Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Ethiopian signs for ten more 777 Freighters, including 777-8Fs

The airline now holds outstanding orders with Boeing for 18 777s. Ethiopian Airlines has ordered another ten Boeing 777 Freighters, including two 777Fs and eight of Boeing’s in-development 777-8F. The US manufacturer disclosed the orders on 30 September, noting the deal builds on a prior 2024 order by Ethiopian for eight 777-9 passenger jets. Ethiopian…

US judge tosses Archer’s China-ties claims against competitor Joby
Aviation

US judge tosses Archer’s China-ties claims against competitor Joby

The judge also left in place several of Joby’s trade-secret-theft claims against Archer. A US Federal judge has tossed Archer Aviation’s claims that it suffered harm after competitor Joby Aviation allegedly misled the US government by hiding ties to China and to China’s communist party. Judge Susan van Keulen of the US District Court for…

Stratolaunch acquires Boeing 777-200ER to support hypersonic Talon-A flights
Aviation

Stratolaunch acquires Boeing 777-200ER to support hypersonic Talon-A flights

The widebody increases Stratolaunch’s air-launch fleet to three aircraft. US hypersonic flight start-up Stratolaunch has acquired a used Boeing 777-200ER commercial airliner to support its flight-test programmes. The widebody twinjet was previously flown by Air New Zealand and will be converted into a “carrier” aircraft to ferry Stratolaunch’s Talon-A hypersonic flight vehicle aloft for air…

Hegseth Unveils New Autonomous Warfare Command in ‘State of the Force’ Address
Aviation

Hegseth Unveils New Autonomous Warfare Command in ‘State of the Force’ Address

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va.—Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced plans for a new four-star command to lead the military-wide drive to field autonomous systems, as the Pentagon’s pursues a bullish approach towards artificial intelligence and drone warfare, and unveiled five other initiatives during what he promised will become an annual “State of the Force”…

White House Taps Miller to Lead US Space Command

The White House has nominated Lt. Gen. David N. Miller Jr. to lead U.S. Space Command, succeeding Gen. Stephen Whiting, who is expected to retire by January 2027.  A notice of Miller’s nomination for promotion to general appeared in the Congressional Record on Sept. 29, but the notice did not include an assignment. U.S. Space…

Air Force Names 7 to Vie for New MMA Drone Program
Aviation

Air Force Names 7 to Vie for New MMA Drone Program

The Air Force and the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit have narrowed the field to seven companies which will be invited to compete to develop low-cost, semi-autonomous drones to succeed the MQ-9A Reaper, multiple sources confirmed to Air & Space Forces Magazine. Anduril, Chaos Industries, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Grid Aero, Otto Aerospace, Shield AI, and…

Air Force Inks Deal for 22 More Boeing F-15EX Fighters

The Air Force awarded Boeing a $2.38 billion contract for 22 F-15EX Eagle II fighters on Sept. 29, narrowly meeting a deadline to use funds from last summer’s reconciliation bill or face cuts. The deal, Lot 7 of the program, brings to 120 the total number of F-15EXs under contract. The Air Force had planned…