During a Senate hearing on Tuesday, Air Force secretary Frank Kendall told U.S. lawmakers he will get in the cockpit of an artificial intelligence-controlled fighter jet.

Kendall said the flight is intended to allow him to observe the technology underlying the Air Force’s future fleet of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), which will pair crewed jets with fleets of tiny, buzzing, autonomous drones. A second pilot will join the Air Force secretary, but neither will actually fly the aircraft—a modified F-16—except in case of emergency.

The U.S. is investing plenty of money into the CCA. According to the Associated Press, the Air Force requested $559 million in its upcoming budget to support the program, out of a total budget request of $188.1 billion. The department’s 2025 fiscal year begins October 1. For the 2024 defense spending bill, the U.S. Department of Defense requested $1.8 billion worth of artificial intelligence investments.

“We have a cost problem with the aircraft that we’re buying now,” Kendall said in response to a question from Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, during a hearing for the Air Force and Space Force fiscal year 2025 budget request. “Our fighters are very expensive. The F-35 and the F-15EX cost about $100 million each, NGAD (Next Generation Air Dominance) will cost over $300 million and will be bought in small numbers.

“The uncrewed Collaborative Combat Aircraft give us an opportunity to address the cost and the quantity issues with relatively inexpensive but very highly cost-effective platforms that we add to the fleet.”

The Air Force earlier this month welcomed three F-16s to Eglin Air Force Base (KVPS) in Florida, where they will be modified for autonomous testing. The modifications are part of the Viper Experimentation and Next-gen Operations Model-Autonomy Flying Testbed program, or VENOM-AFT, which supports CCA with funding for autonomous software testing on crewed and uncrewed aircraft.

VENOM-AFT testing will be performed by the Air Force’s 40th Flight Test Squadron and 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron. Personnel will monitor the autonomy system during flight and provide feedback.

Additionally, the Air Force Research Laboratory this month received a $4 million grant to build an AI and machine learning research center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (KFFO) in Ohio.

Kendall’s comments on Tuesday come amid the backdrop of China’s rising military might, particularly in the air.

Drones manufactured in China have been spotted on the battlefield in Eastern Europe and the Levant, where they have inflicted devastating attacks on troops, infrastructure, and civilians. Chinese manufacturer DJI is considered the largest seller of consumer drones. But many cheaply bought DJI products have been modified for use in combat, prompting wariness among U.S. lawmakers.

Kendall urged senators to modernize the department’s technology, warning that any further budget delays could give China a leg up. The budget for the current fiscal year was enacted in March, more than six months later than intended.

“Time matters, but so do resources,” Kendall said. “The United States is also now facing a competitor with national purchasing power that exceeds our own, a challenge we have never faced in modern times.”

Beyond the CCA, the DOD is also building up an army of “small, smart, cheap” drones through the Replicator initiative, announced by Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks in August.

According to Hicks and other senior officials, the plan is to produce “multiple thousands” of systems that are attritable, meaning they could be lost or shot down with minimal impact to U.S. military capabilities. These drones would be ideal for high-risk operations in which the chance of a crash or takedown is likely.

Hicks said the objective is to “outmatch” China. But William LaPlante, undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, clarified that Replicator systems will be distinct from CCA aircraft. However, LaPlante added that Replicator drones could be “very complementary” to the CCA initiative.

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A first-of-its-kind drone designed for endurance, stealth, flexibility, and operational simplicity has found its latest customer in the U.S. Navy.

Kraus Hamdani Aerospace, manufacturer of the solar-powered, ultralong-range K1000ULE uncrewed aircraft system (UAS), last week won a contract to provide the Navy with its first UAS capable of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL). The contract was agreed through PMA-263, the Navy and Marine Corps Small Tactical Unmanned Air Systems program office at Patuxent River, Maryland.

KHAero’s K1000ULE is a 100 percent electric, solar-powered, Group 2 UAS. The company claims the aircraft boasts a greater flight endurance than any eVTOL in its category, capable of remaining airborne for 26 hours during a single flight.

The U.S. Marine Corps Small Unit Remote Scouting System will field K1000ULE to enable what KHAero predicts will be simpler, faster, and more cost-effective intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations. The UAS will also enhance the Navy’s beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations in “denied or contested areas.” Operations are fully autonomous, relying on onboard artificial intelligence and autopilot technology.

“Today we live with the prospect of a new era of defense technology in which autonomy and artificial intelligence will become more important,” said Fatema Hamdani, CEO of KHAero. “The Navy wants to discover what’s possible. And we’re honored to give them the solutions they need.”

KHAero claims K1000ULE has the longest endurance of any fully electric, zero-emissions, autonomous UAS in its size and weight category. Its 26-hour flight time comes from a propulsion system that runs on lithium ion batteries and photovoltaics (or solar power), powering a brushless electric motor and folding propeller. The aircraft’s solar technology is licensed by the U.S. Department of Energy, per the company.

