Air – Page 50 – The Defense Post

Jan- 2026 -

9 January

251204-N-EG735-1437 ATLANTIC OCEAN – (Dec. 4, 2025) Sailors, assigned to the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), re-fuel a CH-53K King Stallion, assigned to U.S. Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 461, during flight operations, Dec. 4, 2025. Kearsarge is currently underway conducting Basic phase certifications. Photo was edited for operational security. (U.S. Navy photo illustration by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Chase McDaniel)

GE Aerospace to Continue King Stallion Engine Supply Under $1.4B US Marines Deal

GE Aerospace has secured a $1.4-billion contract to supply additional T408 turboshaft engines for the US Marine Corps’ Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion helicopter.

9 January

Akhsan Erido Elezhar

The US Marine Corps is Finally Getting Its Own Loyal Wingman Drone

XQ-58 Valkyrie is an unmanned aerial system developed by Kratos, equipped with modular payload bays, conventional takeoff and landing capability, and flexible runway operations.

9 January

Jodesz Gavilan

Bell Advances in US Army Flight School Next Competition

Bell Textron has advanced to the next round of the US Army’s Flight School Next competition to shape how future army aviators are trained.

9 January

A black rocket, resembling a sleek dart with four fins, stands upright against a blue background, its base partially shrouded in mist or fog.

Ethan M. Encarnacion

Mach Industries Debuts ‘Dart’ to Fend Off High-Volume Group 1-3 Drone Attacks

Mach Industries is putting next-gen counter-drone tech to work with Dart, a scalable system engineered to stop unmanned aerial systems.

9 January

Pakistani Air Force's JF-17 Thunder (FC-1 Xiaolong or FC-1 Fierce Dragon) fighter jet performs during the 12th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Airshow China 2018, in Zhuhai city, south China's Guangdong province, 9 November 2018. JF-17 Thunder exhibited its dazzling aerial performance in front of the delegations of various air forces and aviation industries on the third day of Zhuhai Air Show in China. The breathtaking aerial display by the seasoned aerobatics pilot wing commander Zeeshan Baryar included some stunning maneuvers like the muscle climb, thunder turns, slow speed pass and inverted flight. An over fifteen minutes jaw dropping performance by Pride of The Nation, JF-17 Thunder, concluded with the trademark vertical rolls and disappearing in the blue skies of Zhuhai, leaving behind hundreds of spellbound spectators. The mesmerized audience applauded the Thundery performance as it landed back. (Photo by Shu ying / Imaginechina via AFP)

Christine Casimiro

Pakistan Eyes JF-17 Thunder Fighter Jet Sales to Bangladesh as Ties Warm

Pakistan and Bangladesh are discussing a potential defense pact that could see Dhaka acquire JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, according to Islamabad’s military.

9 January

U.S. Marine Corps riflemen with Light Armored Reconnaissance Company, Battalion Landing Team 3/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), load a simulated warhead onto a Neros Archer first-person view drone during attack drone training on Camp Santiago, Puerto Rico, Nov. 19, 2025. 22nd MEU(SOC) Marines are being trained and certified by the 2nd Marine Division and the Marine Corps Attack Drone Team on first-person view drone systems to enhance combat readiness. U.S. military forces are deployed to the Caribbean in support of the U.S. Southern Command mission, Department of War-directed operations, and the president's priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland. (U.S. Marine Corps photo)

Inder Singh Bisht

US Marines to Acquire Thousands of Reconfigurable FPV Drones in 2026

The US Marine Corps plans to purchase up to 10,000 reconfigurable, cost-effective, small drones within a year, with a focus on first-person view capabilities.

8 January

Directed Infrared Countermeasures system

Inder Singh Bisht

Elbit to Equip European Aircraft With J-MUSIC DIRCM Self-Protection Suite

Elbit has been contracted to equip the aircraft of European customers with its advanced J-MUSIC Directed Infrared Countermeasures systems.

8 January

United States Navy Boeing E-6B Mercury of Strategic Communications Wing ONE, Task Group 114.2, based at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, high over Colorado Aug. 23, 2019. The E-6B was refueled by a Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker of the 507th Air Refueling Wing, Air Force Reserve Command, also from Tinker AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo/Greg L. Davis)

Rojoef Manuel

Collins Aerospace to Modernize US Navy’s E-6B Doomsday Aircraft

RTX subsidiary Collins Aerospace has received a $20.3-million contract to upgrade the US Navy’s E-6B airborne command post and communications relay aircraft.

8 January

Jodesz Gavilan

US Navy Taps ELTA to Build Airborne Stand‑Off Jammers for Fighter Jets

The US Navy has handed ELTA North America an $11-million contract to develop and produce advanced airborne communications jammers.

8 January

Akhsan Erido Elezhar

EDGE Builds Digital Safety Layer for Modern Munitions

ESAD-50 is an electronic safety arming device, featuring a compact form factor, four dedicated boards managing safety, arming, and firing, and an onboard IMU to monitor motion.

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