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Military Aviation News

Shield AI begins wind tunnel trials for X-Bat fighter drone

01/15/2026

Shield AI announced on Wednesday that it has begun wind tunnel testing of its X-Bat unmanned combat aircraft, marking the first major evaluation phase for the company’s next-generation autonomous strike platform. The company said the tests are intended to accelerate design refinement and reduce developmental risk as the aircraft moves toward flight demonstrations.

F-47: The US Air Force’s Next Step In The Strategic Race For Air Superiority – Analysis

In late 2025, Washington made a potentially decisive move in the race for air dominance by commencing construction on the F-47, with a first flight planned for 2028. This is not a routine modernisation; it heralds a faster-than-expected shift in air warfare, one defined by range, technology, and the ability to operate in heavily contested environments.

China Reveals New J-20 Fifth-gen Fighter Variant Can Strike Maritime Targets

This new capability will be a feature on the J-20S, the third publicly announced variant of China’s first domestically produced stealth fighter. Unveiled alongside the country’s latest fighters, electronic warfare jets and drones during the 2025 military parade, this twin-seater variant has the potential to bring new capabilities and mission sets into the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).

Northrop Grumman to Develop USMC Collaborative Combat Aircraft

Northrop Grumman and defense partner Kratos were selected on January 8, to develop the U.S. Marine Corps’ first collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) drones under the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Uncrewed Expeditionary Tactical Aircraft (MUX TACAIR) initiative. The Other Transaction Agreement award is worth about $231.5 million and funds a rapid two-year effort.

Navy demonstrates AI-enabled autonomy for future collaborative combat aircraft

The U.S. Navy recently completed a second successful demonstration advancing multi-platform coordination of autonomous systems, an essential step toward developing future Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).

Croatian Air Force Dassault Rafales Can Now Patrol Eastern Europe

On January 1, 2026, NATO member Croatia assumed complete air policing duties, concluding a transition period during which aircraft from the Italian and Hungarian air forces had filled the role. Following the modernization of its air force, Croatia now independently monitors the skies over its homeland—yet it continues to operate 24/7 under NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense System (NATINAMDS).

China confirms J-10CE achieves first combat victory

China’s State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense confirmed on Jan. 12 that the export-oriented J-10CE fighter jet achieved its first combat victory last May, stating that the aircraft downed several adversary aircraft in an aerial engagement without suffering losses.

India and France near major deal for 114 Rafale fighters ahead of Macron visit

India and France are moving closer to a major follow-on Rafale agreement for the Indian Air Force (IAF), with talks expected to accelerate ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India in February 2026. According to new Indian media reports, New Delhi is examining a government-to-government framework that would combine a large IAF order with expanded local manufacturing, as the service looks to plug growing gaps in its fighter inventory.

Dassault Aviation leads $200 million Harmattan AI Series B to support AI integration in combat air systems

Dassault Aviation and Harmattan AI have announced a strategic partnership aimed at accelerating the integration of controlled autonomy and artificial intelligence into combat aviation systems. As part of the agreement, Dassault Aviation is leading Harmattan AI’s $200 million Series B funding round.

Exclusive: Pakistan and Indonesia closing in on jets and drones defence deal, sources say

The NGAD Program Is More than Just a Fighter Jet

Dassault backs Harmattan AI to bring controlled autonomy to Rafale F5 and UCAS

Expert: Issue of transferring Polish MiG-29s to Ukraine resolved, technical consultations ongoing

India Allocates $1 Billion to Replace Russian Il-78MKI Refueling Aircraft

Italy Is Breaking Ground on Europe’s First F-35 Training Center

JF-17 gains traction as Iraq explores fighter jet purchase

Pakistan negotiates a $1.5 billion military agreement with Sudan that would include JF-17 Block III 4.5-gen fighter jets

Russia lost up to 21 tactical aircraft in 2025 – Defence24

US Marines test deadly autonomous drones that can assist crewed fighter jets

While the US military grabbed Maduro, where was Venezuela’s air force?