KL1000ULE is about 10 feet long with a 16.5-foot wingspan, capable of taking off at a weight of 42.5 pounds and reaching an altitude of 20,000 feet msl. The aircraft cruises at around 30-40 knots, giving it a 1,000 sm (867 nm) range. It can be equipped with electro-optical, infrared, communications and other payloads. In addition, KHAero says it can accommodate any Department of Defense MOD Payload compliant payload.

KHAero’s focus is largely on data, intelligence, and communication services, created using multidrone coordination systems. It aims to service customers in emergency and disaster relief, data and telecommunications, defense, agriculture, oil and gas, climate change, and wildlife preservation.

The company’s system additionally shares information across platforms to allocate aircraft on demand, based on sensor needs. In the case of the Navy, crews across operations will be able to keep informed on the UAS’ status.

A single Navy operator could operate a swarm of K1000ULE drones, creating a “self-aware constellation,” in KHAero’s words, that autonomously makes decisions and performs terrain and airspace deconfliction.

The system is controlled through a wearable tablet interface, which helps the user select a coverage area and launch the correct number of assets within 15 minutes. Operators can review or change the coverage area or mission objectives, view the position, flight time, and battery power of the aircraft, and track how many drones are in the sky.

Before awarding the contract to KHAero, the Navy made sure to vet the aircraft, requesting that the manufacturer demonstrate a range of capabilities. U.S. and international partners deployed it for the first time in March 2023,  conducting operations over Aqaba, Jordan, as part of the International Maritime Exercise 2023.

Further evaluations were performed at both KHAero and U.S. government test facilities and overseen by the UAS Research and Operations Center at the University of Maryland. Among the capabilities and technologies tested were flight endurance, vertical takeoff and landing without a runway, and operations in daytime, nighttime, and other environmental conditions.

Removing the runway requirement is a key component of KHAero’s offering. The company also aims to reduce the Navy’s UAS operational footprint from 120-150 to less than five people, performing testing on K1000ULE’s maneuverability. Further, KHAero expects these operations to be nearly undetectable, which it tested by having the Navy track the drone’s audio and visual signatures from the ground.

After gauging K1000ULE’s capabilities, the partners performed reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition tests. They evaluated the aircraft’s full motion video capabilities, which can identify and classify targets, among other mission systems packages.

The Navy could use the UAS to scout an unidentified vehicle, track enemy force movements, shadow friendly troops on the move, or perform other ISR tasks. KHAero is among several aircraft and technology manufacturers collaborating with the U.S. military—Archer Aviation, Pivotal, Xwing and many others are working with the Air Force via its innovation arm, AFWERX.

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The Royal Canadian Air Force marked its 100th anniversary on April 1, making it one of the oldest stand-alone forces in the world. Like most militaries, the Canadian Army and Navy both flirted with using aircraft in the early 1900s, but the rapid development of technologies and tactics in World War I prompted the Canadian government to create a dedicated air arm in 1924.

For most of its first century the RCAF has generally punched above its weight in terms of capability and influence, playing a major role in World War II and in Cold War defense of North America. Although it has struggled with procurement and personnel issues in the last 20 years, the RCAF is currently on a massive rebuilding program. It has ordered 88 F-35s, 16 P-8 Poseidons and nine A330 transport/tankers and is overhauling its flight training division. It is also creating a drone squadron with 11 MQ-9B Reapers to be deployed at three bases.

• READ MORE: Canada Pledges $60 Million for Ukraine F-16s

“As we continue to face threats to global stability, the RCAF is more important than ever. That is why the Government of Canada has invested $44 billion over the past 16 months to provide the RCAF with 138 new or refurbished aircraft—from a new fleet of fighter jets to new multi-mission aircraft,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a statement. “This strategic investment is the largest recapitalization of the RCAF in a generation, and it will ensure that the RCAF is well positioned to contribute to operations at home and abroad for decades to come.”

The RCAF’s air demonstration teams, the Snowbirds, and the F-18 demo team are now training for the coming airshow season. The Snowbirds will perform at EAA AirVenture in July, and the F-18 is now being painted in commemorative livery for its shows across Canada and the U.S.

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AVweb.

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Boeing (NYSE: BA) is constructing a new facility in Australia to manufacture MQ-28 Ghost Bat combat drones.

The nearly 97,000-square-foot production facility located in Toowoomba, Queensland, is expected to be operational within three years, the company said Tuesday. According to Boeing, the new facility will include carbon fiber composite manufacturing, advanced robotic assembly for major components, along with final assembly and testing capabilities.

“Boeing Australia is investing to bring this innovative, uncrewed capability to market in the time frame that supports our customers’ future needs,” Amy List, managing director of Boeing Defence Australia, said in a statement. “The MQ-28 is designed to transform air combat and provide affordable mass for Australia and our allies.”

An artist’s impression of Boeing’s new MQ-28 Production Facility to be constructed in Toowoomba, Queensland. [Courtesy: Boeing]

The 38-foot-long MQ-28 unmanned combat air vehicle has been in development for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) since 2019 and is considered a foundation of the Boeing Airpower Teaming System.

• READ MORE: Air Force Considers Pairing MQ-28 Ghost Bat Drone With Next-Gen Fighters

The uncrewed MQ-28 is the first military combat aircraft designed and developed in Australia in more than 50 years, Boeing said.

