Russia’s Yakovlev 130M has made its maiden flight with new sensors, weapons and systems designed to expand its role from advanced jet trainer to light combat aircraft.
Yak130M 1st Flight Tests Trainer for Combat Role
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Tag: military aviation
Colombia Orders 2 C-390s as India Looks for 60 Airlifters
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Colombia has ordered two Embraer C-390 Millennium transport aircraft, taking firm orders for the aircraft to 58 as India opens a competition for 60 medium transport aircraft.
Northrop Grumman E-2D Block II Passes Design Check
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Northrop Grumman has completed a critical design review for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Block II upgrade, allowing integration and testing to begin. The company plans to deliver upgraded aircraft by the end of the decade.
Berlin Air Show Hit by Pro-Palestine Protests
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Pro-Palestine activists blocked access to the ILA Berlin Air Show ahead of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s visit. Police removed protesters after they disrupted the opening of Germany’s major aerospace and defence event.
Pistorius: Failure of FCAS fighter jet project ‘hurts a lot’
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Germany’s defence minister says the collapse of the FCAS fighter jet programme is a major setback for European defence cooperation. The ambitious Franco-German-Spanish project was meant to deliver a next-generation combat aircraft from 2040.
ITPS Canada Orders Six M-346 Jet Trainers
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ITPS Canada has ordered six Leonardo M-346 T Block 20 advanced jet trainers, with options for an additional six for tactical fighter pilot training at the International Tactical Training Centre.
Italy Orders Six Airbus A330 MRTT Tankers
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Italy’s Ministry of Defence has awarded a €1.393 billion contract to Airbus Defence and Space for six A330 MRTT tanker aircraft and integrated logistics support under a Heavy Multi Role tanker fleet modernization program. The procurement process covered aircraft acquisition and long-term support arrangements over a planned period of 122 months.
Su-57D Two-Seat 5G Fighter Makes Debut
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Russia’s Su-57D has completed its first test flight, marking the debut of what is considered the world’s first two-seat fifth-generation fighter aircraft. The new variant is intended to combine combat, training and command-and-control roles, including management of operations involving manned and unmanned aircraft.
Airbus Expands A330 MRTT Capacity
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Airbus Defence and Space plans to open a new A330 MRTT conversion centre in Seville, Spain, by the end of 2027. The facility will increase annual aircraft conversion capacity, support maintenance work and upgrade aircraft already in service.
MQ-9B Completes First AEW Test Flight
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Saab and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems have completed the first flight of an MQ-9B unmanned aircraft fitted with LoyalEye airborne early warning radar pods. The trial marks the beginning of a test programme leading to a full capability demonstration later this year.
U.S. Navy Receives 70th E-2D Hawkeye
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Northrop Grumman has delivered the 70th E-2D Advanced Hawkeye to the U.S. Navy. The aircraft provides airborne early warning and battle management capabilities and is also in service with Japan, with ongoing upgrades to meet operational needs.
DARPA X-76 Moves to Build Phase
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The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has designated its SPRINT aircraft as the X-76, with Bell Textron set to begin construction after completing the design review. The programme aims to combine jet speed with runway-independent operations, with flight tests planned for 2028.
U.S. Army Receives First Autonomous Black Hawk
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The U.S. Army has received an H-60Mx Black Hawk equipped with DARPA-developed autonomy systems. The aircraft will undergo operational testing to evaluate crewed and uncrewed flight as part of efforts to integrate autonomy across the fleet.
Lockheed Martin Delivers Record 191 F-35 Aircraft in 2025
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Lockheed Martin said it delivered a record 191 F-35 fighter jets in 2025, surpassing the program’s previous annual high. The aircraft also reached the milestone of a million cumulative flight hours in 2025 and the company said the program completed delivery of the TR-3 software configuration during the year.
Germany Adds 20 H145M Helicopters With New Order
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Germany has exercised an option for 20 additional Airbus H145M light combat helicopters, raising its total order to 82 aircraft. The helicopters will support German Army and Luftwaffe special forces missions including training, reconnaissance, special operations and light attack roles.
