Defense & Military
US Military Aviation Safety Sees 55 Percent Rise in Serious Accidents
Investigation reveals a 55% increase in US military aviation accidents in 2024, highlighting safety and readiness challenges across branches.
Rising Concerns Over Military Aviation Safety
A recent and exclusive investigation by the Associated Press has brought to light a concerning trend regarding the safety of United States military aircraft. The findings reveal a sharp increase in the number of serious accidents, technically classified as Class A mishaps. These incidents are defined as accidents resulting in fatalities, permanent disability, or property damage exceeding $2.5 million. The data indicates that the rate of these severe accidents per 100,000 flight hours rose by 55% in the 2024 budget year compared to four years prior. This statistical spike suggests a systemic regression in safety standards across the Department of Defense.
The investigation was initiated following data provided to Senator Elizabeth Warren, prompting a deeper look into the operational realities of military aviators. The scope of the issue appears to be broad, affecting multiple branches of the service and various types of aircraft. While military aviation inherently involves risk, the rapid escalation of these numbers has drawn the attention of lawmakers, safety experts, and military leadership alike. The focus is now shifting toward understanding the root causes behind this surge to prevent further loss of life and equipment.
We must consider the broader implications of these findings. Beyond the immediate tragedy of lost personnel and the financial burden of destroyed aircraft, these trends impact overall military readiness. As the armed forces face high operational tempos in complex environments like the Red Sea and the Indo-Pacific, the reliability of aviation platforms and the proficiency of crews are paramount. The current data serves as a critical warning sign that the safety buffers previously relied upon may be eroding.
Disproportionate Impact on Specific Branches and Aircraft
The investigation highlights that while the trend is widespread, certain branches and airframes have been hit harder than others. The U.S. Marine Corps, in particular, has seen its mishap rate nearly triple over the analyzed period. This dramatic increase points to specific challenges within the Corps’ aviation operations, potentially linked to their unique modernization efforts and deployment schedules. The Naval Safety Command also reported a significant jump, noting an increase from 8 Class A aviation mishaps in 2024 to 14 in 2025 year-to-date.
Specific aircraft models have also shown alarming accident rates. The AH-64 Apache, a primary attack helicopter for the Army, experienced an accident rate 4.5 times higher in the 2024 fiscal year than it did four years earlier. Similarly, the C-130 Hercules, a workhorse transport aircraft known for its reliability, saw its mishap rate nearly double. The V-22 Osprey fleet also continues to present challenges, facing groundings in late 2023 and early 2024, with restrictions persisting well into 2025. These statistics suggest that the issues are not isolated to a single type of flying but affect rotary-wing and fixed-wing platforms alike.
These figures are not merely abstract numbers; they represent a tangible degradation in fleet reliability. When a platform like the C-130, which is central to logistics and transport, experiences a doubling in accident rates, it complicates supply chains and troop movements. The data regarding the Apache helicopter is equally concerning given its role in close air support. The disparity in accident rates among different aircraft suggests that aging airframes and maintenance challenges may be interacting with pilot proficiency issues in unpredictable ways.
“The rate of severe accidents per 100,000 flight hours rose 55% in the 2024 budget year compared to four years prior.”
The “Perfect Storm” of Contributing Factors
Experts and officials are describing the current situation as a “perfect storm” of converging negative factors. A primary theory, supported by aviation analysts like John Nance, points to the downstream effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This phenomenon, referred to as “The COVID Gap,” suggests that pilots who trained or maintained proficiency during the 2020-2021 timeframe received significantly fewer flight hours. This created a deficit in experience and a reduced “safety buffer” that is now manifesting as these aviators move into more complex operational roles.
In addition to training deficits, the military is grappling with persistent maintenance issues. Shortages in spare parts and a lack of experienced maintainers have led to the practice of “cannibalization,” where parts are taken from one aircraft to repair another. This practice, while sometimes necessary, increases the risk of mechanical failure and adds stress to maintenance crews. When combined with a high operational tempo, driven by deployments to high-tension zones, the strain on both human and mechanical resources becomes unsustainable.