In 2022, RAAF officials unveiled the aircraft’s new name, which is a nod to the drone’s mission as well as its origin.

“A ghost bat is an Australian hunter that uses sophisticated multispectral sensors to detect, hunt, and kill prey both in the air and on the ground,” RAAF Air Vice-Marshal Robert Denney said at the time. “They team together in large numbers to confuse and overwhelm their adversaries and are native to Australia.”

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The U.S. Air Force’s newest helicopter—the MH-139 Grey Wolf—has taken its first flight at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana.

The helicopters, which are manufactured by partners Boeing and Leonardo, are scheduled to replace the U.S. Air Force’s aging fleet of Bell UH-1N Hueys that perform missions such as off-base nuclear weapons convoy surveillance and routine missile site support. The service has operated the military variant of the Bell 212 since 1970.

• READ MORE: MH-139A Grey Wolf Training Unit Activates at Maxwell AFB

“Aircrew from the 550th Helicopter Squadron took the MH-139 for a spin yesterday, marking the occasion as the Grey Wolf’s first flight from Malmstrom AFB,” Air Force Global Strike Command said in a March 21 post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The squadron activated last year and is responsible for Air Force Global Strike Command’s training and conversion to the MH-139 Grey Wolf. The first helicopter arrived at the air base earlier this month.

• READ MORE: Boeing MH-139 Grey Wolf Progresses into Flight Testing

“The aircraft will play a crucial role in a variety of missions, including intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) security operations, search and rescue efforts, and personnel transport,” the Air Force said.

The Air Force, which initially planned to order 80 MH-139s, has reduced its projected buy to 42, Air and Space Forces Magazine recently reported. Malmstrom AFB is one of three ICBM bases where the helicopter will be stationed. Malmstrom, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming, and Minot AFB, North Dakota, will each receive 11 of the aircraft.

Grey Wolf in a Blue Sky

Aircrew from the 550th Helicopter Squadron took the MH-139 for a spin yesterday, marking the occasion as the Grey Wolf’s first flight from Malmstrom AFB. @usairforce @US_STRATCOM @BoeingDefense pic.twitter.com/xdXXjVoamb

— Air Force Global Strike Command (@AFGlobalStrike) March 21, 2024

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A group of 10 Ukrainian pilots have completed the first steps in F-16 Fighting Falcon flight training with the Royal Air Force in the U.K.

The aviators graduated from elementary flight training Friday and were recognized in a ceremony marking the milestone. 

• READ MORE: First Ukrainian Pilots Expected to Finish U.S. F-16 Training By Summer

“RAF flying instructors have taught the pilots general handling, instrument flying, low-level navigation, and advanced formation flying to prepare the pilots for advanced fast jet flying training prior to F-16 conversion with coalition partners,” the RAF said. “On the ground they completed an aviation medicine course and high G-force centrifuge training. Babcock provided the Grob Tutor aircraft along with technical and operational support. Together with the RAF team they completed the training ahead of time with 100 percent aircraft availability.”

The pilots will now progress to advanced fast jet training and conversion to the F-16 with partner nations from the Air Force Capability Coalition, the RAF said.

At least a dozen Ukrainian pilots continue to train with the 162nd Wing of the Arizona Air National Guard (ANG) at Morris Air National Guard Base in Tucson, with the first four expected to finish by May.

“I would like to congratulate these brave pilots on completing their initial training here in the U.K.,” British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said during Friday’s event. “Thanks to the world-renowned skills of the RAF, they have received some of the best training available and are now a step closer to joining the fight against [Russia President Vladimir] Putin’s illegal invasion.”

• READ MORE: First Ukrainian F-16 Pilots Finish Training in UK

On Wednesday, Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren said the Netherlands will be supplying Ukraine with advanced reconnaissance drones, as well as 350 million euros for F-16 ammunition, Reuters reported. The country, along with Denmark and the U.S., are planning to deliver the first of dozens of the fighters to Ukraine this summer.

Ukrainian defense officials have long sought access to the aircraft following Russia’s invasion in 2022.

“The conflict in Ukraine highlights the importance of air and space power, and the need to gain and maintain control of the air to defeat an enemy,” Air Chief Marshal Richard Knighton, RAF’s chief of the air staff, said during the ceremony. “I salute the courage and determination of these Ukrainian pilots.”

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A new trailer for The Blue Angels, an IMAX documentary from Amazon Studios to be released on May 17, debuted Wednesday on YouTube, showcasing the elite U.S. Navy-Marine Corps demonstration team’s dramatic maneuvers and stunning precision.

The film chronicles a year in the lives of team members as they train for a new show season and fly a demanding schedule of performances. The story focuses on the latest class of Navy and Marine Corps pilots entering the team as well as veterans of the group who are finishing their tours of duty before returning to the fleet.

• READ MORE: Navy Blue Angels and Canadian Snowbirds to Perform in October Reno Air Show

The Blue Angels marks the first time the famous blue and yellow F/A-18 Super Hornets will be featured in the impressive IMAX format. The film also captures the team’s inner workings, including support staff on the ground and family members at home. As a unit, the Blue Angels include a total of 158 active duty Navy and Marine personnel. 

