A U.S. Navy F-18 F/A Super Hornet assigned to the East Coast Rhino Demonstration Team taxis before takeoff at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, July 4, 2026. Military flyovers and aerial demonstrations are a longstanding part of national celebrations that connect Americans with their Armed Forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Daniel Walderbach)

A NASA F-18 prepares for the Freedom 250 celebration in Washington, D.C., at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, July 4, 2026. Andrews, known as America’s Airfield, regularly supports national security special events such as Freedom 250 with airfield and logistical support. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Julia Lebens)

A U.S. Air Force VC-25A assigned to the 89th Airlift Wing takes off in preparation for a Freedom 250 flyover from Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, July 4, 2026. JBA, known as America's Airfield, regularly supports national security special events such as Freedom 250 with airfield and logistical support. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Julia Lebens)

Savannah, Ga., July 1, 2026 — Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. today announced two major milestones: The company’s next-generation G800 achieved the Gulfstream fleet’s 800th city pair speed record and then completed the farthest fastest flight in business aviation history.

The G800 secured the 800th city pair speed record earlier in June with a flight from Reykjavik, Iceland, to Savannah. The aircraft traveled 2,973 nautical miles/5,505 kilometers in 5 hours and 52 minutes at an average cruise speed of Mach 0.91.

On June 28, the G800 completed a separate record-setting mission from Melbourne, Australia, to Moline, Illinois. The flight covered 8,303 nm/15,377 km in 16 hours and 56 minutes at an average cruise speed of Mach 0.85.

“With every new aircraft, Gulfstream continues to push the boundaries of performance for our customers,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream. “Reaching our 800th city pair speed record and completing the farthest fastest flight in our industry’s history demonstrates the strength of our next-generation fleet and the advanced capabilities of the G800.”

Gulfstream aircraft have now achieved 815 speed records across the fleet, including 15 set by the G800 since entering service in August 2025.

The G800 is designed for long-range missions, offering a range of 8,200 nm/15,186 km at Mach 0.85 and 7,000 nm/12,964 km at its high-speed cruise of Mach 0.90. The aircraft can also fly 8,000 nm/14,816 km at Mach 0.87 and features a maximum operating speed of Mach 0.935, allowing operators to maximize mission flexibility while maintaining optimal fuel-efficiency and operational reliability.

The G800 features a low cabin altitude of 2,840 feet/866 meters when flying at 41,000 ft/12,497 m, 100% fresh air replenished every two to three minutes, a plasma ionization air purification system and 16 Gulfstream Panoramic Oval Windows. The interior can be configured with up to four living areas or three living areas and a crew compartment, ideal for the ultralong flights the G800 can make.

A new chapter for Canada’s Strategic Tanker Transport Capability project.
The first new CC-330 Husky took to the skies in Getafe, Spain for its first test flight on July 2.

This is one of eight aircraft being converted into the multi-role tanker transport configuration. It will support air-to-air refuelling, strategic transport, and aeromedical evacuation.

The first flight is a key milestone in the production and allows teams to test the aircraft’s design and evaluate how it performs in the air, including its ability to operate safely.

More testing lies ahead before the first aircraft joins the Royal Canadian Air Force fleet in 2027.
(Photo courtesy of the RCAF)

Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, July 7, 2026 — Boeing’s [NYSE: BA] MQ-28 Ghost Bat has participated in Exercise Valiant Shield alongside F-35A, F-35B, F-15EX, HC-130, E-3, E-2D, EA-18G, RC-135, and various other joint and coalition aircraft becoming the first and only collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) deployed to a multinational, joint operational exercise.

During Valiant Shield 2026 in June, the Australian-developed MQ-28 Ghost Bat integrated with forces from the U.S. Pacific Command to support the U.S. Air Force’s Experimental Operations Unit’s CCA integration objectives.

The aircraft participated alongside crewed platforms as they refined tactics, techniques and procedures around the Marianas Island Range Complex in the Western Pacific region. Such exercises are critical in ensuring the interoperability and interchangeability elements of MQ-28 and proving the ability to deploy and integrate into a joint force.

