Aviation | Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Archive for the ‘Aviation’ Category

GA-ASI Partnering With Spirit Defense For FQ-42 CCA Production

Saturday, October 24th, 2026

SAN DIEGO — 23 October 2026 — General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), the world leader in Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS), today is announcing our partnership with Spirit Defense, a Boeing Company, to support airframe production of the new FQ-42 Vengeance Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). In June, GA-ASI won a contract from the U.S. Air Force (USAF) to produce FQ-42. Spirit Defense’s role as a fuselage design-build partner brings together the company’s engineering and advanced manufacturing capabilities to support the program from design through production.

GA-ASI has been the sole manufacturer of its line of UAS — which includes MQ-9A Reaper®, MQ-1C Gray Eagle®, MQ-20 Avenger®, and MQ-9B SkyGuardian®/SeaGuardian — since the company’s inception in 1992. For the FQ-42 program, partnering with Spirit Defense is a strength multiplier for the company and the nation, offering manufacturing capacity and industrial depth to scale CCA production faster, while strengthening production resilience, and reducing the risk of single points of failure.

“We’re excited to be working with Spirit Defense,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “We’ve established our proven design, development, and manufacturing capability for the FQ-42. With Spirit Defense we add capacity, which is exactly the kind of production resilience our U.S. Air Force customer is looking for with its CCA ramp-up. This kind of partnership represents the scalable industrial base the Air Force and the U.S. Department of War are looking for from industry.”

“We’re proud to bring deep manufacturing expertise and proven capabilities to this important program,” said Keith Schrader, president and CEO of Spirit Defense. “Our team understands the responsibility that comes with supporting critical national defense programs, and we’re ready to deliver for our customer and the warfighter.”

FQ-42 is a purpose-built, uncrewed fighter, developed with USAF as part of ongoing investment in next-generation semi-autonomous combat aircraft. The jet’s modular design enables rapid integration of mission systems and mission autonomy software. GA-ASI’s software architecture, demonstrated through live flight tests on multiple airframes, provides the foundation for human-machine teaming in complex combat scenarios.

Potential CCA manufacturing partnerships don’t end here. Around the world, GA-ASI is in discussions with numerous international militaries interested in our Gambit Series of modular CCAs. The Gambit Series is a family of uncrewed combat jets, derived from our work on FQ-42, XQ-67A Off-Board Sensing Station, and MQ-20 Avenger, and optimized for roles such as electronic warfare, suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD), Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses (DEAD) and stand-off precision strike, making it a versatile option for evolving security needs.

Nations interested in procuring aircraft from the Gambit Series also have an opportunity to insert indigenous manufacturing into those programs, as well as integration of their own sensors, weapons and other combat technologies.

Posted in Aviation, Industry, Press Release, Unmanned Systems | Comments Off on GA-ASI Partnering With Spirit Defense For FQ-42 CCA Production

US Navy Accepts Next-Generation Aircraft to Modernize Strategic Communications

Tuesday, October 20th, 2026

The Navy accepted a newly manufactured C-130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft from Lockheed Martin during a ceremony in Marietta, Georgia, Oct. 15, marking the first step toward fielding the future E-130J Phoenix II.

The aircraft will serve as the host platform for the Navy’s next-generation “Take Charge and Move Out” mission system, providing survivable, reliable and secure communications among the president, the secretary of war and U.S. Strategic Command.

The new airframe begins a planned transition, honoring decades of service from the legacy E-6B Mercury aircraft while laying the foundation for the future fight. The program designation Phoenix II symbolizes rebirth and nods to the EC-130Q Hercules platform the Navy used to execute the Take Charge and Move Out mission during the Cold War.

This modernized capability ensures the nation’s nuclear command, control and communications architecture remains resilient and reliable. The updated platform also delivers the enhanced endurance, capacity and operational reach necessary to support mission success in complex global environments.

The event spotlighted the close partnership between the Navy and the defense industrial base. The newly delivered aircraft is the extended C-130J-30 variant, part of an initial procurement of three aircraft the Navy acquired in September 2024.

