Author: Alan G.W.

(consolidated figures as of December 31, 2025) Deliveries, order intakes, backlog in number of new aircraft, and net sales guidance (unaudited figures) AIRCRAFT DELIVERED IN 2025 26 Rafale (15 Export, 11 France) were delivered, while 25 had been guided, versus 21 Rafale (14 France, 7 Export) delivered in 2024. 37 Falcon were delivered, while 40 had been guided, versus 31 Falcon delivered in 2024. AIRCRAFT ORDERED IN 2025 26 Export Rafale were ordered versus 30 Export Rafale in 2024. 31 Falcon were ordered versus 26 Falcon in 2024. AIRCRAFT IN BACKLOG As of December 31, 2025, the backlog includes: 220…

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (EHAM/AMS) has during the past couple of days faced one of its most challenging operational periods in recent memory. Since Friday, January 2nd, the airport has cancelled over 3,200 flights. Thousands of passengers have been stranded and the effect has been felt across the European aviation network. Your flight has (probably) been cancelled Flightradar24 departure and arrival statistics paint a grim picture of the disruptions faced at Amsterdam Schiphol during the first days of 2026.Friday, January 2: 345 cancellationsSaturday, January 3: 384 cancellationsSunday, January 4: 569 cancellationsMonday, January 5: 711 cancellations Tuesday, January 6: 563 cancellationsWednesday, January 7:…

The United States Air Force moved multiple special operations support aircraft north along the coast of the United Kingdom today, as three U-28A Draco intelligence and reconnaissance aircraft were tracked heading toward the North Sea amid rising tensions over the Russian-flagged crude oil tanker Marinera. Aircraft spotters observed U-28A aircraft using the callsigns AGREE32, AGREE34, […]

Video footage published on Facebook shows United States Air Force CV-22B Osprey aircraft from the 7th Special Operations Squadron conducting fast-rope and rescue training at RAF Fairford in the United Kingdom. The aircraft, stationed at RAF Mildenhall, carried out the drills using standard special-operations procedures. According to OSINTdefender, the training activity involved fast-rope insertion teams […]

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the Pentagon’s research and technology arm, released a new program solicitation on January 6, 2026, for the Frosty effort to develop technology that enables new radar-based sensing modes in the Arctic environment. The notice invites industry to submit proposals by January 30, 2026, for solutions that improve detection […]

The United States Air Force has continued intensive reconnaissance flights near Venezuela’s coastline, deploying RC-135V/W intelligence aircraft over the Caribbean at activity levels comparable to those recorded in early January, according to open flight tracking data and regional monitoring reports. On the latest mission, an RC-135W Rivet Joint aircraft, tail number 64-14848, operated from Homestead […]

The United States Navy has awarded Collins Aerospace a $20.3 million contract modification to produce and deliver three high-power transmit set modernization kits for the E-6B “doomsday plane,” according to a Department of the Navy contract announcement. The award was issued to Rockwell Collins Inc., operating as Collins Aerospace Government Systems, under a firm-fixed-price and […]

U.S. forces used one-way attack drones during strikes on Caracas on January 3 as part of Operation “Absolute Resolve,” marking the first confirmed large-scale combat employment of kamikaze-style drones by the United States, according to sources and newly published visual evidence from Venezuela. Local residents in Caracas released videos recorded during the strikes that captured […]

Ukrainian Air Force pilots operating F-16 fighter jets were forced to revise NATO-taught air combat tactics after returning from training abroad, as the methods proved unsuitable for the realities of combat near the front line in Ukraine, according to a report published by Militarnyi citing official Air Force video footage. In comments shown in the […]

The United Kingdom expects to have taken delivery of its 75th F-35 Lightning aircraft by the end of 2033, the British government confirmed in a written parliamentary response published on January 5, 2026. In a response to a question from Lord West of Spithead, Defence Minister Lord Coaker said “the Department expects to take delivery […]

Have you been eyeballing the Flightradar24 list of most tracked flights during European morning hours for the past couple of weeks? Then you’ve probably noticed how quite a few flights have ended up holding around Kraków’s John Paul II International Airport (KRK/EPKK). The culprit? Fog. Kraków Airport is perfectly located for fog formation Kraków Airport’s location makes it particularly susceptible to fog formation. The airport lies in a natural basin where cold air settles and accumulates, especially during calm overnight periods. This geographical feature, combined with the proximity to the Vistula River and surrounding wetlands, creates the perfect recipe for…

EASA issues CZIB for the airspace of Venezuela The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued a Conflict Zone Information Bulletin for the airspace of Venezuela.EASA, the Commission and Member States will continue to monitor the situation closely, to assess whether there is an increase or decrease of the risk for EU aircraft operators in the coming days due to the evolution of the threat and risk situation. Janet Northcote Sat, 03/01/2026 – 18:28

Third volume of this original comic book series on the theme of time travel. After jumping back in time to World War I, we now head to 1939-1945! In the first two volumes of “Les Ailes du temps” (Wings of Time), the protagonists Lucie and Dunk found themselves caught in a space-time hole that took them from 2024 to… 1917! Finding themselves on the front lines of the Great War, the two companions, with their opposing temperaments, managed as best they could to overcome all the obstacles that stood in their way, particularly within Lucie’s own family, as they began…

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we’re beginning 2026 by looking back at a pair of our favorite conversations from 2025.  Throughout the year, we focused a lot on the seemingly unending stream of news and what it meant for the aviation industry, but we also had a chance to speak with some very interesting people. We first revisit our conversation with Eliska Hill, Senior Vice President for Cargo at Air Partner. We chatted about her career path, how the cargo market has evolved post-COVID, and some of the more interesting shipments she’s had to deal with. And then we…

A beautiful book that pays tribute to the Rafale Marine and to those who enable it to shine around the globe. Former artistic director of the magazine “Air et Cosmos” and a photographer with countless hours of flight time, Cyrille Cosmao currently works for Dassault Aviation. To pay tribute to the Rafale Marine (or Rafale M), he focused on the current generation of aircraft that travel the world aboard the aircraft carrier “Charles de Gaulle.” Following a preface by Captain Sébastien Martinot, the book analyzes and explains the aircraft’s technology, its weaponry, and its capabilities depending on the missions entrusted…

Finnair has announced the launch of its first regular route to Australia, marking its first-ever entry into Oceania, a market currently served by only two European airlines. Flights will begin on October 26th, 2026, and will operate daily with Airbus A350-900 aircraft configured for 278 passengers, flying the Helsinki-Bangkok-Melbourne route and vice versa. In addition to offering tickets between Helsinki and Melbourne, the Finnish airline will have traffic rights on the Helsinki-Bangkok and Bangkok-Melbourne routes, the latter via fifth freedom rights. Daily AY 145  Helsinki HEL 00:10 · 16:30 BKK Bangkok AY 145  Bangkok BKK 18:15 · 07:15+1 MEL Melbourne…

Every Christmas, millions of aviation enthusiasts and excited children around the world turn their attention to Flightradar24 to track one very special flight. This year was no exception. Secretive as always, Santa shared his flightplan with us via Telex (used once yearly at the office) at the last minute, announcing his immediate departure at 08:00 UTC, on December 23rd. Santa tracked by millions on Flightradar24 After a brief warm up run over the North Pole, flight SANTA1 (using the callsign R3DN053) began his trip, flying east for a surprise stop in Riovanemi, Finland. During the next day and a half,…

Airports at the end of the year are a special place. Everyone is tired, slightly overpacked, and emotionally invested in being somewhere else. It’s no wonder filmmakers keep returning to aviation as the perfect setting for drama and heartfelt reunions.The Flightradar24 Cinephile Division brings you a smorgasbord of airport adjacent movies to binge watch as 2025 comes to an end. We also imagine how access to Flightradar24 would have impacted the plot (or even being) of these flicks.Dim the lights please! The Terminal (2004) Right out of the gate (ha!), we have The Terminal. Tom Hanks makes a brave attempt…

This story draws parallels between two destinies: that of a vole and that of Amelia Earhart, a true aviation legend. One fine day, a vole meets a mouse. Together, they discover several objects, such as a stamp that inspires them to travel around the world. Accompanied by another mouse, an aviator herself, the two companions set off to explore the globe. Soon, a small flying machine is concocted, despite the uncertainties of the vole’s family, who fear for the fate of the little creature once it leaves the ground… Very quickly, however, the vole manages to fly aboard the aircraft,…

A Falcon 50 business jet carrying Libyan military leaders crashed approximately 30 minutes after take off from Ankara on 23 December. According to Turkish authorities, the aircraft was carrying Muhammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad, the Libyan army chief, along with at least four others. The Falcon 50 operated by Harmony Jets Malta departed Ankara at 17:17:24 UTC, climbing to cruising altitude at 32,475 feet at 17:32. Beginning at 17:33:25 the aircraft experienced a brief, but high negative vertical speed, lasting just a few seconds. Based on the granular data we have processed (included for download below), the aircraft began squawking 7700 at…

Gift idea! A book that allows children and their parents to have fun and enjoy building (or assembling) around twenty different aircraft. With Christmas approaching and even afterwards, this is a gift idea that should delight young and old alike! Aerobatic planes, military transport aircraft, seaplanes, bombers… In total, no fewer than twenty aircraft are featured in this fun book, with over 250 stickers of wings, engines, and cockpits to help build modern and/or vintage aircraft. For each of the models featured, children and adults alike will enjoy discovering a complete description (the weapons they can carry, their maximum speed,…

Every December, as huge chunks of the world deck the halls and trim the trees, a special breed of pilot decides that standard flight patterns are beneath (pun intended) them. Because why fly a straight line when you can create Grinch sky art across the winter sky?This holiday season, we’ve spotted not one but two ambitious attempts to paint everyone’s favorite Christmas villain (let’s keep the debate civil in the comments) across the sky. Using Flightradar24’s historical data, we can compare these aerial masterpieces and ask the important question: which Grinch is, uhm, Grinchier? The contenders Flight A took to…

On Saturday, 20 December 2025, the Garmin’s Emergency Autoland was used for the first time in a real world emergency situation. The Emergency Autoland system is designed to take control of an aircraft in the event of pilot incapacitation and safely land at a nearby airfield.That is precisely what happened on Saturday as the pilot of Beech B200 Super King Air N479BR became incapacitated about 20 minutes after departing Aspen for Denver. The operator of the aircraft, Buffalo River Aviation, tells local media that everyone on board is safe, but did not release any information on the condition of the…

Stockholm, Sweden – December 22, 2025 – Flightradar24, the world’s leading flight tracking service, today announced it has entered into an agreement to supply flight data services to Boeing. Under the agreement, Boeing will gain access to Flightradar24’s comprehensive live and historic flight data, based on the latter’s global network of more than 55,000 ADS-B receivers.“We are proud to collaborate with Boeing, one of the world’s most respected aerospace companies,” said Lasse Schmidt Westrén, Vice President of Sales & Business Development at Flightradar24.“This data service is one element of Boeing’s continued innovation and build-out of a robust digital services platform…

With the holiday period being just around the corner, why not write a festive piece to show exactly how much air traffic expands during the days leading up to Christmas? Armed with a rich dataset provided by the digit gurus down in the Flightradar24 data vault, I set out for what I expected to be this year’s easiest assignment—to statistically prove how we’d seen a boost in flights ahead of Christmas last year. Surely this would be a walk in the park? No. As it turns out I was entirely wrong in my assumption.In fact, the month of November last…

When you think planespotting paradise, St Maarten (SXM) immediately comes to mind. Our new 24/7 automated camera puts you as close to the action as you can get without actually standing on the beach. This camera is fully automated, using Flightradar24 ADS-B data to precisely track aircraft with a PTZ camera from CamStreamer hosted by Showme Caribbean Live Cams. Just like our live stream in Las Vegas, live ATC audio is included in the stream. How it works The camera in St Maarten is located just north of the runway on the east side of the airport. Fully automatic aircraft…

