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Space.com • Julian Dossett

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

The War Zone

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

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

FlightGlobal

Singapore buys three G550-based maritime surveillance aircraft to bolster early warning and complement P-8A fleet

2026-02-27T06:45:41.214872-08:00

FlightGlobal

First Pilatus PC-21 'Siskin II' for the RCAF completes maiden flight in Switzerland

2026-02-27T04:05:47.196561-08:00

News Timeline

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

FlightGlobal

Singapore buys three G550-based maritime surveillance aircraft to bolster early warning and complement P-8A fleet Singapore will acquire three Gulfstream G550-based maritime surveillance aircraft fitted with Oron-style radars, the Ministry of Defence announced. The G550-MSAs will replace veteran Fokker 50s and provide an interim early-warning and maritime-domain awareness layer ahead of RSAF P-8A Poseidon arrivals.

2026-02-27T06:45:41.214872-08:00

Singapore buys three G550-based maritime surveillance aircraft to bolster early warning and complement P-8A fleet

FlightGlobal

First Pilatus PC-21 'Siskin II' for the RCAF completes maiden flight in Switzerland Pilatus has completed the first flight of a PC-21 trainer produced for the Royal Canadian Air Force, conducting initial flight-testing of the RCAF-designated Siskin II in Switzerland. The company plans to begin deliveries to Canada in the second half of this year to support RCAF pilot training.

2026-02-27T04:05:47.196561-08:00

First Pilatus PC-21 'Siskin II' for the RCAF completes maiden flight in Switzerland

FlightGlobal

Elbit to equip Israeli Air Force UH-60 Black Hawks with Helmet Display and Tracking Systems Elbit Systems will supply its Helmet Display and Tracking System (HDTS) for the Israeli Air Force UH-60 Black Hawk fleet, giving aircrews helmet‑mounted symbology and tracking to improve situational awareness in degraded‑visual environments, including brownouts, and support safer low‑level operations.

2026-02-26T21:10:45.559107-08:00

Elbit to equip Israeli Air Force UH-60 Black Hawks with Helmet Display and Tracking Systems

The War Zone

EA-37B Compass Call electronic-attack jet wins first export order; USAF follow‑on buys expected The EA-37B, rebranded as the Compass Call electronic‑attack jet, has secured its first export order, marking the platform's initial international sale. Additional follow‑on buys from the U.S. Air Force are expected as services expand electronic‑warfare operational capacity.

2026-02-26T14:55:40.617261-08:00

EA-37B Compass Call electronic-attack jet wins first export order; USAF follow‑on buys expected

FlightGlobal

De Havilland to demo Garmin-equipped C-23 Sherpa on transatlantic tour to gauge production restart demand De Havilland Canada will fly a Garmin G1000-equipped Short C-23 Sherpa on a transatlantic demonstration tour this year, beginning with CANSEC in May and continuing across Europe. The roadshow is designed to assess market appetite and inform a potential restart of C-23 turboprop production.

2026-02-26T13:54:36.170098-08:00

De Havilland to demo Garmin-equipped C-23 Sherpa on transatlantic tour to gauge production restart demand

FlightGlobal

Airbus Helicopters developing an uncrewed H145M variant for European militaries; more details due in 2026 Airbus Helicopters is developing an autonomous, uncrewed European variant of its H145M light-twin — a derivative of the H145-based 'Lakota' connector developed for the U.S. Marine Corps — targeted at military customers, with further technical and procurement details expected later in 2026.

2026-02-26T10:05:47.796381-08:00

Airbus Helicopters developing an uncrewed H145M variant for European militaries; more details due in 2026

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Military Aircraft Procurement News

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

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

Singapore buys three G550-based maritime surveillance aircraft to bolster early warning and complement P-8A fleet

First Pilatus PC-21 'Siskin II' for the RCAF completes maiden flight in Switzerland

News Timeline