During the ceremony, Lockheed Martin representatives presented a commemorative plaque and ceremonial key to Navy Capt. Roger Davis, Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office commander.

“Today’s delivery from the historic Marietta line represents far more than a new airframe; it marks the foundation of our future strategic deterrence posture,” Davis said. “Through our close partnership with Lockheed Martin and our industry team, we are ensuring our nation maintains an unshakeable communications lifeline to our ballistic missile submarine fleet.”

The ceremony also recognized the sailors assigned to Strategic Communications Wing 1 at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, who will operate and maintain the modernized fleet. Before the ceremony, select sailors participated in a fleet engagement day, which included simulator flights, production line tours and program briefings.

“Strategic deterrence is only as credible as our ability to communicate, and that mission rests in the hands of SCW-1’s world-class sailors,” said Navy Capt. David Gardner, the wing’s commodore. “The E-130J will provide our sailors unmatched capability and next-generation survivable and reliable communications, ensuring our team continues to be the unbreakable link between the president and strategic nuclear forces.”

By Katherine Coughlan, Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office

Posted in Aviation, Department of War, Guest Post, Navy | No Comments »

Finland and Lockheed Martin Celebrate Historic Arrival of First Finnish F-35

Sunday, October 4th, 2026

ROVANIEMI, Finland, Oct. 1, 2026 — The Republic of Finland celebrated the arrival of its first two permanently based F-35A aircraft in country, marking the beginning of a new era of 5th Generation capability for the Finnish Defence Forces.

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) joined the arrival ceremony, hosted by the Finnish Air Force, alongside senior Finnish government and military leaders, U.S. and allied representatives and industry partners. The ceremony recognized the milestone and Finland’s increasingly important role in strengthening security and deterrence across the Nordic region, Europe and the NATO alliance.

“What begins here is the introduction of a 5th Generation system built for the security environment we actually live in,” said Major General Timo Herranen, Commander of the Finnish Air Force. “The F-35 was chosen because it is designed for an environment like ours. Flying the F-35, our pilots can do the mission and come home to fly the next round. A 5th Generation aircraft that can see farther but not be seen, share information faster, strike accurately and survive longer is not a luxury here. It is a requirement.”

“The arrival of Finland’s first F-35 is about far more than a new aircraft—it is about strengthening the nation’s ability to deter aggression, defend its sovereignty and secure its future,” said OJ Sanchez, President, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. “As Finland continues to play an increasingly important role in Nordic, European and NATO security, the F-35 will provide a powerful, connected capability that will help the Finnish Defence Forces meet the demands of an evolving security environment. We are proud to stand with Finland as it brings this critical capability home.”

Lockheed Martin leads a global F-35 program supported by more than 2,100 suppliers across more than a dozen countries. Chosen by 20 allied nations, including 13 in Europe, the F-35 strengthens interoperability and shared deterrence through seamless collaboration among allied forces.

The program also delivers significant international industrial participation, with 25% by value of every F-35 built produced in Europe and all major F-35 components now manufactured there. Earlier this year, Patria became the first company other than Lockheed Martin to produce the F-35 forward fuselage, underscoring Finland’s critical role in the global F-35 enterprise.

With the aircraft arriving in country, Finland has now received 10 of its 64 F-35A aircraft. Eight of these aircraft are temporarily stationed at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Arkansas, where Finnish pilots and maintainers are conducting training in preparation for the aircraft’s continued introduction into Finnish service.

About the F-35 Lightning II

More than 1,375 F-35s are currently operational around the globe, and the fleet has surpassed a million flight hours. The combat-proven F-35 operates from 42 bases worldwide, including 13 nations operating on home soil. As adversaries advance and legacy aircraft age, the F-35 is critical to maintaining air dominance into the future.

More information at Lockheedmartin.com.

Posted in Aviation, International, Press Release | No Comments »

The KC-130J: Past, Present and the Future Fight

Monday, September 28th, 2026

In the vast, unpredictable Indo-Pacific, islands dot the expanse of the sea for miles. Close enough to be a positive, yet far enough apart and sparsely populated to qualify as austere. This part of the world doesn’t provide an answer to accessibility, and that question gets even foggier when you employ strategy and tactics.