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, a pair of incidents involving civilian aircraft and military aircraft without active transponders operating in Curaçao’s airspace sounds a bit too familiar. We discuss the events from the last week and the state of airspace in the southern Caribbean. NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy had choice words for Congress after legislation weakening airspace protections put in place in the wake of January’s crash in Washington DC passed as part of the NDAA. But the Senate has now passed the ROTOR Act, which seeks to further strengthen those protections. We discuss what this might mean for…

EASA publishes new revision of Easy Access Rules for Air Operations The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has published Revision 23 from December 2025 of the Easy Access Rules for Air Operations (EAR for Air OPS), incorporating the following regulatory material: Charalampos Ka… Thu, 11/12/2025 – 18:12

Stockholm, Sweden — [18 December 2025] — Flightradar24, the world’s leading flight tracking service, today announced two significant additions to its Board of Directors: SAS CEO Anko van der Werff as Chairman of the Board and Alex Dichter, former leader of McKinsey’s global aviation practice, as Non-Executive Director. Together, these appointments reinforce Flightradar24’s commitment to strategic leadership and continued global growth within the aviation industry.“We’re excited to welcome Anko van der Werff as our new Chairman of the Board and Alex Dichter as Director,” said Fredrik Lindahl, Flightradar24 CEO. “Both Anko and Alex bring extensive experience and clear strategic vision…

Dassault Aviation was a partner in the eighth national edition of DuoDay, held on Thursday, November 20, 2025. The initiative was part of the 29th edition of European Disability Employment Week, which took place from November 17 to 23 (SEEPH). With 33 professional pairs—people with disabilities—the 2025 DuoDay event provided an opportunity to discover many talents and advise them on their career plans. In total: Seven major job categories and their working environments were presented: Production, Purchasing, Human Resources, Quality & Environment, Information Systems, Customer Service, and Design & Testing. Eight of our establishments were involved: Biarritz, Mérignac, and Poitiers…

Antarctica stands as Earth’s most remote and inhospitable continent. Nature clearly tells you not to go. And yet, you feel the call of the wild. But how do you get there? Where do you land? You naturally have questions—let’s dig in. Why fly to Antarctica? The primary driver of Antarctic aviation is scientific research. International agreements, particularly the Antarctic Treaty System signed in 1959, established Antarctica as a continent dedicated to peaceful scientific investigation. National Antarctic programs from countries including the United States, Russia, China, Australia, and numerous European nations operate year-round and seasonal research stations across the continent. The…

European Plan for Aviation Safety (EPAS) 2026 EASA has published the 15th edition of the European Plan for Aviation Safety (EPAS) that outlines the strategic priorities shared by EASA and Member States, the primary safety risks affecting the European aviation safety system and the necessary actions to mitigate them. Jennifer Grochowski Wed, 17/12/2025 – 18:03

OUTSCALE Achieves SOC 2 Type 2 Attestation, Strengthening Transparency and Confidence in Its Security Controls

On November 28th at 06:36 local time, Luxair’s state-of-the-art Embraer E195-E2, registration LX-LEA, took off from Professor Urbano Ernesto Stumpf International Airport in São José dos Campos, bound for Luxembourg, marking a historic milestone for the country’s flag carrier. London Gatwick – September 1968 The beginnings Luxair, originally named Société Luxembourgeoise de Navigation Aérienne S.A., is a European airline based at Luxembourg Findel Airport, with a current fleet of Boeing 737-700, Boeing 737-800, Boeing 737 MAX 8, Dash 8, and now also Embraer E195-E2 aircraft. The airline is the successor to Luxembourg Airlines Company, which began operations in the 1940s.…

Inspired by American comics from the interwar period, Romain Hugault, together with historian Éloi Rousseau, has produced a work of the highest caliber. United States, early 1930s. Young pilot Lloyd Fairbanks, a brilliant mechanic, flies over the Grand Canyon giving people their first taste of flight at the controls of a dilapidated biplane for a pittance. One day, a certain Lowell Finley arrives in a brand-new Gee-Bee to refuel. He realizes Lloyd’s potential and offers him a job in Los Angeles, working for the aeronautics division of a Californian oil company owned by the wealthy Leixter family. Weeks go by,…

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Ian and Jason return from their respective travels to survey this week’s news. We return to India where IndiGo’s meltdown last week left the government none-too-pleased with the airline. In the US, Peraton gets the nod as the FAA’s prime integrator for ATC modernization. Boeing completes its acquisition of Spirit Aerosystems (with Airbus picking up some pieces too). A quickly fixed typo in a Qantas computer started a chain of events that resulted in a 737 taking off thinking it was much lighter than it actually was. And Air India is on the hook…

When China Eastern Airlines flight MU9191 took off from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport on May 28, 2023, it marked more than just another domestic flight to Beijing. The aircraft, a COMAC C919 registered as B-919A, represented the culmination of China’s then 15-year journey to challenge the Airbus-Boeing duopoly. It has been far from a smooth ride. The rise of COMAC The story of the C919 begins in May 2008, when the Chinese government established the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) in Shanghai. Right off the bat, the newly formed aerospace venture had its sights set on developing a domestic…

The second volume of this trilogy dedicated to Marcel Bloch continues the adventures of the aircraft manufacturer from the mid-1930s to the very beginning of World War II. After an initial volume that traced Marcel Bloch’s career in the early 1930s and the creation of a first company bearing his name, author Philippe Ricco focuses on the improvements made to the MB 200 bomber, mentioned in the first volume. He presents the MB 210, then its successor, the MB 211, as well as the three-engine MB 300, the four-engine MB 160, and more. We should also mention the MB 220,…

A historic and unprecedented route, at least for Argentina, began on December 4th, 2025, connecting three different continents. Buenos Aires Ezeiza – November 2017 On December 4th at 02:19 local time, one of China Eastern Airlines Boeing 777-300 aircraft departed Shanghai Pudong International Airport to Auckland, operating scheduled flight MU745. The airline has been offering the Shanghai-Auckland route since December 2014, with the Chinese city being one of its current four destinations performed to/from AKL, including Hangzhou, Sydney, Shanghai, and now Buenos Aires. Buenos Aires is the latest addition, resulting from an agreement with Auckland Airport, which encouraged the re-establishment…

OUTSCALE enhances OUTSCALE Kubernetes as a Service to support and accelerate sovereign AI initiatives

Ana Vieira da Mata elected as new Chair of EASA Management Board Ana Vieira da Mata has been elected as the new Chair of EASA’s Management Board (MB). The MB brings together representatives of the Member States and the European Commission and is responsible for the definition of the Agency’s priorities, the establishment of the budget and for monitoring the Agency’s operations. The Chair of the body is elected by its members from within the membership. The election took place during a regular MB meeting on December 9-10, 2025. Darya Kalsi Wed, 10/12/2025 – 11:07

EASA and EUROCONTROL publish joint report on assessment of gate-to-gate CO2 emissions The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and EUROCONTROL have worked together to validate a methodology of calculating gate-to-gate CO2 emissions, based on actual fuel burn, that will provide a basis for monitoring progress in reducing emissions to make aviation more sustainable.  Jennifer Grochowski Tue, 09/12/2025 – 11:07

Medical TeB meeting 2026/02 – Meeting of the EASA Member States’ Advisory Body This is the second Medical Technical Body (TeB) Meeting in 2026 (Meeting of the EASA Member States’ Advisory Body). Learn more about the EASA Advisory Bodies. Darya Kalsi Tue, 09/12/2025 – 14:13

General Aviation Structures Workshop The workshop is a forum to discuss General Aviation (CS-23, CS-VLA, CS-LSA) Structures topics between the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), National Competent Authorities (NCAs), and applicants for type certificates (TCs) and supplemental type certificates (STCs). Darya Kalsi Tue, 09/12/2025 – 14:28

3rd EASA FTL / Fatigue Risk Management Conference The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Croatian Civil Aviation Agency are pleased to invite you to the 3rd EASA Flight Time Limitations (FTL) / Fatigue Risk Management (FRM) Conference, taking place on 4 – 5 March 2026 in Split, Croatia. Jennifer Grochowski Tue, 09/12/2025 – 16:31

In this new volume of Buck Danny’s “Classic” adventures, Buck Danny and his companions dive into the heart of the Suez Canal crisis, during the most tense hours of the Cold War. April 1955, Indonesia. The Bandung Conference brings together some thirty leaders of non-aligned countries, one of whom stands out by delivering the closing speech: the president of the Revolutionary Command Council of the Republic of Egypt, Gamal Abdel Nasser. July 1956, Egypt. The same Nasser, newly elected president of the Egyptian Republic, decided to nationalize the Suez Canal, which allows ships to pass between the Red Sea and…

Airlink (4Z/LNK) is one of South Africa’s leading airlines, based at Cape Town International Airport and Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport, the country’s main cities, operating a fleet of narrow-body aircraft. SA Airlink The airline was founded in 1992 and began operations in 1995 under the name SA Airlink. That same year, it joined the South African Airways frequent flyer program and aligned its branding with South African Airways, the country’s flag carrier. Its relationship with South African strengthened over the months, merging with South African Airways and South African Express in a strategic alliance, which led to the creation…

India’s largest airline IndiGo (6E-IGO) has cancelled over 900 flights in just four days, causing an uproar among travellers. We break down what has happened, and explain why passengers can expect the turbulence to continue for weeks—if not months. Why are IndiGo cancelling flights? At the heart of IndiGo’s current crisis lies a regulatory change that’s been years in the making. In January 2024, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) announced revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules to combat pilot fatigue:Weekly rest increased from 36 hours to 48 hoursThe definition of night hours expanded from 0000-0500 to 0000-0600Night…

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Ian is joined by new Flightradar24 crew member Daniel Gustafsson in the Flightradar24 offices in Stockholm, while Jason finishes his journey through Japan’s cat cafes. We walk through the current NOTAMs affecting flights in and around Venezuela, as well as some of the unofficial pronouncements made with regard to Venezuelan airspace. We also discuss new reporting on the rift between the NTSB and India’s AAIB regarding the investigation of AI171. Airbus A320 family aircraft were grounded for a period last week to address a vulnerability in certain elevator aileron computers (ELAC). And a pair…

EASA AOC holders: Guidance to comply with the EASA occurrence reporting requirements The webinar is aimed at AOC holders overseen by EASA and will provide helpful advice and guidance to AOC holders on how to best comply with occurrence reporting requirements. Elements that will be covered include:  Jennifer Grochowski Fri, 05/12/2025 – 11:22

CAMO reporters: Guidance to comply with the EASA occurrence reporting requirements The webinar will provide helpful advice and guidance to CAMO reporters on how to best comply with occurrence reporting requirements. Elements that will be covered include:  Jennifer Grochowski Fri, 05/12/2025 – 10:13

AOC holder: Guidance to comply with the EASA occurrence reporting requirements The webinar will provide helpful advice and guidance to AOC holders on how to best comply with occurrence reporting requirements. Elements that will be covered include:  Jennifer Grochowski Fri, 05/12/2025 – 11:22

The U.S. military will employ Shahed-like One-Way-Attack (OWA) drones in the Middle East with the establishment of a new task force. On Dec. 3, 2025, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) launched Task Force Scorpion Strike (TFSS), which will oversee the U.S. military’s first OWA drone squadron.
The squadron has already been established, although the timeline is not clear. However, the photos released on the DVIDS network are dated Nov. 23, 2025, thus the squadron might have been deployed last month.
Task Force Scorpion Strike
In the announcement, CENTCOM says Task Force Scorpion Strike was launched only “four months after Secretary of War Pete Hegseth directed acceleration of the acquisition and fielding of affordable drone technology.” The goal of the TF is to quickly deliver low cost and effective drone capabilities into the hands of warfighters.

https://t.co/e7wPknswla
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 3, 2025

