Defense News reports, “The Air Force and aerospace firm Sierra Nevada Corp. have started flight tests on the service’s next-generation ‘doomsday plane.’ Flight tests for the E-4C Survivable Airborne Operations Control, or SAOC, are being held at the Aviation Innovation and Technology Center in Dayton, Ohio, the company said in a Wednesday release.”
Full Story (Defense News)
Aerotime reports the US Army demonstrated the AH-64E Apache’s ability to detect, track, and defeat drone threats, underscoring its value as a mobile counter-UAS platform. “The tests, conducted with the South Carolina Army National Guard, involved the Army’s Program Manager Apache, Program Manager Tactical Aviation and Ground Munitions, and the team responsible for the helicopter’s 30mm proximity-fused ammunition.”
Full Story (Aerotime)
Aviation Week reports, “A new rendering of Boeing’s proposed F/A-XX design provided to Aviation Week indicates the company may be incorporating parts of its design for the U.S. Air Force’s F-47 into the Navy program. The new rendering, first shown in a presentation at the Tailhook Symposium last week, shows the aircraft highly obfuscated by clouds as it flies over a Navy carrier.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)
Aviation Week reports, “Flight testing for the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) began Aug. 27, with the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. YFQ-42A taking off for the first time. The company, in an announcement after the close of business, confirmed the aircraft conducted flight testing in coordination with the U.S. Air Force.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)
YFQ-42A unmanned fighter conducting flight testing
Media Magik Entertainment; YouTube
FROM THE INSTITUTE
In April 2026, AIAA DBF will celebrate its 30th anniversary fly-off in Wichita, Kansas, hosted by Textron Aviation. The objective for this year is to design, build, and test a banner-towing bush plane, conduct charter flights to pay for the airplane, and start a banner-towing business. The mission balances performance with practicality, pushing students to innovate while staying grounded in real-world design constraints. Learn more about the draft rules and submission deadlines.
Full Story (Aerospace America)
Reuters reports, “Pratt & Whitney unit has been awarded a $2.8 billion modified contract for the production of F135 engines, the company said on Tuesday. The contract will fund production of the engines that power Lockheed Martin’s F-35 jets for the U.S. Joint Strike Fighter program and international customers.”
Full Story (Reuters)
Electrive reports, “Archer Aviation, the California-based electric aircraft company, has just announced the longest piloted flight of its Midnight aircraft. The Midnight flew 55 miles (88km) in 31 minutes at >126mph (202.8km/h). On this test flight, the fully electric Midnight used a conventional takeoff and landing method; however, the aircraft itself is also capable of vertical takeoff and landing, thanks to articulated rotors which can serve either purpose depending on need.”
Full Story (Electrive)
FROM THE INSTITUTE
Keeping America’s premier aerial demonstration team flying day in and day out takes extraordinary skill behind the scenes. More than just routine aircraft upkeep, maintaining the Thunderbirds fleet is a high-precision dance. A handpicked cadre of 135 maintenance professionals across 30 specialties keeps the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds sky-ready to perform the precision flying and heart-stopping maneuvers that viewers on the ground love.
Full Story (Aerospace America)