This article summarizes reporting by Defense Express.

EU Initiates “Stealth” Turboprop Project with 2040 Horizon

The European Union has officially initiated a program to develop a sovereign “Future Multirole Light Aircraft” (FMLA), a heavy turboprop platform designed for low-intensity conflicts. According to reporting by Defense Express, the project aims to reduce European reliance on non-EU suppliers like Brazil’s Embraer and Switzerland’s Pilatus. However, the program’s ambitious technical requirements, including “stealth” capabilities on a propeller-driven airframe, and a protracted timeline targeting 2040 have drawn scrutiny regarding its feasibility.

The initiative is part of the European Defence Fund (EDF) Work Programme 2026, adopted in late 2025. The EDF has allocated an initial €15 million for concept studies and design, marking the first step in a long development cycle intended to bolster the continent’s strategic autonomy in the light attack aviation sector.

Technical Ambitions: A “Flying Tank” with Stealth

The FMLA is not merely a trainer aircraft retrofitted for combat; the specifications outlined in the EDF documents suggest a significantly more robust platform. Defense Express notes that the EU is calling for a Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) of approximately 7,500 kg (16,500 lbs). This places the FMLA in a weight class well above current market leaders.

For comparison, the Brazilian-made Embraer A-29 Super Tucano, widely considered the standard for this category, has a maximum takeoff weight of roughly 5,400 kg. The Swiss Pilatus PC-21, another common platform in Europe, is lighter still at roughly 4,250 kg. The proposed European aircraft would be nearly 40% heavier than the Super Tucano, suggesting a focus on heavy payload capacity, extended range, and advanced sensor suites.

The “Low Observability” Requirement

Perhaps the most distinct, and technically challenging, requirement cited in the program documentation is the demand for “low observability.” The project aims to reduce the aircraft’s radar and infrared signatures to improve survivability in contested airspace.

“The platform must feature low observability characteristics to enhance survivability against ground-based air defense systems.”

Achieving radar evasion on a turboprop aircraft presents significant engineering hurdles. Unlike jet engines, which can be buried within a fuselage to hide turbine blades, a turboprop relies on large, external rotating propellers. These components typically create a distinct “Doppler shift” signature that is difficult to mask from modern radar systems.

In addition to stealth, the aircraft is expected to perform Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) operations, with a requirement to operate from runways as short as 450 meters. It is also slated to carry integrated anti-drone systems and advanced onboard radar, further differentiating it from standard trainer-derived light attack planes.

Timeline and Strategic Context

While the technical specifications are ambitious, the timeline has raised questions about the project’s relevance upon completion. Defense Express highlights that the entry into service is projected for the 2035–2040 window. This 15-year development cycle is notably long for a turboprop aircraft, a technology that is generally considered mature.

The extended timeline likely reflects the complexities of the European defense bureaucracy, which requires consensus on workshare agreements and funding cycles across multiple member states. The goal is clear: to create a European-made alternative to the Super Tucano and Pilatus PC-21, ensuring that EU member states do not have to look abroad for counter-insurgency (COIN) and Close Air Support (CAS) platforms.

AirPro News analysis

The Stealth Turboprop Paradox
We assess that the “stealth” requirement for the FMLA likely refers to a reduction in Radar Cross Section (RCS) through composite materials and fuselage shaping, rather than the “broadband stealth” seen on fifth-generation fighters like the F-35. However, the physics of rotating propellers remains a primary obstacle. The “micro-Doppler” effect generated by propeller blades acts as a beacon for radar. Unless the EU consortium develops breakthrough composite blade technology or acoustic masking, the aircraft will likely remain vulnerable to modern air defenses, limiting its “stealth” utility to evading older generation MANPADS or small arms fire.

The Risk of Obsolescence
Targeting a 2040 release date for a manned light attack aircraft carries significant strategic risk. The conflict in Ukraine and other recent theaters have demonstrated the rapid ascendancy of Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs). By 2040, expendable, high-performance drones may render the concept of a human-piloted, heavy turboprop for close air support obsolete. The FMLA risks arriving as a sophisticated solution to a problem that has already been solved by cheaper, unmanned alternatives.

Strategic Autonomy vs. Market Reality
This project underscores the EU’s commitment to “Strategic Autonomy” over pure market efficiency. While buying off-the-shelf options like the Super Tucano would be faster and cheaper, the FMLA project is designed to sustain the European aerospace industrial base. The heavy 7,500 kg weight suggests the EU envisions a “flying tank” capable of operating from rough dirt strips in Africa or Eastern Europe, carrying sensors that current trainers cannot lift, a niche that drones currently struggle to fill with the same reliability as manned platforms.

