Russia has taken another step in the evolution of its flagship stealth fighter programme, with a newly developed two-seat version of the Sukhoi Su-57 “Felon” reportedly completing initial ground taxi trials. The development signals Moscow’s growing focus on export markets as it attempts to expand international sales of its fifth-generation combat aircraft. Images circulating in Russian defence media during May showed what appears to be a modified Su-57 airframe featuring an e

The Royal Air Force has demonstrated its growing Arctic operational capability after an RAF Boeing C-17A Globemaster III successfully landed at Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Alert, the northernmost permanently inhabited settlement on Earth. Situated approximately 1,100 miles inside the Arctic Circle at 82.5 degrees north, the remote outpost plays a vital role in NATO’s northern security network and climate research activities. The mission formed part of Exercise Polar Puma un

By the end of this decade, uncrewed collaborative combat aircraft (UCCA) will support crewed fighter jets on their missions. Wondering what a UCCA is? Let's try to answer the most commonly asked questions. Imagine you are the pilot of a Eurofighter or an F-35, tasked with taking out an air defence position in a heavily protected zone. Thanks to seamless connectivity, you are not tackling this mission alone – far from it. All the information you need is consolidated in your co

The United States Air Force has approved the Boeing T-7A Red Hawk for production, marking a major step forward in its next-generation pilot training programme. The decision follows the programme’s Milestone C approval on 23 April, enabling the transition from development into initial production. As part of this move, the Air Force has awarded a $219 million contract to Boeing Defence, Space & Security for the first batch of 14 aircraft. The contract also includes associated s

The Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement has awarded a contract to Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer for the acquisition of up to 20 C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft, marking a significant step in the United Arab Emirates’ ongoing efforts to modernise and expand its strategic and tactical airlift capabilities. The agreement comprises 10 firm orders, alongside options for a further 10 aircraft, providing flexibility for future fleet growth as operational r

Hungary has taken delivery of two additional Gripen C fighter aircraft, marking a further step in the ongoing modernisation of the Hungarian Defence Forces’ air combat capability. The aircraft will be operated by the 101st Aviation Wing from Kecskemét Air Base, reinforcing the country’s ability to meet both national defence requirements and its commitments to NATO operations. The delivery follows a contract signed in February 2024 between the Hungarian Ministry of Defence and

Peru has selected the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon Block 70 as the future backbone of its combat aviation fleet, announcing plans to acquire 12 aircraft in a move aimed at strengthening national defence capabilities and modernising the country’s air force. The aircraft will be built by Lockheed Martin at its production facility in Greenville, South Carolina. The decision represents one of the most significant defence procurement steps taken by Peru in recent years. Th

Lockheed Martin has announced the successful completion of flight testing for the Digital Receiver Exciter Recorder (DREXR) upgrade developed for the U.S. Navy’s E-2D Advanced Hawkeye. Conducted in partnership with Northrop Grumman, the milestone represents another step in the ongoing modernisation of one of the Navy’s most important airborne command-and-control platforms. The program is intended to keep the aircraft effective against rapidly evolving threats while ensuring i

Embraer has concluded a major international demonstration campaign for its KC-390 Millennium, with the aircraft visiting 11 countries, flying more than 47,000 nautical miles, and completing 54 flights over more than 70 days. The tour ended after the aircraft’s participation at FIDAE, one of Latin America’s leading aerospace exhibitions, before returning to Embraer’s defence headquarters in Gavião Peixoto. According to the manufacturer, the campaign achieved full mission compl

Few missions in aviation history have combined daring, innovation and strategic impact quite like the Doolittle Raid of April 18, 1942. Conducted only months after the devastating Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour, the raid marked the first American air strike against the Japanese home islands and provided a much-needed boost to Allied morale during one of the darkest periods of World War II. The operation, officially led by James H. Doolittle, demonstrated the growing adaptab