The US Air Force is nearing a dedicated F-47 production line as Boeing expands its St. Louis facilities. The program is advancing toward design completion and a targeted 2028 first flight, with at least 185 aircraft planned. The Air Force says existing fighter production capacity must also expand as it prepares for the F-47 and Collaborative Combat Aircraft.
Defense
The U.S. Air Force has awarded Boeing a $2.38 billion contract for 22 additional F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets, expanding the aircraft program to 120 fighters under contract across seven production lots.
The F-35A deployment introduces a fifth-generation combat aircraft into the Indian exercise environment, where it is operating alongside Indian and foreign aircraft.
A Russian Tu-95 strategic bomber crashed during a training flight near the village of Krasnoyarovo in the Far Eastern Amur region on September 29, killing six of the seven crew members aboard.
Dassault Aviation has formally entered the race to replace Portugal’s aging F-16 fighter fleet, submitting the Rafale to the Portuguese government and Air Force as Lisbon prepares for one of its most important military aircraft procurement decisions.
Belgium has received three additional Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighters at Florennes Air Base, expanding its in-country fifth-generation fleet to seven aircraft.
China has publicly shown its Xi’an H-6N strategic bomber carrying what analysts assess to be the nuclear-capable JL-1 air-launched ballistic missile, offering a rare look at the aircraft intended to provide the airborne element of Beijing’s nuclear deterrent.
In 2026, the global balance of air power continues to reflect both historic military dominance and rapid modernisation efforts, particularly across Asia.
The Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) first F-35A Lightning II has completed its maiden flight at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth (FWH), Fort Worth, Texas.
Dassault Aviation has flight-tested two sovereign artificial intelligence algorithms aboard its Rafale fighter jet as France advances work on AI-supported combat aircraft capabilities.