We also observe that the broader worsening trends are likely not the result of a single catastrophic failure but rather the accumulation of multiple smaller issues. A culture of safety relies on consistent funding, adequate flight hours, and stable maintenance cycles. The investigation suggests that despite warnings from the 2020 National Commission on Military Aviation Safety, which urged that “pilots should fly; maintainers should maintain,” these core requirements have not been fully met in the post-pandemic era.
Major Incidents and Real-World Consequences
The statistical rise in mishaps has been punctuated by high-profile tragedies in 2024 and 2025. One of the most devastating events occurred on January 29, 2025, involving a mid-air collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The disaster involved a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk and a commercial regional jet, resulting in 67 confirmed fatalities. Preliminary findings pointed to potential altimeter malfunctions and communication breakdowns, underscoring the risks inherent in mixed-use airspace and equipment reliability.
Naval aviation has also suffered a spate of mishaps during this period. The USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group lost two F/A-18 Super Hornets in separate incidents in the spring of 2025, alongside a friendly fire incident in late 2024. Furthermore, in October 2025, the USS Nimitz experienced two crashes, an F/A-18 and an MH-60R Sea Hawk, within 30 minutes of each other in the South China Sea. Fortunately, the crews in the Nimitz incidents were rescued, but the loss of airframes and the frequency of these events highlight the severity of the crisis.
These incidents serve as grim milestones that validate the statistical trends found in the AP investigation. They demonstrate that the rise in Class A mishaps is not a theoretical risk but a present danger costing lives and diminishing the military’s combat power. The proximity of some incidents to civilian infrastructure, such as the Potomac River disaster and the near-miss at the Pentagon in May 2025, further emphasizes the urgent need for corrective action.
Path Forward and Official Responses
In response to these findings, government officials are demanding accountability and better data. Senator Elizabeth Warren has called the accident rates “incredibly troubling” and has formally requested a comprehensive dataset covering 2019–2025 to analyze less severe mishaps for leading indicators of danger. The goal is to identify patterns before they escalate into Class A mishaps. The Pentagon, while not issuing a specific rebuttal to the November findings, maintains that safety processes are regularly reviewed.
The military branches are taking steps to address the crisis, though results remain mixed. The Navy has claimed a 25% reduction in mishaps during the second half of the 2024 fiscal year, attributing this to aggressive safety interventions. Meanwhile, the Marine Corps released its “2025 Aviation Plan” (Project Eagle) to focus on modernization and readiness. As the Department of Defense navigates these challenges, the focus must remain on restoring the fundamental pillars of aviation safety: consistent training, reliable maintenance, and adequate funding.
FAQ
Question: What is a Class A mishap?
Answer: A Class A mishap is a severe military aviation accident that results in either a fatality, permanent total disability, or property damage exceeding $2.5 million.
Question: Which military branch has seen the highest increase in accident rates?
Answer: The U.S. Marine Corps has been the hardest hit, with its mishap rate nearly tripling over the four-year period analyzed in the investigation.
Question: What is the “COVID Gap” regarding aviation safety?
Answer: The “COVID Gap” refers to a theory by experts that reduced flight hours and training during the pandemic (2020-2021) created a deficit in pilot experience and proficiency, which is now contributing to a rise in accidents.
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Photo Credit: Shaw Air Force Base
Defense & Military
SNC and Skyryse Partner to Retrofit Fleets With SkyOS Automation
SNC and Skyryse will integrate SkyOS fly-by-wire automation into existing defense and commercial aircraft fleets via FAA ODA certification.
Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) and aviation technology company Skyryse have formed a collaboration to integrate software-defined flight automation into existing military and commercial aircraft fleets.