The unnamed squadron assigned to TFSS, which will operate the Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drones, is currently based in the Middle East at an undisclosed location. CENTCOM says the drones have an extensive range and are designed to operate autonomously.
The command further adds they can be launched with different mechanisms to include catapults, rocket-assisted takeoff, and mobile ground and vehicle systems. This capability removes the dependency on runways normally associated to unmanned aircraft like the MQ-9 Reaper.
“This new task force sets the conditions for using innovation as a deterrent,” said Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander. “Equipping our skilled warfighters faster with cutting-edge drone capabilities showcases U.S. military innovation and strength, which deters bad actors.”
Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drones are positioned on the tarmac at a base in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) operating area, Nov. 23. (Image credit: Courtesy Photo via CENTCOM)
TFSS was preceded in September 2025 by the launch of the Rapid Employment Joint Task Force (REJTF) with the goal of fast-tracking processes for outfitting deployed forces with emerging capabilities. REJTF has three focus areas: capability, software, and tech diplomacy.
Notably, CENTCOM says TFSS’s efforts to build the one-way-attack drone squadron are led by personnel from Special Operations Command Central and align with REJTF’s capability focus area.
LUCAS
The Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System (LUCAS), developed by Spektreworks, a U.S. company based in Phoenix, Arizona, specialized in unmanned systems development and production. Inside the company, the target drone variant has been given the designation FLM 136 – a clear reference to the Iranian Shahed-136 design that inspired its development.
Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drones are positioned on the tarmac at a base in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) operating area, Nov. 23. (Image credit: Courtesy Photo via CENTCOM)
In fact, it has been reported in recent months that the design has been reverse-engineered from an actual Shahed-136 drone which was captured by the U.S. military. LUCAS was designed from the outset to be used in the threat emulation role, and thus aimed to replicate as closely as possible the Iranian design.
However, its current iteration apparently falls short of some of the Shahed-136’s performance characteristics. The Iranian Shahed-136 has a range of approximatively 1,350 nautical miles, 110 pound payload and 440 pound Maximum Take-Off Weight, while length and wingspan are 3.5 meters and 2.5 meters, respectively.
On the other hand, according to Spektreworks, the FLM 136 has a range of 350 nautical miles, six-hour endurance, 40 pound payload and 180 pound Maximum Take-Off Weight, while length and wingspan are 3 meters and 2.5 meters, respectively. Thus, while the external appearance and dimensions are close to the original design, the performance are lower, as they were not the focus in a threat replication scenario.
Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drones are positioned on the tarmac at a base in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) operating area, Nov. 23. (Image credit: Courtesy Photo via CENTCOM)
It is unclear if these specifications reflect the ones of the LUCAS variant deployed in the Middle East. Compared to the images of the FLM 136 previously released by the company, the LUCAS drones in the images released by CENTCOM show some differences, with the notable addition of what appears to be a new SATCOM antenna.
The photos also show the drones equipped with two different nose cones, of which ones features what appears to be an electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) camera turret. According to CENTCOM’s captions, LUCAS drones cost approximately $35,000 per platform.

Ukraine first publicly expressed interest in acquiring the soon-to-be-retired fleet in 2024 shortly after being reportedly disappointed over not being offered the troubled MRH-90 Taipan utility helicopters that Australia decided to retire a decade earlier than originally planned. The Tiger, originally marketed by Eurocopter but now an Airbus product, was first delivered to the Australian Army in 2004 but did not reach initial operating capability (IOC) until 2011. Supply chain and availability issues have plagued the helicopter’s service life, and it too is now due to be withdrawn much earlier than planned.Australian media has reported on the possible transfer of Tiger attack helicopters to Ukraine as the Australian Army withdraws the type in favor of the AH-64E Apache Guardian.Australian Support for Ukraine
The Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) variant operated by Australia is based on France’s Tiger HAP (Hélicoptère d’Appui Protection/Support and Escort Helicopter) and features the nose-mounted 30 mm gun turret as well as stub-wing hardpoints for guided and unguided missiles and rockets.
At present, Australia’s 22 Tigers are scheduled to remain in service until 2028. Though the last of their 29 AH-64E Apaches are not due until 2029, there is the possibility that the Tiger’s out of service date could be brought forward. The first two Apaches arrived in October 2025 and more are due in 2026.
AH-64E Apache helicopter being delivered to the Australian Army in 2025. (Image credit: Australian Defence Force)
Being closer to the European support hubs for the Tiger helicopter, Ukraine’s hit from the supply chains involved in operating the type would likely be much reduced compared to the delays that have hampered Australia. The Tiger would be Ukraine’s first attack helicopter not based on a Soviet design, and, in much the same way as the gradual move to Western-designed fighter aircraft, will be much more sustainable in the long term.
While debate has raged over the attack helicopter’s place on the modern battlefield – with many pointing to the poor performance of Russia’s Kamov Ka-52 ‘Alligator’ attack helicopter in the current conflict – it has been suggested that many of Russia’s attack helicopter woes stem from poor tactics rather than obsolete equipment. Though it isn’t known exactly what role Ukraine pictures for the Tiger, it should be noted that, with the possibility of carrying Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) equipped rockets as well as dedicated air to air missiles like the Mistral alongside the 30 mm gun, the Tiger could find a comfortable niche as a drone hunter.

Ukrainian Mi-24V Hind helicopter gunship “Shahed Hunter”
Czech-supplied Hinds, now in Ukrainian service with dozens of air-to-air drone kills. pic.twitter.com/F5IPl5q2W0
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) February 20, 2025

Ukraine has adapted a number of slower fixed wing aircraft to allow them to take down low-cost drones that can travel at speeds below the optimal range for a traditional fast-jet intercept, and some of its fleet of Russian-built helicopters have also been noted employed in this way. 22 extra airframes with the withdrawn Tiger fleet could boost the coverage and availability for these operations, while freeing up other helicopters which could be put to use in utility and transport tasks that the Tiger is not equipped for.
Australian Support for Ukraine
Australia is expected to announce its next tranche of support for Ukraine ‘very shortly’, adding to a running total of AU$1.5 billion committed so far. This has most recently included M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks, which built on existing deliveries of Bushmaster and M113 armored vehicles, DefendTex D40 and Corvo PPDS loitering munitions, RBS 70 man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS), rigid-hull inflatable boats (RHIB), and Slinger counter-drone systems.
Though not transferred to Ukraine itself, part of Australia’s support has also included the forward deployment of a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft to Europe. The aircraft operated from Poland between July and October 2025, adding to the overall air defence and intelligence gathering capabilities over Eastern Europe to protect vital supply lines to Ukraine and safeguard NATO airspace.

Under Operation Kudu, Australian Defence Force aviators silently watched Europe’s eastern flank assisting with peace and stability in the region under Operation KUDU.
Task Element (TE) 631.10.7 worked closely with @NATO to deploy a vital asset, the E-7A Wedgetail.
Throughout… pic.twitter.com/rm6wdYWANF
— Defence Australia (@DefenceAust) October 23, 2025

Decomissioned RAAF F/A-18 Hornets were reportedly offered to Ukraine following strong campaigning and even petitions by Australians, though this deal eventually folded – apparently due to concerns over the sustainability of the legacy Hornet while other more plentiful fighter aircraft were already in the process of being secured.
Relations between Australia and Ukraine during the conflict have been difficult – while Australia maintains its intent to give as much support as possible, the let-downs from unfulfilled requests, particularly with regards to the MRH-90 Taipan, soured Ukraine’s opinions. Australia finally reopened its embassy in Kyiv in December 2024, rectifying another point of concern from Ukraine’s perspective. Now that there can be a more direct line between the Australian government in Canberra and senior officials in Kyiv, both sides seem to hope future cooperation will run more smoothly.