This year marks the 78th anniversary of the Blue Angels’ operation, which was designed to demonstrate the excitement and power of Naval aviation for audiences in the U.S. and abroad.

• READ MORE: Blue Angels Name First Female Fighter Jet Demonstration Pilot

“This fascinating and layered documentary is wholly representative of the kind of work ethic, teamwork, and perseverance that goes into being a Blue Angel,” Brianna Oh, head of documentary features at Amazon Studios, said last year when Amazon acquired worldwide rights to the film. “We are incredibly honored to join this talented filmmaking team in bringing their story to audiences around the world.”

Said John Turner, head of documentaries for IMAX: “The Blue Angels will be the theatrical documentary experience of the year, and we’re thrilled to share it with a global audience. Our partnership with Amazon Studios marks an exciting chapter for IMAX as we reimagine how to broaden our original documentaries for a streaming audience.”

Award-winning filmmaker Paul Crowder directed and edited the documentary, which was produced by Academy Award-winning producers Glen Zipper of Zipper Bros Films, Mark Monroe of Diamond Docs, and Sean Stuart with Sutter Road Picture Company. Bad Robot Productions’ J.J. Abrams and Hannah Minghella also produced, as did Glen Powell with Barnstorm Productions.

“One of the most remarkable aspects of the Blue Angels’ story is their relentless pursuit of excellence,” said Abrams. “It’s a message that I think will be as inspiring to the audience as it has been to the filmmakers.”

Watch the Trailer for ‘The Blue Angels’

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The U.S. Navy has entered into an agreement with Boeing to buy 17 Block III F/A-18 Super Hornets, the service announced.

The $1.3 billion contract for the updated variant, considered the backbone of the Navy’s carrier air wing, also includes a technical data package that the service said is vital for the platform’s sustainment for decades to come.

• READ MORE: Boeing Delivers MQ-25 Stingray to U.S. Navy for Testing

“The technical data package was a crucial part of this negotiation.; It is necessary for naval aviation’s operational readiness and postproduction sustainment,” said Rear Admiral John Lemmon, program executive officer for tactical aircraft programs. “The Super Hornet remains a predominant aircraft in the carrier air wing and will continue to provide significant combat capability into the 2040s.”  

• READ MORE: Marines Deactivate Historic F/A-18 Hornet Training Squadron

Delivery of the aircraft is expected in winter 2026, with final delivery no later than spring 2027, the Navy said.

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The U.S. Marine Corps’ latest airplane acquisition is a supersonic interceptor that first flew off the drawing board 65 years ago.

The Marines are buying 22 Northrup F-5 Tigers from the Swiss Air Force. The first one was loaded on a C-130 on March 18 for the trip back to the U.S., where it will live out the rest of its service life as an adversarial training aircraft along with the others in the sale.

• READ MORE: Marine Corps XQ-58A UAV Completes Test Flight

The Marines paid a little less than $1.5 million each for the Cold War speedsters, which are still being used by 17 countries and have been retired by 21 others. More than 2,500 were built.

Switzerland got its F-5s in the 1970s and 1980s and has flown them ever since. It sold some to the U.S. Navy for its adversarial program and even with the Marines sale it will keep 25 Tigers for training, targets and test flights and to supply the jets for the Swiss air force’s air demonstration team, the Patrouille Suisse. It’s not clear where the Marines will base their new acquisitions.

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AVweb.

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It’s rare to find a twin-engine, piston-powered airplane with fixed-pitch propellers and nonretractable landing gear. In the post-World War II era, almost every piston twin utilized controllable-pitch propellers, both for efficiency and also so the pilot could feather a prop after an engine failure to reduce asymmetric drag and maintain control.

It’s also rare for an airplane to be optionally piloted—capable of flying both with a pilot aboard and also as an unmanned aerial vehicle. However, the Interstate TDR incorporated all these unique characteristics to fit a correspondingly unique set of mission requirements, specifically the ability to operate as a remotely piloted flying bomb. The “TD” portion of the designation signified “Torpedo Drone,” and the “R” was an arbitrary letter assigned to the Interstate Corporation.

• READ MORE: Cessna’s O-2TT Was Designed for Forward Air Control Missions

Compared to other manufacturing priorities during the war effort, the development of a relatively small fleet of unusual kamikaze machines was a low one. A previous attempt had been made with the Naval Aircraft Factory TDN, but it was reportedly found too expensive to manufacture and operate. Accordingly, the Interstate Corporation decided to tackle the project, aiming to find ways to improve upon the TDN.

The company got creative, awarding a contract for 200 tubular steel fuselages to the Schwinn Bicycle Company. It awarded a contract for the fabrication of wooden components to the Wurlitzer Company, a logical choice given its significant experience with manufacturing wooden pianos and guitars.

