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The War Zone • Tyler Rogoway

General Atomics names YFQ-42A CCA 'Dark Merlin'

General Atomics on Feb. 23 named its USAF Collaborative Combat Aircraft prototype YFQ-42A "Dark Merlin", invoking the falcon's group‑hunting tactics to underscore the platform's collaborative, lethal role. The designation is a branding move for the uncrewed jet GA is pitching to the Air Force and export customers.

2026-02-23T03:53:48.711016-08:00

Reuters

US urges Portugal to replace ageing F-16s with F-35 to secure NATO interoperability

2026-02-23T01:41:28.824896-08:00

Vertical Mag

Indian Navy leases civil AW139s for frontline operations — a historic civil–military shift

2026-02-23T02:51:27.417825-08:00

Air Data News

Boeing begins structural assembly of Canada’s first P-8A Poseidon

2026-02-22T23:36:26.139921-08:00

News Timeline

AeroTime

French Navy completes ATL2 'Standard 6' upgrade with final aircraft delivery The French Navy has taken delivery of the 18th and final Atlantique 2 upgraded to 'Standard 6', completing avionics, sensor and systems enhancements to keep the maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) in service beyond 2030. The milestone preserves France's ASW and maritime surveillance capability.

2026-02-23T04:54:23.449549-08:00

French Navy completes ATL2 'Standard 6' upgrade with final aircraft delivery

The War Zone

General Atomics names YFQ-42A CCA 'Dark Merlin' General Atomics on Feb. 23 named its USAF Collaborative Combat Aircraft prototype YFQ-42A "Dark Merlin", invoking the falcon's group‑hunting tactics to underscore the platform's collaborative, lethal role. The designation is a branding move for the uncrewed jet GA is pitching to the Air Force and export customers.

2026-02-23T03:53:48.711016-08:00

General Atomics names YFQ-42A CCA 'Dark Merlin'

Vertical Mag

Indian Navy leases civil AW139s for frontline operations — a historic civil–military shift The Indian Navy has leased AgustaWestland/Leonardo AW139 civil helicopters from India’s civil sector to provide vertical-lift capacity for frontline operations, deploying them to bases on both the western and eastern seaboards. The move represents a notable shift toward using civilian rotorcraft to fill immediate operational needs.

2026-02-23T02:51:27.417825-08:00

Indian Navy leases civil AW139s for frontline operations — a historic civil–military shift

Reuters

US urges Portugal to replace ageing F-16s with F-35 to secure NATO interoperability The U.S. ambassador to Portugal urged Lisbon to retire its ageing F-16 fleet and buy Lockheed Martin F-35s, saying the stealth fighter would ensure interoperability with Europe’s top-tier air forces and strengthen Portugal’s contribution to NATO operations. The appeal underscores U.S. diplomatic pressure on allied procurement choices.

2026-02-23T01:41:28.824896-08:00

US urges Portugal to replace ageing F-16s with F-35 to secure NATO interoperability

Air Data News

Boeing begins structural assembly of Canada’s first P-8A Poseidon Boeing has begun structural assembly of the first P-8A Poseidon ordered by Canada, joining the aircraft’s major fuselage sections at its production facility. The work marks the start of airframe assembly for Ottawa’s P-8A and a tangible production milestone for the program.

2026-02-22T23:36:26.139921-08:00

Boeing begins structural assembly of Canada’s first P-8A Poseidon

Air Data News

Pratt & Whitney XA103 promo appears to reveal conceptual F‑47 adaptive‑engine fighter Pratt & Whitney released a promotional video showcasing its XA103 adaptive‑cycle engine for the U.S. Air Force’s Next Generation Adaptive effort, and the clip includes a revealing image of a conceptual adaptive‑engine fighter identified as the F‑47. Observers say the graphic may have accidentally disclosed an OEM design concept.

2026-02-22T04:05:09.975815-08:00

Pratt & Whitney XA103 promo appears to reveal conceptual F‑47 adaptive‑engine fighter

Air Data News

France to deliver additional Mirage 2000-5 fighters to Ukraine Ukraine's Air Force said it expects additional Dassault Mirage 2000-5 fighters from France as Kyiv seeks to bolster its combat aviation capacity. The move signals continued French military aviation support and will add multi-role jet capability to Ukraine's efforts to sustain frontline air operations.

2026-02-21T00:13:57.571284-08:00

France to deliver additional Mirage 2000-5 fighters to Ukraine

The War Zone

US F-16s deploy to Middle East with 'Angry Kitten' EW pods The U.S. is deploying F-16s to the Middle East equipped with 'Angry Kitten' electronic-warfare pods to improve survivability for fourth-generation fighters conducting Wild Weasel/SEAD missions. The pods provide onboard jamming and enhanced self‑protection, complementing broader US efforts to field advanced EW and anti-radiation capabilities in the region.

2026-02-20T15:50:09.269812-08:00

US F-16s deploy to Middle East with 'Angry Kitten' EW pods

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Military Aircraft Procurement News

General Atomics names YFQ-42A CCA 'Dark Merlin'

US urges Portugal to replace ageing F-16s with F-35 to secure NATO interoperability

Indian Navy leases civil AW139s for frontline operations — a historic civil–military shift

Boeing begins structural assembly of Canada’s first P-8A Poseidon

News Timeline