The ALQ-257 Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite is on track for rapid fielding on 72 U.S. Air Force F-16s, as well as the Army’s ME-11B HADES.Northrop Grumman’s AN/ALQ-257 Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite (IVEWS) is moving rapidly toward production and frontline fielding after completing a series of major developmental and operational milestones on U.S. Air Force F-16s. The system successfully completed Operational Assessment flight testing earlier this year and will soon equip the F-16 Block 50.
As the service looks to keep its large fourth-generation fleet viable against increasingly agile and unpredictable threats, IVEWS is emerging as one of the most consequential survivability upgrades ever introduced on the Viper, as the F-16 is called by its crews. The system has demonstrated robust performance in both controlled test environments and demanding real-world electromagnetic scenarios during larger test events.
Lt. Col. Christopher B. James, Deputy Division Chief for USAF F-16 Programs, highlighted the significance of the Operational Assessment’s completion, noting that IVEWS “worked during its first flight on two aircraft, which is unprecedented for a complex and fully integrated electronic warfare system.” He added that the integration and performance validated the system’s unofficial motto: “IVEWS, works first time, every time.”
We recently had a chance to interview Northrop Grumman’s team working on IVEWS to get a better understanding of the system.
Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite
The AN/ALQ-257 Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite (IVEWS) is designed to equip the F-16 with Electronic Warfare (EW) capabilities on par with the latest generation aircraft. This allows to significantly enhancing survivability for operations in contested and congested electromagnetic spectrum environments and keeping the Viper lethal and survivable.
The Line-Replaceable Units (LRU) that make up the core of the IVEWS suite. (Image credit: Northrop Grumman)
IVEWS can automatically detect, identify, track and jam radio frequency threats, as well as single-ship geolocate them without the need for triangulation in cooperation with other aircraft. This allows the system to replace a number of legacy systems for improved protection.
The system is designed as a fully digital, ultra-wideband internal electronic warfare suite, thus removing the need for external pods, usually carried on the centerline of the aircraft. Such pods usually present some limitations not only in their performance, but also in the performance of the jet.
To ensure IVEWS delivers F-16 protection now and into the future, the company said specific and deliberate hardware investments were necessary. While existing hardware locations were utilized to the maximum extent possible, IVEWS is an entirely new system replacing outdated 35+ year old systems on the aircraft.
Specifically, IVEWS utilizes the USG-procured EW controller and associated color threat display for primary control and display purposes, as well as for controlling all expendable countermeasures. The pilot may also interact with IVEWS and display information using the Center Pedestal Display (CPD) being installed with the PoBIT upgrade.
The system has a full complement of antennas distributed on the airframe which allows it to receive signals in a 360 degrees bubble around the aircraft. It also have transmitter antennas to cover the same bubble, as well as a central, main processor – the brains of the system – and  RF amplifiers to put out the RF energy to suppress the threat radars.
An F-16 equipped with the ALQ-257 Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite (IVEWS) at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. (Image credit: U.S. Air Force)
IVEWS was first selected by the U.S. Air Force as part of a competition in 2019, nine months earlier than planned, and is now a Program of Record for F-16 EW. The advanced internal EW system is designed to work seamlessly with the aircraft’s new APG-83 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, which is now being installed across the fleet.
Notably, while it was specifically developed to equip the F-16, IVEWS has also been selected to equip the U.S. Army’s ME-11B High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) platform, the service’s modified Bombardier Global 6500 business jets for intelligence gathering.
A Modern EW Suite for an Evolving Threat Environment
The radio frequency battlespace has become increasingly dense, dynamic and unpredictable. Where threats were once fixed and mapped in advance, modern adversaries now rely on mobile, rapidly shifting, software-driven radars and jammers that activate only when an aircraft is already inside engagement range.
“The RF environment has got more and more congested,” told us James Conroy, Vice President of Electronic Warfare and Targeting at Northrop Grumman. “There are so many signals out there and trying to find the RF threat’s radar signal is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. If you don’t have advanced hardware, advanced processing and algorithms, you really can’t find those advanced threats and be in position for the future.”
Conroy stressed how this shift in today’s RF environment has increased the urgency for integrating modern, adaptable EW capabilities. Lessons learned over the years led not only to a change in air tactics, but also a change in tactics of ground-based air defenses.
“Decades ago, the RF environment was such that people could pre-plan and use tactics to know where the threats were,” explained Conroy. “Threats now are moving around the battlespace, and they’re not just moving around, but they are not always on.”
The Line-Replaceable Units (LRU) that make up the core of the IVEWS suite. (Image credit: Northrop Grumman)
With threats becoming increasingly unpredictable, automation is the key to a quick reaction and improved protection. During the most intense phases of a mission, when the pilot might be focused on more urgent tasks at hand, an automated capability might be the difference between life and death.
“You have people flying into the weapons engagement zone, and they don’t even know it until the RF threat turns on, and it could be targeting them and launching threats at them,” said Conroy. “Having a system that automatically does that and automatically protects the aircraft takes a lot of the workload off the pilots so they can focus on their mission.”
To do that, IVEWS uses an ultra-wideband digital receiver architecture to sift through the increasingly cluttered RF environment, which is populated not only by radars but also by civilian emitters like cellular towers, satellite radios and commercial communication systems. The system identifies and geolocates the true threat signals – the “needle in the haystack,” as Conroy described it – while simultaneously applying active jamming and countermeasures.
Notably, IVEWS performs geolocation automatically and transparently to the pilot, and the function can operate concurrently with detection and jamming – something earlier F-16 EW systems could not do simultaneously.
“Classically, when you want to geolocate a threat on an F-16 or another platform, you have to turn on your jamming to allow you to do geolocation,” explained Conroy. “IVEWS does all geolocation in the background, it does all of that autonomously so the pilot can focus on the mission at hand. Ultimately, what we are enabling is the pilots go out, fly their mission and return home safely.”
IVEWS can generate single-ship geolocated threat information. Once threats have been geolocated, F-16s can easily share these threats’ locations.
An F-16 equipped with the ALQ-257 Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite (IVEWS) at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. (Image credit: U.S. Air Force)
Digital Interoperability With the SABR AESA Radar
A defining feature of IVEWS is its deep integration with Northrop Grumman’s APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR), the new AESA radar which has been installed on hundreds of F-16s worldwide.
“We recognized since day one that we needed the interoperability between SABR and IVEWS in order to make the F-16 as operationally relevant as possible,” said Conroy. “We knew that interoperability had to be a fully digital interoperability.”
The two systems communicate digitally on a pulse-to-pulse basis, with IVEWS able to see all SABR’s radar pulses and filter them out digitally. This allows SABR to operate at full performance without filtering or blanking while IVEWS simultaneously detects and counters hostile emitters.
“There was a Large Force Exercise where the F-16 with the IVEWS system had advanced air threats and advanced ground threats in the environment,” told us Conroy. “[IVEWS] was suppressing both of those and preventing them from getting tracks on the F-16, while the SABR radar was going in and doing some of its advanced modes.”
Northrop has delivered more than 900 SABR radars globally, with the U.S. Air Force procuring the radar for the F-16’s Radar Modernization Program. Because of this, the company sees the combined SABR + IVEWS architecture as central to keeping the Viper relevant well into the 2030s.
Northrop Grumman’s AN/APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR) installed on an Air National Guard F-16 at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, South Carolina. (Image credit: U.S. Air Force)
System Validation and Threat-Environment Testing
IVEWS has gone through the full complement of industry lab testing and government lab testing, and has been in flight testing for over a year. Conroy told us that, within that year, the system has flown over 300 sorties and over 500 flight hours.
Two F-16 Block 50 aircraft are being used for testing of the new EW system. Conroy explained that the jets are being tested against the most advanced air threats, ground threats and the most advanced surface threats and a combination of those at the same time.
Notably, according to the serials in the released photos, the two F-16s that are being used to test IVEWS are among the ones that were also used to test SABR ahead of its introduction in the Air Force.
These aircraft took part in multiple testing events. As mentioned earlier, during a LFE, the F-16s were able to suppress both air and ground threats simultaneously while still being able to employ the SABR radar.
There were also reports about IVEWS being described as a “mini Growler.” We talked about this with Conroy, and he told us “There was a comment from a pilot and basically what they were talking about was the fact that we have so much RF transmit power that we can not only provide self-protection for the platform that the IVEWS system is installed on, but we can sort of extend that performance and survivability bubble around other ships that are within the formation.
Two U.S. Air Force F-16s equipped with IVEWS and SABR fly at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. (Image credit: Northrop Grumman)
A Path to Rapid Fielding
Following the Operational Assessment, production is expected to begin soon, with this summer’s reconciliation package providing $187 million in funding to complete the certification. Another $250 million is included in the FY26 appropriations bill for the first full-rate production lot.
IVEWS is #1 on CENTCOM’s Unfunded Priority List, and AFCENT has submitted an Urgent Operational Need for 72 F-16s equipped with IVEWS. Conroy previously told us in an emailed statement that the company expects the first IVEWS-equipped combat-coded jets in late CY2027.
CENTCOM-based Vipers have been heavily engaged in recent years, shooting down Iranian drones launched toward Israel, operating near Russian air defenses in Syria, countering threats from Iran and its proxies, and responding to Houthi attacks from Yemen. Notably, the Air Force recently awarded Lt. Col. William “Skate” Parks, former commander of the 480th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, the Silver Star Medal for his actions during a mission in March 2025 in which he came under heavy fire while flying an F-16 Block 50.
Lt. Gen. Derek France, commander of Air Forces Central, described IVEWS as “one of many efforts to keep our fourth-gen platforms competitive as the adversary advances.”
The company says IVEWS can be installed by a Contractor Field Team (CFT), either as a standalone effort or in coordination with other ongoing upgrades. It is unclear if there will be synergies with the PoBIT upgrade effort.
U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons fly a routine presence patrol mission over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Jan. 25, 2025. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jackson Manske)
Breaking Defense reported that the renewed urgency followed earlier funding stagnation, as Air Force resource priorities had shifted toward future platforms. With threats intensifying, however, the service is now pushing to field the system as quickly as possible.
A Pod-Free Internal Solution With Growth Potential
Unlike legacy podded systems such as the ALQ-131 or ALQ-184, the ALQ-257 is an internal line-replaceable unit, freeing up the aircraft’s centerline station for additional fuel or weapons. Moreover, legacy ECM pods weigh approximately 600-800 pounds, while IVEWS is lighter by around 50%.
This aspect is not to be underestimated as, with the U.S. gearing up to fight over the Pacific, the F-16 will be able to carry a third external fuel tank on the centerline, further extending its range. The crews will not need anymore to choose between more range or improved EW protection.
Initial fielding of IVEWS will occur on Block 50/52 aircraft. “The system is designed to work with the Block 50 and the Post Block aircraft, that’s what we’re primarily focused on, but we expect it to be extensible to many other versions of the fighter aircraft,” said Conroy.
In an emailed statement, he further explained: “Very minor required Group A changes were funded in the Reconciliation Law, allowing Block 40/42 aircraft to easily accept IVEWS, as well. We would also be able to integrate IVEWS on Block 25/30 aircraft at a customer’s request, as the aircraft internal volumes and locations are the same.”
An F-16 Fighting Falcon carrying the AN/ALQ-184 Electronic CounterMeasures pod on the centerline station prepares to land at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Mar. 9, 2021. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Zachary Rufus)
International interest is also growing. Türkiye has already committed to integrating IVEWS on its F-16s when available, with a Letter of Request for the integration on its future F-16s Block 70. “We are also in conversation with a number of other countries that are interested in putting it potentially on their new Block 70s as well as people that already have Block 50s,” added Conroy.
Although optimized for the F-16, the company has noted that the modular architecture could support other aircraft. In fact, as mentioned earlier, due to the demonstrated performance and modularity of IVEWS, the U.S. Army selected it as the survivability suite for the new HADES platform, which is based on a business jet.
A Crucial Upgrade for the Viper’s Future
As peer and near-peer threats continue to evolve, the U.S. Air Force is increasingly relying on advanced EW solutions to ensure its fourth-generation platforms remain viable in contested environments. With the F-16 still comprising a substantial portion of the U.S. and allied tactical aviation inventory, the introduction of IVEWS represents a significant leap in survivability.
“IVEWS has consistently demonstrated class-leading performance as a modern survivability suite for the F-16,” said Conroy in an emailed statement. “The advanced technologies designed into IVEWS, combined with direct digital connectivity with SABR, ensures that modernized F-16s will continue to be relied upon as a trusted and effective fighter asset alongside 5th and 6th gen platforms for years to come.”
With production funding secured and an operational need driving rapid fielding, the IVEWS is on track to become one of the most important upgrades in the Viper’s long service life.

On December 3rd 2003, a prototype of the Honda HA-420 HondaJet took to the skies for the very first time. Yes, that Honda. The company famous for Civics, lawnmowers, and outboard boat motors also happens to be in the aircraft manufacturing business. Let’s take a closer look at the flying Honda. It all started with a sketch The history of the aptly named HondaJet traces back to 1997. Aeronautical engineer (and later founding president of Honda Aircraft Company) Michimasa Fujino had one of those middle-of-the-night ideas that engineers dream (pun intended) about. Unable to find paper, he grabbed a calendar,…

Three decades after the first flight, the F/A-18E/F is still central to U.S. Naval Aviation and is expected to serve into the 2040s alongside the F-35C and future F/A-XX.The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet celebrated the 30th anniversary since its first flight. In fact, on Nov. 29, 1995, the prototype F/A-18E Super Hornet lifted off from then McDonnell Douglas’ (now Boeing’s) St. Louis facility for the first time, marking the beginning of a program that would reshape U.S. carrier aviation for the next three decades.
The Super Hornet was born in a period of budget cuts and restructuring, which led the Navy to cancel a number of programs. However, the new aircraft was able to succeed and ultimately became the most widely used strike fighter aboard U.S. Navy aircraft carriers and still continues to evolve today.

30 Super years in flight!
Thirty years ago, the first F/A-18 Super Hornet took to the skies for the first time. We’re thankful for the thousands of #TeamBoeing employees, partners and suppliers who keep the Super Hornet modernized and evolving, delivering unmatched capabilities… pic.twitter.com/kRhpsJWmi1
— Boeing Defense (@BoeingDefense) December 1, 2025

