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FlightGlobal • May Lee

China’s KJ-3000 AEW&C prototypes expand the airborne early-warning fleet—but survivability remains the central question

Two Xian KJ-3000 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) prototypes are making frequent appearances over Xian, signaling accelerating development and fielding momentum. The reporting frames the effort against growing doubts over how survivable dedicated AEW&C platforms can be in modern, high-threat combat environments.

2026-04-17T19:45:21.193767-07:00

FlightGlobal

Pratt & Whitney selected to power Northrop Grumman’s YFQ-48A Talon Blue for USAF CCA flight evaluation

2026-04-17T15:16:11.915042-07:00

The War Zone

Test flights continue for Qatar-donated Boeing 747-8i as USAF targets interim Air Force One delivery this summer

2026-04-17T16:29:57.733275-07:00

Breaking Defense

US Air Force seeks multi-year procurement authority spanning satellites, aircraft and munitions

2026-04-17T15:37:14.693819-07:00

News Timeline

FlightGlobal

China’s KJ-3000 AEW&C prototypes expand the airborne early-warning fleet—but survivability remains the central question Two Xian KJ-3000 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) prototypes are making frequent appearances over Xian, signaling accelerating development and fielding momentum. The reporting frames the effort against growing doubts over how survivable dedicated AEW&C platforms can be in modern, high-threat combat environments.

2026-04-17T19:45:21.193767-07:00

China’s KJ-3000 AEW&C prototypes expand the airborne early-warning fleet—but survivability remains the central question

The War Zone

Test flights continue for Qatar-donated Boeing 747-8i as USAF targets interim Air Force One delivery this summer The US Air Force says the Qatar-donated Boeing 747-8i—undergoing test flights—remains on track for delivery this summer as an interim Air Force One. The milestone follows rapid conversion efforts aimed at limiting changes to compress the VIP modification schedule.

2026-04-17T16:29:57.733275-07:00

Test flights continue for Qatar-donated Boeing 747-8i as USAF targets interim Air Force One delivery this summer

Breaking Defense

US Air Force seeks multi-year procurement authority spanning satellites, aircraft and munitions Pentagon officials are asking lawmakers for authorization to buy weapons systems through multi-year deals that cover not only munitions, but also the production of aircraft and spacecraft, per Air Force Secretary Troy Meink. The proposal targets a broader, more stable funding and industrial approach for space- and air-delivered capability.

2026-04-17T15:37:14.693819-07:00

US Air Force seeks multi-year procurement authority spanning satellites, aircraft and munitions

FlightGlobal

Pratt & Whitney selected to power Northrop Grumman’s YFQ-48A Talon Blue for USAF CCA flight evaluation Pratt & Whitney will supply the PW500 turbofan family engine for Northrop Grumman’s uncrewed YFQ-48A Talon Blue—an additional design being evaluated under the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. Northrop is using the PW500 to support next-gen CCA flight testing.

2026-04-17T15:16:11.915042-07:00

Pratt & Whitney selected to power Northrop Grumman’s YFQ-48A Talon Blue for USAF CCA flight evaluation

DefenseNews.com

USAF tests Anduril YFQ-44A Fury semiautonomous jet-powered combat drone Air Force personnel have operated Anduril’s YFQ-44A Fury Fighter Drone through experimental trials, advancing a semiautonomous, jet-powered combat-drone concept designed to potentially fly alongside piloted fighters. The test activity signals movement from early integration toward more critical evaluation phases for the programme’s autonomy and combat-relevant systems.

2026-04-17T12:59:53.196480-07:00

USAF tests Anduril YFQ-44A Fury semiautonomous jet-powered combat drone

FlightGlobal

EDF backs SHARP, a €25m next-gen helicopter engine R&T consortium led by Avio Aero, MTU and Safran The European Defence Fund (EDF) has awarded €25 million ($29 million) under its 2025 work programme to SHARP, a next-generation military helicopter engine technology project led by the EURA consortium—Avio Aero (GE Aerospace-owned), MTU Aero Engines and Safran Helicopter Engines—with 25 partners.

2026-04-17T08:36:59.788141-07:00

EDF backs SHARP, a €25m next-gen helicopter engine R&T consortium led by Avio Aero, MTU and Safran

Air Data News

Pentagon awards Lockheed Martin up to $1.9B IDIQ for 10-year C-130J MATS IV maintenance and aircrew training The U.S. Department of Defense awarded Lockheed Martin a sole-source, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract valued up to $1.9 billion to continue the C-130J Maintenance and Aircrew Training System (MATS) program. The agreement runs 10 years under the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center.

2026-04-17T05:08:16.417273-07:00

Pentagon awards Lockheed Martin up to $1.9B IDIQ for 10-year C-130J MATS IV maintenance and aircrew training

FlightGlobal

Northrop Grumman to complete E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Block II critical design review in May Northrop Grumman is set to hold the critical design review for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Block II airborne early warning and control aircraft upgrade in May, reflecting the “most significant upgrade” for the platform to date. The Block II effort—partnered with General Dynamics and Collins Aerospace—aims to refresh future sales prospects.

2026-04-17T04:23:21.441900-07:00

Northrop Grumman to complete E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Block II critical design review in May

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Military Aircraft Procurement News

China’s KJ-3000 AEW&C prototypes expand the airborne early-warning fleet—but survivability remains the central question

Pratt & Whitney selected to power Northrop Grumman’s YFQ-48A Talon Blue for USAF CCA flight evaluation

Test flights continue for Qatar-donated Boeing 747-8i as USAF targets interim Air Force One delivery this summer

US Air Force seeks multi-year procurement authority spanning satellites, aircraft and munitions

News Timeline