But 3d Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) has an answer: the KC-130J, an aviation platform built for this exact venture. Operation Slingshot is a proof-of-concept strategy hailing from historic times when the Corps used island-hopping to win wars, and although aviation platforms are sleeker and more technologically advanced today, the need for Marines across the globe has not changed. The KC-130J’s ability to extend reach gives pilots the ability to strike fast and move faster as they conduct “the slingshot.” In this part of the world, it is not just an advantage; it is a necessity.

For the 3d MAW KC-130J, demonstrating expeditionary capabilities across thousands of miles of ocean requires more than the fighter jets you see in Top Gun. It requires a lifeline.

During Operation Slingshot, the KC-130J successfully projected 3d MAW, along with F-35B Lightning II fighters, across 4,000 nautical miles of the Indo-Pacific, into locations secured by Marines using MV-22B Ospreys and other components of the wing.

Drawing on a legacy established during the siege of Khe Sanh and Operation Desert Storm, the KC-130J operated as a self-contained logistical node, establishing forward refueling points without reliance on external strategic tankers.

Since its introduction, the C-130 platform has served the United States military and the Marine Corps as the logistical backbone of aviation. Originally birthed out of necessity during the Korean War, its inception after the maiden flight in Marietta, out of the Lockheed-Georgia Company facility in 1955, marked the start of a new era. During the 1968 siege of Khe Sanh in Vietnam, C-130s lived up to their designed intent, delivering over 12,000 tons of supplies via paradrops, austere landings and keeping the surrounded 26th Marines supplied when overland routes were severed. Decades later, during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, Marine KC-130s continued to demonstrate that same prowess with extended capabilities, providing the critical aerial refueling necessary to increase the range of strike packages deep into the northern Persian Gulf. The KC-130J solidified its position in aviation through enhanced multi-mission functionality, all while retaining the transport versatility of its roots.

Today, the Indo-Pacific theater demands the same endurance and adaptability, updated for the modern battlefield. Operation Slingshot demonstrated the KC-130J’s current ability to enable critical power for the Marine Corps, using its heavy payload capacity to leapfrog ahead of F-35B fighter jets. The KC-130J lands at remote, undeveloped airfields to establish Aviation-Delivered Ground Refueling and re-arming points.

During this self-supported movement, the KC-130J traversed a route from Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, through Cairns, Pohnpei, the Kwajalein Atoll, and Wake Island, terminating in Hawaii. By ferrying the necessary Marines, gear, and fuel, the KC-130J allowed the F-35Bs to slingshot deeper into the theater.

“While the jets are focused on the tactical fight, the KC-130J is the workhorse in the background, carrying the maintainers, the maintenance equipment, and the fuel required to dramatically extend the range and lethality of those jets.”

– 1st Lt. Christian Schwien, a KC-130J co-pilot

Transforming the KC-130J into a moving, forward logistics hub requires precise integration across the crew. Pilots execute long-range over-water navigation and land the 135,000-pound aircraft on austere strips. In the cargo hold, loadmasters manage weight, balance, and high-stress air-delivered ground refueling operations.

The KC-130J remains positioned to support the missions of tomorrow whether they be winking amidst a sea of blue to the east in the Indo-Pacific or concentrated down under from Australia. In an era where near-peer dynamics and global geopolitics continue to evolve, 3d MAW’s need endures for a versatile platform, one capable of unlocking future operational possibilities while honoring the legacy of aviation feats that define its historic past.

By Capt Rebekah Harasick | 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing

Posted in Aviation, Guest Post, USMC | No Comments »

GA-ASI Mojave First UAS To Complete Battlefield Short Field Ops

Friday, September 18th, 2026

Short Takeoff and Landing Aircraft Validates Austere Field CapabilitiesPOCHEON-SI, GYEONGGI-DO, Republic ofKOREA (ROK) – 16 September 2026 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) and Hanwha Aerospace have completed the first-ever flight operations from a simulated battlefield by a medium altitude, long endurance uncrewed aircraft. The partners proved that the Mojave Short Takeoff and Landing aircraft, or Mojave STOL, could land at a tank and artillery live-fire range during simulated combat conditions and then take off again to continue the mission.