Restructuring Naval Aviation
The Super Hornet program emerged when the McDonnell Douglas A-12 Avenger II Advanced Tactical Aircraft (ATA) was cancelled in 1991, and the Navy launched the Advanced-Attack (A-X) program while considering interim capabilities. For the latter, the service needed a rapid, politically feasible solution that avoided the risks associated with another clean-sheet design.
McDonnell Douglas proposed an enlarged, substantially redesigned evolution of the F/A-18C/D Hornet, large enough to fill the capability gap left by the Intruder, yet similar enough to leverage existing infrastructure, training pipelines, and maintenance regimes. This proposal, initially dubbed “Hornet II” and later “Hornet 2000,” offered the Navy reduced development risk and predictable cost, while still enabling meaningful capability growth.
A formation of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 31 “Dust Devils” aircraft, including an EA-18G Growler, AV-8B Harrier II+, an F/A-18F Super Hornet, and an F/A-18D Hornet, flies over Point Mugu’s Sea Range in Californati during a photo exercise. (Image credit: U.S. Navy)
Despite resistance in Congress and skepticism within parts of the naval aviation community, the Navy pursued the proposal and first ordered the new aircraft in 1992. The Navy Advanced Tactical Fighter (NATF) and the A-X programs were cancelled in 1992 and 1993, respectively, while production and upgrades to the F-14D Tomcat were cancelled in favor of the cheaper F/A-18E/F.
The redesign effort produced an aircraft that shared the Hornet’s name but little else beyond basic configuration principles. In fact, the Super Hornet was 25% larger, carried 33% more internal fuel, had 50% longer range, incorporated a completely new wing, and adopted new intakes, avionics architecture, and survivability features.
November 29, 1995
The first F/A-18E prototype took to the air on Nov. 29, 1995, flown by McDonnell Douglas test pilot Fred Madenwald. The flight was a symbolic milestone for a program that many had questioned just a few years earlier.
The aircraft was first christened Super Hornet during the rollout on Sept. 18, 1995. The first prototype was followed by a second F/A-18E which first flew a month later, on Dec. 26, and the first twin-seater F/A-18F on Apr. 1, 1996.
The first flight of the F/A-18E Super Hornet on Nov. 29, 1995. (Image credit: McDonnell Douglas)
The aircraft represented a shift in U.S. Navy procurement strategy, with a cautious: evolutionary approach instead of revolutionary as initially intended with the A-12, A-X and NATF. The service was confident in the jet’s capabilities, and the Super Hornet first landed on a carrier in 1997, quickly moving into production.
Following the Boeing–McDonnell Douglas merger in 1997, the program transitioned under Boeing’s leadership.
Developmental Challenges and Carrier Suitability
As with any major tactical aircraft program, issues emerged early in testing. The most notable was the “wing drop” phenomenon – an uncommanded roll (up to 40 degrees) during high angles of attack caused by airflow separation. Engineers resolved the problem through a combination of leading-edge stall strips, wing refinements and flight control software updates.
Another problem was the risk of interference of the payload with the airframe. The pylons were then canted around 3.5 degrees to provide more space and safety margin between the engines’ air inlets and the pylons.
An F/A-18F Super Hornet, from the “Fighting Redcocks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22, prepares to make an arrested gear landing on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). [Author’s note: the aircraft is in the “Five Wet” configuration with four 480 gallon external fuel tanks under the wings and a centerline hose-and-drogue “buddy” refueling pod]  (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jared Mancuso)Carrier trials began in January 1997 aboard USS John C. Stennis with a two-week period of initial sea trials. The Super Hornet made its first carrier landing and catapult launch on Jan. 18.
Fleet Introduction and Operational Debut
The first operational squadron, VFA-115 “Eagles,” declared Initial Operational Capability (IOC) in September 2001. Less than a year later, in July 2002, the unit deployed for the type’s first operational cruise aboard USS Abraham Lincoln.
Few months later, in November, the Super Hornet made combat debut with a strike against hostile targets in Iraq’s no-fly zone as part of Operation Southern Watch. The deployment also validated the aircraft’s expanded payload flexibility and greater endurance, bringing a significantly more capable strike fighter into the fleet during the opening phase of the Global War on Terror.
From that point onward, carrier air wings transitioned rapidly, with units on both the East and West coast transitioning to the new aircraft as the F-14, A-6 Intruder and S-3 Viking were gradually phased out.
Two U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet fly in formation after receiving fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker over Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve Oct 17, 2016. The KC-135 provides the core aerial refueling capability for the U.S. Air Force and has excelled in this role for more than 50 years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Douglas Ellis/Released)
By the mid-2000s, the Super Hornet had become the dominant strike fighter aboard U.S. carriers. As a multi-role fighter, the Super Hornet took over a large share of precision-strike, ISR, and tanker duties.
Block II – AESA and the Maturation of the Platform
In 2001, the Navy introduced the Super Hornet’s Block II, which transformed the jet into a technologically modern multirole fighter. This incorporated a number of capabilities-enhancing technologies which made the Block II earn a reputation as the backbone of the Navy’s carrier air wing and a workhorse within the fleet.
Among the most important enhancements were the AN/APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, improved sensors and avionics, increased range, and capability to employ an arsenal of precision weapons. These were installed thanks to an open mission systems architecture, enabling ease of integration for new weapons and technology systems.
EA-18G Growler – A New Electronic Attack Backbone
One of the Super Hornet program’s most consequential derivatives is the EA-18G Growler. The twin-seater aircraft, designed to replace the quad-seater EA-6B Prowler, first flew on Aug. 15, 2006.
Two EA-18G Growlers flying in formation. The aircraft in the foreground carries the Next-Generation Jammer pod. (Image credit: RTX)
The Growler notably integrated the ALQ-218 receiver suite and ALQ-99 jamming pods, with the latter also used by the EA-6B. The Initial Operational Capability was achieved in December 2009.
The aircraft rapidly became the world’s most advanced tactical electronic attack platform. The Growler completed the United States’ Suppression of Enemy Air Defense (SEAD) triad, which also includes the F-16CM Block 50/52 Fighting Falcon and the EA-37B Compass Call.
Like the Super Hornet, the Growler continues to evolve. Among the main upgrades are the Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band (NGJ-MB) and Low-Band (NGJ-LB) set to replace legacy systems across the next decade.
Operational Use
The Super Hornet has now participated in nearly every major U.S. carrier deployment since 2002. Its missions have included operations in Afghanistan and Iraq during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, in Libya during Operation Odyssey Dawn and Unified Protector, in the Middle East during Operation Inherent Resolve, as well as routine missions in the Indo-Pacific.
File photo of an F/A-18F Super Hornet launching an AGM-158C LRASM during a test event in 2019. (Photo: NAVAIR)
International Use
Australia became the first export customer for the Super Hornet family, purchasing 24 F/A-18F aircraft and later 12 EA-18G Growlers. These aircraft allowed the Royal Australian Air Force to retire the F-111 and maintain a credible strike capability until the arrival of the F-35A.
The RAAF continues to operate both types, with the fleet undergoing upgrades aligned with U.S. Navy modernization timelines. Among these is the integration of the new AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM).
A second operator is Kuwait, which ordered 28 Super Hornets in 2018, including 22 single-seater F/A-18Es and six twin-seater F/A-18Fs. The first Kuwaiti Super Hornet flew for the first time in 2020, with the deliveries reportedly completed in 2021.
Few details are available, but it was reported that the aircraft were transferred by Boeing to the U.S. Navy for custody ahead to their handover to Kuwait. It appears the handover has not yet taken place because of ongoing infrastructure upgrades at Ahmed Al-Jaber Air Base and logistical changes, and is now expected for 2026.
A No. 1 Squadron F/A-18F Super Hornet over Brisbane for Sunsuper Riverfire 2019 while crowds on apartment balconies look on. (Image credit: RAAF).
Block III
As the airframe approached mid-life, the U.S. Navy initiated the Block III upgrade. The upgrade, featuring a renewed cockpit, new computing architecture and network infrastructure, as well as the possibility – later dismissed – to add conformal fuel tanks, has been developed to extend the fleet’s service life and relevance.
The key capabilities made available by the new variant include an Advanced Cockpit System centered around the 10×19 inch large-area touchscreen display, an advanced network infrastructure that incorporates the Distributed Targeting Processor Network (DTP-N) and the Tactical Targeting Network Technology (TTNT), open mission systems, reduced radar signature, a 10,000-hour airframe, the AN/ASG-34 IRST (Infrared Search-and-Track) and the provisions for Conformal Fuel Tanks (CFT) with an additional 3,500 lb fuel capacity.
The Navy is currently receiving new-build Block III jets while also upgrading select Block II aircraft. The Block III upgrades will be applied as part of the Service Life Modernization program, which will add 4,000 flight hours to the service life of the already delivered Super Hornets.
The first phase of the SLM program has already been in motion for some years, extending the service life of the Super Hornet from 6,000 to 7,500 flight hours, while the second phase, started in 2023, is looking to extend the service life to 10,000 flight hours and perform the modifications required for the Block III upgrades.
F/A-18 Block III takes off from Lambert Field. (Image credit: Boeing)
The Super Hornet at 30
Three decades after the first prototype flew, the F/A-18E/F is still central to U.S. Naval Aviation. The U.S. Navy has announced on Aug. 1, 2025, that the F/A-18 and EA-18G aircraft fleet has surpassed 12 million flight hours since the introduction in the 1980s.
This important achievement now cements even more the fleet’s status as one of the most enduring families of aircraft in modern naval aviation, which have served as the backbone of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aerial branches for decades. The Navy today has around 550 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and 150 EA-18G Growlers in service, together with 180 F/A-18A/C/D “Legacy” Hornets used by the U.S. Marine Corps.
The aircraft is expected to serve into the early 2040s alongside the F-35C Lightning II and future F/A-XX family of systems. Even as the Navy transitions toward sixth-generation concepts and distributed maritime operations, the Super Hornet remains a key enabler for long-range strike, maritime interdiction, air defense, and networked warfare across carrier strike groups.

Lt. Col. William “Skate” Parks earned the nation’s third-highest combat decoration for guiding his F-16 flight through a deadly barrage of surface-to-air missiles during a SEAD mission in Yemen.Lt. Col. William “Skate” Parks, former commander of the 480th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, was awared the Silver Star Medal for his actions during a mission in March 2025. Although the U.S. Air Force statement does not reveal the location of the mission, its timeline aligns with known operations from the U.S. campaign against the Houthis. The decoration, presented at the Pentagon by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, recognizes Parks’ valor and leadership while leading a large strike package into one of the most heavily defended areas of the conflict. He was also awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service during the same deployment.
According to the U.S. Air Force, the mission took place on Mar. 27, 2025, within the U.S. Central Command area of operations. Parks was the mission commander for a package of 21 aircraft assigned to strike ballistic missile production facilities (operated by Houthi forces). Flying a four-ship formation of F-16CM jets in SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses) role, his task was to suppress and destroy enemy air defenses to clear the way for the follow-on strike elements.
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach presents the Silver Star Medal to Lt. Col. William Parks during a ceremony at the Pentagon, Arlington, Va., Nov. 26, 2025. Parks also received the Bronze Star Medal during the ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Stuart Bright)
As the formation entered the engagement zone, surface-to-air missile batteries and anti-aircraft artillery opened fire from multiple sites. Parks deliberately positioned his flight within the threat envelope to protect other aircraft in the package and to neutralize the air defenses that posed the greatest risk to the mission. For nearly 15 minutes, his flight was exposed to a dense network of radar-guided and infrared threats, with at least one missile detonating only a few meters from his jet. Throughout the engagement, Parks maintained command and control of the entire strike force while directing evasive maneuvers, employing countermeasures, and ensuring deconfliction among the supporting aircraft.
At a critical stage of the mission, with his formation low on fuel deep inside enemy territory, Parks coordinated an emergency aerial refueling under combat conditions. The official release notes that this prevented the potential loss of two aircraft. Despite the sustained enemy fire and the challenging fuel situation, the mission achieved its objective and crippled key ballistic missile infrastructure. The citation credits Parks for courageous and steady actions that directly contributed to the survival of his wingmen and the success of the operation.
Two U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons return from a training sortie during Exercise Spears of Victory, at King Abdulaziz Air Base, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 27, 2025. In an air-to-surface role, the F-16 can fly more than 500 miles, deliver its weapons with superior accuracy, defend itself against enemy aircraft, and return to its starting point.. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shaei Rodriguez)
According to the U.S. Air Force: “Parks has been credited with six aerial victories protecting the lives of more than 5,000 Sailors aboard the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), and he personally defended against five deadly surface-to-air missile engagements targeting his aircraft.”
The deployment of the 480th EFS, based at Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany, was part of a broader effort by the U.S. Air Force to counter the growing drone and missile threat across the region. Interestingly, during its 8-month rotation, the squadron recorded 108 aerial kills against unmanned aerial systems and cruise missiles. As noted in previous analyses, recent U.S. and allied operations over the Middle East showed somewhat a return to high-threat airspace environments similar to those seen in earlier conflicts where the combination of integrated air defense systems, long-range missile launches, and persistent drone attacks represent a complex testbed for modern suppression and strike tactics requiring frontline units to adapt to the realities of twenty-first century air warfare. As previously reported by The Aviationist, the 480th employed a combination of weapons such as AIM-9M Sidewinders and, above all, the AGR-20F laser-guided rockets to engage these targets in a cost-effective way, saving millions of dollars in munitions while refining new air-to-air tactics for drone defense.
In fact, the U.S. Air Force F-16s deployed to the CENTCOM (Central Command) AOR (Area of Responsibility) have been employing the APKWS II in the air-to-air role against Houthi projectiles over the Red Sea since 2024. The service previously announced in 2019 that the APKWS II was tested in the air-to-air role.
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Garrett Holloway 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron crew chief, and Capt. “Donkey” Conger, 480th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron F-16 pilot, perform a function check on an F-16 Fighting Falcon before the start of a training mission during Exercise Spears of Victory, at King Abdulaziz Air Base, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 27, 2025. U.S. Air Forces Central is on the U.S. Air Force’s cutting edge – shaping how the U.S. and Coalition will fight in a modern, contested environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shaei Rodriguez)
The Silver Star, the third-highest U.S. military decoration for valor, is rarely awarded within the Air Force. Gen. Wilsbach highlighted this during the ceremony by noting the very small number of Silver Stars that have been presented in the service’s history.

