The French Air Force and Space ambassadors will meet in Trouville-sur-Mer on Sunday, July 27, 2025, for an air show featuring aerobatic performances by Rafale Solo Display, Alpha Jets, and the Patrouille de France team. The event is open to all and will be accompanied by concerts and activities.
In a significant operational milestone, a French Air & Space Force KC-130J Super Hercules successfully refueled a Dassault Rafale fighter jet in flight for the first time during the Gulf25 exercise between France and the UAE. The demonstration, conducted from Air Base 104 Al Dhafra, expands the KC-130J's operational envelope beyond its primary roles supporting special operations and helicopter refueling.
The French Directorate General of Armament has ordered a new version of Airbus Helicopters' Aliaca drone system, which will feature vertical takeoff and landing capabilities. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in May 2026.
France's Navy has received the final Dassault-Breguet Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft upgraded to Standard 6 configuration, as part of a modernization effort designed to keep the fleet operational into the next decade. The handover took place on February 17, 2026, when France's defense procurement agency, the DGA, delivered the aircraft to the Marine nationale.
The French Navy has selected the Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet to become its first European military operator. The aircraft will be procured from Pilatus and leased by Jet Aviation France.
Breaking Defense reports on the significant changes happening at the US Army and Pentagon in 2025. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered a comprehensive transformation of the Army, including divesting certain formations and canceling procurement on legacy systems.
Frontier Airlines has appointed President James Dempsey as its new CEO, taking over from long-time leader Barry Biffle. The company cited weakened demand and tariff impacts as reasons for Biffle's departure, which was not disclosed.
Frontier Airlines announced James Dempsey as its new president and CEO, effective January 8, 2026. Dempsey succeeds Barry Biffle, who led the airline for nearly 12 years.
China has formally commissioned its third aircraft carrier, the CNS Fujian, marking a major step in the People's Liberation Army Navy's expansion into carrier aviation using electromagnetic catapults. The ceremony took place on November 5, 2025, at a naval port in Sanya, Hainan, where Chinese President Xi Jinping presided, boarded the ship, inspected the vessel and posed with representatives of the carrier unit, according to state news agency Xinhua.
Breaking Defense reports that General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is at the forefront of Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) innovation for modern warfare. The company's MQ-9B SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian platforms are being adopted by nations worldwide, while its Mojave STOL platform enables runway independence for expeditionary operations.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report highlighting a significant increase in serious accidents involving the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft between fiscal years 2023 and 2024. According to GAO, accident rates were between 36% and 88% higher than previous years, with complex components being cited as a contributing factor.
The Government Accountability Office has warned that the Coast Guard's Offshore Patrol Cutter program faces significant risks of costly rework and schedule delays due to premature construction without a stable ship design. The $17 billion program to acquire 25 new cutters began production on OPC 5 in August 2024 despite unfinalized design specifications.
Garmin's Emergency Autoland system successfully landed a Beechcraft King Air 200 after pilot incapacitation on December 20, 2025. According to AeroTime, the aircraft was flying from Aspen-Pitkin County Airport to Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in Broomfield when the system activated roughly 20 minutes into the flight.
Garmin has opened a new flight test center at Mesa Gateway Airport, expanding its presence in Arizona. The site will support aircraft certification and flight test organizations, with the goal of shortening certification timelines and better supporting growing demand for Garmin's avionics products.
The six Gulf Cooperation Council nations have established a unified aviation authority to streamline regional air travel and commerce. Headquartered in the UAE, the new regulatory body will manage a unified upper airspace framework and oversee Advanced Air Mobility initiatives across Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
General Dynamics Information Technology president Amy Gilliland is taking an optimistic stance on artificial intelligence adoption, focusing on empowering employees rather than replacing them. Despite skepticism about AI's return on investment, GDIT is investing heavily in employee training and exploring AI applications for code writing, proposal processing, and internal talent mobility.
GE Aerospace and Lockheed Martin have completed ground tests of a liquid-fueled rotating detonation ramjet (RDRJ) intended for next-generation hypersonic missile applications. The campaign, conducted at GE Aerospace's Research Center in Niskayuna, New York, represents the first project completed under a wider technology development agreement between the two companies.
GE Aerospace has successfully completed ground testing of a hybrid electric turbofan engine system with NASA support. The tests demonstrated the ability to extract power from the engine and inject it back into the propulsion system while maintaining stable operation.
This National Aviation Day, Cirrus Aircraft is celebrating generations of innovation with the SR Series. From the SR20 to the G7+, each model has built upon the previous one, delivering unmatched performance and luxury.
Pilatus has handed over its first PC-12 to the Technical and Airworthiness Center for Aircraft and Aeronautical Equipment of the German Armed Forces (WTD 61). The versatile single-engine turboprop will be used for training test pilots and transporting personnel and material at the Ingolstadt/Manching air base in Germany.