The US military launched an operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, with limited ground-to-air fire but no aerial resistance. Experts suggest that Venezuela's air force was taken by surprise and prioritized withdrawal and dispersion of its assets.
The US Air Force has awarded a $835.6 million contract to US Aviation Academy for early-stage pilot training under the Initial Pilot Training program. The agreement runs through December 2035 and will cover foundational flight instruction to US and international military pilot candidates.
The US Air Force has officially received its first Boeing-Saab T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer aircraft at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, marking a pivotal modernization milestone for pilot training. The sophisticated aircraft replaces the aging T-38C Talon and will prepare aviators for fourth, fifth, and sixth-generation fighter and bomber operations.
The US Air Force has announced the acquisition of two additional Boeing 747-8 aircraft for approximately $400 million. The purchase supports training and sustainment for the future presidential airlift fleet as delays continue to push back delivery of the next-generation Air Force One aircraft.
Ukraine's air force says its F-16s have destroyed over 1,000 Russian aerial targets since entering combat, primarily serving in an air-defense role. The aircraft have relied heavily on internal cannons and targeting pods to intercept threats, rather than air-to-air missiles.
Gen. John Lamontagne has been nominated by President Trump to serve as the next Air Force vice chief of staff, following a series of personnel changes within the military.
In his first message to airmen, new Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach stated that the Air Force should focus on restoring and expanding US airpower.
The Royal New Zealand Air Force has achieved a significant milestone with its Beechcraft T-6C Texan II fleet, surpassing 40,000 flight hours. Textron Aviation Defense is proud to support this achievement and allied air forces worldwide, Breaking Defense reports.
The Spanish Air Force has selected the Pilatus PC-21 as its new training system, worth over 200 million euros. The order includes 24 aircraft, simulators, spare parts, and logistics support.
South Korea has completed the KF-21 flight test program, marking a key milestone in the development of its indigenous fighter jet. The program successfully completed approximately 1,600 flight tests over a 42-month period without accident, verifying the aircraft's flight stability and performance.
Dassault Aviation is hosting the Saint-Jean-de-Luz air show, which will celebrate its 29th edition in 2025. Nearly 100 members of the armed forces will participate in the event, showcasing various military units and aerobatic teams.
The Koninklijke Luchtmacht has selected the PC-7 MKX training system from Pilatus to provide an integrated and cost-effective solution for its military pilots. The contract includes delivery of eight aircraft and associated ground-based systems, with a planned delivery date in the first half of 2027.
Portugal's Air Force confirmed significant material damage at Monte Real Air Base after Storm Kristin hit the Leiria region on January 28, 2026. No injuries were reported, but multiple F-16 jets were damaged or impacted by debris.
Pilatus develops custom training systems for air forces, including simulators and software. The company's Government Aviation Business Unit creates entire training systems, not just aircraft, to meet each customer's specific requirements.
Picogrid has won a $9.3 million SBIR contract to connect disparate counter-drone defenses at selected Air Force bases using its 'translator' software written by AI. The translator, called Legion, connects hitherto incompatible military systems, such as radars and jammers, according to Breaking Defense reports.
The Pentagon has created a new role for managing the Air Force's next-gen bomber, fighter, and ICBM programs, with Lt. Gen.
Northrop Grumman has unveiled Project Talon, a revolutionary autonomous combat drone engineered for rapid production and reduced costs. Developed with Scaled Composites, the aircraft achieved 'weight on wheels' in just 15 months—a remarkable timeline for a jet-powered, low-observable airframe.
The Air Force awarded Boeing the Next Generation Air Dominance sixth-generation fighter contract, citing the need to counter new threats posed by China. The selection comes after a year marked by significant changes in the Air Force's leadership and priorities.
Lockheed Martin delivered a record 191 F-35s in 2025, the highest annual total in the program's history, as more countries move to expand or introduce the fifth-generation jet into their air forces. The company reports that annual production is now running at a pace around five times higher than any other allied fighter currently in production.
A JetBlue flight from Curaçao to New York narrowly avoided a mid-air collision with a US Air Force tanker shortly after takeoff, according to Flightradar24. The incident took place on December 12, 2025, when the aircraft was climbing to 34,000 feet.
India has approved a $39 billion purchase of 114 Dassault Rafale fighter jets from France, in an effort to bolster its air force capabilities. The deal comes after years of negotiations and was backed by the Defense Acquisition Council on February 12, 2026.
Breaking Defense reports that the Air Force has made significant progress in its drone wingman program, with first flights completed for prototype drones. The Collaborative Combat Aircraft program aims to develop unmanned systems capable of augmenting military forces.
Dassault Aviation is set to showcase its Rafale aircraft at the Paris Air Show, with Captain Jean-Brice Millet named 'Mimouss' at the controls. The demonstration highlights the aircraft's capabilities for operations from land bases and aircraft carriers, as well as its ability to carry a significant payload.
In keeping with tradition, lawmakers' fiscal 2026 defense policy bill released late Sunday tweaks several key Pentagon programs, including the Air Force's E-7 Wedgetail program and Army helicopter procurement. The FY26 National Defense Authorization Act would boost the Pentagon's topline by $8 billion above what the Trump administration requested.
The US Air Force is set to declare its T-7 Red Hawk training jet ready for production within days, following years of delays. The program has faced challenges, including design woes at Boeing and issues with flight control software.
The US Air Force has awarded contracts to Beehive Industries, Honeywell, Pratt & Whitney, and a team-up of GE Aerospace and Kratos to mature engine designs in support of conceptual designs for Combat Collaborative Aircraft Increment 2. The awards are part of the Air Force's drone wingmen CCA program, which aims to develop engines that are affordable, high-performing, and can be produced rapidly and at a large scale.
The Air Force is rethinking its cyber strategy in response to the growing threat of contested networks. According to Breaking Defense, the service is focusing on Zero Trust and network resilience, as well as exploring offensive cyber operations and acquisition reform.
The US Air Force has announced plans to ramp up B-21 Raider production using $4.5 billion in reconciliation funding. This decision reflects confidence in the program's performance and aims to strengthen combat capability by delivering the stealth bomber by 2027.
The US Air Force is reviving the Looking Glass mission, which was previously assigned to the Navy's E-6B Mercury. According to an industry notice, the new program aims to recapitalize missions currently executed on the E-6B.
The US Air Force has begun flight testing with a drone wingman carrying an inert weapon underwing. Anduril's YFQ-44A and General Atomics' YFQ-42A are part of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, which aims to develop drones for future combat.
The US Air Force is procuring two additional Boeing-made 747 jets from Lufthansa to support the VC-25B presidential airlift program. The aircraft will be used for training and spares, with delivery expected early next year.