I’ve got a confession to make. Even though my mom thinks that my computer skills are of almost mythical proportions, the truth is far from it. Not that I am completely illiterate. I can work my way around my laptop, I can even program the MCP onboard a Boeing 737. But ask me to code anything, and I will give you a look of confusion, shame, and perhaps a healthy dose of fear.When I recently joined Flightradar24, a colleague asked me a few days in if I’d had the time to use the Flightradar24 API? “No, I’m not that good…

Aircrew TeB meeting 2026/01 – Meeting of the EASA Member States’ Advisory Body This is the first Aircrew Technical Body (TeB) Meeting in 2026 (Meeting of the EASA Member States’ Advisory Body).Learn more about the EASA Advisory Bodies. Jennifer Grochowski Tue, 02/12/2025 – 15:24

FSTD Expert Group (FEG) Meeting 2026-01 This is the first FSTD Expert Group (FEG) meeting in 2026, open for participation to FSTD experts representing Competent Authorities Jennifer Grochowski Tue, 02/12/2025 – 15:36

Medical TeB meeting 2026/01 – Meeting of the EASA Member States’ Advisory Body This is the first Medical Technical Body (TeB) Meeting in 2026 (Meeting of the EASA Member States’ Advisory Body).  Learn more about the EASA Advisory Bodies. Jennifer Grochowski Tue, 02/12/2025 – 17:12

Austria acquired 12 Leonardo M-346FA aircraft in a deal worth €1.5 billion, with deliveries starting in 2028.The Austrian Ministry of Defense has finalized the acquisition of the Leonardo M-346FA aircraft. The development follows the Government-to-Government agreement with Italy signed in May 2025 and a Letter of Intent in December 2024.
The Deal
The acquisition of the M-346FA will allow the Austrian Air Force to fill the gap left by the retirement of the Saab 105 retired in 2020 after 50 years of service. The aircraft will be stationed at Linz-Hörsching Air Base, the same base where the Saab 105s were previously assigned and served as elementary jet trainers with the Fliegerregiment 3, with the deliveries starting in 2028.
The MoD says the unit price of the aircraft is €80 million, while the entire package, including armament, simulator, training, and maintenance, costs around €1.5 billion. Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner explained the M-346 will be used both as an operational aircraft and as a training aircraft.
Tanner and the Minister for Economy Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer said the purchase represents a step forward in both security policy and economics improving operational readiness while simultaneously generating industrial value in the country. In fact, parallel to the M-346 acquisition, an industrial agreement signed with Italy is expected to generate around €400 million in orders for Austria.
The M-346FA loaded with inert IRIS-T and Derby air-to-air missiles. (Image credit: Leonardo)
Two-Fleet Strategy
According to the MoD’s press release, the acquisition of the M-346 will allow to implement the long-standing goal of the two-fleet strategy. As part of this strategy, Austria will operate two complementary systems, the Eurofighter for airspace surveillance and the lighter M-346FA for training, lower-intensity missions, and relieving the high-performance fleet.
The MoD also noted that this will also allow to restart pilot training in Austria. In fact, as we previously reported here at The Aviationist, with the phase out of the Saab 105, the Austrian Air Force lost the jet training capability, which led to the service sending student pilots to Italy and Germany to train.
With the arrival of the new M-346s in 2028, the training of Austrian pilots can once again be conducted entirely domestically. “This increases availability, reduces costs in the long term, and strengthens operational sovereignty,” says the MoD.
Austrian Procurement
In September 2024, Austrian Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner mentioned that Austria was considering a joint purchase of M-346 jet trainers with Italy. The initial reports mentioned that Austria was looking for an aircraft which could be employed not only for training, but also for air surveillance and defense, complementing the Eurofighters.
An M-346 assigned to the International Flight Training School in Italy. (Image credit: Stefano D’Urso/The Aviationist)
With the agreement signed in May 2025, Austria said it would acquire the Leonardo M-346FA, the light fighter variant of the M-346 Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT). The choice of the FA variant allows to have a combat-capable aircraft which still retains the full dual role capability of the AJT version.
According to the document released by the Italian Ministry of Defense, the package requested by Austria includes:

12 M-346FAs, plus 12 more on option in two batches of six aircraft;
Full Mission Simulator (FMS), Unit Level Training Device (ULTD), Computer Based Training (CBT) and Simulation Based Training (SBT) for pilots;
Live Virtual Constructive (LVC) capability;
Eight Role Equipment kits for the FA configuration;
12 Helmet Mounted Devices (HMD);
12 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Interrogators;
Link 16 and IRIS-T Integration;
Eight Nexter NC621 20mm gun pods and 16 LAU-32 7-round rocket launchers;
Eight Elbit SPEAR AECM pods.

While the intention to integrate the IRIS-T (InfraRed Imaging System Tail-Thrust Vector Controlled) short-range air-to-air missile on the M-346 was already known, the possible integration of an Electronic Counter Measures pod was mentioned in the past without referencing a specific system. Elbit says the SPEAR AECM pod is a modular solution that can provide Self-Protection, Electronic Attack and Reconnaissance capabilities with the use of Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM) and Solid State Phased Array (SSPA) transmitters.
An M-346 of the Italian Air Force captured mid-flight during a left turn, proudly displaying its Italian designation “T-346A” and the distinctive markings of the 61st Wing. (Image credit: Italian Air Force)
The M-346FA
The M-346 Master celebrated in 2024 the 20th anniversary since its first flight. The aircraft, considered by many as the most advanced jet trainer currently available, brought many new technologies to improve the training of future 4th and 5th gen fighter pilots, including the state-of-the-art Ground-Based Training System and the Live Virtual and Constructive (LVC) technologies.
In addition to its training variant, Leonardo has developed a combat-capable version of the aircraft called the M-346 FA (Fighter Attack), also known as Light Fighter Family of Aircraft (LFFA). The most visible differences from the standard AJT configuration are the two wingtip missile rails, that bring the total hardpoints to seven, new antennas and the Defensive Aid Sub System (DASS).
The M-346FA variant is designed to retain the full dual role capability of the AJT version, already in service with the Italian, Israeli, Polish and Singapore Air Forces, while incorporating also some new features like a tactical data link, Grifo-346 mechanical scan, multi-mode radar, new secure radios and IFF system (Identification Friend or Foe), and a stronger airframe.
The aircraft, which is being proposed for Homeland Defence/Air Policing, Slow Mover Intercept, Close Air Support (CAS), Counter INsurgency (COIN), Forward Air Controller – Airborne (FAC-A), Combat Search And Rescue (CSAR), Interdiction, Battlefield Air Interdiction (BAI), Tactical Air Support for Maritime Operations (TASMO) and Tactical Reconnaissance roles, can carry more than 2,000 kg of weapons.
Some of the armament options for the M-346FA. (Image credit: Leonardo)
M-346 Block 20
Leonardo also announced at the 2024 Farnborough International Air Show the launch of a comprehensive capability enhancement package for the M-346. This major upgrade comes as the M-346 fleet surpassed 100,000 flight hours as well as ten years of service.
Both M-346 AJT (Advanced Jet Trainer) training and M-346 LFFA (Light Fighter Family of Aircraft) fighter variants will benefit from these enhancements for a wide spectrum of applications, while implying significant margin for further developments in the future. Leonardo said that ‘M-346 T Block 20’ and ‘M-346 F Block 20’ are the designations for the new standard of both aircraft.
The Block 20 standard cockpit will be completely renewed, featuring two Large Area Displays (LAD), one per each seat, replacing the existing six Multi-Functional Displays (MFD), plus a low-profile Head-Up Display (HUD). These will be combined with a new digital video and data recorder and a new augmented reality Helmet Mounted Display (HMD).
The M-346 Block 20 will also benefit from new navigation, weapon management, flight management system, IFF (Identification of Friend or Foe) transponder. Specifically for the M-346 F variant, further critical capability enhancements include an AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar featuring fire control radar capability, integration of new weapons for both air-to-air and air-to-ground roles in addition to a built-in missile datalink.
The new cockpit of the M-346 Block 20. (Image credit: Leonardo)
It is being reported that Austria might be the first Block 20 customer. The Austrian acquisition is a joint procurement with Italy, which is acquiring 20 additional M-346s for the International Flight Training School and the Frecce Tricolori aerobatic team in the original configuration.
What future for the Eurofighters?
The acquisition of the M-346FA initially opened up to new questions regarding the controversial presence of the Eurofighter Typhoon in the Austrian Air Force. Austria selected the Typhoon over the Saab Gripen in 2022 to replace the Saab Draken which has been in service from 1988 to 2005.
The country initially decided to procure 18 Typhoons, but later reduced the order to 15 aircraft. The aircraft, however, are very basic, as during the renegotiation of the contract the country decided to acquire Tranche 1 jets (six of which were second-hand from the German Air Force) instead of the then more advanced Tranche 2 ones.
Among the reasons was the argument that the Typhoons would only be needed for peacetime air policing over neutral airspace. The aircraft have no air-to-ground capabilities and their only air-to-air weapons are the Mauser BK27 cannon and the IRIS-T infrared air-to-air missile, without beyond visual range weapons such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM.
An Austrian Eurofighter Typhoon. (Image credit: Stefano D’Urso/The Aviationist)
Austria later evaluated to get rid of the European fighter and replace it with a cheaper aircraft, even an armed trainer. For an instance, in 2020 reports mentioned negotiation to transfer the entire Austrian Typhoon fleet to Indonesia, although they never became reality.
While the Typhoon has been considered cheaper to acquire, with a total cost of about €2 billion, the MoD has argued that the high operating costs and lack of advanced capabilities, which were later introduced by other Typhoon operators, represent a critical problem.
Disposing of the aircraft was considered the most convenient option, and in 2017 the MoD even said it would have been €2 billion cheaper than upgrading the jet. Austria, however, still needs an aircraft for the air defense, as not being part of NATO preludes the country from requesting air policing support.
With the procurement of the M-346FA now finalized and the MoD mentioning that it reached its goal to implement a two-fleet strategy, it is clear that the Austrian Air Force has no intention to get rid of the Eurofighter.

Airbus A380-800s to the Japanese capital. Etihad Airways has announced the commencement of flights between Abu Dhabi and Tokyo Narita using Airbus A380 aircraft as of June 16th, 2026, replacing the Airbus A350-1000s which currently operate this service. Its Airbus A380s are configured with 2 seats in The Residence®, 9 seats in First, 70 seats in Business, and 405 seats in Economy, for a total of 486 seats. Meanwhile, its A350-1000s have a capacity for 371 passengers. Daily EY 800  Abu Dhabi AUH 21:05 · 11:40+1 NRT Tokyo EY 801  Tokyo NRT 17:20 · 00:40+1 AUH Abu Dhabi   Current schedules…

Be seen and be aware – Publication of New Technical Specification ADS-L 4 SRD860 Issue 2 The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is pleased to announce the publication of the new technical specification ADS-L 4 SRD860 Issue 2, now available under the Downloads section of the ED Decision 2022/024/R. Jennifer Grochowski Mon, 01/12/2025 – 12:51

The Air Force’s 15th F-15EX could be the first delivered to after the three-month strike at the St. Louis plant impacted production of the Eagle II and the F/A-18 Super Hornet Block III.Boeing announced on Nov. 26, 2025, the delivery of a new F-15EX Eagle II fighter to the 142nd Wing of the Portland ANGB (Air National Guard Base), Oregon. The aircraft, tail number 21-0015, is the 142nd Wing’s eight F-15EX, Boeing said.
“This delivery reflects close collaboration between production, test, logistics, and the Oregon Air National Guard – a true team achievement,” commented the company. This possibly marks the resumption of deliveries of the F-15EX, following the end of the workers’ strike at the Boeing factory at St. Louis, Missouri, that had considerably affected production and timelines.
Portland ANGB is the F-15EX’s first operational location, and received its first F-15EX on Jun. 6, 2024. That aircraft, serial 20-0008, was the first of 18 scheduled to arrive there.
The Air Force has so far received six F-15EXs part of Lot 2, according to an Oct. 9, 2025, Air and Space Forces Magazine report that quoted then incoming USAF chief Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach’s testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee.

