The US Marine Corps officially launches the Valkyrie program — new variants of the MQ-58 drone in development

The US Marine Corps has decided to make the Valkyrie drone program, known as the MQ-58, full-fledged and official. It used to be an experimental project, but now the Valkyrie is becoming the first mass-produced unmanned combat aircraft (CCA) to officially enter service with the Marine Corps.

Kratos is already preparing for a new stage of production of these drones to meet the needs of the Marines. In addition, cooperation with Airbus is planned, which may help with the development and production of new variants of the MQ-58.

So Valkyrie has great prospects ahead — it will turn into a full-fledged combat system that will perform various tasks tactically and strategically. These drones will give the Marines new capabilities for reconnaissance, support, and strikes, helping to make operations more efficient and safer.

The British Ministry of Defense supports the export of Typhoons due to the lack of new orders

Despite the fact that the UK has no plans to purchase new Eurofighter Typhoon fighters for its own Air Force, the country's Ministry of Defense actively supports export deals involving these aircraft. This is due to the fact that the aircraft manufacturing plant in Wharton, where the Typhoons are assembled, must remain busy, and the production lines must work without stopping.

BAE Systems, the British partner of the European consortium Eurofighter GmbH, has been promoting Typhoons on international markets for a long time. However, there have been no recent new orders from the British military themselves. Instead, all attention is focused on finding foreign buyers in order to preserve not only production, but also the jobs associated with this project.

The Typhoon is one of the most famous fourth—generation fighters created by the joint efforts of Great Britain, Germany, Italy and Spain. It combines the capabilities of both an air combat fighter and a carrier for striking ground targets. However, with a shrinking budget and growing interest in the more expensive and technologically advanced F-35, the Typhoon now needs external demand to remain relevant in the military aviation market.

Several countries are currently showing interest in a possible purchase, including:

- Indonesia — in 2023 , it signed a preliminary agreement for the supply of 42 aircraft .  

- Saudi Arabia and Qatar — both countries are already operating Typhoons and may expand the fleet.  

- Negotiations are also possible with Greece, which has recently renovated its fleet, but does not exclude further purchases.

The British authorities emphasize that the export of Typhoons is not just the sale of weapons, but part of a broader strategy: keeping the defense sector in working order, supporting the country's export potential and strengthening ties with allies.  

In addition, the Ministry of Defense sees this as an economic interest: saving jobs, developing a technological base and stimulating the defense sector, especially in regions where the aviation industry is one of the key employers.

If new contracts can be concluded, production at Wharton can continue until the 2030s, which will make it possible to safely plan the transition to new projects, including the upcoming sixth-generation Tempest fighter, which is under development.

Thus, the Typhoon remains an important part of the British aviation industry, even if the UK itself no longer buys them for itself. An active export policy allows not only to support business, but also to strengthen military cooperation with partners around the world.

Lockheed Martin is developing an unmanned version of the F-35 fighter jet with improved stealth

The American company Lockheed Martin plans to create a new version of the fifth-generation fighter F-35 Lightning II, capable of flying without a pilot. This was announced by the head of the corporation, James Thacklet. According to him, flight tests of the unmanned F-35 can begin within two to three years.

The upgrade includes enhanced stealth capabilities due to improved stealth coating, redesigned engine nozzles and a change in the aerodynamic shape of the hull. In addition, it is planned to introduce new electronic warfare systems, which will increase the aircraft's resistance to modern detection and countermeasures.

The F-35 already has partial autonomous functions: in 2023, the aircraft was independently controlled after the pilot ejected. The new version will be equipped with an optional autonomous control system, which will allow performing combat missions without the participation of a pilot.

The development of the unmanned F-35 is linked to the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, aimed at creating sixth-generation fighters. Lockheed Martin plans to use NGAD's developments to improve the F-35, which will provide up to 80% of the capabilities of the new generation of fighters at significantly lower cost.

At the same time, modern Russian and Chinese radar stations are already capable of detecting and tracking the F-35, which jeopardizes its stealth advantage. The new version should solve these problems through improved stealth coverage and enhanced electronic warfare capabilities.

The US Air Force plans to withdraw the F-15E Strike Eagle from the UK after activating the F-35 squadron

During recent Congressional hearings on the request for a defense budget for fiscal year 2026, it became known about the plans of the country's Air Force to withdraw F-15E Strike Eagle fighter-bombers from the United Kingdom.

These aircraft are currently based at Lakenheath Air Base, where they perform strategic tasks in Europe. However, their presence there will only continue until the second fifth generation squadron F-35 Lightning II is fully formed and activated. After that, the F-15E will be recalled to the United States.

