This article is based on an official press release from Babcock International.

Babcock France Secures L-39 Jet Contract to Support French Test Pilot School

Babcock France has officially strengthened its partnership with the French Ministry of Armed Forces through a new contract to support the École du Personnel Navigant d’Essais et de Réception (EPNER), the French test pilot school. According to a company press release, the agreement involves the deployment of a fleet of L-39 Albatros jet trainers to assist the Direction Générale de l’Armement, Essais en Vol (DGA EV).

The contract marks a significant expansion of Babcock’s operational footprint in the French defense sector. While the company has previously secured major contracts for basic and advanced turboprop training, this agreement represents its first operation of the L-39 jet platform for the French government. The operations will be centered at a facility in Dijon, utilizing a fleet of 11 Military-Aircraft acquired specifically for this purpose.

Operational Scope and Capabilities

Under the terms of the new deal, Babcock will provide a comprehensive service that includes the provision and maintenance of the aircraft. The primary mission of the L-39 fleet is to support the training of test pilots, flight test engineers, and flight test technicians. These trainees will utilize the jets to assess flight characteristics and performance in complex, realistic scenarios.

Beyond standard test pilot curriculum support, the press release highlights several other critical roles for the fleet:

• “Red Air” Support: The L-39s will act as aggressor aircraft, simulating aerial threats during training missions for French military units.
• Technical Training: The aircraft will serve as platforms for training and refresher courses for DGA EV mechanics.
• Currency Flights: The fleet will facilitate “release flights” to help EPNER instructors and test pilots maintain their flight qualifications.

Pierre Basquin, CEO of Babcock France, emphasized the strategic nature of the agreement in a statement accompanying the announcement:

“The partnership reflects Babcock’s commitment to supporting the French armed forces in its critical missions by providing high-performance aerial assets tailored to the demands of training and testing. The contract is the first involving our L-39 aircraft and paves the way for further opportunities, particularly in operational Training and the training of international pilots.”

Pierre Basquin, CEO of Babcock France

Fleet History and Specifications

The 11 L-39C Albatros aircraft utilized in this contract carry a unique pedigree. According to background information regarding the acquisition, Babcock purchased these jets in December 2024 from Apache Aviation. Prior to their military service role, these specific airframes were operated by the Breitling Jet Team, the world’s largest civilian aerobatic display team.

The L-39 Albatros is a Czech-made high-performance jet trainer known for its reliability and cost-effectiveness. It serves as a bridge between turboprop trainers and high-performance frontline fighters like the Rafale, offering a jet environment at a lower operating cost than supersonic platforms.

AirPro News Analysis: Consolidating French Training

This latest contract solidifies Babcock’s position as a dominant partner in the modernization of French military pilot training. The L-39 deal complements a series of major wins for the company in recent years, creating a near-monopoly on outsourced pilot training platforms in France.

Babcock’s portfolio in the region now includes:

• FOMEDEC (2017): Providing PC-21 aircraft for advanced fighter pilot training at Cognac Air Base.
• MENTOR 1 (2021): An expansion of the PC-21 fleet to increase training capacity.
• MENTOR 2 (January 2025): A 17-year contract to replace the basic training fleet with 22 new Pilatus PC-7 MKX aircraft.

By securing the EPNER contract, Babcock has effectively closed the loop, providing platforms for basic training, advanced turboprop training, and now jet-based test pilot and aggressor support. This aligns with the broader “Project MENTOR” initiative by the French Air and Space Force, which seeks to modernize training pipelines and reduce costs by outsourcing platform availability while retaining military instruction.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is EPNER?

EPNER (École du Personnel Navigant d’Essais et de Réception) is the French test pilot school responsible for training test pilots, flight test engineers, and technicians for the French military and DGA.

Where will the aircraft be based?

The operations will be based at a former military site in Dijon, France.

What is “Red Air”?

“Red Air” refers to adversary support, where aircraft act as enemy targets during training exercises to help friendly forces practice air-to-air combat tactics.

Sources

• Babcock International

This article summarizes reporting by Reuters, and publicly available elements/data from related industry releases.

