A F/A-18F Super Hornet, attached to the “Kestrels” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 137, makes an arrested landing on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during flight operations in the Pacific Ocean, April 3, 2026. Nimitz is deployed as part of Southern Seas 2026 which seeks to enhance capability, improve interoperability, and strengthen maritime partnerships with countries throughout the region through joint, multinational and interagency exchanges and cooperation. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jaron Wills)

An F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151, prepares to launch from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) during Operation Epic Fury, March 30, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo)

Hanoi, Vietnam, 7 April 2026 – The Vietnam Helicopter Corporation (VNH)’s subsidiaries, Southern Vietnam Helicopter Company (VNH South) and Northern Vietnam Helicopter Company (VNH North), have placed an order for three Airbus H225 helicopters, to support the continued expansion of its offshore energy operations, and progressively replace ageing aircraft in its fleet.

This latest order reinforces a trusted partnership between VNH and Airbus Helicopters that has spanned more than 40 years, and reflects the Vietnamese operator’s long-term strategy to modernise and strengthen its heavy helicopter capabilities.

“The H225 has proven itself time and again across our offshore missions, delivering the reliability, performance, and safety we expect. As we look ahead, we see the H225 forming the backbone of our future fleet, allowing us to modernise our operations while expanding capacity and mission flexibility,” said Kieu Dang Hung, CEO of VNH.

“We are honoured to continue supporting VNH and its subsidiaries as they strengthen and revitalise their fleet. Their decision to centre future operations around the H225 underscores the aircraft’s exceptional reliability and performance in demanding offshore environments,” said Matthieu Louvot, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “Our enduring partnership with VNH is built on trust and shared commitment to mission success, and we look forward to supporting their growth for many decades to come,” he added.

The new H225s will join VNH’s existing Airbus fleet consisting of Super Puma and H155 helicopters, for deployment across offshore energy transport, utility missions, search and rescue, and broader transport operations.

As the latest addition to the Super Puma family, the H225 is recognised for its high performance in challenging conditions as well as its outstanding range and payload capacity. The aircraft’s state-of-the-art avionics and autopilot systems provide increased safety while reducing pilot workload.

There are more than 360 H225s and H225Ms in service around the world, totaling more than one million flight hours. Military customers include Brazil, France, Hungary, Indonesia, Iraq, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Singapore, and Thailand.

FIDAE – Santiago, Chile (April 7, 2026) Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today at FIDAE 2026 that the Bell 505 has set a new record for the number of aircraft orders in Latin America in 2025. This achievement highlights the growing demand the region has seen for the Bell 505 and its multi-mission capabilities.

“This milestone is a proud achievement for Bell, showcasing the trust we have with our customers and the exceptional efforts of our team,” said John Ramos, managing director, Latin America. “The Bell 505 has been a highly sought after aircraft in Latin America since its introduction to the market, and that really highlights how well it meets the needs of such a diverse region while also offering exceptional performance and adaptability.”

In the Southern Cone, there are more Bell 505s in operation than any other area in Latin America, making Bell’s support network critical to the success of the Bell 505. Through a system of customer service and authorized maintenance facilities, Bell delivers reliable, around-the-clock support that builds trust and confidence. This infrastructure strengthens the ownership experience and distinguishes Bell, highlighting the Bell 505’s versatility while cultivating long-term customer relationships that lead to repeat sales, new sales and customer upgrades.

The Bell 505 was introduced in 2014 and certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2017. There are now more than 600 Bell 505s operating in more than 66 countries on six continents, surpassing 300,000 total fleet flight hours. With a speed of 125 knots (232 km/h) and a useful load of 1,500 pounds (680 kg), the Bell 505 is designed to be easy to fly while providing significant value to the operator and best-in-class cabin visibility. The customer-driven design of the aircraft places safety, performance and affordability at the forefront, blending proven systems with advanced technology and a sleek, modern design.

Fort Worth, TX (April 07, 2026) – Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, has been selected for the fourth phase of the U.S. Army’s Flight School Next competition.

“Bell is proud to be selected for the fourth phase of the Flight School Next competition alongside our teammates,” said John Novalis II, strategic director, Flight School Next, Bell. “From the very beginning, our team set out to deliver the most cost-effective and low-risk solution for the Army’s Initial Entry Rotary Wing (IERW) program at Fort Rucker, leveraging Bell’s unique position as an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and world leader in flight training. Making it to this stage proves that Bell’s solution is strong and we look forward to demonstrating our ability to execute.”

During phase four, Bell and our teammates, DigiFlight, Delaware Resource Group (DRG), V2X, Alpha 1 Aerospace, Semper Fly and TRU Simulation, will demonstrate to the Army our turnkey solution to include the Bell 505 along with the technology and innovation that supports execution of the program. Additionally, Bell and our teammates are moving forward with preparations for program execution. Bell will be ready to support from day one.

Bell is excited about the opportunity to partner with the Army for Flight School Next. Flight training is in our DNA, and we have the right team, aircraft, and an innovative solution to transform Army flight training at Fort Rucker.

On April 8, 2026, BAE Systems announced that a Royal Air Force Typhoon test and evaluation aircraft had successfully fired an APKWS-guided weapon during a trial at a UK military range, opening a new path for the Eurofighter’s adaptation to the low-cost drone threat.

In its official statement, the company presented the firing as part of a broader Typhoon capability enhancement effort and said the recent ground-target trial would pave the way for the next stage of tests against air targets. The development is important because it signals a shift in combat-air thinking: not every aerial threat can be countered sustainably with premium missiles, especially when adversaries increasingly rely on cheap uncrewed systems to impose financial and industrial strain on defenders.

Some wonderful shots courtesy of the RAF of the Spitfire90 tour, K5054 joined up with two F35 Lightning IIs from @rafmarham, before being joined by our very own Dakota and Spitfire AB910 for an iconic flypast and arrival into @rafconingsby.


This flight truly showed the advancement of technology in the @royalairforceuk, with historic vs modern day aircraft in action together in the sky.


From F-84E Thunderjets to the F-35A Lightning II: the history of the 312 Squadron has now seen an impressive evolution.

With the transfer of part of the F-16s to Ukraine, the Dutch F-16 era officially came to an end. For 312 Squadron at Volkel Air Base, this marked an important step in its 75-year anniversary and in the transition to the F-35. As the final unit, the squadron makes the transition to the next-generation fighter aircraft.

A transition that brings not only a new device but also a completely new ecosystem, including complex infrastructure and new logistics and maintenance processes. Also in the field of personnel, this requires retraining and intensive cooperation with the other squadrons for logistics, maintenance and training. This is how experienced F-16 veterans together with young, inexperienced colleagues build a future-proof team.

The focus is on the foundation for the next 30 years: a complete 5th generation squadron ready for operational deployment under all circumstances.
(Photos courtesy of the Koninklijke Luchtmacht )