Military Aircraft Procurement News

The War Zone • Tyler Rogoway

Shield AI unveils X‑BAT: AI‑piloted VTOL 'loyal wingman' strike jet for runway‑free contested operations

Shield AI unveiled X‑BAT, an uncrewed, AI‑piloted VTOL "loyal wingman" strike jet designed for runway‑free operations in contested environments. The stealthy, high‑end demonstrator leverages the company’s Hivemind autonomy to operate fully autonomously as a collaborative combat aircraft with extended range and vertical takeoff/landing capability.

2025-10-21T14:37:23.405660-07:00

Aerospace America

Shutdown pauses B-21 production talks as Northrop says USAF awards expected by year-end

2025-10-21T09:58:46.196065-07:00

Reuters

Embraer backlog hits record US$31.3 billion as commercial orders drive 38% growth

2025-10-21T04:43:59.199620-07:00

Business Wire

South Korea signs $2.26B deal with L3Harris-led team to deliver four Global 6500-based 'Phoenix' AEW&C aircraft

2025-10-19T16:11:00.655478-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement News Timeline

FlightGlobal

South Korea issues early requirement for six maritime patrol aircraft; Boeing P-8A, Embraer and KAI emerge as contenders Seoul has issued an early-stage requirement for six maritime patrol aircraft to bolster ASW and maritime surveillance, opening a contest that could pit Boeing’s P-8A against conceptual MPA proposals from Embraer and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), with potential domestic workshare implications.

2025-10-22T00:44:25.221547-07:00

South Korea issues early requirement for six maritime patrol aircraft; Boeing P-8A, Embraer and KAI emerge as contenders

FlightGlobal

KAI flight-tests turbojet Adaptable Aerial Platform with autonomous AI pilot Korea Aerospace Industries successfully flight-tested its turbojet-powered Adaptable Aerial Platform with an autonomous AI pilot, demonstrating threat-avoidance and target-engagement capabilities during a guided sortie. The trial validates AI-guided mission autonomy on a high-performance unmanned platform and advances KAI's defence autonomy roadmap.

2025-10-21T21:16:42.363305-07:00

KAI flight-tests turbojet Adaptable Aerial Platform with autonomous AI pilot

The War Zone

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Shield AI unveils X‑BAT: AI‑piloted VTOL 'loyal wingman' strike jet for runway‑free contested operations Shield AI unveiled X‑BAT, an uncrewed, AI‑piloted VTOL "loyal wingman" strike jet designed for runway‑free operations in contested environments. The stealthy, high‑end demonstrator leverages the company’s Hivemind autonomy to operate fully autonomously as a collaborative combat aircraft with extended range and vertical takeoff/landing capability.

2025-10-21T14:37:23.405660-07:00

Shield AI unveils X‑BAT: AI‑piloted VTOL 'loyal wingman' strike jet for runway‑free contested operations

USNI News

AH-1Z Viper Training Crash in Southern California Kills Marine Pilot Maj. Tyler Braconi Maj. Tyler Braconi, 35, a decorated Marine pilot, was killed when an AH-1Z Viper from Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369 crashed in a Southern California desert during a nighttime training flight at about 7:05 p.m. A second aviator was hospitalized and in stable condition.

2025-10-21T14:08:13.236089-07:00

AH-1Z Viper Training Crash in Southern California Kills Marine Pilot Maj. Tyler Braconi

Boeing

U.S. Army awards Boeing $461M for nine CH-47F Block II Chinooks The U.S. Army has awarded Boeing two contracts worth $461 million for nine CH-47F Block II Chinook heavy-lift helicopters, continuing a rapid push to field the upgraded rotorcraft. The award raises the number of Block II airframes under contract to 18 units.

2025-10-21T12:03:38.213614-07:00

U.S. Army awards Boeing $461M for nine CH-47F Block II Chinooks

Aviation Week

Swedish Air Force to introduce Gripen E to frontline squadron in 2025 The Swedish Air Force will start introducing the JAS 39 Gripen E to a frontline squadron in 2025, beginning operational conversion and a phased move away from older Gripen C/Ds. The timing ushers in broader deliveries and strengthens Sweden's defence posture while supporting Saab's export push.

2025-10-21T10:48:58.074259-07:00

Swedish Air Force to introduce Gripen E to frontline squadron in 2025

Vertical Mag

Volatus opens Mirabel drone innovation and manufacturing hub to boost Canada’s sovereign NATO‑aligned UAS capacity Volatus Aerospace will open an Innovation Centre and drone manufacturing hub at Mirabel Airport to produce 'made‑in‑Canada' military UAS. The facility aims to expand sovereign, NATO‑aligned drone capacity to directly support the Canadian Armed Forces and allied ISR and mission requirements.

2025-10-21T10:46:45.113662-07:00

Volatus opens Mirabel drone innovation and manufacturing hub to boost Canada’s sovereign NATO‑aligned UAS capacity

The War Zone

Textron and Leonardo pitch Beechcraft M-346 to replace US Navy T-45 Goshawk Textron and Leonardo have teamed to offer the Beechcraft‑branded M‑346 as the U.S. Navy’s replacement for the T‑45 Goshawk. We conducted a close walk‑around of the candidate, detailing its cockpit, systems and configuration being pitched against the Navy trainer requirement.

2025-10-21T10:32:42.884050-07:00

Textron and Leonardo pitch Beechcraft M-346 to replace US Navy T-45 Goshawk

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