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AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Franco‑German tensions threaten the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme

Since its April 2018 launch, the Franco‑German‑Spanish Future Combat Air System has faced repeated industrial and political frictions. Following the Feb. 5 Franco‑German Council on defence and security, rising bilateral tensions now threaten progress — and potentially the programme’s future — on the collaborative next‑generation fighter.

2026-02-18T00:13:13.259959-08:00

Wall Street Journal

Phantom stealth fighter exposes Europe's fragmented defence-industrial landscape

2026-02-17T22:40:44.118655-08:00

Aviation Week

DARPA designates General Atomics LongShot as X-68A as program nears F‑15 air‑launch integration

2026-02-17T06:11:19.361596-08:00

AeroTime

Reports of covert U.S.-Dutch-Ukrainian F-16 squadron defending Kyiv; Ukraine denies foreign combat pilots

2026-02-17T07:50:02.809275-08:00

News Timeline

AeroTime

Franco‑German tensions threaten the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme Since its April 2018 launch, the Franco‑German‑Spanish Future Combat Air System has faced repeated industrial and political frictions. Following the Feb. 5 Franco‑German Council on defence and security, rising bilateral tensions now threaten progress — and potentially the programme’s future — on the collaborative next‑generation fighter.

2026-02-18T00:13:13.259959-08:00

Franco‑German tensions threaten the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme

Wall Street Journal

Phantom stealth fighter exposes Europe's fragmented defence-industrial landscape A proposed 'Phantom' stealth fighter programme lays bare Europe's deep divisions over defence procurement, with duplicated efforts, a fragmented industrial base and soured collaborations blamed for reducing value from defence spending. The row underscores persistent barriers to consolidation and efficient joint acquisition.

2026-02-17T22:40:44.118655-08:00

Phantom stealth fighter exposes Europe's fragmented defence-industrial landscape

The Aviationist

Japan unveils EC-2 stand‑off jammer based on Kawasaki C‑2 to replace EC‑1 Japan has revealed the EC‑2 stand‑off jammer, an electronic‑warfare aircraft derived from the Kawasaki C‑2 transport that will replace the unique EC‑1 platform in service since 1986. It keeps a transport‑airframe approach to electronic attack, prioritizing range, payload and domestic industrial continuity.

2026-02-17T11:30:15.513613-08:00

Japan unveils EC-2 stand‑off jammer based on Kawasaki C‑2 to replace EC‑1

CBS News

USAF rolls out red, white, dark blue and gold livery across executive airlift; C-32A sighted in proposed VC-25B scheme The U.S. Air Force has begun rolling out a new red, white, dark blue and gold paint scheme across its executive airlift fleet — including the next‑generation VC‑25B Air Force One — after reversing earlier decisions. A C‑32A often used as Air Force Two was recently photographed in the new livery.

2026-02-17T11:21:10.672083-08:00

USAF rolls out red, white, dark blue and gold livery across executive airlift; C-32A sighted in proposed VC-25B scheme

AeroTime

Venom autonomous strike aircraft completes first flight after 71-day design-to-flight build Divergent Technologies and Mach Industries designed, built and flew the Venom autonomous strike aircraft in 71 days, conducting a first flight that underscores a dramatic acceleration in rapid defense prototyping. The demonstrator highlights industry moves toward compressed development cycles for autonomous armed systems.

2026-02-17T08:54:12.058579-08:00

Venom autonomous strike aircraft completes first flight after 71-day design-to-flight build

AeroTime

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Reports of covert U.S.-Dutch-Ukrainian F-16 squadron defending Kyiv; Ukraine denies foreign combat pilots Multiple reports say a covert multinational F-16 squadron — staffed by U.S., Dutch and Ukrainian pilots on six‑month contracts — is flying combat missions to defend Kyiv and intercept Russian missiles and drones. The Ukrainian Air Force has rejected those claims, saying no foreign pilots are conducting combat sorties.

2026-02-17T07:50:02.809275-08:00

Reports of covert U.S.-Dutch-Ukrainian F-16 squadron defending Kyiv; Ukraine denies foreign combat pilots

Aviation Week

DARPA designates General Atomics LongShot as X-68A as program nears F‑15 air‑launch integration DARPA has designated General Atomics' LongShot prototype the X‑68A after a series of technical milestones and is advancing toward flight tests in 2026. The uncrewed, missile‑carrying air‑launched vehicle is being integrated for F‑15 air‑launch to extend combat reach and keep crewed aircraft at safer standoff distances.

2026-02-17T06:11:19.361596-08:00

DARPA designates General Atomics LongShot as X-68A as program nears F‑15 air‑launch integration

Air Data News

Brazil to unveil first locally assembled F-39 Gripen at Embraer plant on March 25 Brazil will present its first locally assembled F-39 Gripen on March 25 at Embraer's production facility, in what the government and industry describe as the type's first domestic final-assembly milestone. The unveiling underscores Embraer's manufacturing role in Brazil's Gripen programme and local defence industrialisation.

2026-02-17T05:16:07.597979-08:00

Brazil to unveil first locally assembled F-39 Gripen at Embraer plant on March 25

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Military Aircraft Procurement News

Franco‑German tensions threaten the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme

Phantom stealth fighter exposes Europe's fragmented defence-industrial landscape

DARPA designates General Atomics LongShot as X-68A as program nears F‑15 air‑launch integration

Reports of covert U.S.-Dutch-Ukrainian F-16 squadron defending Kyiv; Ukraine denies foreign combat pilots

News Timeline