USAF delays the purchase of hypersonic weapons

The United States Air Force (USAF) has confirmed that hypersonic missiles will not be bought in fiscal 2024. Instead, the Air Force will continue to focus on research and development of the Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW), which features a boost-glide hypersonic vehicle. The budget request for the upcoming fiscal year includes $150 million allocated to ARRW R&D.


Photo: USAF

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Spain acquires another 16 PC-21 trainers

The Spanish Air Force has officially inked a deal to acquire an additional 16 PC-21s, reinforcing their pilot training division with more Pilatus trainer aircraft. Having decided to purchase 24 PC-21s in early 2020, this recent development now solidifies Spain’s position as the largest PC-21 operator in Europe.


Photo: Pilatus
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Airbus A400M project in turmoil as Madrid signals cancellation

Madrid’s unresolved orders for the Airbus A400M airlifter, the biggest defense project in Europe, are in turmoil and may have a significant impact on aviation investment in one of Airbus’s co-founding nations. Sources in the defense sector have disclosed that Spain is becoming increasingly hesitant about delivering the remaining 13 planes from their initial order of 27, indicating that the Spanish Air Force may not require them. This implies that only 14 A400M cargo planes will be in service with the Spanish Air Force.

Primer A400M del Ejército del Aire (29483711676)
Ejército del Aire Ministerio de Defensa España, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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Iran unveils production line for homegrown Yasin training jet

Iran has launched the mass-production line for its domestically-developed training jet, Yasin. The new jet trainer was unveiled during a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by senior military officials, including Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani. The Defense Minister explained that the Yasin is capable of carrying out various tactical aerial warfare actions, such as close air support (CAS), in addition to combat missions.

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Female A-10 demo pilot

New changes are taking place within the U.S. Air Force’s A-10C Demonstration Team as Capt. Lindsay “MAD” Johnson takes over as the commander and pilot of the team, replacing Maj. Haden “Gator” Fullam. The transfer of command took place at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona, where Johnson was certified as the new team pilot by Gen. Mark Kelly, commander of Air Combat Command.


Photo: A1C Paige Weldon
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