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Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Canada to join Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) as observer

Canada is set to join the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) as an observer, granting Ottawa access to advanced fighter technology, programme data and potential industrial ties without full commitment. The move comes amid Ottawa’s ongoing review of its F‑35 procurement and mixed‑fleet options.

2026-03-31T10:31:33.785205-07:00

The War Zone

Former KC‑135 Wing Commander: U.S. Tanker Fleet Would Be Stretched in a Fight with China

2026-03-31T11:01:07.383671-07:00

Vertical Mag

Quantum Helicopters joins Team M1 as training provider for Army Flight School Next bid

2026-03-31T08:19:29.788931-07:00

Aviation Week

Rheinmetall and Boeing Australia team up to offer MQ-28 'Ghost Bat' to Germany

2026-03-31T00:45:43.158031-07:00

News Timeline

The War Zone

Former KC‑135 Wing Commander: U.S. Tanker Fleet Would Be Stretched in a Fight with China Retired Air Force Col. Troy Pananon, a former KC‑135 wing commander, warns a conflict with China would put severe strain on the U.S. aerial‑refuelling fleet. He outlines operational limits, readiness shortfalls and sustainment pressures that would constrain sortie generation and basing across the Indo‑Pacific.

2026-03-31T11:01:07.383671-07:00

Former KC‑135 Wing Commander: U.S. Tanker Fleet Would Be Stretched in a Fight with China

Air Data News

Canada to join Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) as observer Canada is set to join the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) as an observer, granting Ottawa access to advanced fighter technology, programme data and potential industrial ties without full commitment. The move comes amid Ottawa’s ongoing review of its F‑35 procurement and mixed‑fleet options.

2026-03-31T10:31:33.785205-07:00

Canada to join Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) as observer

Vertical Mag

Quantum Helicopters joins Team M1 as training provider for Army Flight School Next bid Quantum Helicopters has joined Team M1 as its designated training provider for the U.S. Army's Flight School Next bid. The move adds contractor-run rotary‑wing instruction capability to Team M1's proposal in the Army's trainer competition and positions the team to demonstrate pilot throughput and sustainment support.

2026-03-31T08:19:29.788931-07:00

Quantum Helicopters joins Team M1 as training provider for Army Flight School Next bid

Reuters

Outgoing Airbus Helicopters chief urges Europe to unite on defence procurement Airbus Helicopters' outgoing chief called for deeper European collaboration on defence procurement, warning that splitting programmes into national projects will drive costs beyond what countries can afford. He urged pooled buying and coordinated programmes to preserve industrial capabilities and deliver affordable capability.

2026-03-31T05:46:20.993295-07:00

Outgoing Airbus Helicopters chief urges Europe to unite on defence procurement

Air Data News

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RTX wins $3.81B modification to definitize F135 Lot 18; lots 18–19 valued at $6.6B Pratt & Whitney received a $3.81 billion contract modification to definitize Lot 18 F135 propulsion-system production and support Lot 19 F‑35 production; the F135 powers all three F‑35 variants. The award raises the lots 18–19 total to $6.6 billion and follows >$1 billion in Pratt & Whitney production investments.

2026-03-31T02:21:10.011256-07:00

RTX wins $3.81B modification to definitize F135 Lot 18; lots 18–19 valued at $6.6B

Air Data News

RTX awarded multi‑billion contract to produce F135 engines for Lot 18–19 F‑35s RTX won a multi‑billion-dollar contract modification to produce Pratt & Whitney F135 engines for Lot 18 and Lot 19 F‑35 aircraft covering U.S. services and international partners. Reports value the award between $3.2 billion and $3.81 billion and identify it as a production follow‑on for the JSF programme.

2026-03-31T02:21:10.011256-07:00

RTX awarded multi‑billion contract to produce F135 engines for Lot 18–19 F‑35s

politico.eu

France deploys Tiger attack helicopters to Middle East to counter Iranian drones France has deployed Tiger attack helicopters to the Middle East, General Pierre Schill said, to counter Iranian drone threats in the Persian Gulf. Paris is simultaneously exploring cheaper, lower-cost ways to defeat loitering munitions after costly fighter-missile engagements exposed supply and cost vulnerabilities.

2026-03-31T01:18:31.862785-07:00

France deploys Tiger attack helicopters to Middle East to counter Iranian drones

Aviation Week

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Rheinmetall and Boeing Australia team up to offer MQ-28 'Ghost Bat' to Germany Rheinmetall and Boeing Australia have formed a strategic partnership to offer the MQ-28 Ghost Bat collaborative combat aircraft as an uncrewed 'loyal‑wingman' for the Bundeswehr, targeting Germany's fast‑track Luftwaffe CCA requirement and opening the door to wider European sales.

2026-03-31T00:45:43.158031-07:00

Rheinmetall and Boeing Australia team up to offer MQ-28 'Ghost Bat' to Germany

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Military Aircraft Procurement News

Canada to join Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) as observer

Former KC‑135 Wing Commander: U.S. Tanker Fleet Would Be Stretched in a Fight with China

Quantum Helicopters joins Team M1 as training provider for Army Flight School Next bid

Rheinmetall and Boeing Australia team up to offer MQ-28 'Ghost Bat' to Germany

News Timeline