Air Platforms - latestdefencenews.com

March 9, 2026
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R&D

NATO Deploys AWACS for Inaugural Surveillance Flight in Finland’s Airspace

A NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft has completed its first operational mission within Finnish airspace, marking an important step in the alliance’s air surveillance activities...

March 9, 2026
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R&D

C-130J Autonomous Flight Program Reaches Preliminary Design Review Stage With Merlin

Merlin Labs has completed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for its autonomy system designed for the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft operated by the US Special Operations...

March 9, 2026
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R&D

Saab Considers Establishing Gripen Manufacturing in Portugal With Domestic Partner

Saab is looking to expand its industrial partnership with Portugal by considering local production of components for its Gripen fighter aircraft if Lisbon decides to replace its aging F-16...

March 8, 2026
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Procurement & Contracts

Turkey Could Station F-16 Jets in North Cyprus as Mideast Conflict Escalates

Turkey is exploring the deployment of General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets to Northern Cyprus as part of heightened security precautions, a source from the Turkish Ministry of...

March 7, 2026
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R&D

Switzerland Considers Reducing F-35 Fleet as It Reworks Defense Structure

Switzerland is reconsidering its fighter jet procurement plan and may purchase around 30 Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II aircraft instead of the originally planned 36 after price increases from...

March 6, 2026
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R&D

Embraer and Valkyrie Upgrade Super Tucano to Strengthen Counter-Drone Capabilities

A new collaboration between Embraer and Valkyrie Aero is set to give the Embraer A-29 Super Tucano a technological advantage in counter-drone warfare. The upgrade centers on Valkyrie’s Gunslinger...

March 6, 2026
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Procurement & Contracts

India Approves Major Procurement of 60 Military Transport Aircraft

The government of India has advanced plans to overhaul its tactical airlift fleet after the Defence Procurement Board approved a proposal to purchase 60 new transport aircraft for the...

March 5, 2026
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Procurement & Contracts

R4-Integration Secures $74M Contract to Upgrade USAF HC-130J BLOS Capability

The US Air Force has granted a $74-million contract to R4‑Integration to integrate Ku/Ka beyond line-of-sight communication systems across 39 HC‑130J Combat King II aircraft. Through the firm-fixed-price agreement,...

March 5, 2026
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R&D

US Air Force Plans Multi-Channel Radio Upgrade for HH-60W Rescue Helicopters

The US Air Force intends to modernize the communications system on its HH-60W Jolly Green II combat search-and-rescue helicopters by replacing the existing Link-16 TacNet Tactical Radio with a...

March 4, 2026
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Procurement & Contracts

Lockheed Martin Secures $1.9B Deal for C-130J Super Hercules Training Systems

Lockheed Martin has secured a contract valued at up to $1.9 billion to maintain and expand training systems supporting the C-130J Super Hercules fleet operated by the United States...