“This demonstration showcased Mojave’s ability to perform tactical missions that are representative of real battlefield requirements and challenges,” said GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue. “Whether the user needs contested and austere battlefield operations, ISR, weapons delivery, Air-Launched Effects deployment, troop resupply, counter-UAS, or missions requiring short and unimproved roads for takeoff, our aircraft answer the bell.”

“This demonstration marks an important milestone in delivering tangible results through the partnership between Hanwha and GA-ASI,” said Buhwan Lee, CEO nominee of Hanwha Aerospace. “Going forward, we will work closely with the ROK defense industry to develop unmanned systems designed for future operating environments and expand our presence in global markets.”

The Defense Drone Technology Exhibition took place in the countryside north of Seoul and highlighted Mojave’s ability to operate from an austere environment with a short runway. Configured with dual weapon rails and inert payloads, Mojave executed a concept of operations designed to illustrate how STOL capability enhances operational flexibility, survivability, and responsiveness for future ROK defense applications. The demo took place at the runway ofROK Army 513th Aviation Battalion and the Seungjin Training Field in Pocheon-si.

Under the control of pilots operating from ground control stations, Mojave took off from a conventional runway at ROK Army 513th ROK Aviation Battalion, flew to the Seungjin Training Fieldwhere it joined air operations, then landed on a rough maneuver trail used mostly by ROK Armytanks and artillery vehicles. The aircraft then took back off again, resumed operations, and returned toROK Army 513th Aviation Battalion. In an actual combat situation, soldiers could have refueled and re-armed Mojave during its time on the ground at the range. No other aircraft with Mojave’s endurance, range or payload has this ability.

In 2025, GA-ASI announced that it was partnering with Hanwha to co-develop and co-produce UAS with STOL capability for a worldwide customer base, including the ROK Ministry ofNational Defense, the United States Department of War and other global customers. Critical Design Review (CDR) for a production Mojave STOL is expected in November this year with first flight in 2027.

The Mojave STOL demonstrator now is scheduled to travel to Changwon where it will be on display at Hanwha’s Industry Day on September 21.The event will include an array of ROK suppliers, with many contributing to the production of Mojave STOL.

Posted in Aviation, International, Press Release, UAS | No Comments »

GA-ASI Opening a New Facility in Dayton, Ohio

Tuesday, September 15th, 2026

World Leader in Uncrewed Aircraft Establishing an Innovation Hub for Hardware and Software Development Supporting USAF Programs

DAYTON – 14 September 2026 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), the world leader in Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS), Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, JobsOhio and the Dayton Development Coalition today announced that GA-ASI is expanding its footprint with a new 22,000-square-foot innovation hub in Dayton, Ohio, focusing on hardware and software development for U.S. Air Force (USAF) programs. With the support of Synergy Building Systems, the new facility will open in Spring 2027 near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB), home to the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).

The new facility is in addition to GA-ASI’s existing location outside WPAFB that opened in 2014. The addition will expand GA-ASI’s local footprint by more than seven times the existing square footage. It is expected to employ 50 full-time employees initially, drawn primarily from the local community, with support from JobsOhio and the Dayton Development Coalition, which will help promote and fill these new positions. Anyone interested in applying for a position at GA-ASI should go to www.ga.com/careers.

“GA-ASI’s decision to choose Ohio for its new innovation hub speaks to Ohio’s aviation heritage and the ingenuity of our people,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “This continued growth is part of a long-term strategy to deliver the facilities, infrastructure and talent necessary to ensure UAS pioneers can scale operations and succeed here in Ohio.”

