A US Air Force C-146 Wolfhound aircraft struck a concrete barrier while attempting to take off from a roadway in northern Philippines during a training exercise, injuring five US personnel. The incident occurred on February 24, 2026, as part of an alternate landing zone drill aimed at preparing forces for scenarios with unusable airports and runways.
The US Air Force conducted a live demonstration of manned-unmanned teaming between an F-22 Raptor and an MQ-20 Avenger at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The exercise explored how autonomous aircraft can support frontline fighters in future operations, according to the US Air Force and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems.
President Donald Trump has threatened to decertify Canadian-made commercial jets, drawing attention to the potential impact on military contracts. The move may affect military aircraft in service or future acquisitions, including those used by the US Air Force and Army.
Rolls-Royce has completed key tests for its F130 engine as part of the US Air Force's B-52 Commercial Engine Replacement Program. The company evaluated engine performance under representative mission conditions at the Arnold Engineering Development Complex in Tullahoma, Tennessee.
Breaking Defense reports that Embraer and Northrop Grumman have partnered on the KC-390 Millennium to pitch to the US Air Force and other foreign militaries. The partnership aims to strengthen Embraer's bid in the US market, while Northrop is studying ways to incorporate an autonomous boom refueling system into the aircraft.
L3Harris has announced that its F-16 electronic warfare system, Viper Shield, has been cleared for low-rate production by the US Air Force. The company plans to deliver the first batch of systems in December 2026, with a total of 219 systems on order.
The US Department of Justice has arrested Gerald Eddie Brown Jr., a former fighter pilot instructor with over 24 years of service, on allegations that he provided unauthorized combat aircraft training to Chinese military aviators. According to prosecutors, Brown allegedly conspired from at least August 2023 with foreign nationals and US persons to provide such training, in violation of the Arms Export Control Act.
Firefly Aerospace has received a statement of support from the US Air Force for its program at Vandenberg Air Force Base Space Launch Complex 2 West. The agreement enables Firefly to utilize the existing launch site for future launches, according to Breaking Defense reports.
Embraer and Northrop Grumman are working together to evolve the KC-390 Millennium into a tanker variant with boom refueling capability. The collaboration aims to rapidly advance a next-generation air-refueling system for the US Air Force and allied operators.
Boeing has secured a $2.47 billion US Air Force contract for 15 additional KC-46A Pegasus aerial refueling tankers under Lot 12, marking continued momentum for the program following a delivery resumption in July 2025. The award reinforces production stability across Boeing's supply chain and supports the Air Force's critical fleet modernization efforts.
The US Air Force has selected nine companies for an early stage of its Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, awarding contracts worth an unspecified amount. The successful firms will now compete for a prototyping deal, which could be offered to more than one company.