parker targets higher output as Kadena deliveries slip to 2027

2026-06-03T04:11:51.293078-07:00

AeroTime

Taiwan signs new five-year Dassault support contract to sustain Mirage 2000-5 fleet

2026-06-03T03:42:12.744272-07:00

Air Data News

Saab and Brazil’s Air Force explore a Gripen R&D center to deepen local development

2026-06-03T01:56:31.335048-07:00

News Timeline

FlightGlobal

USMC retires the AV-8B Harrier II as Marine Attack Squadron VMA-223 transitions to the F-35B Wednesday, June 3 marks the end of Harrier-era operations for the U.S. Marine Corps, concluding AV-8B “jump jet” service. VMA-223 “Bulldogs” is transitioning its fleet to the Lockheed Martin F-35B as the squadron hits its final operational milestones ahead of the USA’s Harrier sundown.

2026-06-03T05:42:00.279621-07:00

USMC retires the AV-8B Harrier II as Marine Attack Squadron VMA-223 transitions to the F-35B

FlightGlobal

Boeing’s F-15EX push meets factory friction: Parker targets higher output as Kadena deliveries slip to 2027 Boeing’s F-15EX program is aiming for higher production rates under a renewed push for the “new-generation” Eagle II, but one key consequence is schedule pain. A separate report says F-15EX arrivals at Kadena Air Base are delayed until 2027 due to production disruptions at Boeing’s St. Louis facility after a lengthy 2025 strike.

2026-06-03T04:11:51.293078-07:00

Boeing’s F-15EX push meets factory friction: Parker targets higher output as Kadena deliveries slip to 2027

AeroTime

Taiwan signs new five-year Dassault support contract to sustain Mirage 2000-5 fleet Taiwan has signed a new five-year support agreement with Dassault to keep its Mirage 2000-5 fleet available and operationally safe. The deal reinforces long-term sustainment for the aging multirole type, focused on maintaining readiness rather than replacing capacity with newer fighters.

2026-06-03T03:42:12.744272-07:00

Taiwan signs new five-year Dassault support contract to sustain Mirage 2000-5 fleet

Air Data News

Saab and Brazil’s Air Force explore a Gripen R&D center to deepen local development Saab and Brazil’s Air Force (FAB) are studying the creation of a Gripen-dedicated research and innovation center in Brazil, potentially linked to a facility near Embraer. The effort remains contingent on approvals and direction from Brazil’s Defense Minister José Múcio Monteiro.

2026-06-03T01:56:31.335048-07:00

Saab and Brazil’s Air Force explore a Gripen R&D center to deepen local development

FlightGlobal

DRDO and IAF complete Su-30MKI flight trials for RudraM-II precision air-launched strike missile India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation and the Indian Air Force have conducted flight tests of the indigenously developed RudraM-II air-to-surface missile from a Su-30MKI, off the Odisha coast. The MoD says the missile met trial objectives, validating guidance, propulsion, and subsystem performance under extreme release conditions and envelope-edge launches.

2026-06-02T23:41:57.620690-07:00

DRDO and IAF complete Su-30MKI flight trials for RudraM-II precision air-launched strike missile

FlightGlobal

US clears Lockheed Martin C-130 sustainment package for Vietnam, potentially teeing up a second C-130 acquisition via RTX The US government has cleared a Lockheed Martin C-130 tactical transport sustainment package for Vietnam, suggesting Hanoi could soon acquire the type. Naming RTX as the contractor in the announcement points to follow-on support that could align with additional C-130 deliveries.

2026-06-02T21:55:53.580666-07:00

US clears Lockheed Martin C-130 sustainment package for Vietnam, potentially teeing up a second C-130 acquisition via RTX

The War Zone

USAF designates next-generation penetrator bomb as GBU-76 to replace MOP The U.S. Air Force has formally designated its next-generation penetrator bomb as the GBU-76, set to replace the MOP. The designation comes as plans take shape for fielding the new weapon capability within the Air Force’s strike portfolio.

2026-06-02T09:58:12.570339-07:00

USAF designates next-generation penetrator bomb as GBU-76 to replace MOP

AeroTime

Sweden fields Saab Giraffe AMB radar and air-defense command systems across army brigades Sweden is equipping army brigades with Saab radar and air-defense command systems, centered on the Giraffe AMB for short-to-medium range tracking. Saab says the radar is optimized to track advanced aerial threats—rather than focusing on counter-drone coverage—covering ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and fixed-wing aircraft.

2026-06-02T08:12:10.719473-07:00

Sweden fields Saab Giraffe AMB radar and air-defense command systems across army brigades

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Military Aircraft Procurement News

USMC retires the AV-8B Harrier II as Marine Attack Squadron VMA-223 transitions to the F-35B

Boeing’s F-15EX push meets factory friction: Parker targets higher output as Kadena deliveries slip to 2027

Taiwan signs new five-year Dassault support contract to sustain Mirage 2000-5 fleet

Saab and Brazil’s Air Force explore a Gripen R&D center to deepen local development

News Timeline