Kitty Hawk has completed its first operational exercise with the U.S. Air Force’s AFWerx innovation unit assessing the ability of the company’s Heaviside electric vertical-takeoff aircraft to perform medical evacuation, personnel recovery and logistics.

The U.S. Air Force has a preferred bomber fleet strategy that leaves room for up to 149 Northrop Grumman B-21s, a nominal 50% increase over the previously stated procurement objective of more than 100.

Airbus Helicopters is to acquire a key supplier of dynamic components in a move that appears to mirror a strategy adopted by the company’s commercial airliner business.

The Colombia proposal adds to a growing list of nations where the new-generation Gripen is in contention, such as Canada, Finland and India.

Airbus Defense and Space will now fully study the feasibility and scope of the potential MRO operation for the Royal Malaysian Air Force .  

Bell’s AH-1Z Viper looks set to become the second attack helicopter to be fitted with the Link 16 tactical data link.

Last month’s unprecedented incursion by China into Malaysian airspace is a wake-up call for Kuala Lumpur to reevaluate its defense priorities.

The event marks another key step in the technological evolution of autonomous aerial refueling and helps smooth the MQ-25’s path into operational service in fiscal 2025.