Interstate equipped the TDR with two 220-horsepower Lycoming O-435 horizontally-opposed, 6-cylinder engines. Later, three examples were fitted with more powerful Wright R-975 Whirlwind radial engines. Considering the TDR’s mission, it’s doubtful that multiengine redundancy was a primary factor in the decision to make it a twin. More likely, this layout was chosen to make room in the fuselage for the hundreds of pounds of radios and servos that enabled remote operation. Additionally, the lack of a nose-mounted engine makes that space available for a forward-looking camera.

Performance would have been modest, considering the TDR’s size and relatively low power. With a 48-foot wingspan and a maximum weight of 5,900 pounds, the airplane was comparable to the Beechcraft Twin Bonanza, yet had 150 fewer horsepower. Cruise speed was reportedly 140-150 mph with a 425-mile range. The TDR lacked brakes entirely, and thus, the takeoff procedure was rather unique. After lining up the airplane on the departure runway, ground crews would tether it to a stationary object such as a car or truck. After the pilot commanded takeoff power, the ground crew would cut it loose. 

• READ MORE: The Ryan YO-51 Wowed with STOL Performance

Although the landing gear was nonretractable, there was a way to eliminate landing gear drag entirely. For one-way missions that would result in intentional crashes into the enemy, the gear would be jettisoned immediately after takeoff, extending both speed and range. This would have opened a decidedly unique job position for ground crews—searching for and retrieving all the jettisoned TDR landing gear for use in future missions.

As part of a top-secret operation, Interstate brought in RCA’s chief scientist to adapt television technology to the aircraft. This enabled pilots to control the TDR remotely from airborne Grumman TBF Avengers. By referencing small TV screens, these pilots could fly the TDRs to targets several miles away and conduct attacks from the safety of their Avengers.

While the TDR proved capable of executing its remotely piloted flying bomb missions for approximately one year in 1944, its accuracy was less than impressive, and persistent developmental problems plagued the program. These issues, combined with the overall effectiveness of conventional weapon systems, ultimately led to the cancellation of the TDR after 195 examples had been built. 

• READ MORE: Flaris LAR 01 Still Has Potential

Interestingly, one TDR-1 was acquired by a private operator in Tulare, California, in 1959 with the apparent goal of utilizing it as an air tanker to help fight forest fires. This operator fitted a 200-gallon external tank on the belly of the fuselage and registered it with the civil designation N7790C. Its ultimate fate is unknown. Today, only one intact example survives, and it is presently on display at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida.

Portions of a second TDR also survive, including a large intact fuselage section, and are in the possession of a private individual in the U.S. With any luck, this person will be able to source and fabricate the necessary parts to complete a restoration.

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Textron Aviation said it was awarded a contract by the U.S. Army for two Cessna Grand Caravan EX turboprops. Under the contract, the Djiboutian Air Force (DAF) will own and operate the aircraft.

The transaction marks the third order under a recent indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract that provides up to $100 million for the acquisition of aircraft from Textron over a five-year period.

“The two special missions Cessna Grand Caravan EX aircraft will be Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance [ISR] equipped to ensure the border sovereignty of the country of Djibouti,” said Bob Gibbs, vice president of special mission sales for Textron Aviation. “This multiyear contract allows the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command to rapidly procure commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) aircraft and modifications from Textron Aviation for our foreign military sale allies and partner nations. We are honored to assist in advancing U.S. national security and foreign policy interests by providing our solutions under the IDIQ, and we look forward to further cooperation with the U.S. Army.”

• READ MORE: Electric Regional Aircraft Firm Signs Deal for 20 Cessna Grand Caravan EXs

The latest deal follows similar delivery orders of two Beechcraft King Air 360ERs  for the Peruvian Naval Aviation Force and one for the Ecuadorian Naval Aviation branch.

Deliveries of Cessna Caravan and Grand Caravan have totaled more than 3000 aircraft since the models’ initial FAA certification in 1984. The aircraft have been certified in 100 countries with the fleet logging almost 24 million flight hours.

• READ MORE: Belize Takes Delivery of Cessna Grand Caravan EX

Caravans fulfill a broad range of roles that include charter and regional airline operations, freight, humanitarian, VIP transport, skydiving, and other recreational missions. Known for its reliability, versatility, and low operating costs, the Grand Caravan EX also exhibits impressive performance, with its engine providing 867 hp and a climb rate of 1,275 feet per minute.

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After a three-month grounding, the V-22 Osprey is back in operation, military officials said Friday.

The Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps all grounded their tiltrotor fleets December 6 amid an investigation into what caused a crash of an Air Force CV-22 Osprey off the coast of Japan that killed the crew of eight airmen.

Returning the aircraft to service is critical to national defense, officials said.

“Effective March 8, 2024, at 7 a.m. EST, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) is issuing a flight clearance for the V-22 Osprey, thereby lifting the grounding,” NAVAIR said in a statement. “This decision follows a meticulous and data-driven approach prioritizing the safety of our aircrews.”

Last month, U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) said that, while it was known that a materiel failure caused the crash, the cause of that failure has not yet been determined.

• READ MORE: Air Force, Navy Ground V-22 Fleets Amid Crash Probe

In a statement Friday, NAVAIR said it had partnered with the Air Force investigation to identify the materiel failure. “Maintenance and procedural changes have been implemented to address the materiel failure that allow for a safe return to flight,” NAVAIR said.

