Military Aircraft Procurement News

The War Zone • Tyler Rogoway

Shield AI unveils X‑BAT: VTOL stealth 'loyal wingman' — an AI‑piloted unmanned fighter

Shield AI has revealed X‑BAT, a high‑end, VTOL, stealth-capable unmanned combat aircraft built around its Hivemind autonomy for manned‑unmanned teaming or solo operations. The company says it aims for an initial flight test next year, marking a rare step from autonomy software into full aircraft development.

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

milmag.pl

Sweden commissions first JAS 39 Gripen E as F 7 begins operational conversion

2025-10-20T08:11:18.997180-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement News Timeline

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

Shield AI unveils X‑BAT: VTOL stealth 'loyal wingman' — an AI‑piloted unmanned fighter Shield AI has revealed X‑BAT, a high‑end, VTOL, stealth-capable unmanned combat aircraft built around its Hivemind autonomy for manned‑unmanned teaming or solo operations. The company says it aims for an initial flight test next year, marking a rare step from autonomy software into full aircraft development.

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

Shield AI unveils X‑BAT: VTOL stealth 'loyal wingman' — an AI‑piloted unmanned fighter

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 contract for nine CH-47F Block II Chinooks The U.S. Army has awarded Boeing a $461 million contract for nine CH-47F Block II Chinook helicopters across two awards, advancing its heavy‑lift modernisation programme and following September commitments to rapidly field the upgraded Block II variant to operational units.

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

U.S. Army awards Boeing $461M contract 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

Aerospace America

Shutdown pauses B-21 production talks as Northrop says USAF awards expected by year-end Northrop Grumman says it expects additional U.S. Air Force contracts for the B-21 Raider by year‑end, even as a federal government shutdown has paused talks to accelerate production. Multiple B‑21s are in ground testing ahead of flight, making late‑2025 a pivotal period for the program.

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

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

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