Australia Set to Finalize A$1 Billion Contract for Operational “Ghost Bat” Fleet

The Australian government is poised to execute a historic advancement in its sovereign air defense capabilities. According to reporting by Reuters, Australia will sign a contract valued at approximately A$1 billion (US$663 million) with Boeing Defence Australia to acquire an initial fleet of six Block 2 MQ-28A Ghost Bat drones. This agreement signals a major transition for the program, moving the platform from a developmental prototype into an “operational test asset” capable of combat scenarios.

The deal, expected to be formally announced on Tuesday, December 9, represents a significant deepening of the relationship between the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and Boeing. As the first military combat aircraft designed and manufactured in Australia in over 50 years, the Ghost Bat serves as the centerpiece of the nation’s strategy to develop autonomous systems that can operate alongside crewed assets.

From Prototype to “War-Fighting” Platform

While previous iterations of the MQ-28A focused on proving flight physics and basic airworthiness, the new contract specifically targets the “Block 2” variant. Reports indicate that these airframes are not merely experimental; they are designed to be operationally relevant. The investment is part of a broader A$10 billion commitment by the Australian government to develop drone and autonomous systems over the next decade.

According to details emerging alongside the Reuters report, the production of these aircraft will take place at a new facility in Toowoomba, Queensland, with component manufacturing supported in Melbourne. This distributed manufacturing approach underscores the government’s intent to solidify a domestic defense supply chain.

In a statement highlighted by industry media, Australian Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy emphasized the program’s progress:

This platform is hitting every major milestone… it is the cutting edge of air power.

Pat Conroy, Australian Minister for Defence Industry

Technical Evolution: The Block 2 Advantage

The transition to Block 2 involves substantial technical upgrades designed to make the Ghost Bat survivable in modern high-threat environments. Unlike the Block 1 “developmental test asset,” the Block 2 is engineered as an “operational test asset.”

Based on available technical specifications, the Block 2 variant includes several critical enhancements:

• Advanced Navigation: The integration of a new GPS/Inertial Navigation System (INS) hardened for “denied environments,” allowing the aircraft to operate where adversaries are actively jamming satellite signals.
• Stealth and Aerodynamics: A redesigned wing for improved range and maneuverability, coupled with operational-grade stealth coatings to reduce the aircraft’s radar cross-section.
• Mission Systems: A focus on Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) and Electronic Warfare (EW) payloads, utilizing the airframe’s modular nose system.

The “Loyal Wingman” concept relies on these drones acting as force multipliers. They are designed to fly in formation with high-value crewed aircraft, such as the F-35A Lightning II or the E-7A Wedgetail, effectively extending the sensor range and defensive perimeter of the human pilots.

The Ghost Bat is designed to act as a force multiplier, providing the Royal Australian Air Force with affordable mass and flexibility…

Boeing Australia Spokesperson

AirPro News Analysis: The Strategic Value of “Affordable Mass”

The confirmation of the Block 2 contract validates a shift in global air power doctrine toward “affordable mass.” Modern crewed fighters are prohibitively expensive and slow to manufacture. By procuring the Ghost Bat at roughly 10% of the cost of a manned fighter, the RAAF can deploy greater numbers of sensors and effectors without the linear cost increase associated with traditional jets.

Furthermore, the specific mention of navigation systems for “denied environments” suggests that the RAAF is preparing for conflicts where electromagnetic dominance is contested. This capability is essential for the Ghost Bat to serve as a forward-deployed sensor node, operating inside threat rings that would be too dangerous for crewed assets like the E-7A Wedgetail.

Global Implications and US Interest

While the Ghost Bat is an Australian program, its development is being closely monitored by the United States. The U.S. Department of Defense is utilizing the Ghost Bat technology as a feeder for its own Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. The U.S. Navy has also expressed strong interest in the platform’s autonomy architecture and modular payload design.

This bi-national interest suggests that the A$1 billion investment may eventually yield export opportunities, positioning Australia as a key exporter of advanced autonomous military technology. The RAAF aims to have these drones operationally deployable within the next few years, with potential armed variants to follow the initial ISR-focused models.

Sources

• Reuters

This article summarizes reporting by Reuters.

Congress Moves to Mandate Military Helicopters Tracking Near DC Following Fatal Collision

Following a year marked by tragedy and alarming safety lapses in the National Capital Region, Congress has unveiled legislation requiring U.S. military helicopters to broadcast their positions when operating near Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The provision, included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026, aims to close a critical information gap between military pilots and commercial air traffic controllers.

