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

FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Pentagon awards Lockheed Martin $177.5M for three F-35 flight-science/test aircraft

The Pentagon has awarded Lockheed Martin a $177.5 million contract to build three new F-35 fighter jets in a flight-test configuration, covering one aircraft in each F-35 variant. The aircraft will be delivered for “flight science” and test work supporting upgrade efforts across the family.

2026-04-28T13:34:37.810185-07:00

Supply Chain Military Aircraft Procurement Aviation Safety & Regulation Airbus

DefenseNews.com • Agence France-Presse

Airbus Warns of Possible A400M Engine Glitch

By DefenseNews.com: Airbus on Tuesday warned of a technical bug potentially affecting the engines of its A400M.

2026-04-28T13:34:25.224859-07:00

Supply Chain Military Aircraft Procurement Orders Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Airbus

DefenseNews.com • Vivek Raghuvanshi

Airbus, Tata To Build Indian AF Transport

By DefenseNews.com: India has broken the monopoly of state-owned military aircraft manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL), allowing private sector Tata Advanced Systems Ltd.

2026-04-28T13:34:25.265237-07:00

Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)

DefenseNews.com • Andrew Chuter

UK Set To Start C-130J Upgrade Flight Tests

By DefenseNews.com: A Royal Air Force C-130J Hercules is set to take to the air in the next few days to recommence trials of a major upgrade to the aircraft that is so late it has already been rolled into a subsequent improvement program.

2026-04-28T13:34:25.202144-07:00

Middle East Europe Africa Military Aircraft Procurement Accident Aviation Safety & Regulation Airbus

DefenseNews.com • Pierre Tran

France Flying A400M in 'Essential Operations'

By DefenseNews.com: France has restricted flights following the deadly crash of the Airbus A400M in Spain, but operational needs in Africa and Iraq make the French Air Force the sole service flying the military transport plane.

2026-04-28T13:34:25.392938-07:00

Dassault Aviation Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Deals

NEW

DefenseNews.com • Vivek Raghuvanshi

India, France Yet To Sign Deal on Rafale

By DefenseNews.com: India and France did not sign any type of agreement for the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter aircraft for the Indian Air Force during the Wednesday visit of French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian here.

2026-04-28T14:20:27.555666-07:00

Satellite Europe Defense Budgets & Spending Commercial Space Space Defense & Militarization

NEW

DefenseNews.com • Tom Kington

Legal Fight May Hinder Global Sat System

By DefenseNews.com: The scheduled entry into service of a satellite-based global communications system, which has cost the US military $7.6 billion, is in danger of slipping thanks to legal battles in Sicily.

2026-04-28T14:20:28.424111-07:00

Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Orders Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors Workforce & Skills Development Airbus

Airbus

Airbus leads national industry launch of Spain's new combat training system

By Airbus: Getafe, Spain, April 28, 2026 – An Airbus-led group of Spanish companies presented today the industrial programme of the Spanish Air and Space Force's new Integrated Combat Training System (ITS-C).