Announced on October 27, 2026, the partnership aims to retrofit legacy airframes with Skyryse’s SkyOS system, enabling optionally piloted operations and reduced crew workload without the capital expenditure required to procure new aircraft. The initial focus of the collaboration will target defense platforms.
Certification and integration strategy
The collaboration pairs Skyryse’s flight control technology with SNC’s established aircraft modification and certification infrastructure. A key component of the partnership involves 3S Engineering and Certification, a wholly owned SNC subsidiary based in Wichita, Kansas.
The subsidiary holds a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Organization Designation Authorization (ODA). This status grants the company the authority to issue Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) and certify equipment installations, providing a direct regulatory pathway for integrating SkyOS into operational fleets.
SNC Executive Vice President Jon Piatt noted the practical advantages of the approach. “Modernizing a fleet doesn’t always mean buying new aircraft,” Piatt said in a press release.
Skyryse Founder and CEO Mark Groden emphasized the speed of retrofitting compared to clean-sheet aircraft development.
“The fastest way to modernize a fleet is to upgrade the aircraft already in it, and we’ve shown on the Black Hawk that SkyOS can do that in months, not years. SNC’s certification and integration expertise gives us the path to bring a new level of automation and capability to existing fleets at scale,” Groden said.
The UH-60 Black Hawk proof of concept
The foundation for the SNC partnership stems from a late 2025 technology demonstration. On December 22, 2025, Skyryse achieved the first flight of a UH-60 Black Hawk equipped with the SkyOS system.
The integration process for the Black Hawk was completed in 91 days. During the demonstration, the system executed automated pickup, hover, and setdown maneuvers, validating the aircraft-agnostic design of the software.
SkyOS replaces traditional mechanical flight control linkages with a triply redundant fly-by-wire system. The interface utilizes a four-axis joystick and touchscreen displays, designed to simplify pilot inputs and manage complex flight envelopes automatically.
“SNC has spent more than 60 years modifying and sustaining aircraft for demanding missions,” Piatt said. “Pairing that experience with SkyOS gives us a way to explore new levels of automation that can reduce operator workload, support more consistent decision-making and help crews focus on the mission.”
Expanding partnerships in the automation sector
The SNC agreement follows a series of strategic moves by Skyryse to position its technology across both commercial and defense markets. Founded in 2016 and based in El Segundo, California, the company initially focused on the civil sector, developing the Skyryse One, a proprietary aircraft based on the Robinson R66 platform.
In recent weeks, Skyryse has rapidly expanded its defense and unmanned applications. On September 23, 2026, the company announced a partnership with BAE Systems Australia to evaluate integrating SkyOS with BAE’s Vehicle Management System (VMS) for autonomous flight applications.
The following day, on September 24, 2026, Skyryse formalized an agreement with Robinson Helicopter Company to develop a Group 4 unmanned aircraft system (UAV) for defense applications, utilizing the R66 airframe powered by SkyOS.
SNC, founded in 1963 and operating as a privately owned mid-tier aerospace and defense contractor, brings the scale required to transition these technologies from prototypes to fielded military assets. The defense and commercial aviation sectors are increasingly looking toward optionally piloted and autonomous flight systems to extend the operational life of legacy airframes.
AirPro News analysis
The defense aviation sector is currently navigating a tension between the desire for advanced autonomous capabilities and the reality of constrained procurement budgets. By focusing on retrofitting existing platforms like the UH-60 Black Hawk, SNC and Skyryse are targeting a lucrative middle ground. This approach extends the operational relevance of legacy airframes while introducing optionally piloted capabilities that modern combat doctrines increasingly demand.
The most critical element of this collaboration is SNC’s ODA status through its 3S Engineering subsidiary. In aviation technology, the bottleneck is rarely the software itself; it is the certification pathway. By pairing a nimble aviation startup with an established defense contractor that holds STC authority, the partnership bypasses the traditional regulatory friction that often delays the fielding of novel flight control systems.