This decision is part of a broader recapitalization plan for the combat aircraft fleet developed by the U.S. Air Force. The main goal of the program is to modernize the aviation fleet and strengthen its capabilities through new multifunctional and stealth fighters. The transition to the F-35 will enhance the Air Force's combat capabilities in the face of modern threats and ensure technological superiority in the future.

DeepSeek artificial intelligence helps China design new military aircraft

 

A leading engineer at the Shenyang Institute of Aircraft Engineering said that DeepSeek's artificial intelligence model is being actively used to develop new Chinese military aircraft. According to him, this technology already provides "new ideas and approaches" in the design process, significantly speeding up and optimizing the creation of advanced aviation systems.

The role of artificial intelligence in the aircraft industry

DeepSeek, a powerful AI model developed by Chinese specialists, is used to analyze huge amounts of data, generate innovative solutions, and model complex aerodynamic structures. This allows engineers to quickly find optimal solutions to create aircraft with improved performance such as maneuverability, stealth, and engine efficiency.

The Shenyang Institute of Aircraft Engineering, one of the key centers for the development of military aviation in China, has long been known for its achievements in the field of fighter jets and bombers. Now, thanks to the introduction of AI, the institute is reaching a new level of technological development.

Advantages of using DeepSeek

The integration of artificial intelligence into the design process allows not only to reduce development time, but also to minimize the cost of testing physical prototypes. DeepSeek is able to offer unique concepts that previously might have been overlooked due to limitations of human thinking or lack of data.

According to the lead designer, the use of AI has already allowed us to obtain several promising projects that are currently at various stages of development. These projects can form the basis for the next generation of Chinese military aircraft capable of competing with the best examples of global aviation.

The geopolitical context

The introduction of artificial intelligence technologies into China's military industry is causing serious concern in the international arena. The United States and its allies are closely monitoring the development of the Chinese defense industry, especially in the context of the technology and arms race. The creation of new military aircraft using AI can significantly enhance the combat capabilities of the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA).

The use of DeepSeek in the aircraft industry is only part of Beijing's larger strategy to modernize its armed forces. China is committed to using AI to achieve technological superiority in various fields, including space programs, cybersecurity, and unmanned systems.

The future of military aviation

The use of artificial intelligence in the design of military aircraft opens up new horizons for the development of aviation technology. However, this also raises important questions about the safety and ethics of using such technologies. The global community should carefully monitor how countries use AI for military purposes in order to prevent possible risks of conflict escalation.

China is testing new tailless combat aircraft

 Chinese tailless combat aircraft Shenyang J-XD and Chengdu J-36 have been spotted during flight tests since December 2024.

New images of Chinese tailless stealth aircraft Shenyang J-XD and Chengdu J-36 have appeared, demonstrating in more detail the features of their design.

The fact that both aircraft participated in flight tests first became known in December 2024 after videos of the tests appeared on Chinese social networks. Since then, the J-36 (provisional designation) has apparently conducted additional flight tests. However, the J-XD was no longer publicly seen in the air until three new photos and videos of the aircraft appeared on Chinese social media in April.

Rheinmetall launches production of components for the F-35A fighter in Germany

   

The German defense concern Rheinmetall has announced the start of assembly of equipment for the production of the central sections of the fuselage of the American fifth-generation fighter F-35A Lightning II. The new facility is located near Weze Airport in North Rhine-Westphalia and plans to begin operations in July 2025.  

Strategic importance of the project  

This step strengthens Rheinmetall's position as a key player in the European defense industry. The company is already actively repurposing its facilities for military needs: for example, two German factories that previously produced automotive components are now focusing on the production of ammunition and other defense equipment. The Eeca project will become part of the global supply chain for the F-35, which is operated in 15 countries, including NATO partners.  

Rheinmetall Expansion Context

In recent years, the concern has become more active in Eastern Europe: for example, a plant for the production of 155-mm artillery shells is being built in Lithuania, which will begin operation in 2026-2027. The production of components for the F-35A in Germany highlights Rheinmetall's desire to strengthen the EU's technological independence in the face of rising military spending.  

China Unveils Two Next-Generation Stealth Combat Aircraft in Rapid Succession

Another Chinese next-generation tailless stealth combat aircraft

China has just launched another next-generation tailless stealth combat aircraft. In less than 24 hours, two previously unknown Chinese advanced combat aircraft have been revealed, and both are already undergoing flight tests. According to unconfirmed reports, the second combat aircraft project belongs to Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC), and the first, larger project belongs to the competing Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC). While Shenyang is responsible for manufacturing Chinese developments of the Flanker family of multirole fighters and the J-35 family of medium stealth fighters, Chengdu is building the J-10 multirole medium fighter and the J-20 heavy stealth fighter.