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US Air Force “VC-25B Bridge” interim Air Force One: Qatar-donated 747-8i completes modification and flight testing ahead of summ

The U.S. Air Force says the VC-25B Bridge—its interim presidential aircraft using a Qatari-government-donated, VIP-configured Boeing 747-8i—has completed modification and flight testing. The aircraft is now being painted, with service introduction planned for this summer as a bridge over major delays in the primary VC-25B replacement program.

2026-05-01T15:57:23.293694-07:00

The War Zone

China ramps testing of very large stealth flying-wing drones alongside a fighter-like unmanned design at a secretive test base

2026-05-01T14:55:34.201477-07:00

FlightGlobal

USAF seeks funding to buy 24 F-15EX fighters in 2027-2028, targeting Boeing two-aircraft/month production rate

2026-05-01T14:09:49.632418-07:00

FlightGlobal

Lockheed Martin exits U.S. Navy T-45 replacement competition, leaving KAI-linked T-50 variant pitch as the remaining contender

2026-05-01T12:43:33.326144-07:00

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FL360aero

US Air Force “VC-25B Bridge” interim Air Force One: Qatar-donated 747-8i completes modification and flight testing ahead of summ The U.S. Air Force says the VC-25B Bridge—its interim presidential aircraft using a Qatari-government-donated, VIP-configured Boeing 747-8i—has completed modification and flight testing. The aircraft is now being painted, with service introduction planned for this summer as a bridge over major delays in the primary VC-25B replacement program.

2026-05-01T15:57:23.293694-07:00

US Air Force “VC-25B Bridge” interim Air Force One: Qatar-donated 747-8i completes modification and flight testing ahead of summ

The War Zone

China ramps testing of very large stealth flying-wing drones alongside a fighter-like unmanned design at a secretive test base Satellite/open-source observers report that China’s very large stealth flying-wing drone testing is accelerating, with multiple airframes spotted together at a covert test location. Activity also includes a separate unmanned fighter-like design, signaling progress toward next-generation attritable or stealthy unmanned combat concepts.

2026-05-01T14:55:34.201477-07:00

China ramps testing of very large stealth flying-wing drones alongside a fighter-like unmanned design at a secretive test base

Breaking Defense

Air Force flags $1.7B in MILCON unfunded priorities for FY27, while some services/COCOMs report no unfunded requirements The Air Force submitted an FY27 unfunded priorities list to Congress in April 2026, identifying 40 military construction projects left out of the fiscal year 2027 budget request, totaling $1.7B. Documents reviewed by Inside Defense also show other services and COCOMs listing about $3B in overall unfunded MILCON requests, including $229.9M at U.S. Southern Command.

2026-05-01T14:34:21.864486-07:00

Air Force flags $1.7B in MILCON unfunded priorities for FY27, while some services/COCOMs report no unfunded requirements

FlightGlobal

USAF seeks funding to buy 24 F-15EX fighters in 2027-2028, targeting Boeing two-aircraft/month production rate The latest US Air Force funding request would cover the purchase of 24 F-15EX fighters split across 2027 and 2028, aligning with Boeing’s near-term goal to ramp output to a full-rate production pace of two aircraft per month. The plan frames continued demand for Strike Eagle modernization within the fighter fleet plan.

2026-05-01T14:09:49.632418-07:00

USAF seeks funding to buy 24 F-15EX fighters in 2027-2028, targeting Boeing two-aircraft/month production rate

FlightGlobal

Lockheed Martin exits U.S. Navy T-45 replacement competition, leaving KAI-linked T-50 variant pitch as the remaining contender Lockheed Martin has withdrawn from the U.S. Navy’s competition to replace the T-45 trainer, according to the cluster reporting. The defense contractor previously partnered with Korea Aerospace Industries to offer a T-50 variant, signaling a key shift in how the Navy may restructure its trainer procurement path.

2026-05-01T12:43:33.326144-07:00

Lockheed Martin exits U.S. Navy T-45 replacement competition, leaving KAI-linked T-50 variant pitch as the remaining contender

Breaking Defense

PAE Marine Corps creates Corps-wide Portfolio Acquisition Executive role to bridge the “valley of death” for Project Dynamis PAE Marine Corps says it has established a Corps-wide Portfolio Acquisition Executive to connect capability testing under Project Dynamis to follow-on acquisition decisions. The intent is to reduce the gap between demonstrated test performance and fielding of the next-generation Marine Corps capabilities.

2026-05-01T10:16:09.728781-07:00

PAE Marine Corps creates Corps-wide Portfolio Acquisition Executive role to bridge the “valley of death” for Project Dynamis

Aviation Today

USAF to field first F-35A APG-85 radar in April 2028—9 months ahead; unit cost estimated at $8.8M The U.S. Air Force now expects Lockheed Martin to deliver the first Northrop Grumman AN/APG-85 radar for the F-35A in April 2028, nine months earlier than previously scheduled, according to the service’s fiscal materials. The estimated unit cost is $8.8 million.

2026-05-01T08:12:42.416861-07:00

USAF to field first F-35A APG-85 radar in April 2028—9 months ahead; unit cost estimated at $8.8M

Vertical Mag

Arcanus Aerial Systems signs Beyond Vision manufacturing deal to build UAV platforms in Canada Arcanus Aerial Systems says it has reached an agreement with Beyond Vision to manufacture UAV platforms, aiming to strengthen Canada’s defense uncrewed capabilities through expanded local production. The deal underscores how UAS developers are pairing airframe and integration know-how with domestic industrial partners.

2026-05-01T06:18:31.114528-07:00

Arcanus Aerial Systems signs Beyond Vision manufacturing deal to build UAV platforms in Canada

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Military Aircraft Procurement News

US Air Force “VC-25B Bridge” interim Air Force One: Qatar-donated 747-8i completes modification and flight testing ahead of summ

China ramps testing of very large stealth flying-wing drones alongside a fighter-like unmanned design at a secretive test base

USAF seeks funding to buy 24 F-15EX fighters in 2027-2028, targeting Boeing two-aircraft/month production rate

Lockheed Martin exits U.S. Navy T-45 replacement competition, leaving KAI-linked T-50 variant pitch as the remaining contender

News Timeline