Military Aircraft Procurement News

Vertical Mag

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Rolls-Royce targets India’s AMCA combat engine as TCS hydrogen test advances propulsion work

Reliance Industries and Rolls-Royce intend to partner on the design, development and manufacture of a sovereign combat engine for India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, potentially including an aerospace gas turbine complex in India. Separately, Rolls-Royce and Tata Consultancy Services demonstrated a gas turbine operating through a simulated flight cycle on 100% hydrogen.

Associated Press

Trump orders U.S. Navy aircraft carriers back to older jet-launch system at multibillion-dollar cost

President Trump has directed the U.S. Navy to restore an older aircraft-carrier launch technology, a reversal expected to cost billions of dollars. The decision would affect the fleet’s approach to launching aircraft and reopen questions about procurement priorities, transition costs and the performance of newer systems.

Vertical Mag

M1 Support Services wins U.S. Army’s $10 billion Flight School Next contract

The U.S. Army has awarded its contested Flight School Next contract to M1 Support Services, selecting the company for a program valued at up to $10 billion. The award establishes M1 as the Army’s provider for the next phase of military flight-training support.

The Air Current

Boeing’s MQ-25 Stingray may be evolving from carrier tanker to armed uncrewed aircraft

Boeing personnel hoisted an MQ-25 Stingray prototype aboard the USS Nimitz in June, revealing a potential expansion of the carrier-based drone’s mission beyond aerial refueling. The move suggests the U.S. Navy may be quietly exploring an armed role long suspected but repeatedly denied by the Pentagon.

Bloomberg

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Trump orders Navy to replace EMALS with steam catapults on future Ford-class carrier USS Doris Miller

President Donald Trump has directed the U.S. Navy to remove the electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) from the future USS Doris Miller, the fourth Ford-class carrier, and revert to steam catapults. The decision risks additional cost and schedule delays for the carrier program after years of EMALS development.

Flying Magazine

Two Army soldiers killed in AH-64E Apache crash in central Texas

Two U.S. Army soldiers died after an AH-64E Apache attack helicopter crashed in central Texas. Officials had not immediately identified the cause, leaving the circumstances of the accident under investigation.

FlightGlobal

GE Aerospace’s T901 engine advances toward preliminary flight release for Black Hawk and Apache

GE Aerospace’s T901 Improved Turbine Engine has achieved a preliminary flight rating as it advances through the Army’s Improved Turbine Engine Program. Designed to replace the T700 turboshaft, the engine will power UH-60M Black Hawk and AH-64E Apache helicopters, supporting greater reach and payload with lower fuel consumption.

Air Data News

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India launches $11–12 billion tender for at least 60 medium military transports

India’s Ministry of Defence has issued an RFP for at least 60 Medium Transport Aircraft to replace the Indian Air Force’s aging Soviet-era An-32 fleet. Embraer, Lockheed Martin and Airbus are expected to compete, with the tender requiring 60% local manufacturing through partnerships with Indian firms.