The facility will serve as a central hub for open, modular, and affordable hardware, software, and autonomy development, supporting rapid prototyping, integration, and testing of next-generation UAS capabilities. It will also feature a state-of-the-art mission operations center, enabling remote flight control of GA-ASI aircraft, as well as experimentation, training, and demonstration activities in close coordination with the company’s USAF and industry partners.

“Growing our footprint in Dayton allows GA-ASI to bring its long-standing UAS and sensing expertise to a region recognized as a premier center for advanced technology. This expansion will enable closer collaboration with local industry and more frequent interaction with our U.S. Air Force customer,” said GA-ASI Vice President of DoD Strategic Development Patrick Shortsleeve.

“GA-ASI’s latest investment in Ohio reinforces our state’s vital role in strengthening America’s national defense,” said JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef. “In partnership with the Dayton Development Coalition, we welcome this cutting-edge facility, which will advance critical aircraft hardware and software systems, create 50 new jobs in Beavercreek, and position GA-ASI closer to its private-sector partners and customers at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.”

Ohio’s Aerospace & Defense sector is built for the speed our mission now demands. More than 640 aerospace facilities and 400 defense contractor organizations — supporting 418,000 jobs and roughly $55 billion in annual economic output — operate in collaboration with Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, the Air Force Research Laboratory, the NASA Glenn Research Center, and the National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence (NAAMCE). That concentration shortens the distance from concept to manufacturing: in Ohio, companies can dream it, build it, test it, and scale it without leaving the state.

Synergy Vice President John Kopilchack said: “We are very excited to welcome General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. into our growing Synergy Defense portfolio. Synergy remains committed to clients like GA-ASI who are inventing and pioneering modern solutions for our warfighters.”

GA-ASI has been a supplier of UAS, including the Predator® and Reaper® platforms, to the U.S. Air Force for the past 30 years. In June, GA-ASI was awarded a production contract from USAF to build the new FQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), a purpose-built uncrewed fighter jet developed as part of ongoing investment in next-generation semi-autonomous combat aircraft.

JobsOhio plans to provide assistance for the project, which will be made public after a final agreement is executed. In addition, the project may pursue a Job Creation Tax Credit from the Ohio Department of Development at a future Tax Credit Authority meeting.

Posted in Aviation, Industry, Manufacturing, Press Release | Comments Off on GA-ASI Opening a New Facility in Dayton, Ohio

GPS-Free Test Flight Success Marks Critical Advance for Aviation, National Security

Wednesday, September 9th, 2026

The Defense Innovation Unit’s latest quantum sensing milestone shows aircraft can safely and accurately navigate vast stretches of ocean without relying on the same GPS that millions of civilians use to move through traffic.

The groundbreaking flight test was a success for MagNav, DIU’s magnetic navigation program, and is a critical advancement for the future of aviation and national security.

“This is a significant win for the department’s quantum sensing priorities, showcasing that MagNav capabilities are no longer a distant research goal,” said Kyle Norman, deputy director of DIU’s Kill Web portfolio. “We moved from problem sourcing to solicitation to prototype in a matter of months.”

The MagNav program launched in spring 2024 under the name “Transition of Quantum Sensing.” A total of 72 companies submitted applications to the commercial solutions opening, with Honeywell Aerospace ultimately selected to move forward with prototype development.

MagNav systems use quantum sensors to read the Earth’s natural magnetic field, turning the planet’s crust into an invisible, unjammable map that allows pilots to navigate safely regardless of weather, time of day or GPS availability.

The Earth’s magnetic field cannot be spoofed or blocked by hostile forces, Norman said. The new technology also significantly improves on legacy backup options such as radar mapping or visual cues like rivers, highways and cities.

The system was installed aboard an Embraer 170 aircraft to demonstrate real-world capabilities. The route took the aircraft over the Pacific Ocean, from Seattle’s Puget Sound to southern Alaska and back.

After four hours and 23 minutes of flying over the ocean without GPS, the MagNav system improved position accuracy by 89% compared to traditional backup navigation methods. The navigation data streamed directly to the pilots in real time via standard tablets, showing that military personnel can field the technology without a massive overhaul of cockpit instruments.

