Defense News Aerospace 2026

Saha Expo 2026 International Defense Exhibition Turkey Istanbul

A U.S. Air Force HH-60W Jolly Green II is unloaded from a C-5 Super Galaxy at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, on June 10, 2026, marking its deployment to support combat rescue and crisis response missions in East Africa.

U.S. Air Force Deploys HH-60W Jolly Green II Rescue Helicopter to East Africa for First Time

30 Jun, 2026 - 18:10 | Defense News Aerospace 2026

The U.S. Air Force has deployed the HH-60W Jolly Green II combat rescue helicopter to East Africa for the first time, establishing a dedicated person…

Flying below tree height reduces exposure to distant observers and may limit detection from some ground sensors, but it also places the pilot in the densest obstacle layer of the battlefield, which includes power lines, telephone cables, tree branches, or poles. (Picture source: TASS)

Russia wants to train FPV drone operators to pilot new micro-helicopter over Ukrainian minefields

30 Jun, 2026 - 17:15 | Defense News Aerospace 2026

The Center for Integrated Unmanned Solutions (TsKBR) in Russia has unveiled a single-seat piloted micro-helicopter developed to provide tactical mobi…

DARPA’s AIR program aims to develop AI-enabled autonomy for F-16 test aircraft and future unmanned combat aerial vehicles, improving beyond-visual-range coordination of sensors, electronic warfare, maneuver, and AIM-120-class air-to-air missile employment (Picture source: DARPA).

U.S. DARPA Advances AI Air Combat Autonomy on F-16 Testbeds for Future Unmanned Combat Aircraft

30 Jun, 2026 - 15:03 | Defense News Aerospace 2026

The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is advancing its Artificial Intelligence Reinforcements program to bring AI-enabled autonomy into…

A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B and Japanese V-22 Osprey flew together during Resolute Dragon 26, showcasing stronger allied mobility and maritime defense cooperation in the Indo-Pacific (Picture Source: U.S. Marine Corps)

U.S. Marine MV-22B and Japanese V-22 Ospreys Train to Control and Defend Key Maritime Terrain

30 Jun, 2026 - 12:30 | Defense News Aerospace 2026

U.S. Marine Corps and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Ospreys flew together over Kumamoto during Resolute Dragon 26, with imagery released by the Def…

This live-fire SINKEX during Valiant Shield 2026 marks the first publicly acknowledged operational employment of the AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile from the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber. (Picture source: USAF)

U.S. B-2 stealth bomber fires LRASM anti-ship missile for first time in Valiant Shield 2026 Pacific exercise

30 Jun, 2026 - 10:51 | Defense News Aerospace 2026

On June 27, 2026, a U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bomber assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing successfully launched an AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship M…

South Korea’s reported successful Cheonryong cruise missile flight test marks a key step toward giving the KF-21 fighter a sovereign long-range strike capability (Picture Source: South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration / Edited By Army Recognition Group)

South Korea’s KALCM Cheonryong Cruise Missile Test Signals Major Step Toward Indigenous Deep-Strike Capability

30 Jun, 2026 - 10:42 | Defense News Aerospace 2026

South Korea’s indigenous KALCM Cheonryong air-launched cruise missile has reportedly completed its first successful powered flight test, marking a si…

Poland has signed a $988 million agreement with the NATO Support and Procurement Agency for several hundred PAC-2 GEM-T interceptors, expanding the Wisła Patriot air-defense system with longer-range, blast-fragmentation missiles designed to strengthen protection against aircraft, cruise missiles, drones, and selected ballistic missile threats (Picture source: RTX).

Poland Buys PAC-2 GEM-T Interceptor Missiles to Expand Patriot Air Defense Shield on NATO Eastern Flank

30 Jun, 2026 - 10:16 | Defense News Aerospace 2026

Poland will expand its Wisła air and missile defense shield with several hundred PAC-2 GEM-T interceptors after its Armament Agency signed a $988 mil…

U.S. Air Force training with small unmanned aircraft systems reflects the service’s growing focus on air base defense, as new Point Defense Flights are being created to counter drones, cruise missiles, and other low-altitude threats.

U.S. Air Force Creates Point Defense Flights to Protect Air Bases from Drones and Cruise Missiles

29 Jun, 2026 - 16:14 | Defense News Aerospace 2026

The U.S. Air Force is establishing dedicated Point Defense Flights to protect its air bases against drones, cruise missiles, and other emerging threa…

U.S. Air Force F-15EX Eagle II fighters have flown to Kadena Air Base in Japan to prepare local units and partners for the aircraft’s future permanent role in Indo-Pacific deterrence (Picture Source: U.S. Air Force / Google Earth / Edited By Army Recognition Group)

U.S. Positions F-15EX and F-15E Fighters at Kadena to Bolster Deterrence Near Taiwan and East China Sea

29 Jun, 2026 - 15:55 | Defense News Aerospace 2026

The U.S. Air Force has deployed F-15EX Eagle II and F-15E Strike Eagle fighters to Kadena Air Base, Japan, for integration and familiarization traini…

China’s YY-20A refueling of J-20 stealth fighters shows the PLAAF is moving toward longer-range, tanker-supported air operations that could reshape U.S. Pacific defense planning (Picture Source: People's Liberation Army Air Force)

China’s YY-20A Refueling of J-20 Stealth Jets Signals New Airpower Calculus for U.S. Pacific Strategy

29 Jun, 2026 - 12:19 | Defense News Aerospace 2026

China has publicly demonstrated its ability to extend the combat reach of its J-20 stealth fighters by showing YY-20A tanker aircraft refueling them…

GE Aerospace F110 engines are central to Türkiye’s KAAN fighter program, providing the thrust needed for flight testing, weapons integration, and early production while Ankara continues work on an indigenous engine and manages U.S. congressional concerns over the S-400 dispute (Picture source: TUSAS).

U.S. Set to Approve $700M GE F110 Engines for Türkiye KAAN Fighter Testing Despite S-400 Dispute

29 Jun, 2026 - 10:18 | Defense News Aerospace 2026

The United States is preparing to approve the sale of GE Aerospace F110 turbofan engines for Türkiye’s KAAN fighter, a deal reported at more than $70…

Australia’s $250 million U.S. training package will sustain RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornet strike fighters and EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft, reinforcing crew readiness, maintenance capacity, and interoperability for long-range strike and electromagnetic warfare missions in the Indo-Pacific (Picture source: U.S. DoW).

U.S. Approves $250M Australia Super Hornet and Growler Training Package for Indo-Pacific Readiness

29 Jun, 2026 - 9:52 | Defense News Aerospace 2026

The U.S. State Department has approved a possible $250 million Foreign Military Sale to Australia that will strengthen training and support for Royal…