“Having MQ-28 participate in such a significant military training exercise is a first, and this is just the start of demonstrating how advanced human-machine teaming extends the reach and awareness of crewed platforms and enhances joint force operations,” said Steve Parker, president and chief executive officer of Boeing Defense, Space & Security.

“We’ve proven that it’s combat capable and now U.S. military, along with allied and partner forces, are able to test it first-hand and experience the value and advantage that CCA bring to the force mix.”

As part of Boeing’s broader family of systems, MQ-28 has been developed using open mission systems and government reference architectures which allow defence forces to rapidly integrate sovereign payloads for their specific mission requirements. It is designed to team with 4th, 5th, and 6th-generation aircraft to enhance the capabilities of the entire fleet.

“MQ-28 Ghost Bat is the most proven, mature CCA in allied nations and this latest demonstration highlights our readiness to bring this Australian-developed capability to global air forces,” said Amy List, vice president and managing director, Boeing Defence Australia.

Valiant Shield is a biennial exercise focused on integrating the joint force, fostering real-world proficiency in detecting, locating, tracking, and engaging units at sea, in the air, on land, and in cyberspace in response to a range of mission areas.

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A leading global aerospace company and top U.S. exporter, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. Our U.S. and global workforce and supplier base drive innovation, economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing is committed to fostering a culture based on our core values of safety, quality and integrity.

Grand Prairie, United States, 7 July 2026 – Airbus has finalised a contract for the purchase of 10 H125 helicopters by U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations (CBP AMO). These aircraft will be operated by Air and Marine Operations to support critical law enforcement, border security, and public safety missions across the United States.

"The expansion of this H125 fleet underscores the long-standing collaboration between Airbus and U.S. Customs and Border Protection," said Bart Reijnen, Head of the North America Region for Airbus Helicopters. "This selection highlights the trust placed in the H125 to perform critical public safety missions under demanding conditions. Airbus remains committed to supporting the agency with reliable aircraft and comprehensive services to ensure continuous mission readiness."

The H125 light enforcement helicopter is a vital asset for airborne law enforcement operations throughout North America. Configured to operate efficiently in extreme environments, the aircraft delivers the versatility and reliability required for rigorous multi-role homeland security operations.

Manufactured at Airbus’ manufacturing facility in Columbus, Mississippi, the H125 offers excellent visibility with multi-mission flexibility to conduct patrol surveillance and tactical operations at low operating costs. The H125 incorporates advanced safety features with the dual-channel full authority digital engine control (FADEC), engine data recorder, and dual hydraulic flight control system as standard equipment. These integrated systems reduce pilot workload and enhance operational safety during complex tactical flights.

The H125 is a leading light single-engine helicopter globally. This new acquisition will further strengthen CBP AMO’s operational capabilities and advance its fleet modernisation goals.

At the NATO summit in Ankara, Türkiye, Secretary General Mark Rutte announced that NATO will begin formal negotiations with Saab regarding the acquisition of up to ten GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) systems.

At this point, Saab has not signed a contract or received an order related to the announcement.

NATO has identified the need to replace its existing AEW&C capability as part of a broader effort to modernise and strengthen the Alliance’s surveillance and situational awareness capabilities. The announcement by the NATO Secretary General confirms that Saab’s GlobalEye is NATO’s chosen solution for its future AEW&C capability.

“We are honoured and proud to support NATO in its next-generation AEW&C capability. We are confident that GlobalEye is the right choice for the Alliance, delivering proven capability, adaptability and long-term operational advantage. Today’s announcement clearly positions GlobalEye as the world-leading solution for advanced airborne early warning and control. We look forward to the next steps in the negotiations,” says Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab.

GlobalEye will enable the Alliance to monitor vast areas of land, sea and air, significantly enhancing NATO’s ability to detect and respond to a wide range of threats. GlobalEye combines Saab’s Erieye Extended Range radar with an advanced suite of sensors and a multi-domain Command and Control (C2) system, on a Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft. As an AEW&C system, GlobalEye provides long-range detection with high update rates, capable of identifying low-observable and stealthy threats, as well as drones, ballistic and hypersonic missiles, even in complex environments characterised by heavy clutter and electronic jamming.

Saab will now proceed to formal negotiations with the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) to secure a contract.