Sources

• Defense Express
• European Defence Fund

This article is based on an official press release from 3D Systems and additional industry data regarding the NDAA FY2026.

3D Systems Accelerates Aerospace & Defense Strategy Amid New NDAA Regulations

On January 5, 2026, 3D Systems (NYSE: DDD) announced a significant strategic expansion within its Aerospace & Defense (A&D) vertical, forecasting revenue growth to exceed 20% in 2026. The company is positioning itself to become a primary domestic partner for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), capitalizing on new regulatory frameworks established by the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026.

According to the company’s announcement, this growth strategy involves a major infrastructure expansion in Littleton, Colorado, and the development of large-format metal printing systems supported by U.S. Air Force funding. The initiative aims to secure the domestic supply chain for critical defense components, moving beyond prototyping into full-scale production.

Financial Projections and Market Growth

3D Systems released specific financial targets alongside its strategic roadmap. The company reports that its A&D revenue is estimated to have grown by more than 15% in 2025. Looking ahead, they project this growth rate to accelerate to over 20% in 2026.

Specifically, the company targets revenue from production printing systems and custom metal parts to exceed $35 million in 2026. Management expects the A&D segment to become the company’s largest and fastest-growing industrial business unit by the end of the year.

“Aerospace and defense customers worldwide increasingly require a reliable partner that delivers qualified, scalable solutions with speed, security, and supply chain resilience… Recent U.S. policy developments, including NDAA provisions, provide an additional tailwind that aligns closely with our ongoing domestic investments.”

, Dr. Jeffrey Graves, CEO, 3D Systems

Infrastructure Expansion and Certification

To support these production goals, 3D Systems is expanding its Application Center of Excellence in Littleton, Colorado. The company plans to add up to 80,000 square feet to the facility. This expansion is designed to increase capacity for application development, process qualification, and production-scale manufacturing.

Crucially, the Littleton facility has been selected for certification under the America Makes JAQS-SQ (Joint Additive Qualification for Sustainment, Supplier Qualification) framework. This certification is a key step in standardizing and accelerating the qualification process for 3D-printed parts intended for DoD use, ensuring they meet rigorous military standards.

Technological Innovation: The Race for Large-Format Metal

A central pillar of the company’s defense strategy is the development of next-generation laser powder-bed fusion (LPBF) technology. 3D Systems is currently executing a $18.5 million program sponsored by the U.S. Air Force. The objective is to develop a large-format metal printer with a build area greater than one meter by 2027.

According to the press release, 3D Systems aims to be the only U.S. provider of a complete, onshore, end-to-end metal additive manufacturing (AM) ecosystem for large-frame systems by 2027. This ecosystem will encompass design, printer manufacturing, and parts production.

“We are prioritizing A&D applications where additive manufacturing delivers maximum mission impact, from shipbuilding and advanced defense systems to aviation and space.”

, Dr. Mike Shepard, VP of Aerospace & Defense, 3D Systems

Regulatory Context: The Impact of NDAA FY2026

The acceleration of 3D Systems’ strategy is closely tied to the regulatory environment introduced by the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026. Section 849 of the Act explicitly prohibits the DoD from procuring additive manufacturing systems produced by “covered nations,” which includes China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.

This regulation effectively bans Chinese competitors, such as Bright Laser Technologies (BLT) and Eplus3D, from the U.S. defense supply chain. These companies have previously held a strong position in the global large-format metal market. The ban creates an immediate demand for domestic alternatives, often referred to as “Blue UAS” equivalents for the manufacturing sector.

AirPro News Analysis

The timing of 3D Systems’ expansion appears calculated to fill the vacuum left by restricted foreign competitors. While Chinese manufacturers have historically offered large-format metal printers at lower costs, the NDAA FY2026 neutralizes this price advantage within the U.S. defense market by making legality, rather than cost, the primary procurement factor.

By securing the JAQS-SQ certification and investing in the “1-meter” class printer, 3D Systems is addressing the two biggest hurdles in defense adoption: the lack of standardized qualification for printed parts and the scarcity of domestic machines capable of printing large structural components for missiles, satellites, and naval vessels. This move transitions the company from a vendor of prototyping tools to a critical node in the national security industrial base.