Photo Credit: Skyryse
Defense & Military
Volatus Aerospace Completes AISPECO Acquisition for $10.5M
Volatus Aerospace finalizes its $10.5M acquisition of Lithuanian sensor developer AISPECO UAB, gaining an EU and NATO manufacturing base.
Volatus Aerospace Inc. (TSX: FLT) has finalized its acquisition of Lithuanian sensor and software developer AISPECO UAB, securing a direct manufacturing foothold in the European Union and NATO.
The transaction, announced in a press release on October 28, 2026, vertically integrates AISPECO’s proprietary airborne sensor platforms and mission software into Volatus’ existing uncrewed and piloted aircraft operations. The deal carries a base transaction value of $10.5 million, with an additional $2.5 million in contingent earnouts tied to three-year performance milestones.
Financial structure and milestone targets
The completion of the acquisition follows an initial agreement announced on October 14, 2026. The $10.5 million base consideration consists of $3.0 million in cash, the issuance of 17,434,193 Volatus common shares at a deemed price of C$0.5813 per share, and the granting of 1,859,804 Restricted Share Units (RSUs).
An additional $2.5 million in contingent consideration may be paid to AISPECO between October 2026 and October 2029. These earnouts are payable in cash or shares and depend on the achievement of specified financial, commercial, and product-development milestones over the three-year period. While some financial aggregators have characterized the transaction as a $13 million deal, official breakdowns confirm this higher figure is only reached if all future performance targets are met.
The acquisition also marks a successful exit for venture firm Superhero Capital. The backer had previously invested EUR 2.5 million in AISPECO across funding rounds in 2022 and 2024.
Integrating sensor technology with aircraft operations
AISPECO develops and manufactures advanced geospatial systems designed for both fixed-wing aircraft and Helicopters. The company’s product portfolio includes HELIUX modular sensor pods, the FOCUS AI-guided gimbal, CORE electronics, and ROBINCOP flight-management software. The platform is designed to support multiple sensor types and currently holds certification for installation on more than 20 different aircraft types, with two European patent applications pending.
Prior to the acquisition, AISPECO had sold approximately 50 complete systems to customers across North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. These technologies are primarily utilized for the inspection of power grids, gas pipelines, and transport infrastructure, alongside applications in forest inventory, urban mapping, defence, and border surveillance.
Volatus Aerospace CEO Glen Lynch stated that the acquisition brings the company closer to delivering a complete, end-to-end aerial intelligence ecosystem.
“By integrating AISPECO’s proprietary sensors and software with our aircraft platforms and operational capabilities, we can accelerate innovation, strengthen our technology base and deliver more comprehensive solutions to defence, industrial and commercial customers worldwide,” Lynch said.
Expanding European defence and commercial footprint
Headquartered in Mirabel, Québec, Volatus Aerospace operates an Operations Control Centre (OCC) for remote and autonomous flights and manufactures Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), including the Condor XL heavy-lift cargo drone. The company has historically focused on delivering intelligence and cargo solutions through both piloted and remotely piloted aircraft systems.
Founded in 2020 and based in Vilnius, Lithuania, AISPECO brings rapid financial growth to the combined entity. The Lithuanian firm generated C$5.72 million in fiscal 2025 revenue, a figure that more than doubled its fiscal 2024 revenue.
The integration of AISPECO provides Volatus with a direct engineering and manufacturing base in a NATO and European Union member country. This European presence complements the company’s existing Canadian manufacturing operations and is intended to support broader opportunities in government and allied defence markets.
AirPro News analysis
We view the acquisition of AISPECO as a structural shift for Volatus Aerospace, transitioning the company from an operator and distributor of aircraft systems into a vertically integrated technology provider. By bringing sensor payload and mission software development in-house, Volatus captures a larger share of the value chain in the aerial intelligence market. Securing a manufacturing base in Lithuania also provides a distinct strategic advantage for European defence procurement, where domestic sourcing requirements within NATO and the European Union increasingly dictate contract awards.