According to reporting by Reuters, the legislation was released late Sunday, December 7, 2025. It mandates that military helicopters on training missions in the crowded airspace around Washington, D.C., utilize safety alerts to prevent collisions with commercial aircraft. This legislative move comes nearly a year after a catastrophic mid-air collision and a subsequent series of near-miss incidents that have drawn intense scrutiny from lawmakers and safety regulators.

Closing the “Stealth” Gap in Domestic Airspace

The core of the new legislation addresses the military’s historical exemption from using Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) technology during certain domestic operations. ADS-B allows aircraft to broadcast their altitude, velocity, and position to ground controllers and other nearby planes. Without this technology active, military helicopters can effectively appear invisible to the automated collision avoidance systems used by commercial airliners.

Under the proposed NDAA provisions, the Department of Defense (DoD) must ensure that helicopters conducting training missions near DCA broadcast this vital data. The goal is to ensure that commercial pilots and air traffic controllers have real-time visibility of military assets operating in one of the nation’s busiest flight corridors.

In addition to the immediate mandate for the Capital region, the bill requires the Pentagon to conduct a feasibility study within 180 days. This study will analyze the implications of installing ADS-B technology across the broader military helicopter fleet, weighing the costs and combat readiness concerns against the imperative for civilian safety.

A Response to Tragedy: The January 2025 Collision

The legislative push is a direct response to the fatal events of January 29, 2025. On that day, a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided with American Airlines (American Eagle) Flight 5342 near DCA. The crash resulted in 67 fatalities, 64 on the commercial jet and three on the helicopter. Investigations revealed that the Black Hawk was on a training mission and was not broadcasting its position via ADS-B, leaving the commercial pilots unaware of the converging threat until it was too late.

The urgency of the legislation was further underscored by a second incident in May 2025. According to reports summarized by the Washington Post, another Army Black Hawk was involved in a “near miss” with two airliners at DCA. In that instance, the helicopter reportedly took a “scenic route” near the commercial flight path, forcing jets to abort landings. These repeated lapses suggested a systemic failure rather than an isolated error.

Data Reveals a Decade of Risk

While the January crash was the catalyst for the new bill, data from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) indicates that the airspace has been hazardous for years. NTSB records show approximately 15,000 close-proximity events between military and civilian aircraft near DCA between October 2021 and December 2024.

To address this historical lack of transparency, the NDAA includes a retroactive reporting requirement. The Pentagon must disclose to Congress the number of near-miss incidents between military and commercial aircraft over the last 10 years. This provision suggests lawmakers suspect that the scale of the risk has been underreported for a decade.

Stakeholder Reactions and Military Pushback

The legislation has drawn strong support from lawmakers who have criticized the Army’s safety culture. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has been a vocal proponent of “technological transparency” in domestic airspace.

“The Army chose to protect its bureaucratic [interests]… those deaths will be on the Army’s hands.”

, Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), via Senate Commerce Committee records

Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) also condemned the May incident, labeling it “outrageous” and demanding immediate action from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Defense Secretary.

Historically, the Army has resisted universal ADS-B adoption, citing Operational Security (OPSEC). The military argument posits that broadcasting movements could compromise sensitive mission profiles. However, the new legislation attempts to bypass this objection by specifically targeting training missions in domestic airspace, where the threat of enemy surveillance is negligible compared to the risk of collision with civilian traffic.

AirPro News Analysis

The inclusion of these mandates in the NDAA signals a significant shift in the balance of power between military autonomy and civilian aviation safety. For years, the “see and avoid” principle was deemed sufficient for visual flight rules (VFR) traffic, including military helicopters. However, the density of modern air traffic and the speed of commercial approach patterns have rendered unassisted visual separation obsolete in complex terminal areas like DCA.

By forcing a 10-year retrospective report, Congress is likely preparing to audit the military’s internal safety reporting culture. If the Pentagon’s internal numbers differ significantly from the NTSB’s data on “close-proximity events,” it could trigger further oversight hearings regarding military aviation conduct in the National Capital Region.

Sources

Sources: Reuters, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Washington Post, Senate Commerce Committee