Air Force to Introduce C‑37C, Replacing Legacy Fleet by 2027
The Air Force wants to start recapitalizing its C-37 executive airlift fleet, bringing on the C-37C in 2027 to replace C-37A/Bs. https://t.co/LjA6EBohu2
Air Force Expands KC-46 Fleet to 319, Costs Rise
New: The Air Force wants to greatly increase its KC-46 fleet Long-term plan now includes 319 of the tankers to replace KC-135s. That’s 140 more than the original program of record. Plus, budget docs show fly-away unit costs increasing...
SOCOM to Acquire Three Unnamed Aircraft FY27
Rare non-standard aviation news for those nerds out there 🚨 SOCOM in FY27 will procure three new aircraft in a program called Non-Standard Aviaton-Next as it moves on from the C-146. Specific type not disclosed https://t.co/9Bg80XtX7a
Air Force Hikes VC-25B Budget, Bypasses FY27 Bridge Funding
The Air Force is increasing VC-25B spending to meet the newly announced schedule. Also, no money requested in FY27 for the Qatar-donated 'bridge aircraft.' Funding transferred from Sentinel, outside the typical budgetary process, covers the whole project https://t.co/nMNKAzWLff
Pentagon Aims to Accelerate
The Pentagon in its budget request says it can speed up fielding of the F-35's Block 4 by a year, to 2030, as it increases spending on the program. This is reliant on reconciliation approval https://t.co/F5NdnDxpKT
Navy's 2027 Budget Revives P‑8 Purchases, Costs Surge
The Navy is procuring new P-8s in its 2027 budget request for the first time since 2024. That gap has seen the flyaway cost per aircraft to substantially rise, connected in part to Boeing's production shift to MAXs https://t.co/ww2HzyUpU6
Navy Expands E‑2D Fleet Amid E‑3 Readiness Woes
The Navy wants to grow its E-2D fleet because Advanced Hawkeyes are seeing "accelerated service life burn down" as they are taking on more overland airborne early warning taskings This as E-3s face readiness issues and the E-7 has an uncertain...
Air Force Seeks Funding for E‑7 Wedgetail Despite Budget Gap
Despite no funding in Pentagon's fiscal 2027 request, the Air Force is "evaluating options to resource the E-7 program" to finish the Wedgetail prototypes and continue EMD. https://t.co/mD86r3Qjmj
Air Force Extends Three A‑10 Squadrons Through 2030
The Air Force will extend three A-10 squadrons, the service announces today. One Moody active duty squadron and one Whiteman reserve squadron to 2030, plus another Moody squadron to 2029, according to the service. https://t.co/pNrdLnWk15
Qatar‑gifted VC‑25 747 Starts Flight Testing
The VC-25 "Bridge Aircraft"---the 747 gifted by Qatar---has begun flight testing , the Air Force confirms. Spotted yesterday on a flight in Texas, painted freshly white but not yet in the full livery https://t.co/gtG0orHjKQ
Bell Launches Upgraded MV‑75 Cheyenne II with Stronger Gear
In addition to getting a name, Bell unveiled a new model of the MV-75 Cheyenne II with some design changes. This includes beefy landing gear and easier access for maintenance. https://t.co/7CIcRtfvJc
Army's Cheyenne II Faces Aggressive, Success‑dependent Timeline
The Army's MV-75 has a name, Cheyenne II It also has an extremely aggressive schedule that top officials warn relies on a series of successes to meet Link (now that the embargo is lifted): https://t.co/9WoZgHBaZ9
Navy Seeks Fast, Carrier‑Free Trainer Amid F/A‑XX Focus
With all of the focus on F/A-XX, it is worth watching the competition for the next Navy trainer. Especially as the service has shown intention to move quickly (and avoid carrier landings) In the current issue: https://t.co/hNCixl9Kwq
US Army Expends All Precision Strike Missiles Early in Iran Conflict
The US Army fired its entire stock of Precision Strike Missiles in the opening stages of the war against Iran. via @TheDEWLine https://t.co/CvFJqTGvTs
Inside the 747-8i Conversion to Doomsday Plane
Exclusive: I recently had the chance to get on a 747-8i that SNC is converting into an E-4C Doomsday plane, for an up-close look at how the work is beginning and the outlook for the program In the latest issue of...