The Marine Corps has returned MV-22s to flight following the Naval Air Systems Command’s announcement that deemed the aircraft safe to fly, and will now execute a deliberate, three-phase plan to return all MV-22 squadrons to full capability.

Read More https://t.co/RJ2Qz8sGsC

— U.S. Marines (@USMC) March 8, 2024

Following NAVAIR’s bulletin announcing the aircraft’s flight clearance, AFSOC said it was implementing a “multi-phased approach” to returning its fleet back to service.

• READ MORE: Crash Prompts Japan to Call on U.S. Military to Ground Ospreys 

“Phase one of AFSOC’s return to fly plan includes ground and simulator training, integrating planned flight controls, safety briefings, a review of maintenance records, and refining by-squadron training plans to implement the new safety protocols,” the command said in a statement. 

In the second phase, aircrew and maintainers will go through a “multi-month program” focused on aircraft mission currency and proficiency, AFSOC said.

“While maintainers have remained engaged, conducting maintenance necessary to sustain the CV-22 during the stand-down, they will receive training in line with the maintenance protocols directed by the NAVAIR return to fly bulletin,” AFSOC said. “Each squadron will progress through this phase at different speeds based on a variety of factors including maintenance requirements for aircraft, experience level of personnel in the squadron, and weather impact to flight schedules.”

• READ MORE: Marine Corps: Hard Clutch Engagement Issue Cause of Fatal MV-22B Crash

 Once that is complete, the aircraft will resume full missions in a third phase.

“This phased approach affords AFSOC the time required to maximize opportunities to learn as much as possible from the Safety Investigation Board and Accident Investigation Board to mitigate risk to our aircrew, maintainers, and joint partners,” AFSOC said.

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The first Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70s departed the U.S. for Bahrain on Wednesday, making the Persian Gulf island country the first Gulf Cooperation Council member to operate the fighter jets.

The ferry cell of aircraft left Lockheed Martin’s facility in Greenville, South Carolina, on Wednesday, and are among the 19-21 jets produced at the facility that the company anticipates delivering this year.

The 4.5 generation fighters are equipped with APG-83 AESA radar, advanced avionics, and  modernized cockpit. The aircraft also feature advancements, such as conformal fuel tanks, offering extended flight range, and automatic ground collision avoidance system.

• READ MORE: Bulgarian F-16 Block 70 Production Nears Completion

“With the introduction of the F-16 Block 70, we are witnessing a significant leap in fighter capabilities,”  said OJ Sanchez, vice president and general manager of the Integrated Fighter Group at Lockheed Martin. “The integration of this proven platform will allow the Royal Bahraini Air Force to safeguard its skies effectively and partner with allies worldwide.” 

• READ MORE: Royal Norwegian Air Force Receives Upgraded Super Hercules

Lockheed Martin has produced five F-16 Block 70 aircraft, dubbed the Fighting Falcon, for the Royal Bahraini Air Force, with 11 more in various stages of testing and production. The initial aircraft are at Edwards Air Force Base, California, where they are undergoing flight testing, Lockheed Martin said. 

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U.S. Air Force strategic bombers flew over Stockholm alongside Swedish Air Force JAS 39 Gripen fighters Wednesday as reports emerge that a date has been set for Sweden to officially join NATO.

“Sweden is leading the exercise within its territorial boundaries,” the Swedish Armed Forces said in a statement. “This exercise has been planned for a long time and is a bilateral effort between Sweden and the USA. After passing through Swedish airspace, the aircraft will join the NATO exercise Nordic Response, which is part of NATO’s Steadfast Defender series.”

The joint formation flyover, which took place between 12:40 p.m. and 1 p.m. Central European Time, was scheduled in the wake of news that Sweden was on the cusp of becoming the alliance’s newest member, according to the U.S. Air Forces in Europe & Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA). The bombers and fighters flew over Avicii Arena, Sweden’s Parliament House, Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ESSA), and Uppsala Air Base (ESCM).

WATCH: Today a B-1B Lancer and B-52 Stratofortress alongside two Swedish Gripens soared over Stockholm Sweden! #NATO
@US_EUCOM @usembsweden @AFGlobalStrike @US_STRATCOM @NATO_AIRCOM pic.twitter.com/PehB190AIW

— USAFE-AFAFRICA (@HQUSAFEAFAF) March 6, 2024

• READ MORE: U.S. Air Force B-1s Train with Swedish Fighters

“The strong and enduring bond between the United States and Sweden, rooted in mutual interests and shared values, is poised to reach new heights,” General James Hecker, commander of USAFE-AFAFRICA and NATO Allied Air Command, said in a statement. “As Sweden prepares to join the NATO alliance as its 32nd member, we eagerly anticipate deepening our collaboration with our Swedish allies. Initiatives like this joint flyover are just the beginning, as we work together to advance international stability and security.” 

According to reports, that bond will deepen imminently.

