Defense & Military
Two US Navy Aircraft Lost from USS Nimitz in South China Sea
Two aircraft from USS Nimitz crashed in the South China Sea during routine operations; all crew safely recovered, investigations ongoing.
Two Navy Aircraft from USS Nimitz Lost in South China Sea
In a highly unusual sequence of events, the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet reported the loss of two Military-Aircraft from the USS Nimitz (CVN-68) within a 30-minute window. The separate incidents, involving a fighter jet and a Helicopters, occurred on Sunday, October 26, 2025, while the aircraft carrier was conducting routine operations in the South China Sea. The rapid succession of these mishaps raises immediate questions about aviation safety and operational procedures, particularly as they involve a carrier strike group on its final deployment.
The significance of these events is underscored by the rarity of losing two aircraft from the same carrier in such a short period under non-combat conditions. While naval aviation is inherently risky, stringent safety protocols and training are designed to mitigate such dangers. The fact that both a rotary-wing and a fixed-wing aircraft were involved adds another layer of complexity to the ensuing investigation. Fortunately, the most critical aspect of these incidents was the successful recovery of all five crew members involved, who are reported to be in stable condition. This positive outcome is a testament to the effectiveness of the search and rescue assets assigned to Carrier Strike Group 11.
The incidents occurred as the USS Nimitz was on the return leg of its final operational tour before its scheduled decommissioning. The carrier, a cornerstone of U.S. naval power for decades, had entered the China Sea on October 17, 2025, after a deployment to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. The crashes serve as a stark reminder of the demanding and hazardous environment in which naval aviators operate, even during what are classified as “routine operations.” The focus now shifts to the investigations, which will seek to determine the root causes and whether there is any connection between the two events.
The First Incident: MH-60R Sea Hawk Down
The first of the two mishaps occurred at approximately 2:45 p.m. local time. An MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, assigned to the “Battle Cats” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73, went down in the waters of the South China Sea. The Sea Hawk is a versatile and critical asset for a carrier strike group, primarily used for anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare, as well as search and rescue, and logistical support. The loss of such an aircraft represents a significant, albeit temporary, reduction in the carrier’s operational capabilities.
The three crew members aboard the helicopter were swiftly recovered by search and rescue teams from Carrier Strike Group 11. The rapid and successful rescue operation highlights the preparedness of the carrier’s support assets to respond to emergencies. The crew was reported to be safe and in stable condition following their recovery, a fortunate outcome that prevents a tragic loss of life.
The investigation into the Sea Hawk crash will be comprehensive, examining potential factors such as mechanical failure, environmental conditions, or human error. Investigators will analyze maintenance records, flight data, and crew testimonies to piece together the sequence of events that led to the helicopter going down. The findings will be crucial for implementing any necessary changes to procedures or maintenance protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The U.S. Pacific Fleet confirmed the two crashes, saying in a statement that the mishaps happened approximately half an hour apart. All five Navy personnel involved in the two mishaps were safely recovered and described as being in stable condition.
The Second Incident: F/A-18F Super Hornet Crash
Just 30 minutes after the helicopter incident, at approximately 3:15 p.m. local time, the USS Nimitz faced a second emergency. An F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet, belonging to the “Fighting Redcocks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22, also crashed into the South China Sea. The Super Hornet is the backbone of the carrier’s air wing, capable of a wide range of missions including air superiority, fighter escort, and fleet defense. The loss of a frontline fighter jet is a serious event, both in terms of asset value and operational readiness.
The two crew members of the Super Hornet successfully ejected from the aircraft before it impacted the water. Like the helicopter crew, they were quickly and safely recovered by the carrier strike group’s search and rescue assets. The successful ejection and recovery underscore the reliability of the aircraft’s safety systems and the skill of the rescue personnel. Both crew members were reported to be in stable condition.
The investigation into the Super Hornet crash will run parallel to the helicopter inquiry. While the Navy has stated the incidents are separate, investigators will undoubtedly look for any common factors, such as weather conditions, operational tempo, or potential issues with flight deck procedures on the Nimitz. Given the proximity in time, a thorough review of all aspects of the air operations at the time of the crashes will be a priority.
Investigations and Implications
The U.S. Navy has launched formal investigations into the cause of both crashes. At this stage, there is no official information suggesting a link between the two events. The investigations will be conducted independently but will likely share information regarding the operational environment at the time. The primary goal is to determine the cause of each mishap to prevent future occurrences, ensuring the Safety of personnel and the preservation of high-value assets.
These incidents, while resulting in no loss of life, will have an impact on the Navy. They highlight the inherent dangers of carrier aviation and the need for constant vigilance and adherence to safety protocols. For the crew of the USS Nimitz, on their final deployment, it is a sobering reminder of the risks they face daily. The successful rescue of all five aviators is a significant silver lining and a credit to the Training and readiness of the entire carrier strike group.