The test mission also added the complexity of the ocean surface — a featureless, constantly shifting expanse that would traditionally require internal sensors in the absence of GPS.

The problem, however, is that classical sensors drift over time. What starts as a small miscalculation can become a massive, dangerous deviation if left unchecked. By reading the Earth’s magnetic signatures, MagNav gives pilots a highly accurate, continuous map even when no visible landmarks exist.

Honeywell and DIU are preparing to demonstrate the technology on a U.S. military C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft later this year. By proving that aircraft can maintain pinpoint accuracy over the featureless ocean without GPS, the War Department is taking a significant step toward ensuring that military and commercial pilots can safely reach their destinations, no matter what happens to the satellite networks above them.

By Defense Innovation Unit Staff

Posted in Admin, Aviation, Comms, Department of War, Guest Post, Space | Comments Off on GPS-Free Test Flight Success Marks Critical Advance for Aviation, National Security

Curtiss-Wright to Provide Sensor Processing for Northrop Grumman’s Improved Threat Detection System

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2026

ITDS processor, paired with Northrop Grumman’s ATHENA sensor, will enhance aircraft and aircrew survivability

ASHBURN, Va. – Sept. 1, 2026 – Curtiss-Wright announced today that it was awarded an approximately $14 million contract from Northrop Grumman to provide sensor processing equipment supporting the Phase II development of the U.S. Army’s Improved Threat Detection System (ITDS), the future threat warning system designed to protect aircraft from air defense systems. The program aims to deliver advanced missile warning and threat detection capabilities across current and future U.S. Army aviation platforms, including the AH-64 Apache and MV-75 Cheyenne Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft.

Curtiss-Wright’s ITDS integrated processor provides a modular, ruggedized solution designed to ingest high-bandwidth sensor data, perform real-time processing and data fusion, and enable rapid integration of new capabilities within an open systems architecture that is purpose built for portability from platform to platform. Paired with Northrop Grumman’s Advanced Tactical Hostile Engagement Awareness (ATHENA) sensor, Curtiss-Wright’s integrated processor will enable timely missile warning and critical information flow across the platform to protect aircraft and aircrews.

“Combining Curtiss-Wright’s highly durable processing capability with Northrop Grumman’s ATHENA sensor will result in an unrivaled threat detection capability, providing the potential to protect aircrews from virtually any weapon system – air to air or surface to air – employed by our adversaries,” said Brian Perry, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions. “Our integrated processor excels at rapidly processing and transporting large amounts of data in the most demanding environments, making it the optimal computing solution for latency-critical sense and response protection systems such as ITDS.”

Curtiss-Wright’s integrated processor utilizes MOSA- and SOSA aligned modules integrated within a conduction-cooled chassis designed for airborne deployment. High-speed optical interfaces and configurable I/O provide support for both modern digital sensors and legacy aircraft interfaces, enabling integration across a wide range of aircraft protection architectures. The integrated processor also delivers groundbreaking artificial intelligence-enabled compute architecture and real-time net-centric data sharing which ensures the platform can evolve alongside emerging sensor technologies, algorithms, and countermeasure systems.

About ATHENA

The ATHENA sensor is designed to enhance aircraft survivability by providing 360-degree situational awareness and high-resolution threat detection, capable of geolocating electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) threats such as unmanned aerial systems, air to air missiles, anti-tank guided missiles, and rocket-propelled grenades.

About ITDS

ITDS will provide the capability to detect, classify, cue and declare on existing and emerging EO/IR threats. ITDS is designed to operate based on rapid threat classification and initiating the appropriate countermeasure system, such as directable infrared and/or expendable countermeasures. ITDS also provides appropriate hostile fire indications, differentiating between small arms and rocket threats.

ITDS will be a Future Airborne Capability Environment (FACE)-conformant and Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA)-compliant system, able to operate on a digital backbone. It will be composed of IR sensors, a processor, and a memory module.

For additional information about Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions products, please visit defense-solutions.curtisswright.com and LinkedIn.

Posted in Admin, Aviation, Press Release, Sensors | No Comments »