The Harrier bows out: US Marine Corps ends 55 years of jump jet operations
Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 223 sundowned their aircraft on 3 June, marking the end of AV-8B Harrier II operational use by the US Marine Corps and bringing to a close more than five decades of Harrier operations in American military service.
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New Turkish Air Force: Airpower without dependence
The projects Türkiye has been developing for many years in the fields of defense and security continue to yield tangible results in the aviation sector, just as they have in the maritime sector. Thanks to the national vision established for the aviation and space industry, high-tech platforms that will be central to future battlefields are preparing to enter the inventory of the Turkish Air Force.
Lockheed Martin Awarded $1 Billion in New Contracts June 3, 2026
Aerospace and defense giant Lockheed Martin won more than $1 billion in new contracts from the Pentagon in May, including $879 million to support the F-35 Lightning II program. The fifth-generation multirole stealth fighter, which is produced in three unique variants for the United States military and its partners, is already among the most expensive defense programs in history. Current estimates are that it will exceed more than $1 trillion throughout its service life, which could extend into the 2070s or later.
Taiwan signs new Dassault support deal for Mirage 2000-5 fleet
Taiwan’s Air Force has awarded Dassault Aviation a new five-year technical support contract worth NT$926.47 million ($29.5 million) to sustain the availability and operational safety of its Mirage 2000-5 fighter fleet.
Boeing Validates MQ-28 Stealth Performance
Boeing has validated another advanced capability for the MQ-28 collaborative combat aircraft, which gives customers a decisive edge in combat: stealth performance. Stealthiness is one of the key features of this new-generation unmanned platform, which has been developed by Boeing Defense Australia in partnership with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
Marines’ AV-8 Harrier Jump Jet Takes Its Final Bow
The unmistakable howl of the AV-8B Harrier II has been a soundtrack to U.S. Marine Corps aviation for more than four decades. From the deserts of the Middle East and Afghanistan to the decks of amphibious assault ships at sea, the aircraft’s ability to take off from short runways, operate from austere forward bases, and land vertically made it one of the most distinctive combat aircraft ever to wear American markings. Before then, its predecessor, the first-generation AV-8A Harrier, had pioneered the ‘jump jet’ in U.S. service, after entering Marine Corps service in 1971.
As Fighter Fleet Shrinks Below Legal Minimum, Pfluger Sounds Alarm
Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas), a former F-22 pilot now serving in Congress, is sounding the alarm. “This is the moment I think that Congress needs to take action,” Pfluger said during an interview at AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies. “Just that stat right there should wake up everybody. It should definitely be a call to action.”
Indonesia Doubles J-10CE Fighter Order to 24, Arms Jets with PL-15E Missiles as China Expands Airpower Influence in Southeast Asia
Indonesia reportedly has decided to double its planned acquisition of Chinese-built J-10CE multirole fighters from 12 to 24 aircraft, accelerating a profound transformation in Southeast Asia’s airpower equilibrium as Jakarta expands beyond traditional Western-centric procurement dependencies.
Swiss F/A-18C/D Super Hornet fleet’s useful life extended to ensure air operations until F-35A introduction in early 2030s
The useful life extension work for the Swiss Air Force’s F/A-18C/D combat aircraft has been completed, the Federal Office for Defence Procurement armasuisse said. The measure ensures the operational readiness of the Swiss F/A-18C/D fleet into the early 2030s and up to the introduction of the new F-35A combat aircraft.
China Reveals Details of the PL-16, Its New Air-to-Air Missile with a Range Exceeding 300 km
The PL-16 reportedly incorporates a variable-thrust solid rocket motor that would allow it to exceed 300 km in range. China is also highlighting operational achievements attributed to the PL-15 against Indian fighters.
