Helicopter   Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Airbus   Airbus A330  
Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Canada’s CC-330 Husky A330 MRTT enters flight-test with maiden flight; upgraded CH-149 Cormorant completes first flight

Airbus Defence and Space reports Canada’s first CC-330 Husky A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) has completed its maiden flight in Spain, moving the RCAF tanker program into flight testing ahead of planned 2027 entry into service. Separately, an upgraded CH-149 Cormorant helicopter has performed its first flight, signaling continued Canadian military airlift and tanker recapitalization.

2026-07-02T23:17:00.796313-07:00
M&A   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
Reuters

Lockheed Martin leads race for Advent's Ultra Maritime in $3.5 billion deal, FT reports

By Reuters: Lockheed Martin is leading the race to acquire Ultra ​Maritime, owned by private-equity firm Advent International, ‌in a deal that could value the naval defence business at about $3.5 billion, the Financial Times reported ​on Thursday, citing people familiar with ​the matter.

Also: Seeking Alpha and newsable.asianetnews.com
2026-07-02T14:59:26.081672-07:00
SAAB   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Deals   Defense Policy  
AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

NATO set to announce Saab GlobalEye AWACS replacement in Ankara: Reuters

By AeroTime: NATO is expected to announce in Ankara that Saab GlobalEye surveillance aircraft will replace its E-3A AWACS fleet, according to Reuters.

Also: Aviation24, Aeronews, Aero-News, defensetalks.com, news.ssbcrack.com, defensemirror.com, Simple Flying and 3 more
2026-07-02T08:28:59.948189-07:00
Hypersonic   Military Aircraft Procurement   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy  
Bloomberg • Anthony Capaccio

First US Hypersonic Weapon Program Faces Further Delay, GAO Says

By Bloomberg: The US’s first hypersonic weapon, already at least two years late for deployment in the field, is facing delays yet again — this time over unresolved production issues, according to congressional auditors.

2026-07-02T07:29:20.411582-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Russia likely used shadow fleet ships for drone campaign over Europe: IISS

By AeroTime: It is highly likely that the Kremlin conducted a drone campaign over Europe between August 2024 and February 2026, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) assessed in a report, which also finds that Russian-linked vessels and the shadow fleet likely served as launch and recovery platforms.

Also: The Aviationist and nationalsecurityjournal.org
2026-07-02T07:29:07.844530-07:00