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

GE XA102 and Pratt & Whitney XA103 advance Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) toward full system demonstrations for US s

The US Air Force’s NGAP programme is moving through key maturity gates: GE Aerospace’s XA102 cleared a system assembly readiness review for later full system demonstration, while Pratt & Whitney completed a digital assessment milestone for its XA103 adaptive-cycle engine. Ground tests are planned toward the end of the decade as designs progress for future combat aircraft propulsion.

2026-05-11T16:55:52.116279-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   General Atomics   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

General Atomics test fires APKWS counter-UAS rockets from MQ-9A

By FlightGlobal: The demonstration opens up a potential counter-UAS role for the MQ-9A, which is searching for a new niche in environments of high-intensity conflict.

Also: FlightGlobal, The Aviationist, Aviation Week, Defense One and 6 more
2026-05-11T16:19:49.721795-07:00
Leadership   Military Aircraft Procurement   Policy & Regulation   Defense Policy  
Breaking Defense • Diana Stancy

Navy unveils three new PAEs for aviation, mission systems, munitions

By Breaking Defense: “The establishment of these PAEs today will accelerate acquisition efforts in three key portfolios,” said Jason Potter, who is performing the duties of assistant secretary of the Navy for research and development.

Also: Defense Daily, DVIDS / U.S. DoD and insidedefense.com
2026-05-11T15:26:55.472090-07:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Deals   Defense Policy  
Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Turkey signs first KAAN fighter order as Spain studies possible partnership

By Air Data News: Madrid reportedly interested in stealth fighter with technology transfer and local Turkey has formally signed its first domestic production contract for the KAAN fifth-generation fighter while Spain has emerged as a potential future partner for the stealth aircraft program.

2026-05-11T15:28:17.474880-07:00