Middle East Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors Boeing

AeroTime • Ian Molyneaux

Qatar-donated Boeing 747-8i poised for early-July interim Air Force One delivery

The US Air Force expects a Qatar-gifted Boeing 747-8i (modified as an interim VC-25B “Air Force One” platform) to enter service before the Fourth of July, ahead of the 250th independence anniversary. The schedule would reduce reliance on the delayed next-generation VC-25B program, still targeted for delivery no earlier than 2028.

aviationnews.eu • Rob Vogelaar

New Air Force One Jet Could Arrive by July 4

2026-05-07T05:29:16.933424-07:00

Helicopter Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Deals

Aviation Week • Chen Chuanren

U.S. OKs Philippines For Bell 505 Helicopter Training Package

By Aviation Week: The U.S. State Department has approved the Philippines’ request for a Bell 505 Jet Ranger X training package, valued at approximately $150 million.

AeroTime

US approves $150 million sale of Bell 505 helicopters to the Philippines

defensemirror.com

US Approves Sale of Bell 505 Jet Ranger X Helicopters to the Philippines

Also: Aviation Week and 4 more

2026-05-06T11:00:30.678477-07:00

Policy & Regulation Cybersecurity (Cyber Threats & Protection) Asia-Pacific (APAC)

Payload • Douglas Gorman

South Korea Pushes to Commercialize Quantum Research

By Payload: South Korea announced a plan this week to expand the country’s research into quantum communications tech, with a focus on commercialization.

2026-05-07T06:03:12.554782-07:00

Event Space Force AI Defense Industry & Major Contractors Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceWatch Global • Torsten Kriening

#SpaceWatchGl Opinion: The Kill Chain Comes Home: What Leonardo DRS's Breakfast Briefing Tells Us About the Direction of American Homeland Defense

By SpaceWatch Global: At Space Symposium 2026, US Space Command outlines automated kill chains, shifting decision authority, and a homeland-focused doctrine with global implications.

2026-05-07T04:30:25.763879-07:00

Event Asia-Pacific (APAC) Defense Policy

NEW

AeroTime • Jean Carmela Lim

Australia's Exercise Pitch Black returns in July 2026

By AeroTime: The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) announced that Exercise Pitch Black will return later this year, bringing together aircraft and personnel from multiple countries for nearly three weeks of large-scale military training across northern Australia.

2026-05-07T07:08:58.716924-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Europe Accident Aviation Safety & Regulation Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Two drones crash in eastern Latvia after entering airspace from Russia

By AeroTime: Two drones entered Latvian airspace from Russia overnight on May 7 and crashed in the Latgale region, with one striking an oil storage facility in Rēzekne.

Kyiv Independent

Latvia says drones entered airspace from Russia, 1 may have crashed near oil facility

defence-blog.com

Ukrainian-type strike drone crashes in Latvia

Also: The Guardian and prm.ua

2026-05-07T01:24:09.060195-07:00

Museums MRO Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)

Aviation Week • Brian Everstine

USAF Unretires B-1B As It Changes Bomber’s Long-Term Plan

By Aviation Week: The U.S. Air Force has revived a retired Rockwell B-1B Lancer as it reversed its long-term plan for the swept wing bomber fleet.

Also: Air Data News, Air & Space Forces Mag and defence-blog.com

2026-05-06T15:25:05.803030-07:00

AI Military Aircraft Procurement Orders Defense Industry & Major Contractors Export Controls & Trade Compliance

AeroTime • Stephen Pope

Raytheon secures major SharpSight radar order in global distribution deal

By AeroTime: Raytheon will produce 120 SharpSight radars under a deal with distributor Blue Raven that is aimed at expanding global access to the surveillance system.

aviationnews.eu