FAQ
Question: What types of aircraft were involved in the crashes?
Answer: An MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter and an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet were involved in two separate incidents.
Question: Were there any casualties?
Answer: No. All five crew members from both aircraft were safely recovered and are in stable condition.
Question: Where did the incidents occur?
Answer: Both crashes occurred in the South China Sea while the aircraft were conducting routine operations from the USS Nimitz.
Question: Is the cause of the crashes known?
Answer: The cause of both incidents is currently under Investigation by the U.S. Navy.
Sources
Photo Credit: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman David Claypool – Released
Defense & Military
CBP AMO Orders 10 Airbus H125 Helicopters for Fleet Expansion
CBP Air and Marine Operations contracts for 10 Airbus H125 helicopters, expanding a 30-year fleet of over 100 rotary-wing aircraft.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations (CBP AMO) has finalized a contract to acquire 10 additional Airbus H125 helicopters, expanding a fleet modernization effort that relies heavily on the single-engine platform for border security and law enforcement missions.
In a press release issued on July 7, 2026, Airbus confirmed the agreement, which reinforces a three-decade relationship between the federal agency and the aerospace manufacturer. The new helicopters will be assembled at the Airbus Helicopters production facility in Columbus, Mississippi.
Expanding the airborne law enforcement fleet
The latest acquisition builds upon a previous order placed in August 2020, when CBP AMO contracted for 16 H125 helicopters to upgrade its aging rotary-wing assets. The agency currently operates a total fleet of more than 240 aircraft, which includes over 100 helicopters from the Airbus H120 and H125 families delivered over the past 30 years.
The H125, formerly known as the Eurocopter AS350, is utilized by CBP AMO for a variety of demanding flight profiles, including border surveillance, suspect pursuit, and general public safety operations across the United States.
Bart Reijnen, Head of the North America Region for Airbus Helicopters, stated that the expansion “underscores the long-standing collaboration” between the manufacturer and the federal agency. He added that the selection highlights the trust placed in the H125 to execute critical public safety missions under demanding conditions, with Airbus committing to provide comprehensive services to maintain mission readiness.
Virtual reality integration for pilot training
As CBP AMO increases its H125 inventory, the agency is simultaneously overhauling how it trains the personnel who fly them. In November 2025, CBP became the first federal law enforcement agency and the first branch of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to integrate virtual reality into its aerial training program.
According to reporting by FLYING Magazine, the agency awarded a contract to adopt an FAA-qualified Airbus H125 virtual reality flight simulator developed by Loft Dynamics. The simulator is being installed at the CBP AMO training center in Oklahoma City, where it will be used to train the agency’s roster of more than 600 pilots.
AirPro News analysis
We view CBP AMO’s continued investment in the H125 platform as a clear indicator of the agency’s preference for fleet commonality. Operating a standardized fleet of over 100 H125-family helicopters significantly reduces maintenance overhead, streamlines supply chains, and simplifies pilot transition training. Furthermore, Airbus’s strategy of assembling these aircraft in Columbus, Mississippi, likely plays a crucial role in navigating federal procurement requirements, ensuring that the European manufacturer remains highly competitive for U.S. government contracts. The parallel investment in Loft Dynamics’ VR simulators suggests the agency is preparing for a sustained, long-term operational lifespan for the H125 fleet.
Sources: Airbus
Photo Credit: Airbus
Defense & Military
Bombardier Defense Signs 10-Year Support Deal With Sweden
Bombardier Defense and FMV finalized a 10-year support agreement for Sweden’s two Global 6500 TP 106 military transport aircraft.
Bombardier Defense and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) finalized a 10-year Services Support Agreement on July 22, 2026, securing long-term maintenance and operational readiness for Sweden’s newly acquired fleet of two Global 6500 transport aircraft.
Announced during the Farnborough International Airshow in a company press release, the agreement enrolls the Swedish Armed Forces (SWEAF) in Bombardier’s Smart Services Defense program. The comprehensive support package covers parts, labor, and engineering expertise for the aircraft, which are designated as the TP 106 in Swedish military service and replace the nation’s aging Gulfstream IV and Gulfstream G550 head-of-state transport fleet.
Fleet modernization and delivery timeline
The targeted acquisition deal for the two aircraft was valued at SEK 1.1 billion ($113 million) and formalized in May 2025, according to reporting by Aviation International News. The rapid procurement was enabled by utilizing existing airframes previously operated in Bombardier’s demonstration fleet, which were subsequently modified to meet Swedish Military-Aircraft requirements.
The formal handover of the aircraft took place on June 1, 2026, at the Uppland Wing F 16, as reported by Nordic Defence Sector. The aircraft will be operated by the 75th Swedish Civil Aviation Squadron at Skaraborg’s F7 Air Fleet, based at Stockholm Arlanda Airports (ARN), primarily conducting VIP and head-of-state transport missions.