15 never looked this good!
F-15 EX15 has officially joined the @142ndWG Oregon Air National Guard as their eighth #F15EX. This delivery reflects close collaboration between production, test, logistics, and the Oregon @AirNatlGuard — a true team achievement. pic.twitter.com/XbvcBPd0Fk
— Boeing Defense (@BoeingDefense) November 25, 2025

Air Force F-15EX plans
The Air Force’s current plan spells out a need for 129 F-15EXs, of which 126 expected by the end of 2030. This plan is already “nine months behind schedule,” according to a recent unclassified report by the service to the Congress about which we reported here at The Aviationist.
Among the reasons for that delay were the labor strikes at Boeing’s plant at St. Louis, Missouri, which at the time of our report had been on for over 12 weeks and had impacted production of both the F-15EX and F/A-18 Super Hornet Block III.
The strike ended on Nov. 13, 2025, The Missouri Independent reported. “About 3,200 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers voted to approve Boeing’s latest offer by a 68% margin, after rejecting the company’s previous four offers,” TMI said.
The first F-15EX lands at Portland Air National Guard Base. (Image credit: Oregon ANG)
Boeing’s Vice President for Fighters Mark Sears told Breaking Defense the company expects the F-15 production line to be active well into the next decade, with the aircraft operating through the 2050s, while the company plans to “double output to 24 aircraft in the coming years.” This means its present capacity is 12 airframes annually.
F-15EX deliveries
According to the ASF report, which quoted Wilsbach speaking about the delay in the F-15EX deliveries due to the strike to lawmakers, the strike “will also affect deliveries to overseas locations in 2026.” Wilsbach was referring to Kadena Air Base, Japan, which was set to receive the F-15EXs in the next spring.
Kadena’s 18th Wing operated the F-15C/D Eagle for 45 years with the 44th and 67th Fighter Squadrons, and flew the final operational flight with that type on Jan. 24, 2025. The unit is set to receive F-15EX Eagle IIs as replacements, and on Jul. 12, 2025, saw two Eagle IIs from Eglin AFB’s 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron arrive at Kadena to aid in the preparations.

R5Ⅱの嘉手納デビューがこれでした。Jul.12,2025 Kadena Air Base DNA/RODNUSAF 53WG 85TES “Flying Skulls” F-15E/[SJ]Seymour Johnson AFB pic.twitter.com/GCiCLDePZz
— ASCOT (@ascot110) July 12, 2025

In a press release, the 18th Wing said the goal of this short-term visit was to conduct integration and familiarization training with local units, preparing Kadena’s personnel for the arrival and future sustainment of the F-15EX in Spring 2026.
Capabilities
Before the lawmakers, Wilsbach said how the F-15EX will have “the capability to carry weapons that very few other platforms do.” These include “very long-range weapons, perhaps hypersonic weapons, that don’t fit in the internal weapons bay of our fifth- and future sixth-generation aircraft.”
Wilsbach was possibly referring to the Air Force’s hypersonic weapons, as in the past the aircraft was evaluated as a possible launch platform for the AGM-183 ARRW (Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon). The weapon is currently being tested on the B-52H Stratofortress.
Another weapon which might end up on the Eagle II could be the AIM-260 JATM (Joint Advanced Tactical Missile), which in the future is meant to supplement the most advanced variants of the AIM-120 AMRAAM (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile). The weapon began development in 2017 to match the nearly 300 km ranges of the Russian R-37 and the Chinese PL-15 missiles.

A U.S. Air Force F-15EX Eagle II flies over the Gulf of America. (tsgt jacob stephens) pic.twitter.com/Qy1ijDVs0n
— J.J. (@kadonkey) November 15, 2025

Wilsbach also praised the F-15, drawing from his tenure as a former operational Eagle pilot. According to ASF, he described the aircraft as “an incredible workhorse” and argued that it, along with its fellow fourth-generation fighter – the F-16, “brings a lot of capability.”
The F-15EX Eagle II, derived from the advanced F-15QA and which also has many commonalities with the F-15C, was developed in response to the evolving threats highlighted by the National Defense Strategy, amid a return to a possible conventional war with peer rivals China and Russia. The F-15EX incorporates exclusive U.S.-specific features, such as the AN/ALQ-250 Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS) and the Open Mission Systems (OMS) architecture, enhancing its electronic warfare and surveillance capabilities.
The Eagle II will also be more suited for heavier missile truck roles while undertaking teaming tactics with advanced Gen. 5 jets like the F-22 and the F-35. Renditions of some CCAs, like the MQ-28 Ghost Bat, have also been shown flying alongside the Eagle II, whose dual seat and current generation of electronics will be more suited to control collaborative UCAVs.

As part of the Talon Repair, Inspection and Maintenance program, T-38s will be inducted at Fleet Readiness Center Southeast to extend their operational life.The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) announced that the first T-38 Talon of the U.S. Air Force arrived at the Navy’s Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) on Nov. 24, 2025, for overhaul and repair. The collaboration comes as part of the ongoing Talon Repair, Inspection and Maintenance (TRIM) program.
TRIM
The TRIM program was launched by the Air Force to inspect and replace key structural components across the entire T-38 fleet. The goal is to extend the operational life of the aircraft by five to ten years, allowing it to serve until the new T-7 Red Hawk is declared operational.
Currently, the service performs the bulk of T-38 TRIM repairs at its aviation depot facility at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. In August 2024, Air Force representatives from the T-38 Program Office reached out to the Navy’s FRCSE to see if it could take a portion of the workload.
“When the Air Force asked us if we could support working on their T-38s, our team took a hard look at it and agreed we could assist,” said Capt. Mike Windom, FRCSE commanding officer. “Taking on this workload is another testament to our workforce’s commitment to doing whatever it takes to support our nation’s warfighters.”
The choice of the FRCSE as partner in this effort is not casual. In fact, its seasoned artisans already have a wide range of experience working on a very similar aircraft, the F-5 Tiger II, which is used by the Navy as an aggressor aircraft.
An Air Force T-38 Talon taxis to an aircraft shelter at the Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE). (U.S. Navy photo by Toiete Jackson)
Obviously, the T-38 and the F-5 are not the same, but they possess enough similarities that some of the tools and support equipment can be used on both airframes. This gives the F-5 artisans a leg up in starting their work on T-38, says NAVAIR.
“We discovered that while the F-5 and T-38 share similarities, they can also differ significantly, which requires us to be cautious to avoid confusion,” said Steve Clayton, FRCSE’s F-5/T-38 ground check supervisor.
Working in collaboration with the Navy will allow the Air Force to speed up the TRIM effort. This is critical as the T-38 is becoming increasingly old, being first fielded in 1961 in the T-38A variant and later converted to the newer T-38C.
“The Air Force has approximately of 270 aircraft they need to perform the TRIM package on by 2030, with the goal being 50 inductions per year,” said Paul Skinner, an FRCSE business management specialist. “FRCSE is going to take on a portion of those aircraft inductions to help them reach that goal.”
While the first aircraft only arrived this month at the Navy’s depot, preparations were ongoing for a while. In fact, since August 2024, more than 160 process engineers, logisticians, components and manufacturing experts, production leaders and support personnel from FRCSE have been working together and with Air Force representatives to ensure the command had the necessary support equipment, technical data, software and qualifications to ensure the command was prepared to work on the new airframe.
An Air Force T-38 Talon arrives at Fleet Readiness Center Southeast for overhaul and repair, as part of the Talon Repair, Inspection, and Maintenance program (TRIM). (U.S. Navy photo by Toiete Jackson)
Additionally, FRCSE personnel made several visits to both Air Force and NASA T-38 repair sites to see maintenance and repair operations firsthand. In fact, NASA also uses the T-38 for the training of its pilots and astronauts.
“During the visit to El Paso to visit the NASA facility, their sheet metal mechanics were especially helpful,” said Troy James, an FRCSE sheet metal mechanic. “They took the time to walk me through several areas of the aircraft, explain component layouts and share practical knowledge of their day-to-day work.”
Then, in October 2025, Naval Air Systems Command, Maryland, designated FRCSE as a secondary Depot Source of Repair for the T-38, which authorized the command to perform the requested repair work.
“There’s been a lot of work put into getting to this point,” said Skinner. “We submitted over 180 pieces of support equipment to our manufacturing and plant services departments for them to make from scratch to ensure our artisans have the right equipment. This included things such as wiring harnesses, fixtures, and installation and removal tools.”
T-38 Talon
The Northrop T-38 Talon is a two-seat, twin-engine, supersonic advanced jet training aircraft used by the U.S. Air Force and several other forces. The aircraft first flew in 1959 and was the first-ever supersonic trainer aircraft.
Northrop T-38C Talon, serial #66-4327, of the 50th Flying Training Squadron, 14th Flying Training Wing, Columbus AFB, Mississippi, wearing ‘CB’ tailcode. This jet is being piloted by Capt. Dalton ‘Rico’ Collins, a T-35C Instructor Pilot. Photographed on May 29, 2025. (© Greg L. Davis)
The Talon is used in the advanced phases of pilot training. In fact, following the T-6 phase, student pilots enter specialized track-specific training, depending on the type aircraft they’ve been selected to fly, with the T-38 being used for those bound for fighter and bomber aircraft.
Although questions about the safety of the aging T-38 Talon fleet have surfaced in the wake of accidents, the aircraft has continued to serve as an advanced jet trainer. The T-38 is nearing retirement from active USAF trainer service and will be replaced by the new T-7A Redhawk advanced jet trainer built by Boeing.

