FlightGlobal
• Ryan Finnerty
The US Air Force has graduated its last class of newly qualified A-10 pilots, marking a final step in the pipeline as the service proceeds—albeit gradually—toward retiring the A-10 Thunderbolt II. The move signals near-term sustainment pressures for manned ground-attack force generation.
SpaceNews.com
• Sandra Erwin
By SpaceNews.com: The awards, announced April 24 by the Space Systems Command, cover 20 agreements made in late 2025 and early 2026 using Other Transaction Authority contracts, a flexible acquisition tool designed to fund multiple competing designs rather than select a single prime contractor early in the process.
Air & Space Forces Mag
Air Data News
• Ricardo Meier
By Air Data News: Northrop Grumman delivered the first production unit of the new system, which is also planned for the Navy’s E-2D U.S. Air Force’s Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor is set to receive a new navigation upgrade designed to keep the stealth fighter operating in environments where GPS signals are jammed or unavailable.
FlightGlobal
• Dominic Perry
By FlightGlobal: First flight of uncrewed air vehicle is targeted for later this year in line with French DGA schedule. French manufacturer Aura Aero says it remains on track to achieve a first flight this year of the Enbata medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) drone it is building for its home nation.
DefenseNews.com
• Rudy Ruitenberg
By DefenseNews.com: “Everyone in Europe is convinced that we need options for conventional ballistic missile for deep strike given the expansion of conflicts,” Bruneau said.
The War Zone
• Thomas Newdick
By The War Zone: The latest evolution of Ukraine’s rugged An-28 Cash turboprop counter-drone platform combines interceptor drones and Minigun armament. The latest evolution of Ukraine’s rugged An-28 Cash turboprop counter-drone platform combines interceptor drones and Minigun armament.
The War Zone
• Joseph Trevithick
By The War Zone: The Jolly Green IIs will be modified for VIP airlift and continuity of government ops, replacing aging UH-1N Twin Hueys in these roles.
AeroTime
• Clement Charpentreau
By AeroTime: Russian Deputy FM Grushko said that Moscow will add European hosts of French nuclear-capable Rafale to its priority target list after Macron's Gdansk visit.
DefenseNews.com
• Valerie Insinna
