A V-22 Osprey with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force flies off of the coast of Kagoshima, Japan during exercise Resolute Dragon 25, Sept. 12, 2025. Resolute Dragon is an annual bilateral exercise in Japan that strengthens the command, control, and multi-domain maneuver capabilities of U.S. Marines in III Marine Expeditionary Force and Japan Self-Defense Force personnel, with a focus on controlling and defending key maritime terrain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Carlos Paz-Sosa)

A U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet, attached to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 9, takes off from Naval Air Station Point Mugu during Gray Flag, Sept. 12, 2025. Gray Flag 2025 is the naval aviation test community’s premier large force test event, providing unique venues for large-scale integration of new capabilities across services and platforms. Working with the Joint Force, industry, and our nation’s allies to ensure seamless integration and interoperability is key to ensuring warfighters have a decisive advantage in the field. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class August Clawson)

A U.S. Navy E-2D Hawkeye, attached to Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 117, lands on Naval Air Station Point Mugu during Gray Flag, Sept. 12, 2025. Gray Flag 2025 is the naval aviation test community’s premier large force test event, providing unique venues for large-scale integration of new capabilities across services and platforms. Working with the Joint Force, industry, and our nation’s allies to ensure seamless integration and interoperability is key to ensuring warfighters have a decisive advantage in the field. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class August Clawson)

U.S. Air Force Airmen 1st Class Stephen Wall, a crew chief assigned to the 391st Expeditionary Fighter Generation Squadron,launches an F-15E Strike Eagle during exercise Agile Spartan 25.2 in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Aug. 26, 2025.Crew chiefs are vital to agile combat employment teams, performing critical inspections and maintenance to keep aircraft mission-ready from dispersed, austere locations. The exercise demonstrates how ACE and multi-capable Airmen enhance survivability, flexibility and interoperability to
project U.S. airpower across the spectrum of conflict. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Grace Turpin)

A U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon flies a presence patrol over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 28, 2025. The Fighting Falcon is a multi-role fighter aircraft and is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Natalie Jones)

Three French Air and Space Force Dassault Rafales fly in formation behind a U.S. KC-135 Stratotanker over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Aug. 20, 2025. The U.S. participated in a multinational exercise with the French Air Force to strengthen partner integration and foreign relations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Natalie Jones)

An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds prepares to take off after being refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 101st Air Refueling Wing, Sept. 10, 2025. The Thunderbirds are the Air Force’s air demonstration squadron and perform across the United States and abroad, showcasing precision formation and solo flying. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Michelle Hopkins)

The United Aircraft Corporation Rostec, as part of the implementation of the State Defense Order, has manufactured and delivered a new batch of Su-34 fighter-bombers to the Russian Ministry of Defense.

The fighter-bombers have passed a series of necessary ground and flight factory tests and have been handed over to the customer.

“As part of the implementation of the target tasks set by the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation for the supply of weapons and equipment to the troops, the VKS crews carried out the acceptance of Su-34 aircraft.

The Su-34 fighter-bomber is designed to destroy ground (surface) and air targets, infrastructure facilities covered by air defense systems and located at significant distances from the base airfield. The aircraft can also be used for aerial reconnaissance missions.

The Polish Air Force officially retired the venerable Sukhoi Su-22 (NATO reporting name: Fitter) on Sep. 11, 2025.
Bringing to an end 41 years of operating the fighter-bomber.
(Courtesy photo)

A U.S. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group returns to a combat air patrol after refueling with a U.S. Air Force KC-46 Pegasus over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, August 7, 2025. Operating from the flight deck, F/A-18E aircraft enhance CENTCOM’s ability to maintain persistent air presence and maritime security in contested environments. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. John C.B. Ennis)

A U.S. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group returns to a combat air patrol after refueling with a U.S. Air Force KC-46 Pegasus over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, August 7, 2025. Naval aviators flying the Super Hornet provide forward-deployed combat airpower from sea, supporting deterrence and freedom of navigation in the Arabian Gulf and surrounding waters. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. John C.B. Ennis)

WICHITA, Kan. (Sept. 17, 2025) — Textron Aviation Defense LLC, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, launched a nationwide tour this week to showcase the Beechcraft M-346N as a “ready-now” total solution for the U.S. Navy Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS) program. The aircraft set off from Beech Factory Airport following its assembly at Textron Aviation Defense’s headquarters in Wichita, Kansas.

The Beechcraft M-346N is part of a proven integrated training system based on the original M-346 developed by Leonardo, which is currently training pilots for 4th and 5th generation air forces worldwide.

"Assembled in the United States and backed by Beechcraft’s 85-year legacy of training U.S. military pilots, the M-346N represents the next evolution in jet trainer capability. This platform is operationally proven and ready to deliver a comprehensive and advanced training solution to the U.S. Navy today."
Travis Tyler, president and CEO, Textron Aviation Defense

Textron Aviation Defense and Leonardo have entered into a teaming agreement to work together to meet the Navy’s requirements for its new jet trainer. The U.S. Navy has released several Requests for Information related to an upcoming Request for Proposals for a new aircraft for the UJTS program.

The Beechcraft M-346N offers a full training ecosystem, including high-fidelity ground-based devices, adaptive AI-powered instruction and a Live-Virtual-Constructive (LVC) architecture that links aircraft, simulators and computer-generated forces in real time. The system also features Precision Landing Mode to prepare naval aviators for carrier-based operations.

With more than 100 M-346 aircraft produced by Leonardo in service and over 150,000 flight hours logged, the platform has demonstrated exceptional performance and reliability in meeting the rigorous training demands of 20 global users and counting. These results translate into reduced training risk and accelerated student readiness.

