Defense News reports, “Two MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters completed their first operational mission Jan. 8, escorting a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile convoy, the U.S. Air Force announced Wednesday.”
Full Story (Defense News)
Tag: Aviation
Textron Aviation Delivers First Citation M2 Gen2 as Jet Enters Service
Aviation Week reports, “Textron Aviation announced delivery and entry-into-service of its Cessna Citation M2 Gen2 light jet equipped with Garmin autothrottles. The Citation M2 Gen2 received FAA certification in October 2025. First delivery and ferry flight took place on Nov. 24 to a customer in Wausau, Wisconsin, according to Aviation Week Network data.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)
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Army’s First HADES ISR Jet Set for Spring Flight Tests, SNC Confirms
Defense Daily reports, “The Army’s first prototype aircraft for the High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) program will begin flight testing this spring, lead integrator Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) confirmed to Defense Daily. SNC noted the first Bombardier Global 6500 jet outfitted for the HADES program will then be delivered to the Army this fall to support operational testing.”
Full Story (Defense Daily)
Boeing Delivers 600 Jets in 2025, Marking Strongest Year Since 2018
Reuters reports, “Boeing bounced back in 2025 to deliver the most planes since 2018 and to beat European rival Airbus in net orders for the first time in seven years in a sign of a turnaround at the U.S. planemaker after a series of crises. Deliveries jumped by 72% to 600 aircraft in 2025, Boeing said on Tuesday, though it lagged the 793 at Airbus. Boeing also booked 1,175 new orders, or a net total of 1,075 after cancellations. It was Boeing’s sixth-highest annual total adjusted for cancellations and it topped Airbus’ 889 net orders.”
Full Story (Reuters)
Electric Air Taxis Inch Closer to City Skies After Landmark FAA Move
Flying Magazine reports, “The FAA in October 2024 published a special federal aviation regulation (SFAR) with seismic implications for the aviation industry—a framework for the early integration of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. As 2026 begins, these new entrants, capable of both vertical lift and wingborne flight, may be months or even weeks away from flying in a city near you.”
Full Story (Flying Magazine)
Boeing’s Deliveries Hit Seven-year High as Production Recovery Accelerates
CNBC reports, “Boeing is set to report this week that it delivered the most airplanes since 2018 last year after it stabilized its production, the clearest sign of a turnaround yet after years of safety crisesand snowballing quality defects. Now, the aerospace giant is planning to ramp up production.”
Full Story (CNBC)
Archer Partners with NVIDIA for AI-assisted Operations
Aerotime reports, “Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) developer Archer Aviation has selected the NVIDIA IGX Thor platform to support its future operations. This advanced software platform uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help pilots and operators assess the operational circumstances and take the right decisions in safety-critical environments. NVIDIA’s IGX Thor is the most powerful safety-capable AI computing module currently offered by the technology giant.”
Full Story (Aerotime)
Alaska Airlines Places Record Order for 110 Boeing Jets to Fuel Expansion
The New York Times reports, “Alaska Airlines said on Wednesday that it would buy 110 Boeing planes, part of an ambitious plan for growth fueled by its recent acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines. The order is the largest in the airline’s history and will support Alaska’s expansion, including to destinations abroad.”
Full Story (New York Times – Subscription Publication)
Aerospace America Opens the Year with its January–March Issue
FROM THE INSTITUTE
After a landmark year for aerospace, 2026 is shaping up to be even more pivotal. In the first print issue of the year, Aerospace America explores efforts to modernize U.S. air traffic control, the influence of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on small drone development, the state of hypersonics research, and much more.
Full Story (Aerospace America)
Lockheed Delivers Record 191 F-35s in 2025 as Production Accelerates
Reuters reports, “Lockheed Martin said on Wednesday it delivered 191 F-35 fighter jets in 2025 to the United States and its allies, a record for the program. ‘Annual F-35 production is now running at a pace five times faster than any other allied fighter currently in production,’ the company said in a statement.”
Full Story (Reuters)