Military Aircraft Procurement News

Air & Space Forces Mag • Chris Gordon

Boeing begins assembly of first F-47 NGAD fighter; USAF targets first flight in 2028

Boeing has begun building the first F-47, a sixth‑generation fighter for the USAF's NGAD programme, with the service targeting a first flight in 2028. The jet is slated to replace the F‑22, incorporate advanced engines and stealth, and operate with drone "collaborative combat aircraft."

2025-09-22T08:27:09.485059-07:00

Aviation Week

Pratt & Whitney developing 500–1,800 lbf turbofan family for small jets, CCAs and missiles

2025-09-22T04:07:33.446961-07:00

AeroTime

Fujian conducts EMALS launches of J-35, J-15T and KJ-600; PLAN declares initial full‑deck capability

2025-09-22T05:12:26.428254-07:00

Bloomberg Law

Trump–Erdogan Washington meeting could yield 250‑jet Boeing order and multi‑billion F‑16/F‑35 deals

2025-09-19T12:56:58.217699-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement News Timeline

DefenseNews.com

USAF Secretary Meink warns of falling aircraft readiness, urges prioritizing maintainers for key platforms In his highest-profile address since taking office, Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink warned that aircraft readiness rates have steadily declined and urged refocusing maintenance manpower on critical platforms alongside accelerated modernization and targeted funding to sustain U.S. air and space superiority.

2025-09-22T12:44:25.622814-07:00

USAF Secretary Meink warns of falling aircraft readiness, urges prioritizing maintainers for key platforms

The War Zone

Lockheed proposes life‑extension upgrades for Block 20 F‑22 Raptors to sustain combat capability into the 2040s Lockheed proposes life‑extension upgrades for older Block 20 F‑22 Raptors now sidelined to training, saying retrofits could sustain the small combat‑capable Raptor force into the 2040s. The plan would restore capability to jets held back from frontline service, increasing operational availability.

2025-09-22T12:21:03.895495-07:00

Lockheed proposes life‑extension upgrades for Block 20 F‑22 Raptors to sustain combat capability into the 2040s

FlightGlobal

Anduril says first flight ‘imminent’ for YFQ-44A autonomous fighter prototype Anduril is concluding ground testing of its YFQ-44A attritable jet fighter and is taking extra time to mature the autonomous flight software. Executives say a first, fully uncrewed flight without remote piloting inputs is imminent as the company finalizes flight‑control systems.

2025-09-22T10:59:46.680368-07:00

Anduril says first flight ‘imminent’ for YFQ-44A autonomous fighter prototype

Air & Space Forces Mag

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Boeing begins assembly of first F-47 NGAD fighter; USAF targets first flight in 2028 Boeing has begun building the first F-47, a sixth‑generation fighter for the USAF's NGAD programme, with the service targeting a first flight in 2028. The jet is slated to replace the F‑22, incorporate advanced engines and stealth, and operate with drone "collaborative combat aircraft."

2025-09-22T08:27:09.485059-07:00

Boeing begins assembly of first F-47 NGAD fighter; USAF targets first flight in 2028

FlightGlobal

Bombardier delivers ninth Global 6500 to USAF for BACN communications Bombardier Defense has delivered a ninth Global-series business jet — a Global 6500 configured as an E-11A — to the U.S. Air Force for the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) programme. The company is also pitching Challenger and Global platforms to support U.S. military missions.

2025-09-22T08:24:13.832712-07:00

Bombardier delivers ninth Global 6500 to USAF for BACN communications

AeroTime

Germany plans €1.2bn Eurofighter electronic‑warfare deal for Saab, Northrop Germany plans a €1.2 billion contract to fit Eurofighter Typhoons with new electronic‑warfare systems, naming Saab and Northrop and citing AI firm Helsing in procurement documents, Bloomberg reports. The deal would bring major European and U.S. EW suppliers into a key Typhoon upgrade programme.

2025-09-22T06:58:01.742950-07:00

Germany plans €1.2bn Eurofighter electronic‑warfare deal for Saab, Northrop

AeroTime

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Fujian conducts EMALS launches of J-35, J-15T and KJ-600; PLAN declares initial full‑deck capability China’s carrier Fujian has publicly conducted electromagnetic catapult launches and arrested landings of the J‑35 stealth fighter, J‑15T naval fighter and KJ‑600 AEW aircraft, with the PLA Navy saying the trials achieved initial full‑deck operational capability — making China the second nation to field carrier EMALS.

2025-09-22T05:12:26.428254-07:00

Fujian conducts EMALS launches of J-35, J-15T and KJ-600; PLAN declares initial full‑deck capability

Aviation Week

Pratt & Whitney developing 500–1,800 lbf turbofan family for small jets, CCAs and missiles Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, is developing a new family of small turbofan engines scalable from roughly 500 to 1,800 pounds of thrust to power platforms ranging from small business jets and eVTOLs to uncrewed tactical "collaborative combat" aircraft and cruise missiles, the company said.

2025-09-22T04:07:33.446961-07:00

Pratt & Whitney developing 500–1,800 lbf turbofan family for small jets, CCAs and missiles

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