Smart Services Defense and operational commonality
The 10-year agreement provides comprehensive cost coverage and logistical support for the new fleet. Bombardier stated the program includes landing gear and auxiliary power unit maintenance, ground support equipment, technical assistance, and access to mobile response teams.
Paul Sislian, Bombardier’s Executive Vice President of Aircraft Sales and Aftermarket Services, noted the program provides seamless original equipment OEMs support for the Swedish military.
“Through our Smart Services Defense program, the Swedish Armed Forces will benefit from seamless OEM support, enhanced readiness and predictable lifestyle costs, giving them the confidence to stay focused on the mission while we support their aircraft every step of the way,” Sislian said.
The selection of the Global 6500 platform offers strategic maintenance and operational commonality with Sweden’s incoming airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) fleet. The Swedish Armed Forces are procuring the Saab GlobalEye, designated the S 106, which is also built upon the Bombardier Global aircraft family architecture.
AirPro News analysis
The 10-year support agreement underscores a growing trend among defense ministries to rely on commercial OEMs for turnkey lifecycle support rather than developing bespoke military maintenance pipelines for commercial derivative aircraft. By aligning the TP 106 VIP transport fleet with the underlying platform of the S 106 GlobalEye, the Swedish Armed Forces are establishing a unified logistical footprint. We view this procurement Strategy as a highly efficient approach to fleet modernization, reducing training burdens for maintenance personnel and ensuring higher dispatch reliability through Bombardier’s established global civilian support network.
Sources: Bombardier
Photo Credit: Bombardier
Defense & Military
EU Funds SHARP Project for Next-Gen Military Helicopter Engine
The EU allocated €25M to the SHARP consortium, 25 partners from 12 countries developing Europe’s next military helicopter engine by 2040.
The European Commission has allocated approximately €25 million through the European Defence Fund to back a multinational consortium developing the propulsion architecture for Europe’s next generation of military helicopters.
Announced on June 11, 2026, at the ILA Berlin airshow, the Sovereign High-performance Architecture for Rotorcraft Propulsion (SHARP) project brings together 25 partners from 12 European countries. According to a joint press release from Safran Helicopter Engines, MTU Aero Engines, and Avio Aero, the initiative will establish the technological foundation for the European Next Generation Helicopter Engine (ENGHE), which is targeted to enter service in 2040.
Addressing an aging military rotorcraft fleet
The SHARP initiative aligns with broader European defense goals to replace a rapidly aging fleet of military aircraft under the Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) and European Next Generation Rotorcraft Technologies (ENGRT) programs. The current European inventory includes approximately 1,800 transport helicopters and 600 combat helicopters, which currently average 20 years of age. By the 2040s, many of these aircraft will have been in service for over 50 years.
“In light of a continuously aging European fleet of military helicopters the need is obvious: From 2040 onwards, a large proportion of these rotorcraft will have to be replaced,” said Dr. Ottmar Pfänder, Chief Program Officer at MTU Aero Engines. “We joined forces across the continent to underline the importance of this technology program. It will further reinforce European sovereignty and strengthen the European supply chain.”
The funding will be used to develop scalable technological building blocks that can be adapted to various weight classes and mission profiles required by future European armed forces.
Collaborative framework and European sovereignty
The SHARP project builds upon the foundation of the EUropean Military Rotorcraft Engine Alliance (EURA), a 50/50 joint venture established in July 2024 between Safran Helicopter Engines and MTU Aero Engines specifically to develop the ENGHE. The consortium has now expanded to include Avio Aero, broadening the industrial base tasked with designing the new powerplant.
Safran Helicopter Engines CEO Cédric Goubet stated that the funding demonstrates Europe’s commitment to self-reliance and technological sovereignty for future military platforms, thanking the European Union and participating nations for their confidence in the consortium’s capabilities.
“SHARP marks an important milestone in the journey toward Europe’s next-generation rotorcraft engine and reinforces the value of collaboration in developing sovereign, high-performance propulsion technologies,” said Riccardo Procacci, CEO of Avio Aero. “We are proud to partner with EURA on this initiative, contributing within a fully European framework while leveraging Avio Aero’s well-established expertise and know-how.”
EURA CEO Wolfgang Gärtner confirmed that the joint venture is prepared to coordinate the multinational team to provide modern technologies to European forces.
AirPro News analysis
The €25 million European Defence Fund grant represents a critical early step in aligning Europe’s fragmented defense aerospace sector behind a single rotorcraft propulsion program. By formalizing the SHARP consortium now, the European Union is actively working to prevent the development of competing, incompatible national engine programs that have historically complicated European defense procurement and increased long-term maintenance costs. We view the inclusion of Avio Aero alongside the EURA joint venture as a strong indicator that the ENGHE program is successfully consolidating the continent’s primary propulsion manufacturers ahead of the 2040 target.
Sources: Safran Group
Photo Credit: Safran Group
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