Event   Military Aircraft Procurement   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Asia-Pacific (APAC)   Defense Policy  
AeroTime • Jean Carmela Lim

Exercise Pitch Black 26: 20 nations, 100 jets, and 2,500 personnel to train air combat over Australia’s Top End (July 20–Aug. 7,

The Royal Australian Air Force’s Exercise Pitch Black 2026 will run July 20–August 7 in northern Australia, bringing 2,500 personnel and 100 jets from 20 nations. The multinational program features new participation, including Japan’s debut F-35s and Indonesia’s T-50Is.

Also: India Defense News, ANI News Agency and newsable.asianetnews.com
2026-07-17T04:16:24.962132-07:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Budgets & Spending   BAE Systems  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Canberra advances plans to replace Hawk trainer fleet

By FlightGlobal: The Australian government will explore several financing models to fill trainer requirement. Canberra has reached out to airframers as it explores possibilities to replace the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF's) fleet of BAE Systems Hawk 127 advanced jet trainers.

Also: Aviation Week
2026-07-17T03:17:53.748915-07:00
F-16   AI   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy  
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

DARPA and US Air Force fly frontline F-16 modified for autonomous flight

By FlightGlobal: The VENOM jets use an aftermarket kit that allows a pilot to switch between traditional human flight controls and autonomous flight with the flip of a switch.

Also: The Aviationist
2026-07-17T02:58:38.844464-07:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Boeing  
FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

RAF’s second Wedgetail gets airborne as Boeing lands new support contracts

By FlightGlobal: Second surveillance aircraft completes functional check flight. Boeing Defence UK has completed the first flight of the Royal Air Force’s (RAF’s) second E-7A Wedgetail surveillance aircraft, and received a new contract to support the type’s introduction to service.

2026-07-17T02:28:57.895130-07:00
Helicopter   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Deals   Defense Policy   Airbus  
FlightGlobal • Dominic Perry

Airbus Helicopters on target with first H160M firing campaign

By FlightGlobal: Manufacturer and DGA validate integration of weapons and defensive aids on developmental medium-twin. Airbus Helicopters has completed the first firing campaign with its developmental H160M Guepard medium-twin.

2026-07-17T02:44:54.607053-07:00
Event   Europe   Farnborough Airshow   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Boeing   Embraer  
Reuters • Cassell Bryan-Low, Joanna Plucinska, Tim Hepher

Wars shift focus from jets to weapons at giant Farnborough Airshow

By Reuters: Spiralling security risks are expected to push defence ​to the forefront of Britain's Farnborough Airshow, as aerospace and arms makers struggle to keep pace with demand for weapons while cementing a fragile recovery in ‌civil jet and engine production.

Aviation Business News

MRO Management June / July 2026

Also: DefenseNews.com, Aviation Week, Aeronews and 7 more
2026-07-16T23:44:00.863030-07:00