By Garth Calitz On 5 March 2026, one of aviation’s most celebrated aircraft reached a remarkable milestone. The legendary Supermarine Spitfire marked 90 years since its first flight, a moment that helped shape both aviation history and the outcome of the Second World War. Few aircraft have captured the imagination of pilots and aviation enthusiasts quite like the Spitfire. With its elegant elliptical wings, distinctive engine note and superb performance, the aircraft quickly

Bell Textron has reached a major milestone in the development of next-generation military aircraft, successfully completing the Critical Design Review (CDR) for the Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency’s ambitious SPeed and Runway INdependent Technologies (SPRINT) program. The achievement clears the way for the company to begin construction of a new experimental aircraft, now officially designated the X-76, which aims to combine jet-like speed with the flexibility of ver

South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration has selected the BRM Aero's Bristell trainer to support the Republic of Korea Air Force’s initial pilot training programme, reinforcing ROKAF’s efforts to modernise and future-proof its training pipeline. The multi-year agreement, announced on 6 February 2026, will introduce a new generation of training aircraft into Air Force service as part of a broader push to enhance training efficiency and operational readiness. Un

The Royal Australian Air Force is set to significantly expand its C-130J Super Hercules training capacity through a new Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme that will see Lockheed Martin deliver a suite of advanced training devices and simulator upgrades. Awarded through Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in the United States, the programme will introduce next-generation training systems aligned with the latest operational configuration of the C-130J, with deliveries scheduled

By Garth Calitz Last week marked 36 years since the maiden flight of the Rooivalk AH-2A attack helicopter's XDM Testbed on 11 February 1990. From its earliest experimental roots to combat deployment under the United Nations banner, the Rooivalk’s story is one of ambition, ingenuity, prolonged development, political constraint and hard-earned operational credibility. Few military aviation programmes better reflect the strategic pressures of their era and fewer still illustrate

By Garth Calitz The Boeing Company has secured a new contract from the United States Air Force to modernise the flight deck of the C-17A Globemaster III, ensuring that the iconic strategic airlifter remains operationally relevant well into the second half of the 21st century. The programme will see the design, manufacture, integration, qualification and military certification of a fully modernised cockpit, replacing ageing avionics and mission-essential equipment with a conte

Embraer has taken another deliberate step in deepening its engagement with the African defence and aerospace market, announcing the appointment of Leandro Marc Pienaar as Business Development Director for the Southern Africa region. The move signals the Brazilian aerospace manufacturer’s intent to sharpen its regional footprint, build closer partnerships with governments and industry, and position its defence portfolio more prominently in a part of the world where airlift, bo

The global fleet of Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft has officially surpassed one million cumulative flying hours, a figure that represents not just a numerical achievement, but millions of take-offs, landings, intercepts, training sorties and the occasional pilot wondering. More than two decades after entering frontline service, the Typhoon continues to demonstrate that it is very much in its prime, combining operational maturity with a steady stream of upgrades that keep

Bell Textron has unveiled TRU Simulation + Training’s Veris Virtual Reality (VR) Bell 505 Flight Simulator at the Singapore Airshow 2026, marking the system’s Asia-Pacific debut and underlining Bell’s growing emphasis on advanced training solutions to complement its light helicopter portfolio. Developed by TRU Simulation + Training Inc., an affiliate of Bell Textron Inc., the Veris VR simulator has been qualified by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a Level 7 Fl

By Garth Calitz Photos by Garth Calitz and Trevor Cohen The South African Air Force (SAAF) marked its 106th anniversary with a traditional Prestige Day Parade at Air Force Base (AFB) Swartkop, reaffirming its enduring legacy as one of the world’s oldest independent air forces and underscoring its continued relevance in a challenging operational and fiscal environment. Held at the historic Swartkop Air Force Base (recently renamed Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing), widely rega