“Monday is the time,” when at lunchtime Sweden’s flag will be raised at NATO Headquarters in Brussels as a celebratory marker for its inclusion, Swedish TV4 Nyheterna said Wednesday.

• READ MORE: Italy to Train Sweden’s Fighter Pilots

Sweden’s formal NATO membership, however, could perhaps come online as soon as Thursday, according to Politico. “The exact time of entry depends on Hungary’s pace of registering its confirmation of Sweden’s bid in Washington,” Politico reported.

Sweden’s military capability has garnered a warm welcome from NATO, which said the country’s joining comes at a “crucial time” amid heightened regional tensions.

The Stockholm flyover represents the latest joint demonstration between the U.S. and Sweden. Last week, U.S. B-1 Lancers conducted surface attack, air interdiction, and close air support scenario training with Swedish JAS 39 Gripens.

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An experimental unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) funded by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and designed with a common chassis to be affordable and rapidly replicated has taken its first flight.

The General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc.’s (GA-ASI) XQ-67A Off-Board Sensing Station (OBSS) made its maiden flight last week from Gray Butte Field Airport near Palmdale, California, where it completed several tests.

“OBSS is the first aircraft type built and flown using a common core chassis developed by GA-ASI that promotes commonality across multiple vehicle types,” said Michael Atwood, GA-ASI vice president of advanced programs.

The platform is the second generation of AFRL’s XQ-58A Valkyrie initiative, deploying a foundational core architecture, or “genus” approach, on which other aircraft variants, or “species,” may be rapidly replicated.

• READ MORE: Marine Corps XQ-58A UAV Completes Test Flight

“This approach will help save time and money by leveraging standard substructures and subsystems, similar to how the automotive industry builds a product line,” Doug Meador, autonomous collaborative platform capability lead with AFRL’s Aerospace Systems Directorate, said in a statement. “From there, the genus can be built upon for other aircraft—similar to that of a vehicle frame—with the possibility of adding different aircraft kits to the frame, such as an Off-Board Sensing Station or Off-Board Weapon Station, [or OBWS].”

• READ MORE: Air Force, GM Defense Power Aircraft Using Commercial Battery Technology

It’s an approach that opens the door for faster development, lower costs, and more opportunities to refresh technology, according to Trenton White, OBSS program manager and aerospace engineer with AFRL’s Aerospace Systems Directorate.

“XQ-67A is the first ‘species’ to be designed and built from this shared platform,” White said. “Flight demonstration of this system is a major first step toward showing the ability to produce affordable combat mass.”

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Kuçova Air Base (LAKV) in Albania has reopened following a NATO modernization investment, turning the Soviet-era facility into a hub for alliance air operations in the region.

NATO’s 50 million euro ($54.3 million) investment took five years to complete and included renovations to the base’s control tower, runways, hangars, and storage facilities. The project marks one of the alliance’s largest investments in Albania, which joined the alliance in 2009.

The airfield, which is located about 50 miles south of the country’s capital of Tirana, is set to serve Albania while also supporting NATO logistics, training and exercises.

• READ MORE: NATO Conducts ‘Find, Fix, Track, Target’ Exercise Over Poland 

The airbase’s reopening and resumption of aircraft operations was celebrated in a ceremony Monday, marking NATO’s increased footing in the region. During the event, pairs of U.S. F-16s and F-35s flew overhead while two Italian Eurofighters landed on the newly resurfaced runway. Albania, which does not operate fighter jets, participated by landing its Bayraktar TB2 drones.

“This is a base that (will add) another element of security for our Western Balkans region, which we all know that it is a region endangered from the threat and neo-imperialist ambitions of the Russian Federation,” Albania Prime Minister Edi Rama said during the event, according to a Reuters report.

• READ MORE: NATO Air Forces Conduct Aerial Combat Drills Over Estonia

Said Dylan White, NATO acting spokesperson, in a statement: “The airbase will serve as an important NATO air hub. The makeover of Kuçova Air Base is a strategic investment and shows that NATO continues to strengthen its presence in the Western Balkans, an area of strategic importance to the alliance.”

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Three U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules tactical airlifters participated in an airdrop of critical humanitarian supplies and food aid into Gaza with the Royal Jordanian Air Force over the weekend.

During the two-hour humanitarian joint operation Saturday, more than 38,000 meals ready to eat (MREs) were dropped from U.S. C-130s along the Gaza coastline, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).

• READ MORE: The Goodness of Colonel Halvorsen, the Candy Bomber

The coastline locations were chosen specifically as areas thought to allow civilians the best access to the aid, senior administration officials said Saturday, adding that the drop was the first of a series.

The United Nations said the drop zone was in a territory where at least 576,000 civilians are a step away from famine conditions five months into the Israel-Hamas war, Reuters reported.

• READ MORE: Georgia ANG Takes Delivery of First C-130J-30 Super Hercules

The nearly 70 pallets of aid bundles were prepared by the U.S. Army’s 165th Quartermaster Company at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia on Friday and rigged with parachutes before they were loaded onto the C-130Js, the Air Force said. Each airlifter carried 22 pallets.