More than 102 years ago, more precisely on May 23rd, 1923, the Societé anonyme belge d’Exploitation de la Navigation aérienne, known by its acronym Sabena, was founded by the Belgian government. Its first commercial flight took place on June 1st, 1923, connecting Brussels and London via Ostend. The airline later expanded its operations in Europe, reaching France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland before the 1930s. Image: SDASM Archives – Wikimedia Commons The beginnings In addition to the European footprint in its early days, the idea of starting flights to Africa was always on the table, operating within its colonies. By…

Given how speed and efficiency is a crucial component of its DNA, the aviation industry can be surprisingly slow in embracing new concepts and technology. But behind the scenes of air traffic control, a silent revolution is underway. Meet Point Merge, a sophisticated yet simple air traffic management technique that’s quietly transforming how the world’s busiest airports handle their arrival flows. Traffic arriving into Istanbul (IST) using Point Merge sequencing. What is Point Merge? In 2006, bright minds (we assume) at the Eurocontrol Experimental Centre developed Point Merge, a conceptual sequencing technique to simplify and enhance arrival operations. The traditional…

This book recounts the extraordinary life of a pilot and a great figure in the military: Ramon Josa. Spain then France, the sea then the skies! Born on the other side of the Pyrenees, the young Ramon Josa arrived in France at the age of two as a refugee, with the Spanish Civil War raging at full force. The year was 1938, and this stay in France would end up lasting quite a while for the young man, who would soon become a naturalized French citizen. Two decades later, in the mid-1950s, he became a quartermaster mechanic on the aircraft…

EASA issues Emergency Airworthiness Directive for Airbus 320 family EASA has issued an Emergency Airworthiness Directive (EAD) for the Airbus A320 family to address a susceptibility introduced by a software update in one of its onboard computers. The EAD addresses an issue which manifested itself in an event on JetBlue flight 1230 on October 30, 2025. These measures may cause short-term disruption to flight schedules and therefore inconvenience to passengers. However as is always the case in aviation, safety is paramount. Full text https://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/2025-0268-E. Janet Northcote Fri, 28/11/2025 – 19:57

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Ian is joined by aviation journalist Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren to discuss a trio of recently released preliminary accident reports. UPS flight 2976 — MD-11F crash on take off in Louisville Emergency Airworthiness Directive regarding MD-11s Emergency Airworthiness Directive regarding DC-10s United Airlines flight 1093 — impact with object at 36,000 feet airACT 747-400F runway excursion in Hong Kong Plus, Jason reports in from Seoul, South Korea where he’s joined by Seth Miller. They chat about their very different methods of getting from the US to Seoul this week and Seth’s quest to achieve the JetBlue…

Another aviation legend! A look back at the career of a French aviation pioneer who has been somewhat forgotten by history… Alongside names such as Blériot, Lindbergh, Earhart, Saint-Exupéry, and many others, some names in aviation are less well known, a century after the first records and other crossings (New York–Paris for Lindbergh in 1927, for example) that marked the epic history of aeronautics. This is somewhat the case with Joseph Le Brix, famous in his day but whose memory has gradually faded from the collective consciousness over the years. Justice is partially done with this book, which recounts the…

In late September, Lufthansa unveiled a special 100th anniversary livery on one of its new 787s. The livery features a deep blue background with a white crane across the fuselage that blends into the wings. On the left side of the fuselage is painted a large “100,” and on the right side, “1926-2026,” to mark the airline’s centenary. This week, the airline announced that it would feature this special livery on not one, but six aircraft. In addition to the already painted Boeing 787-9, Lufthansa will also paint an Airbus A320neo, A350-900, A350-1000, A380, and Boeing 747-8I. Tracking Lufthansa’s special 100th…

Founded in 2022, Utrecht based Rotate describes itself as “the go-to team in the air-cargo industry”. Rotate helps their clients make sense of the fast-moving world of air cargo, capturing the status and cargo metrics of more than 500,000 flights a week. Their client portfolio spans everything from airlines in need of quality benchmark data for competitive analysis, to freight forwarders who arrange transportation of cargo. A key ingredient that underpins this work is real-time flight-tracking and aircraft activity data from Flightradar24. “We chose to work with Flightradar24 for two main reasons. For starters, they offer the biggest data set…

A New Era of Sovereign AI: Dassault Systèmes and Mistral AI Deepen Their Partnership

EASA publishes updated Easy Access Rules for Aircrew The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has published a new revision of the Easy Access Rules for Aircrew (Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011). This Revision from November 2025 contains: Jennifer Grochowski Wed, 26/11/2025 – 15:43

French Polynesia, officially known in French as Polynésie Française or Porinetia Farani in Reo Tahiti (Tahitian), is located in Oceania. The archipelago is made up of 118 islands and atolls, many of them having air connectivity within the French overseas collectivity. Faa’a International Airport (PPT/NTAA) is the main airport in French Polynesia, situated in Papeete, the territorial capital. The runway, with heads 04/22, is 3,420 meters long, about 11,420 feet, and receives wide-body aircraft from foreign airlines such as Air New Zealand, Hawaiian, and United, as well as French and French Polynesian airlines including Air France, French Bee, and Air…

(Meudon – Saint Cloud, 25/11/2025) – Dassault Aviation and Thales, through cortAIx, its artificial intelligence (AI) accelerator, have entered into a strategic partnership for the development of controlled and supervised AI for defence aeronautics. This partnership was signed on 18 November by Eric Trappier, Chairman & CEO of Dassault Aviation, and Patrice Caine, Chairman & CEO of Thales. The announcement was made on Tuesday 25 November at the Grand Palais in Paris, during the International Adopt AI Summit organised under the patronage of the French President. Dassault Aviation, an architect of collaborative air combat systems, and cortAIx, Thales’ trusted AI…

SmartLynx Airlines (6Y-ART), has announced it will halt all commercial operations as of November 24, 2025. The announcement follows a review of the company’s financial outlook and its ability to sustain long-term activity. The carrier described the choice as a “difficult but necessary step after exploring potential paths forward”.The news comes roughly a month after the airline changed ownership. Senior management, supported by an investment fund based in the Netherlands, had recently taken control of the Latvian business from its previous corporate parent. Despite that transition, the company entered a legal protection process in late October, signaling increasing financial pressure.…

A direct sequel to “Dark Star,” volume 17 of “Team Rafale” pits Tom Nolane and the French forces against a mysterious terrorist group. In the previous installment, Tom Nolane and his companions Tank and Dozer, stationed aboard the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, were tasked with finding a top-secret American reconnaissance aircraft that had disappeared in the waters of Bengal before another aircraft carrier became involved in the plot. In “Anarchy,” which follows on directly from the previous installment, Tom Nolane, recently rescued from the water by the crew of the “Charles de Gaulle,” alerts his superiors to the threat…

On Friday, 21 November 2025, the US FAA issued a security NOTAM cautioning civil aircraft operators about potential dangers in Venezuelan airspace. The FAA says the NOTAM is the result of increased GNSS interference in Venezuelan airspace and military drills beginning in September. US operators must now provide 72 hours prior notice to the FAA before flying through Venezuela. As part of an order issued in 2019, US airlines are already prohibited from flying to/from Venezuela. Flightradar24 GPS jamming map The new security NOTAM What is Venezuelan airspace? The FAA NOTAM covers the MAIQUETIA (SVZM) flight information region. Flight information…

On this episode of AvTalk, the Dubai Airshow wraps up with a long list of major orders and other announcements. The FAA cancels its cancellation order and air traffic in the US returns to pre-government shutdown levels. Plus, anti-GPS jamming technology is coming from Fokker Services in early 2026. We’re also joined by The Up Front editor-in-chief and Airbus A340-600 aficionado/historian John Walton for an in depth discussion on the development and staying power of Airbus’ longest airplane. AvTalk listeners have exclusive access to a special 24% off subscription rate to The Up Front. Helpful links for this week’s show…

The European Helicopter Community gathers in Cologne for the EASA Rotorcraft Symposium and European Rotors From November 17-20, 2025, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the European Helicopter Association (EHA) brought together regulators, industry leaders, operators and training organisations at the 2025 EASA Rotorcraft Symposium and EUROPEAN ROTORS 2025. The combination of both events provided a comprehensive platform to discuss safety, innovation and regulatory developments across the rotorcraft and VTOL domains. EASA Rotorcraft Symposium Jennifer Grochowski Fri, 21/11/2025 – 09:12

EASA hosting the ATM Training Team EASA hosted the 27th meeting of the Air Traffic Management (ATM) Training Team (ATT) on November 19-20, 2025, as part of the established collaboration between EASA and EUROCONTROL, Jennifer Grochowski Fri, 21/11/2025 – 09:34

Dubaï, UAE, 20 November 2025 – Dassault Aviation is expanding its network of strategic technology partners through a new collaboration with the Technology Innovation Institute and ASPIRE, subsidiaries of the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC). At Dubaï Airshow 2025, Dassault Aviation, together with TII, and ASPIRE signed a Strategic Cooperation Agreement to drive innovation in next-generation aeronautical products and solutions. This collaboration will focus on developing high-value technologies that advance the future of aerospace and defense. Key areas of innovation include stealth materials, autonomous sub-systems and AI-based functions for aircraft, radio frequency (RF)  measurement systems, communication and secure systems to…

Caidya Reimagines Next Generation Clinical Trial Innovation and Study Delivery with Medidata AI-Powered Experiences

The 20th edition of the Student Aerospace Challenge is officially open. The Challenge was created in 2006 on the initiative of the European Astronaut Club (Astronaute Club Européen, ACE). Its current industrial and institutional partners are: ArianeGroup, Dassault Aviation, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Air and Space Museum. It is open to all students from European countries that are members of the ESA and offers the opportunity to participate in the launch of a manned suborbital vehicle, propelling itself to an altitude of 100 km. The competition allows participants to study and explore different aspects of suborbital or…

Pilot, author, and screenwriter Frédéric Zumbiehl has been working for several years on the comic books “Team Rafale,” “Les Aventures de Buck Danny,” and “Les Chevaliers du ciel Tanguy et Laverdure.” He agreed to answer our questions. Hello Frédéric, after a career as a fighter pilot, what inspired you to become an author and comic book writer specializing in aviation? I’ve always loved reading! So the desire to write came naturally to me. I started by writing my first thriller about climate weapons and psychic powers, “Titan.” Then, by chance, I met the boss of Altipresse, Richard Delahaye, who commissioned…

The Hong Kong Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) has released its preliminary report on the airACT 747 freighter that veered off the runway on 20 October, striking a security vehicle and pushing it into the sea, killing both occupants. The 747 also went through the airport perimeter fence into the sea. The aircraft’s crew of four were able to safely evacuate, while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. As with all preliminary accident investigation reports, the AAIB only provides factual information. The final report, usually available approximately 12 months after an accident, will detail what investigators believe to be the probable…

National Cancer Institute Broadens Partnership with Medidata to Bring Unmatched Continuity of Medical and Clinical Data for Lead Protocol Organizations

Rafale International takes part in the EDEX 2025 (Egypt Defense Expo 2025) exhibition, from December 1 to 4, 2025, at the Egypt International Exhibition Center in New Cairo, Egypt. RAFALE INTERNATIONAL BOOTH 2 models (scale 1/5) : Rafale C, Rafale B 1 models (scale 1/10) : Falcon 2000MRA

Russia has delivered the first two Su‑57E Felon fifth-generation fighter jets to an undisclosed foreign customer, marking the first known export of the advanced stealth aircraft, according to statements made by Russian defense officials at the Dubai Airshow 2025. Vadim Badekha, CEO of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), confirmed the handover and stated that the […]

Look out for the new release! This is the first volume of “Corsaires du ciel”, set just a few months before a battle that would leave its mark on the French Army. This brand-new comic published by Éditions Paquet looks very promising, combining many of the ingredients of such a work on aviation: high-flying aerial scenes, of course, but also heroism, tension, rivalry… The plot takes place in the autumn of 1953, during the so-called Indochina War, in North Tonkin – the northern part of present-day Vietnam. At the time, French troops were battling with the men of a certain…

A Chinese aerospace startup has begun offering a low-cost loitering munition closely modeled on the American Switchblade drone for just $13,000, excluding the warhead, according to promotional materials and technical documentation reviewed by Defence Blog. ShenZhen SkyWing UAV Technology Co., a private Chinese drone company, has released details of its unnamed system, which it claims […]

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. has opened a new propulsion manufacturing facility in Auburn Hills, Michigan, aimed at accelerating production of its Spartan family of turbojet engines to meet growing U.S. defense demand for affordable, high-volume air power. The 22,500-square-foot facility includes office space, production lines, assembly areas, and a multi-station test cell designed […]

Russia has begun actively promoting an export version of its Forpost-R unmanned aircraft — a licensed copy of the Israeli IAI Searcher Mk II — at the Dubai Airshow 2025. The aircraft, manufactured by the Ural Civil Aviation Plant (UZGA), was presented publicly in its new export configuration known as Forpost‑RE. UZGA released a promotional […]

(Saint-Cloud, France, November 17, 2025) – Dassault Aviation would like to thank the Ukrainian and French authorities for the declaration of intent to acquire the Rafale fighter jet, which they have just signed, and for the confidence they have placed in the operational capabilities of this aircraft. About Dassault Aviation: With over 10,000 military and civil aircraft delivered in more than 90 countries over the last century, Dassault Aviation has built up expertise recognized worldwide in the design, production, sale and support of all types of aircraft, ranging from the Rafale fighter, to the high-end Falcon family of business jets,…