Photo Credit: Volatus Aerospace
Defense & Military
Bombardier and BAE Systems Sign MOU for Combat Air Programs
Bombardier and BAE Systems signed an MOU on Oct 28, 2026, to explore next-generation combat air collaboration.
Bombardier and BAE Systems have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore joint development of industrial and technology capabilities for next-generation combat air programs.
Announced in a press release on October 28, 2026, the bilateral agreement positions the Canadian aerospace manufacturer to integrate its engineering and manufacturing footprint into allied military aviation requirements. The partnership aligns with Canada’s broader defense strategy, coming three months after the country formally engaged with international sixth-generation fighter development efforts.
Strategic framework and capability exploration
The MOU establishes an exploratory framework to identify practical areas of cooperation aligned with future capability requirements and government priorities. Rather than a commitment to a specific aircraft program, the agreement serves to connect Bombardier’s specialized supplier ecosystems with BAE Systems’ combat air expertise.
Stephen McCullough, Executive Vice President of Engineering, Product Development and Bombardier Defense, stated that the company is positioned to develop the talent required for programs carrying a generational impact on the defense industry.
“This MOU with BAE Systems provides a clear framework to explore how these capabilities can support next-generation defence programs, while strengthening industrial capacity, high-value jobs and long-term aerospace leadership,” McCullough said.
Simon Barnes, Group Managing Director of BAE Systems Air, noted the opportunity to support the strategic aims of Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy through the collaboration.
“BAE Systems brings decades of combat air experience spanning aircraft design, systems integration, manufacturing and support. This agreement marks an important step in our ambition to strengthen international partnerships that support the future of combat air,” Barnes said.
Canada’s evolving role in next-generation air combat
The partnership materializes as Canada deepens its involvement in international air combat initiatives. On July 21, 2026, the Department of National Defence announced that Canada had joined the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) as its first observer nation.
GCAP is a multinational initiative led by the United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan to develop a sixth-generation fighter jet. Observer status allows the Canadian government to assess potential future participation and gain insight into the program’s governance and industrial framework. Crucially, the designation enables the identification of opportunities for domestic companies without requiring an immediate financial commitment from the state.
The bilateral agreement positions Bombardier to capture future procurement cycles as Canada evaluates its long-term role in next-generation air combat initiatives.
Industrial positioning and defense adaptation
Bombardier primarily designs, builds, and maintains the Global and Challenger families of business jets. The company reports a global operating fleet of over 5,300 aircraft, supported by 10 service facilities across six countries.
The manufacturer’s specialized division, Bombardier Defense, focuses on adapting these civilian airframes for military and government missions. The unit emphasizes reliability, performance, and adaptability for specialized operations. By partnering with BAE Systems, Bombardier seeks to expand its defense footprint beyond modified business jets and into the broader combat air supply chain.
BAE Systems operates as one of the primary industrial partners in GCAP, working alongside Italy’s Leonardo and Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The British aerospace and defense company brings extensive experience in systems integration and military aircraft manufacturing to the exploratory partnership with Bombardier.
AirPro News analysis
We view this MOU as a calculated positioning move by Bombardier to secure high-value engineering work within the lucrative sixth-generation fighter ecosystem. While Bombardier is not a traditional combat aircraft prime contractor, modern air combat programs rely heavily on distributed systems, advanced materials, and specialized sensor integration. By partnering with a Tier 1 prime like BAE Systems, Bombardier can leverage its existing aerospace engineering workforce and supply chain to capture defense revenue streams without the prohibitive cost of developing clean-sheet military airframes.
This industrial alignment also provides the Canadian government with tangible domestic economic benefits as it evaluates deeper participation in GCAP. Securing a role for a major domestic aerospace employer like Bombardier makes the political case for future Canadian financial investment in GCAP significantly stronger.
Photo Credit: BAE Systems
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