New Delhi, India, July 7, 2026 – Embraer’s (NYSE: EMBJ; B3: EMBJ3) family of E-Jets has received Type Certification from India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The certification covers multiple aircraft from the E-Jets family, including the E190, E195, and the E195-E2, the world’s quietest and most fuel-efficient small narrowbody aircraft.

“We welcome the type certification of Embraer’s aircraft and thank the DGCA for its thorough assessment,” said Raul Villaron, Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing, Head of Region Asia Pacific, Commercial Aviation. “With remarkable performance, economics, and passenger comfort, Embraer’s E-Jets are set to reshape regional aviation in India and support the Indian government’s UDAN vision.”

The E-Jets is one of the most successful aircraft program in commercial aviation with more than 1,900 deliveries and continues to operate worldwide with more than 80 airlines across more than 50 countries. The E195-E2 has low operating cost and is the most fuel-efficient small narrowbody aircraft in operation today. It features a modern cabin with 2x2 seating with no middle seats, large overhead bins and individual passenger service units.

The E175 is already type certified for India and is operated by Star Air. In February 2026, Adani Defence & Aerospace and Embraer announced an enhanced Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at establishing a Final Assembly Line (FAL) for the E175 regional jet, aligned to India’s Regional Transport Aircraft (RTA) program.

The next generation E195-E2 was triple certified by three key civil aviation authorities – the FAA (USA), EASA (Europe) and ANAC (Brazil) in 2018 and 2019 respectively. The E195-E2 is the most fuel-efficient single-aisle aircraft in operation today.

“The E-Jets offers enhanced range of up to 7-hours and performance capabilities to operate from challenging airports with short runways or low pavement strength,” said Adity Shekhar, Regional Vice President, Sales, Embraer. “This certification enables us to support airlines expanding their networks and opening unique routes by tapping into ‘blue ocean’ opportunities that are too small for a large narrowbody or too far for a turboprop.”

Embraer has a strong and growing presence in India, with nearly 50 aircraft across 11 different Embraer models currently in operation spanning commercial aviation, defense, and business aviation. Star Air operates a fleet of 11 Embraer E175 and ERJ145 aircraft.

HMS Prince of Wales was buzzed by a large Tupolev Tu-142 ‘Bear’ maritime patrol aircraft, escorted all the time by two stealth fighters from 809 Naval Air Squadron, launched from the carrier’s flight deck minutes earlier.

The encounter – which saw the Russians drop sonobuoy listening devices and also pass destroyer HMS Duncan – took place in the Norwegian Sea on the latest phase of the UK Carrier Strike Group’s Firecrest deployment.

That phase built up to using a Queen Elizabeth-class carrier for NATO’s air policing mission, protecting Icelandic and Arctic skies against Russian incursions.

It’s the first time the mission has been conducted from a European aircraft carrier – with the Lightnings carrying out patrols or standing ready to scramble to defend the High North.

The jets – from 809 Naval Air Squadron, but flown and maintained 50/50 by RAF and Royal Navy personnel – have been safeguarding the airspace for the small Nordic nation.

To date the NATO air policing mission has been carried out solely by aircraft operating from traditional air bases on land.

“Air defence is a core role for the Lightning Force and having been accredited previously from land bases, it is great to see the capability expanded further to support our allies from an embarked environment,” said Commander Nick Smith, Commanding Officer of 809 Naval Air Squadron.

“I’m incredibly proud of 809 Naval Air Squadron and the wider Carrier Strike Group’s achievements this week in completing NATO Air Policing validation.

“The proving of communications links, command chains and standard tactics, techniques and procedures have all been demonstrated and we have once again proven interoperability with our NATO partners.”

Iceland sits at the heart of a critical corridor between Greenland and the United Kingdom, through which military and commercial traffic passes between the Arctic and the North Atlantic.

Keeping it secure protects the sea and air links that connect the UK and North America – and by extension the trade routes that underpin British jobs and living standards.

Portsmouth-based HMS Prince of Wales and her escorting destroyer HMS Duncan can both track incoming aircraft at ranges in excess of 200 miles, while the ships’ fighter controllers direct the F-35s on their missions.

The Russian Bear was also intercepted by Norwegian F-35A's.