A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress conducts a combat air patrol in support of Operation Inherent Resolve over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Nov. 23, 2024. The deployment of the long-range heavy bombers into the USCENTCOM theater demonstrates the United States’ dedication to deterring aggression and maintaining stability in the region alongside allies and partners. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Gerald Willis)

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle conducts a combat air patrol in support of Operation Inherent Resolve over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Nov. 23, 2024. F-15Es conduct missions within the AOR to compete strategically and deter Iran and its proxies. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Gerald Willis)

The Utah Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 211th Aviation Regiment welcomed the newest AH-64E Apache Guardian into its ranks in West Jordan, Utah, Nov. 23, 2024. These are the most advanced attack helicopters to date, enhancing the Utah Army National Guard’s air lethality. (Utah Army National Guard photo by: Sgt. Ian Tracy)

November 25, 2024
Bombardier Defense celebrated the delivery of the first Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft to the United States Army in support of the High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) program. Bolstered by the Global 6500’s high-performance capabilities, the fixed-wing platform will contribute to strengthening the U.S. Army’s aerial deep sensing abilities and marks a significant milestone toward the United States’ goal of modernizing its aerial military intelligence.

Joined by U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS), State of Kansas officials, and U.S. Army leaders, the celebration highlighted the delivery of the first prototype airframe for the next-generation intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) solution and the beginning of the next stage of the program to integrate systems.

“Bombardier Defense is honored to support the U.S. Army with the delivery of the first Global 6500 aircraft, a high-performance platform that possesses the speed, endurance-at-range and altitude capabilities to support deep-sensing for the Army of tomorrow,” said Steve Patrick, Vice President of Bombardier Defense. “This best-in-class jet is the future-proofed solution to provide the U.S. Army with the capabilities needed to face current and future threats.”

“We are proud of the partnership with Bombardier Defense and the mission-focused professionals in the State of Kansas. We remain excited about the opportunities we can unlock by pairing the performance, versatility and reliability of the Global 6500 with modern payloads aligned to priority intelligence requirements. HADES is the centerpiece of the Army's collection strategy, and the Global 6500 is the system that brings that strategy to life. This aircraft gives us the range, payload capacity, speed and endurance to deliver timely, relevant and responsive capabilities for the full spectrum of Army and Joint collection requirements.” – Andrew Evans, Director, HQDA G-2 ISR Task Force

“The partnership between Bombardier, the U.S. Army and the Wichita workforce has produced a next-generation aircraft equipped to meet the demands of warfare in a new era of technology,” said U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS). “The HADES aircraft has the tools needed to deter threats, conduct surveillance and help keep our country safe. This is the start of a new chapter in the aviation capabilities of our military and continues Kansas’ legacy of defense manufacturing.”

Fixed-wing platforms like Bombardier’s Global 6500 aircraft, which flies faster, longer, and higher than legacy airborne sensor platforms, offer a significant advantage toward enhancing performance of aerial ISR missions. The Global 6500 provides several advantages for military entities, such as reliability, operational reach, and expanded operating areas. With a maximum endurance of up to 18 hours, and up to 750 flight hours between maintenance intervals, and part of the Global family that has an impressive 99.83% dispatch reliability, the Global 6500 aircraft is an ideal choice to accomplish operational objectives such as deep sensing.

Bombardier Defense has dedicated in-house engineering and support teams available 24/7 worldwide with the ability to incorporate modifications tailored to the customer’s need with complete certification capabilities across the full spectrum of civilian, military and hybrid operations. Bombardier brings decades of experience working with special mission operators and renowned mission systems integrators to adapt its proven platform for critical operations worldwide.

WICHITA, Kan. (Nov. 25, 2024) – Textron Aviation Defense today announced the arrival of five Beechcraft T-6C Texan II Integrated Training System (ITS) aircraft in support of the Vietnam Air Defense Air Force (ADAF) pilot training program at Phan Thiet Airbase. The historic delivery of the first of 12 T-6C Texan II ITS aircraft highlights the on-time fulfillment of the inaugural Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program established between the U.S. Air Force (USAF) and the ADAF. Contracted in August 2022, the full fleet of 12 T-6C aircraft is anticipated to be delivered by mid-2025. 

The Beechcraft T-6C Texan II is designed and manufactured by Textron Aviation Defense LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company.

“It’s an honor to support the United States and its Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam as together they focus on a prosperous, open, resilient, and peaceful Indo-Pacific Region,” said Travis Tyler, President and CEO, Textron Aviation Defense LLC. “We also welcome the Vietnam Air Defense Air Force as the 14th nation to place its confidence in the T-6 Texan II and we celebrate the arrival of the T-6C at Phan Thiet Airbase.”

The initial USAF FMS contract award features three T-6C ITS aircraft, site survey, ground support equipment, two spare engines, spare parts, personal life support equipment, external fuel tanks and pylons, aircraft ferry, program support and country specific technical orders. Subsequent contract awards increased the ADAF fleet of T-6C aircraft to twelve.
About the Beechcraft T-6 Texan II

The Beechcraft T-6 Texan II is the world’s premier military flight trainer. Backed by more than 90 years of experience delivering more than 250,000 aircraft worldwide, the Beechcraft T-6 Texan II’s low acquisition, operating and sustainment costs enable global air forces to fast-track pilot production. With an installed base that more than quadruples its closest competitor, the family of Beechcraft T-6 Texan II aircraft has been the world’s number one Integrated Training System (ITS) for more than 20 years. The Beechcraft T-6 Texan II capitalizes on an active production line with an industry-leading Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) rating of 10 as well as a proven supply chain and the affordability of 85 percent parts commonality with the Beechcraft AT-6E Wolverine. To date, the global fleet of more than 1,000 Beechcraft T-6 Texan II aircraft has surpassed 5 million flight hours across 14 nations and two NATO flight schools.

