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Aviation Week • Graham Warwick

DARPA designates General Atomics' LongShot as X-68A; program nears F‑15 integration and eyes 2026 flight tests

DARPA has designated General Atomics' LongShot drone the X-68A after key technical milestones and is advancing it toward flight tests in 2026. Designed as an air-launched missile carrier, it is nearing F-15 integration and aims to extend combat reach while keeping crewed aircraft at safer standoff.

2026-02-17T06:11:19.361596-08:00

CBS News

USAF adopts Trump‑preferred red, white, dark blue and gold livery for executive airlift, including next‑gen Air Force One

2026-02-17T11:21:10.672083-08:00

AeroTime

Reports of covert U.S.-Dutch-Ukrainian F-16 squadron defending Kyiv; Ukraine denies foreign combat pilots

2026-02-17T07:50:02.809275-08:00

AeroTime

Venom autonomous strike aircraft completes first flight after 71-day design-to-flight build

2026-02-17T08:54:12.058579-08:00

News Timeline

The Aviationist

Japan unveils EC-2 stand‑off jammer based on Kawasaki C‑2 to replace EC‑1 Japan has revealed the EC‑2 stand‑off jammer, an electronic‑warfare aircraft derived from the Kawasaki C‑2 transport that will replace the unique EC‑1 platform in service since 1986. It keeps a transport‑airframe approach to electronic attack, prioritizing range, payload and domestic industrial continuity.

2026-02-17T11:30:15.513613-08:00

Japan unveils EC-2 stand‑off jammer based on Kawasaki C‑2 to replace EC‑1

CBS News

USAF adopts Trump‑preferred red, white, dark blue and gold livery for executive airlift, including next‑gen Air Force One The U.S. Air Force is rolling out a new red, white, dark blue and gold paint scheme across its executive airlift fleet, including the next‑generation Air Force One, in President Trump’s preferred colors. A C‑32A was spotted wearing the new livery.

2026-02-17T11:21:10.672083-08:00

USAF adopts Trump‑preferred red, white, dark blue and gold livery for executive airlift, including next‑gen Air Force One

AeroTime

Venom autonomous strike aircraft completes first flight after 71-day design-to-flight build Divergent Technologies and Mach Industries designed, built and flew the Venom autonomous strike aircraft in 71 days, conducting a first flight that underscores a dramatic acceleration in rapid defense prototyping. The demonstrator highlights industry moves toward compressed development cycles for autonomous armed systems.

2026-02-17T08:54:12.058579-08:00

Venom autonomous strike aircraft completes first flight after 71-day design-to-flight build

AeroTime

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Reports of covert U.S.-Dutch-Ukrainian F-16 squadron defending Kyiv; Ukraine denies foreign combat pilots Multiple reports say a covert multinational F-16 squadron — staffed by U.S., Dutch and Ukrainian pilots on six‑month contracts — is flying combat missions to defend Kyiv and intercept Russian missiles and drones. The Ukrainian Air Force has rejected those claims, saying no foreign pilots are conducting combat sorties.

2026-02-17T07:50:02.809275-08:00

Reports of covert U.S.-Dutch-Ukrainian F-16 squadron defending Kyiv; Ukraine denies foreign combat pilots

Aviation Week

DARPA designates General Atomics' LongShot as X-68A; program nears F‑15 integration and eyes 2026 flight tests DARPA has designated General Atomics' LongShot drone the X-68A after key technical milestones and is advancing it toward flight tests in 2026. Designed as an air-launched missile carrier, it is nearing F-15 integration and aims to extend combat reach while keeping crewed aircraft at safer standoff.

2026-02-17T06:11:19.361596-08:00

DARPA designates General Atomics' LongShot as X-68A; program nears F‑15 integration and eyes 2026 flight tests

Air Data News

Brazil to unveil first locally assembled F-39 Gripen at Embraer plant on March 25 Brazil will present its first locally assembled F-39 Gripen on March 25 at Embraer's production facility, in what the government and industry describe as the type's first domestic final-assembly milestone. The unveiling underscores Embraer's manufacturing role in Brazil's Gripen programme and local defence industrialisation.

2026-02-17T05:16:07.597979-08:00

Brazil to unveil first locally assembled F-39 Gripen at Embraer plant on March 25

AeroTime

India asks France for 31 carrier‑capable Rafale M fighters as 114‑jet MRFA purchase advances India has requested 31 additional carrier‑capable Rafale M jets from France to bring its naval fighter fleet to a full 57‑aircraft carrier strength, French media report. The move comes as New Delhi advances a key procurement step for a separate 114‑aircraft MRFA buy.

2026-02-17T05:05:01.374836-08:00

India asks France for 31 carrier‑capable Rafale M fighters as 114‑jet MRFA purchase advances

AeroTime

Denmark forms Squadron 729 at Aalborg to operate four MQ‑9B SkyGuardian/SeaGuardian drones Denmark's Air Force has stood up Squadron 729 at Aalborg Air Base to operate four MQ‑9B SkyGuardian/SeaGuardian remotely piloted aircraft, with deliveries scheduled from 2028. The unit will expand persistent maritime ISR across the Arctic, North Atlantic and Baltic regions.

2026-02-17T03:09:55.062885-08:00

Denmark forms Squadron 729 at Aalborg to operate four MQ‑9B SkyGuardian/SeaGuardian drones

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Military Aircraft Procurement News

DARPA designates General Atomics' LongShot as X-68A; program nears F‑15 integration and eyes 2026 flight tests

USAF adopts Trump‑preferred red, white, dark blue and gold livery for executive airlift, including next‑gen Air Force One

Reports of covert U.S.-Dutch-Ukrainian F-16 squadron defending Kyiv; Ukraine denies foreign combat pilots

Venom autonomous strike aircraft completes first flight after 71-day design-to-flight build

News Timeline