About the Beechcraft M-346N

The Beechcraft M-346N — a twin-engine, tandem-seat aircraft with fully digital flight controls and avionics — is equipped with a fly-by-wire flight control system with quadruple redundancy, a cutting-edge human-machine interface with Head-Up Display and Large Area Display in each cockpit, hands on throttle and stick (HOTAS) controls and innovative safety features such as the Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto-GCAS).

Fitted with two Honeywell F124-GA-200 turbofan engines, the M-346N delivers an inherently high level of safety along with impressive performance, including a maximum cruise speed of more than 590 knots and a service ceiling of 45,000 ft.

The aircraft’s advanced aerodynamic design enables exceptional maneuverability and energy management, while the elevated rear cockpit gives instructors excellent visibility in all phases of flight. The result is a trainer that effectively bridges basic instruction and the high-performance world of carrier-based fighter operations.

British fighter jets will fly air defence missions over Poland to counter aerial threats from Russia, including drones, as part of NATO’s Eastern Sentry mission.

Royal Air Force Typhoons will join allied forces, including from Denmark, France, and Germany, to bolster NATO’s defence and deterrence along its eastern flank.

This comes days after a reckless and dangerous incursion by Russian drones into Poland’s sovereign airspace – the most significant violation of NATO airspace by President Putin to date – and a further breach of Romanian airspace by a Russian drone over the weekend.

The Typhoons will operate out of RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire and are expected to start flying missions over Poland in the coming days. They will be supported by RAF Voyager air-to-air refuelling aircraft from RAF Brize Norton.

The commitment follows a meeting of the North Atlantic Council on Wednesday 10 September where the UK and allies discussed the situation following Poland’s request for consultations under Article 4 of the Washington Treaty. Allies expressed full solidarity with Poland.

This new era of threat – exemplified by Russia’s intensifying airspace violations – requires a new era for Defence, and this Government is delivering the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War, to 2.6% of GDP by April 2027. The UK’s national security – the foundation of the Government’s Plan for Change – starts with an unwavering commitment to NATO and Euro-Atlantic security.

The RAF Typhoons will join Danish F-16s, French Rafales, and German Eurofighters.

A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress, attached to the 49 Test and Evaluation Squadron at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, takes flight RAF during Exercise Cobra Warrior 25-2 at RAF Fairford, England, Sept. 16, 2025. This training aircraft has been modified to be a Tactical Data Link jet and allows the aircrew to integrate with NATO Allies and partner nations and help establish Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) for B-52 mission planning and execution of link enabled operations in EUCOM. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tambri Cason)

U.S. Marines with 12th Littoral Combat Team, 12th Marine Littoral Regiment and 3rd LCT, 3rd MLR, 3rd Marine Division load the Marine Air Defense Integrated System on a Japan Air Self-Defense Force Kawasaki C-2 during Resolute Dragon 25 at JASDF Naha Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 15, 2025. Resolute Dragon is an annual bilateral exercise in Japan that strengthens the command, control, and multi-domain maneuver capabilities of U.S. Marines in III Marine Expeditionary Force and Japan Self-Defense Force personnel, with a focus on controlling and defending key maritime terrain. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Evelyn Doherty)

F-35A Lightning IIs assigned to the Republic of Korea Air Force 152nd Fighter Squadron and F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 36th Fighter Squadron fly in formation over the Korean Peninsula during Buddy Squadron 25-5 at Cheongju Air Base, ROK, Sept. 11, 2025. Exercises like Buddy Squadron not only show camaraderie between forces, but also the commitment of both nations to maintaining peace and stability in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Dustin Braaten)

A C-5M Super Galaxy is staged on the ramp at RAF Fairford, England, Sept. 10, 2025. The aircraft delivered personnel and equipment for Cobra Warrior 25.2. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Adam Enbal)

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 492nd Fighter Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, catches a Mobile Aircraft Arresting System for a barrier certification test at RAF Mildenhall, England, Sept. 12, 2025. Airmen and civilians from the 100th Civil Engineer Squadron Power Production shop regularly test the system and annually conduct certification testing, which is designed to quickly stop aircraft in emergencies, preventing accidents during takeoff or landing, and extending the survivability of our warfighters. (U.S. Air Force photo by Karen Abeyasekere)

ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 16, 2025 – Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) has announced an upgrade to the Republic of Korea Air Force’s F-16 Block 52 flight simulators to reflect the advanced capabilities of its upgraded F-16 Viper (F-16V) aircraft. These upgrades reflect enhanced mission capabilities of the Republic of Korea Air Force, providing high-fidelity simulated environments for pilots to train like they fly.

“Maximum accuracy and realism in ground-based flight training is foundational to pilot safety and mission readiness,” said Todd Morar, vice president of Air and Commercial Solutions at Lockheed Martin. “As the manufacturer of all F-16 variants, Lockheed Martin uses the design and software data of the actual aircraft to deliver ground-based training experiences that are nearly identical to those in flight, while maintaining concurrency with the aircraft as technology evolves.”

Under the contract, Lockheed Martin will provide new equipment and systems integration to modernize nine F-16 flight simulators at Seosan and Chungju Air Bases to the F-16V configuration with continued support for contractor logistics services over a period of six years.

Since 2001, aviators from 16 allied nations have trained with Lockheed Martin F-16 training systems. Lockheed Martin training suites provide a simulation-based training environment that replicates all systems, sensors and weapons for a total training solution. These systems can be networked together so pilots can train in various scenarios, aligning technologies to deliver advanced training while meeting affordability goals.

The F-16V configuration features advanced avionics, a proven Active Electronically Scanned Array radar, a modernized cockpit, advanced weapons, and other advancements that make them similar to new F-16 Block 70 aircraft.

More information about the F-16 can be found on our website: https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/products/f-16.html