UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

DefenseNews.com • Cristina Stassis

US Air Force tests Anduril YFQ-44A Fury semiautonomous jet-powered combat drone (experimental phase)

Airmen operated Anduril’s YFQ-44A Fury, a jet-powered, semi-autonomous combat drone designed to fly alongside piloted fighters. The tests signal progress from earlier weapon-integration work toward more representative developmental activity for the USAF’s collaborative combat aircraft concept.

defcrosnews.com • DEFCROS New

Accelerating the Future: YFQ-44 Fury Fighter Drone Enters Critical Testing Phase

Also: AirForceTimes, c4isrnet.com and Military Times

2026-04-17T12:59:53.196480-07:00

Satellite Europe Space Defense & Militarization Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

Space Intel Report • Peter B de Selding

French military: Iris2 won't be deployed by 2030, we'll use OneWeb until it is; looking at Germany's constellation, too

By Space Intel Report: LA PLATA, Maryland — The French military acknowledged that Europe’s Iris2 multi-orbit secure connectivity constellation will….

2026-04-17T13:22:37.405336-07:00

Helicopter Safran Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Industry & Major Contractors

FlightGlobal • Dominic Perry

EDF-backed SHARP project hones cutting-edge helicopter engine technology

By FlightGlobal: A project to develop a next-generation military helicopter engine has been awarded €25 million ($29 million) by the European Defence Fund (EDF) under its 2025 work programme.

2026-04-17T08:36:59.788141-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Bayraktar

Breaking Defense • Agnes Helou

Baykar unveils K2 Kamikaze drone with AI, swarming capabilities

By Breaking Defense: The company, famous for producing mid-range drones that proved effective in the early days of the Ukraine conflict, said the K2 fits within its “cost-effective defense solutions strategy.".

2026-04-17T06:38:16.103923-07:00

Air Cargo & Freight Logistics Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Budgets & Spending Asia-Pacific (APAC) Defense Policy

FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Canberra looks to replace C-27Js with ‘commercial’ type

By FlightGlobal: Canberra aims to replace its fleet of Leonardo C-27J tactical transports, although it intends to maintain the airlift capacity to serve Pacific neighbours.

aviationnews.eu

Australia Retires C-27J Spartan Fleet, Signals Shift Toward Larger Airlift Capability

Air Data News

Australia to retire C-27J Spartan fleet and shift to commercial aircraft for regional missions

Also: AeroTime, Scramble and The Aviationist

2026-04-16T23:24:31.483594-07:00

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

Air Data News • ADN Staff

Pentagon awards Lockheed Martin $1.9 billion contract for C-130J training and maintenance

By Air Data News: The Pentagon has awarded Lockheed Martin a sole-source, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract worth up to $1.9 billion to continue the C-130J Maintenance and Aircrew Training System (MATS) program.

Also: AviationPros

2026-04-17T05:08:16.417273-07:00

Europe Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Deals

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

US warns European allies of weapons delivery delays

By AeroTime: Washington has told Baltic and Scandinavian countries to expect delays in contracted arms deliveries as the Iran war stretches US munitions supplies.

2026-04-17T05:17:42.158335-07:00

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

FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

Northrop Grumman poised for critical design review of E-2D Advanced Hawkeye’s Block II upgrade

By FlightGlobal: A major system upgrade for Northrop Grumman’s E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft will undergo its critical design review (CDR) in May, as the airframer eyes fresh sales opportunities for the platform.

2026-04-17T04:23:21.441900-07:00

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US Air Force tests Anduril YFQ-44A Fury semiautonomous jet-powered combat drone (experimental phase)

Accelerating the Future: YFQ-44 Fury Fighter Drone Enters Critical Testing Phase

French military: Iris2 won't be deployed by 2030, we'll use OneWeb until it is; looking at Germany's constellation, too

EDF-backed SHARP project hones cutting-edge helicopter engine technology

Baykar unveils K2 Kamikaze drone with AI, swarming capabilities

Canberra looks to replace C-27Js with ‘commercial’ type

Australia Retires C-27J Spartan Fleet, Signals Shift Toward Larger Airlift Capability

Australia to retire C-27J Spartan fleet and shift to commercial aircraft for regional missions

Pentagon awards Lockheed Martin $1.9 billion contract for C-130J training and maintenance

US warns European allies of weapons delivery delays

Northrop Grumman poised for critical design review of E-2D Advanced Hawkeye’s Block II upgrade

French military: Iris2 won't be deployed by 2030, we'll use OneWeb until it is; looking at Germany's constellation, too

Air Force unit executes test of Anduril’s semiautonomous combat drone

EDF-backed SHARP project hones cutting-edge helicopter engine technology

Baykar unveils K2 Kamikaze drone with AI, swarming capabilities

US warns European allies of weapons delivery delays

Pentagon awards Lockheed Martin $1.9 billion contract for C-130J training and maintenance

US Air Force lets operational crews fly CCA drones in early field exercise

Space Force, NATO Commanders Share Threat Perspectives

Joby and L3Harris to demonstrate autonomous S-4T rotorcraft for US Army

Countering missile threats 'left of launch'

B-21 Raider completes first aerial refueling tests with KC-135 Stratotanker; new overhead photos released

U.S. Army formalizes FLRAA tiltrotor as MV-75 “Cheyenne II,” launching Bell’s next-generation fielding push

Raytheon contract: $3.7B Patriot GEM‑T interceptors for Ukraine, with Germany production at COMLOG

FT alleges Iran used a Chinese-built spy satellite (TEE-01B) to track U.S. bases across the Middle East

Starlink's 2024 Advances: Transforming In-Flight Wi-Fi Connectivity in Aviation

Riyadh Air: Saudi Arabia's New National Carrier Prepares for Launch Amid Regional Competition

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