• READ MORE: Pentagon Confirms U.S. Flying Surveillance Drones Over Gaza

“The DOD [Department of Defense] humanitarian airdrops contribute to ongoing U.S. government efforts to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance to the people in Gaza,” CENTCOM said in a statement. “We are conducting planning for potential follow-on airborne aid delivery missions. These airdrops are part of a sustained effort to get more aid into Gaza, including by expanding the flow of aid through land corridors and routes.”

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Germany and Canada are cleared to expand their maritime surveillance fleets after the U.S. Navy awarded Boeing [NYSE: BA] a $3.4 billion contract for the production of 17 P-8A Poseidon aircraft, the manufacturer announced.

The Boeing 737-based Poseidon is used for submarine hunting, as well as anti-surface warfare, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).

• READ MORE: Boeing Delivers First P-8A Poseidon Maritime Aircraft to New Zealand

The U.S. Navy award includes 14 P-8s for the Royal Canadian Air Force and three for the German Navy.

“We are proud to add Canada to the list of international P-8 partners as well as to Germany’s fleet of maritime patrol aircraft,” Philip June, vice president and program manager of Boeing’s P-8A program, said in a statement. “The Poseidon is a proven aircraft, with more than 600,000 flight hours, that will serve Canada and Germany well in today’s challenging security environment and for decades to come.”

• READ MORE: German Military Signs Deal for 82 H145M Helicopters

Boeing said that Canada, which announced in November it intended to purchase up to 16 P-8As to replace its current fleet of Lockheed CP-140 Auroras, will receive its first aircraft in 2026.

Germany’s order will increase its existing P-8A fleet to eight. Its navy will receive its first aircraft, which are set to replace its fleet of P-3 Orions, in 2025.

• READ MORE: Canada Awards $2.28B Contract for CH-146 Griffon Sustainment

According to Boeing, there are 200 P-8s in service or on contract in nine countries.

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A historic World War II hangar belonging to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force and several other buildings at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, were damaged by a tornado, according to the U.S. Air Force.

The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed that around 4:37 a.m. EST, an EF1 tornado first developed in Montgomery County, south of the air base near Dayton. In neighboring Greene County, where Wright-Patterson AFB is located, high winds ripped sheet metal off the hangar used by the museum for restoration.

“Some planes that were in the process of being restored also took damage due to flying debris,” the NWS said. “This damage was notable enough to warrant EF1 strength winds around 100 mph. A few of the dwellings on the eastern side of the base took damage to the roofs as shingles were ripped off.”

• READ MORE: Museum Spotlight: National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

Damage from the early morning storm was isolated, according to an Air Force official.

“Our initial focus right now is on safety and damage assessment,” Colonel Travis Pond, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander, said in a statement. “I can’t speak highly enough about our security forces, fire department, and civil engineer airmen for their quick response and hard work to assess damage and determine a path forward for restoring operations as quickly as possible.”

According to Jaima Fogg, a spokesperson for the 88th Air Base Wing, the museum’s public area was not damaged, Air & Space Forces magazine reported.

• READ MORE: New Museum Exhibit Honors Air Force Enlisted Service Members

The damaged facility—known as Restoration Hangar 4—is one of three historic buildings in the air base’s Area B, the Dayton Daily News reported. The buildings were constructed at the onset of WWII, museum director David Tillotson told the newspaper.

“These are where the B-29s were modified for the atomic mission, so they have some historic value,” Tillotson said.

According to Tillotson, the hangar is used for storage of artifacts, including six aircraft and a missile system that were awaiting restoration. Some artifacts sustained minor damage, he told the newspaper.

Watch: Video Showing Damage and Cleanup at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base 

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The U.S. Marine Corps has successfully completed the second test of its Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie combat uncrewed air vehicle (UAV), marking a milestone for the service’s aviation modernization strategy.

The test flight of the autonomous, low-cost tactical UAV took place February 23 at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, where it was supported by 40th Flight Test Squadron (FLTS) engineers.

• READ MORE: How Were Drones Used During WWI and WWII?

“The XQ-58A provides the Marine Corps with a testbed platform for developing technologies and new concepts in support of the Marine Air Ground Task Force, such as autonomous flight and unmanned teaming with crewed aircraft,” the Corps said in a statement.

In October, the Corps said the platform would undergo a total of six test flights to evaluate its ability to support a variety of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions; the effectiveness of autonomous electronic support to crewed platforms, like the Marines’ F-35B Lightning II; as well as the potential for artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled platforms to augment combat air patrols. 

• READ MORE: Moving World Report 2024: Breaking Down Challenges, Opportunities in Aviation

“AI testing requires combining new and traditional test and evaluation techniques,” Ryan Bowers, 40th FLTS engineer, said Wednesday. “The team has a lot of lessons learned that will be used to inform future programs.” 

The stealth Valkyrie drone was originally designed under the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Low-Cost Attritable Aircraft Technology (LCAAT) project portfolio, which was established to develop unmanned wingman aircraft to escort a crewed fighter in combat. It’s capable of flying long-range flights at high-subsonic speeds, and operating as a wingman, a single UAV or in swarms, according to Kratos.

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