A vital asset, the T-6 empowers global pilot training across the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Flight Training program in Canada, the Euro NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program (ENJJPT) at Sheppard AFB, Texas and the U.S. Air Force Aviation Leadership Program as well as the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Army and Coast Guard, the Hellenic Air Force, the Argentine Air Force, the Israeli Air Force, the Royal Air Force, the Iraqi Air Force, the Royal Canadian Air Force, Mexican Navy, the Mexican Air Force, the Royal Moroccan Air Force, the Colombian Air Force, the Royal New Zealand Air Force, the Royal Thai Air Force, Tunisian Air Force and the Vietnam Air Defense Air Force.

The CC-295 Kingfisher of the RCAF recently completed the rescue phase of its Operational Test and Evaluation Program. This activity is used to determine if the aircraft meets the operational capability requirements in realistic scenarios, to search for and locate vessels or people in distress, and to complete the rescue part of the mission. Achieving this milestone means the aircraft is on track to reach Initial Operational Capability in early 2025 and will be ready to carry out critical, life-saving SAR missions across Canada’s vast and challenging territory.
(Photo courtesy of the RCAF)

U.S. Navy Blue Angels, Navy flight demonstration squadron, arrive at Pease Air National Guard Base, New Hampshire, Nov. 25, 2024. The Blue Angels scheduled a winter visit tour of the base in preparation for the Thunder Over New Hampshire Air Show scheduled for Sept. 2025. (Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. April S. Jackson)

Members of Air Forces Northern (AFNORTH) participated with the Mexican Secretariat of National Defense (Defensa), Mexico’s Service to Navigation in the Mexican Air Space (SENEAM) and other interagency partners in AMALGAM EAGLE 24, a live-fly air defense exercise conducted November 13-14, 2024. Amalgam Eagle is a bilateral air defense and search and rescue exercise with its primary objective to enhance the operational and communications capabilities between Air Forces Northern and the Mexican Secretariat of National Defense. The U.S. and Mexico share a close partnership that ensures we are able to stand together and build upon our existing security cooperation efforts.
(Photos by Michael Dougherty)


A B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron takes off from RAF Fairford, England, for a training mission with the Royal Moroccan Air Force during Bomber Task Force 25-1, Nov. 22, 2024. The U.S. and Morocco's strategic partnership is based on mutual interests in regional peace, security and prosperity, and we remain dedicated to working together on shared concerns. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mary Bowers)

A C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the 183rd Expeditionary Airlift Squadron sits on a flightline within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Nov. 20, 2024. The C-17 supports troop and cargo movements along with aeromedical evacuation operations. (Photo by Senior Airman Violette Hosack)

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon flies over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Nov. 22, 2024. The Fighting Falcon is highly maneuverable and has proven its capabilities in air-air combat and air-to-surface attack. (Photo by Staff Sgt. William Rosado)

North Olmsted, Ohio, November 26, 2024 – CommuteAir and Embraer (NYSE: ERJ; B3: EMBR3) have expanded their cooperation by entering into a contract for the Exchange Plus Program to support CommuteAir’s E-Jet fleet. Through the program, CommuteAir will be able to access tailored inventory management and repair services from Embraer’s worldwide supply chain.

“CommuteAir is excited to build on its existing partnership with Embraer for our ERJ145 aircraft to now include parts inventory and repair support for our E-Jet aircraft,” said Lon Ziegler, CommuteAir’s Vice President of Technical Operations. “Embraer will help ensure we have a ready supply of parts to support our charter operations using the 76-seat E170 aircraft.”

“We are very pleased to partner with CommuteAir to offer the Exchange Plus Program for supporting its E-Jet operation. Embraer has a long-term relationship with the company and our goal is to offer the best-in-class support that makes the difference on our customer’s operations”, said Carlos Naufel, President and CEO, Embraer Services & Support.

Exchange Plus Program is an integrated solution for customers seeking efficiency and cost-effective management of repairable components. With tailored inventory management and comprehensive repair services, customers can optimize their operations while minimizing downtime and associated costs. CommuteAir and Embraer have already partnered on rotable and expendable parts support for the ERJ145 fleet through the Pool and Inventory Planning programs.

About CommuteAir

CommuteAir, a United Express partner, operates over 200 daily flights using 57 Embraer ERJ145s for United Airlines, connecting communities globally. Additionally, CommuteAir offers charter services with an Embraer E170 under its own brand. Headquartered in suburban Cleveland, CommuteAir has major hubs at Houston Intercontinental and Washington Dulles airports. The company also operates maintenance hangars in Houston, Albany, N.Y., and Lincoln, Neb.

One of the RNZAF new C-130J-30 has completed it's first mission to the ice.

Yesterday, NZ7011 flew to Antarctica for the first time. The Hercules was loaded with cargo that will support the New Zealand and United States scientific research programmes at Scott Base and McMurdo Station.

The C-130J is scheduled to make six trips this summer season carrying a mix of passengers and cargo.
(Photo courtesy of the RNZAF)

Some photos from SIRIO24, of 201 and 301 Fighter Squadron (F-16M) of the Força Aérea Portuguese , who were participating in exercise.
(Photos courtesy of the Ejército del Aire)