Future Long Range Assault Aircraft officially named MV-75 Cheyenne II

On 15 April 2026 Bell Textron Inc announced that its MV-75 rotorcraft (see image above), which as the Bell V-280 Valor was selected as the US Army as its Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) on 5 December 2022, has been officially named as Cheyenne II.

In 2025 the US Army revealed the Mission Design Series (MDS) designation MV-75, with the ‘MV’ signalling that it is a multi-mission vertical take-off aircraft and the ‘75’ commemorating the army’s founding year: 1775. The common name Cheyenne II, however, honours the Cheyenne indigenous American tribes and their enduring legacy.

The MV‑75 Cheyenne II will become the centrepiece of the US Army’s long‑range air assault mission.

You can read the press release here.

Indra and IDV sign strategic agreement to deliver new Spanish Marine Infantry Amphibious Combat Vehicle

Indra Land Vehicles and Leonardo business IDV announced on 17 April 2026 that they have reached a strategic agreement that forms the basis for delivering the new Marine Infantry Amphibious Combat Vehicle (VACIM) requested by the Spanish Ministry of Defence (MoD).

IDV will supply Indra with 34 SuperAV 8×8 platforms under the agreement, while, within the framework of a Special Modernization Program for the Spanish armed forces, Indra will then deliver four versions of the VACIM to the Spanish MoD, comprising troop transport, command and control, recovery, and ambulance variants.

You can read the press release here.

US Army orders six more CH-47F Block II Chinooks from Boeing

The US Army has awarded Boeing a USD 324 million (EUR 274 million) Lot 6 contract for six CH-47F Block II Chinook helicopters, Boeing announced on 15 April 2026.

The contract increases the number of CH-47F Block II aircraft under contract to 24, of which six have been delivered. CH-47F Block II are being acquired by the US Army under a rapid fielding strategy.

The US Army is preparing to field the first unit equipped no later than mid-CY28 following delivery of the Lot 3 Block II aircraft.

You can read the press release here.

First steel cut on third German Class 424 intelligence vessel

The first steel cutting for the third and final Class 424 intelligence vessel for the Bundeswehr took place on 16 April 2026 at the Peene-Werft shipyard in Wolgast, manufacturer Rheinmetall Naval Systems announced, adding that the milestone took place much earlier than planned

The approximately 130-m-long Class 424 intelligence vessels will serve the German Navy as reconnaissance platforms for maritime-based intelligence gathering, replacing its three Type 423 Oste–class vessels.

You can read the press release here.

GA-ASI to fit ELINT upgrade to US Army MQ-1C Gray Eagle ER UAVs

The US Army has awarded General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) a contract to upgrade its MQ-1C Gray Eagle Extended Range (ER) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with enhanced electronic intelligence (ELINT) capabilities, GA-ASI announced on 15 April 2026.

The ELINT package will support long-range sensing to identify and geolocate critical threats, providing vital intelligence for joint force operations.

The US Army operates around MQ-1C Gray Eagle UAVs, including ER and earlier variants.

You can read the press release here.

Boeing receives GBP 879 million contract to support UK Apache and Chinook fleets

Boeing Defence UK announced on 15 April 2026 that its has received a GBP 879 million (cEUR 1 billion) Rotary Wing Enterprise (RWE) contract to deliver long‑term maintenance and support for the UK’s Apache and Chinook helicopter fleets.

RWE is a comprehensive support service for the UK’s Joint Helicopter Command. As prime contractor for the Chinook and Apache, Boeing aims under the contract to enhance the capability and availability of those fleets.

The contract covers ongoing aircraft support, maintenance, supply chain management, training and integration services intended to ensure the UK’s Apache and Chinook fleets remain mission ready.

Rheinmetall and Destinus to form joint venture for missiles

Germany’s Rheinmetall and Destinus, a Netherlands-based technology company focused on scalable strike and interception systems, have agreed to establish a joint venture to manufacture, market, and deliver advanced missile systems.

The joint venture, to be named Rheinmetall Destinus Strike Systems, will be set up during the second half of 2026, with Rheinmetall holding a 51% stake and Destinus holding 49%.

The advanced systems to be developed will include cruise missiles and ballistic rocket artillery.

You can read the press release here.

Babcock secures two‑year Future Maritime Support Programme contract extension

Babcock International announced on 13 Aril 2026 that it has secured a two‑year extension to its Future Maritime Support Programme (FMSP) contract with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD).

The agreement maintains the full scope of the existing FMSP contract, covering ship engineering delivery and management for the Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigates, amphibious warfare ships, Sandown-class minehunters and landing craft vessels.

This work will continue to be delivered primarily through Babcock’s facilities at Devonport and Rosyth.

You can read the press release here.