Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Boeing  
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

USAF certifies A-10 for probe‑and‑drogue refuelling from HC‑130/C‑130 tankers

The U.S. Air Force has certified Fairchild Republic A‑10s to conduct probe‑and‑drogue aerial refuelling using a new Probe Refueling Adapter, allowing the Warthog to take fuel from HC‑130/Lockheed C‑130 tankers. The upgrade, driven by an urgent combatant‑command requirement, boosts interoperability while KC‑46 certification remains pending.

Also: The Aviationist and theaviationgeekclub.com
2026-04-08T12:11:08.061992-07:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Asia-Pacific (APAC)   Airbus  
Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

India’s MTA contest shifts as Airbus A400M falls out of favour while IAF seeks 60 transports to replace An-32 fleet

By Air Data News: India’s Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) program is entering a decisive phase, with local media reports indicating that Airbus’ A400M is increasingly viewed as unsuitable due to its size and cost.

2026-04-08T11:59:05.210444-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy  
AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

France drops Patroller and Eurodrone purchases in revised military law, signaling shift to cheaper sovereign drones

By AeroTime: France’s updated military law drops planned Patroller and Eurodrone buys, signaling a shift toward cheaper sovereign drones.

2026-04-08T08:02:17.700327-07:00
Event   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Chilean KC-135 conducts first aerial refuelling of U.S. F-35As en route to FIDAE

By FlightGlobal: The US Air Force jets are part of a flight demonstration contingent participating in the biannual FIDAE air show in Santiago, Chile from 7-12 April A tanker aircraft from the Chilean air force has for the first time refuelled two American Lockheed Martin F-35A stealth fighters en route to the South American country.

2026-04-08T08:51:13.888631-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Eurofighter   Military Aircraft Procurement   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy   BAE Systems  
FlightGlobal • Dominic Perry

BAE Systems test fires APKWS rockets from RAF Typhoon

By FlightGlobal: BAE Systems has successfully conducted a test firing of its APKWS laser-guided rockets from a Eurofighter Typhoon. Performed from the company’s Warton site in the UK using a Royal Air Force Typhoon test and evaluation aircraft, the trial saw the multi-role fighter strike a ground-based target using the weapon.

Also: euro-sd.com, UK Defence Journal and 7 more
2026-04-08T06:31:40.868043-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Europe   M&A   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
MTU Aero Engines

MTU Aero Engines acquires AeroDesignWorks to enter UAV and guided‑missile propulsion market

By MTU Aero Engines: Aircraft propulsion expert MTU Aero Engines AG is acquiring AeroDesignWorks GmbH. The provider of drone propulsion systems is based in Cologne, Germany, and will become a wholly owned subsidiary of MTU.

Also: Reuters and defence-industry.eu
2026-04-08T06:06:39.393704-07:00