Global Strategic Partnerships

While the primary focus remains on U.S. domestic production, 3D Systems is also strengthening its presence among U.S. allies. The company highlighted its joint venture in Saudi Arabia, known as NAMI, formed in partnership with Dussur and Lockheed Martin.

NAMI has become the Kingdom’s first AS/EN 9100-certified additive manufacturing provider. It is currently producing qualification parts for Lockheed Martin, integrating 3D Systems’ technology into global defense supply chains. Additionally, the company continues to operate facilities in Leuven, Belgium, and Riom, France, to support NATO allies in Europe.

Following the announcement on January 5, 2026, shares of 3D Systems (DDD) rose approximately 6.5%, reflecting market optimism regarding the regulatory tailwinds and the company’s aggressive growth targets.

Sources

• 3D Systems Press Release

This article is based on an official press release from the U.S. Department of Defense and additional background data regarding regional operations.

U.S. Air Forces Deploys F-35As to Kadena Air Base Amidst Regional Tensions

The U.S. Air Force has officially confirmed the deployment of F-35A Lightning II military-aircraft assigned to the 356th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron (EFS) to Kadena Air Base in Japan. According to a release from the Department of Defense on January 7, 2026, the deployment is part of a scheduled rotation designed to maintain a continuous fighter presence in the Indo-Pacific region.

Operating out of the “Keystone of the Pacific,” the 356th EFS, normally based at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, is tasked with delivering combat airpower and ensuring regional stability. This rotation comes as the Air Force continues to divest its aging fleet of F-15C/D Eagles permanently stationed at Kadena, bridging the capability gap with fifth-generation assets until the permanent arrival of the F-15EX Eagle II.

Operational Integration and Readiness

The 356th EFS has been conducting active operations throughout December 2025 and into January 2026. According to operational data released by the military, the unit executed aerial refueling operations over the Pacific on December 11 and launched combat readiness sorties on December 19. These missions are designed to refine the unit’s ability to generate airpower from forward-deployed locations.

A key component of this deployment is integration with joint and allied forces. The Department of Defense notes that the F-35As are operating alongside U.S. Marine Corps F-35Bs based at Iwakuni, as well as U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotankers and E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft. Furthermore, the unit is conducting bilateral Training with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) to enhance interoperability.

In a statement regarding the squadron’s objectives, Maj. John Toner, the 356th EFS Director of Operations, emphasized the unit’s readiness:

“Our mission is to ensure air dominance whenever and wherever we’re called. Every training event and every sortie strengthens our ability to deliver combat airpower and ensure stability across the Pacific.”

Strategic Context: Response to “Justice Mission 2025”

While the Department of Defense characterizes the deployment as a standard rotation, the timing coincides with heightened geopolitical friction in the theater. Reports from regional defense outlets indicate that in late December 2025, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) intensified military maneuvers around Taiwan under the banner of “Justice Mission 2025.”

These exercises reportedly involved joint air and naval drills, live-fire exercises, and simulated blockades. The presence of the 356th EFS at Kadena serves as a high-visibility counter-signal, leveraging the F-35A’s stealth and sensor fusion capabilities to deter potential aggression. Unlike the fourth-generation F-15s they are replacing, the F-35As possess low-observable technology allowing them to penetrate contested airspace, a critical requirement in modern high-end conflict scenarios.

AirPro News Market-Analysis

The deployment of the 356th EFS highlights the U.S. Air Force’s pivot toward Agile Combat Employment (ACE). By rotating diverse units like the 356th through strategic hubs like Kadena, the service avoids the predictability of static basing while introducing the most advanced airframes to the theater. While the divestment of the permanent F-15 fleet raised concerns about capacity, the rotational presence of fifth-generation fighters offers a qualitative advantage that older airframes could not provide. This Strategy ensures that despite the “capability gap” awaiting the F-15EX, the actual combat power available in the Indo-Pacific remains potent and survivable.

Pilot Perspectives on Allied Deterrence

The human element of these operations focuses heavily on trust-building with regional partners. Capt. Ryan Beveridge, a pilot with the 356th EFS, noted the value of cross-service and cross-national integration during these sorties.

“Integrating with our allied partners out here has been invaluable. That kind of trust and understanding is what makes deterrence real.”

The squadron is expected to continue its rotation through early 2026, maintaining a high operational tempo to support U.S. Indo-Pacific Command objectives.

Sources

• Defense.gov
• DVIDS
• Air & Space Forces Magazine