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defence-industry.eu • Martin Chomsky Air

USAF clears T-7A Red Hawk for low-rate initial production, approves Milestone C and $219M buy for first 14 trainers

The U.S. Air Force cleared the Boeing T-7A Red Hawk for low-rate initial production after its Milestone C decision. The action releases a $219 million contract for the first 14 production aircraft, moving the program forward on its path to replace the T-38 Talon.

2026-05-04T16:10:58.451980-07:00

Air Data News

UAE signs for 10 Embraer C-390 Millennium with options for 10 more, marking the program’s biggest Middle East order to date

2026-05-04T09:10:46.964398-07:00

The War Zone

B-52 CERP critical design review clears path for first F130 engine replacement this year

2026-05-04T09:31:48.002518-07:00

ch-aviation

USAF plans C-37C standard to replace 17-aircraft GV/C-37A and G550/C-37B fleet

2026-05-04T11:10:21.873843-07:00

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defence-industry.eu

USAF clears T-7A Red Hawk for low-rate initial production, approves Milestone C and $219M buy for first 14 trainers The U.S. Air Force cleared the Boeing T-7A Red Hawk for low-rate initial production after its Milestone C decision. The action releases a $219 million contract for the first 14 production aircraft, moving the program forward on its path to replace the T-38 Talon.

2026-05-04T16:10:58.451980-07:00

USAF clears T-7A Red Hawk for low-rate initial production, approves Milestone C and $219M buy for first 14 trainers

ch-aviation

USAF plans C-37C standard to replace 17-aircraft GV/C-37A and G550/C-37B fleet The U.S. Air Force’s fiscal year 2027 budget lays out a recapitalization of its VIP and agency transport fleet: 10 GV(C-37A) and seven G550(C-37B) aircraft would be replaced by a new C-37C standard comprising 17 aircraft. The plan begins Oct. 1, 2026, with an estimated $2.19bn total cost.

2026-05-04T11:10:21.873843-07:00

USAF plans C-37C standard to replace 17-aircraft GV/C-37A and G550/C-37B fleet

The War Zone

B-52 CERP critical design review clears path for first F130 engine replacement this year The US Air Force, Boeing and Rolls-Royce have completed a Critical Design Review for the CERP program, validating modifications needed to replace the B-52’s eight Pratt & Whitney TF33 engines with Rolls-Royce F130 low-bypass turbofans. The first bomber will begin modification later this year, marking the start of a fleet-wide conversion toward B-52J standard.

2026-05-04T09:31:48.002518-07:00

B-52 CERP critical design review clears path for first F130 engine replacement this year

AirInsight

India picks Boeing 767 tanker conversions via Israel Aerospace Industries over KC-46 cost rationale India has chosen Boeing 767 tanker conversions delivered through a partnership with Israel Aerospace Industries, passing over the Boeing KC-46 Pegasus. The decision is framed as cost-driven fleet planning, reshaping India’s aerial-refuelling recapitalisation approach and setting a new pathway for how the program is industrialised.

2026-05-04T09:11:05.092211-07:00

India picks Boeing 767 tanker conversions via Israel Aerospace Industries over KC-46 cost rationale

Air Data News

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UAE signs for 10 Embraer C-390 Millennium with options for 10 more, marking the program’s biggest Middle East order to date The UAE’s Tawazun Council for the Development of Defense awarded Embraer a contract for 10 firm C-390 Millennium military transport orders with options for 10 additional aircraft, witnessed by UAE Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The deal makes the UAE Air Force the first C-390 operator in the Middle East and Embraer’s first C-390 sale in the region.

2026-05-04T09:10:46.964398-07:00

UAE signs for 10 Embraer C-390 Millennium with options for 10 more, marking the program’s biggest Middle East order to date

DefenseNews.com

Global defense spending hits another record high as air forces lift orders for advanced fighters A new international defense-spending tally shows continued budget increases worldwide, reaching a fresh peak. The report also points to Air Forces accelerating procurement, with demand rising for more advanced fighter aircraft—reinforcing near- to mid-term production and sustainment pull across defense aviation programs.

2026-05-04T08:07:16.056236-07:00

Global defense spending hits another record high as air forces lift orders for advanced fighters

Breaking Defense

Army selects AV LASSO prototyping contender with Switchblade 400 offer, joining Textron and Uvision in loitering-munition race The U.S. Army will receive AV’s Switchblade 400 portable anti-armor loitering munition for the AV LASSO prototyping competition, the company said. Switchblade 400 is described as a medium-range system, placing AV alongside Textron and Uvision in the early-stage contest to demonstrate concepts and hardware.

2026-05-04T06:50:37.781519-07:00

Army selects AV LASSO prototyping contender with Switchblade 400 offer, joining Textron and Uvision in loitering-munition race

defence-industry.eu

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Israel approves additional F-35 and F-15I buys, backing two new fighter squadrons and a 350 billion-shekel defense-manufacturing Israel’s defense ministry has given final approval to procure two new combat squadrons of F-35 and F-15IA aircraft from Lockheed Martin and Boeing, worth tens of billions of shekels. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also directed a 350 billion-shekel investment to boost advanced local defense manufacturing, citing a “crushing air superiority” posture after the Iran air war.

2026-05-03T02:57:03.011627-07:00

Israel approves additional F-35 and F-15I buys, backing two new fighter squadrons and a 350 billion-shekel defense-manufacturing

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Military Aircraft Procurement News

USAF clears T-7A Red Hawk for low-rate initial production, approves Milestone C and $219M buy for first 14 trainers

UAE signs for 10 Embraer C-390 Millennium with options for 10 more, marking the program’s biggest Middle East order to date

B-52 CERP critical design review clears path for first F130 engine replacement this year

USAF plans C-37C standard to replace 17-aircraft GV/C-37A and G550/C-37B fleet

News Timeline