This article is based on official contracts announcements from the U.S. Department of Defense and Trust Automation, Inc.

Trust Automation Secures $490 Million USAF Contract for Counter-Drone Systems

The U.S. Air Force has awarded Trust Automation, Inc., a woman-owned small business based in San Luis Obispo, California, a significant $490 million Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract. According to the Department of Defense announcement, the agreement focuses on the rapid research, development, and production of counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS), specifically designed to neutralize small to medium-sized drones threats.

The sole-source contract, issued by the Air-Forces Research Laboratory (AFRL) in Rome, New York, extends through August 20, 2030. It positions Trust Automation as a central partner in the military’s effort to defend bases and deployed personnel against the proliferation of Group 1 and Group 2 drones. As noted in the award details, approximately $20.3 million has been obligated immediately for the initial task order.

Contract Scope and Technical Specifications

The agreement tasks Trust Automation with the prototyping, demonstration, and transition of advanced C-UAS capabilities. According to company product information and contract specifications, the work centers on two primary technologies: the Small-Unmanned Air Defense System (SUADS) and the GAT UAS Jammer.

Small-Unmanned Air Defense System (SUADS)

Trust Automation describes SUADS as a layered, modular defense architecture. It is configurable for both fixed-site defense, such as protecting airfields, and rapid deployment in mobile combat units. The system targets Group 1 (hand-launched, under 20 lbs) and Group 2 (21–55 lbs) unmanned aerial systems.

Technical data indicates the system likely employs Radio Frequency (RF) detection and electronic warfare jamming to sever the connection between a drone and its operator. The design is described as “government collaborated,” suggesting it was developed in close partnership with Air Force laboratories to ensure seamless integration into existing command-and-control networks.

GAT (Ghoul-Tool Attachable Transmitter) Jammer

The contract also encompasses the GAT UAS Jammer, a tactical electronic warfare device designed for individual soldiers. According to technical specifications, the device is compact (6″ x 3.2″), weighs less than one pound, and mounts to standard NATO accessory rails on a rifle.

The GAT system provides immediate “point defense” capabilities by jamming command and control signals in the 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz bands. Additionally, it disrupts Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals, forcing hostile drones to hover, land, or return to their launch point. The system is powered by standard CR123 batteries and is effective beyond the operator’s line of sight.

AirPro News Analysis

The Strategic Value of Sole-Source Acquisition
The designation of this award as a “sole source” contract is significant. In federal procurement, this typically indicates that the vendor possesses unique proprietary technology or is scaling a solution previously validated under programs like Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants. By bypassing a lengthy open bidding process, the Air Force signals an urgent need to field these specific capabilities immediately.

Addressing the Asymmetric Threat
This contract directly addresses the “base defense gap” highlighted by recent conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Cheap commercial drones, costing as little as $500, have proven capable of destroying multi-million dollar assets. The Air Force’s investment in Trust Automation’s electronic warfare solutions, rather than purely kinetic interceptors, reflects a shift toward cost-effective, low-collateral countermeasures suitable for populated areas or forward operating bases.

Market Positioning
While the C-UAS market includes major competitors like Anduril Industries and RTX (Raytheon), Trust Automation has carved out a specific niche in RF-based neutralization. Unlike kinetic systems that physically destroy drones and create debris hazards, the electronic warfare approach offered by SUADS and GAT allows for “silent” neutralization, a critical capability for defending sensitive infrastructure.

Sources

Sources: U.S. Department of Defense, Trust Automation, Inc., Defence Industry Europe

This article summarizes reporting by The War Zone.

Denmark Officially Retires F-16 Fleet After 46 Years of Service

On Sunday, January 18, 2026, the Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) marked the end of an era by officially retiring its F-16 Fighting Falcon fleet. The historic transition took place at Skrydstrup Air Base in southern Jutland, concluding 46 years of continuous operations for the fourth-generation fighter. While the jets have flown their final mission under the Danish flag, they are not destined for the scrapyard; instead, they are being transferred to Ukraine and Argentina to continue their operational lives.

According to reporting by The War Zone, the retirement ceremony featured a final formation flight and the symbolic transfer of air defense duties to the fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II. The event underscores a significant modernization effort within NATO, as member nations transition to stealth platforms while bolstering allies with their well-maintained legacy aircraft.

The Final Farewell at Skrydstrup

The retirement event was attended by thousands of spectators, including Danish Minister of Defense Troels Lund Poulsen and current Air Force Chief Major General Jan Dam. The final official RDAF F-16 landing occurred just before 2:00 PM local time, following a farewell flight by four aircraft that departed the runway in full afterburner.

The War Zone highlights the participation of General Christian Hvidt (Ret.), the former Danish Chief of Defense. Gen. Hvidt was the first Danish pilot to land an F-16 at Skrydstrup in January 1980. In a symbolic closing of the circle, he participated in the final ceremony, and his original 1980 helmet was placed in the cockpit of the last jet to mark the occasion.

A Legacy of Global Operations

Denmark originally acquired 58 F-16s, comprising 46 single-seat A models and 12 two-seat B models, as part of the “Sale of the Century,” a collaborative European procurement program involving Belgium, the Netherlands, and Norway. Over nearly half a century, these Military-Aircraft evolved from Cold War defenders of the Baltic Sea to active combatants in modern conflicts.

As detailed in the research data, the Danish F-16 fleet saw active combat deployments in:

• Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom)
• Libya (Operation Odyssey Dawn/Unified Protector)
• Iraq and Syria (Operation Inherent Resolve)

Additionally, the fleet regularly conducted NATO Baltic Air Policing missions, securing the airspace over Estonia and Lithuania.

A “Second Life” in Ukraine and Argentina

Unlike many military retirements where assets are scrapped or stored, the Danish F-16s remain operationally relevant. The fleet has been divided to support two distinct strategic objectives: the defense of Ukraine and the modernization of Argentine air power.

Bolstering Ukraine’s Defense

Denmark has pledged 19 F-16 aircraft to the Ukrainian Air Force. According to Militarnyi and other defense sources, the majority of these aircraft have already been transferred as of January 2026. The first batch arrived in Ukraine in the summer of 2024 and is currently being used for air defense and combat missions against Russian forces. These jets provide a critical capability for contesting airspace and intercepting cruise missiles.

Modernizing Argentina’s Air Force

In a separate deal worth approximately $300–$320 million, Denmark sold 24 F-16s to Argentina. Defense News reported that this agreement was signed in April 2024, with the first aircraft arriving in Argentina in December 2025. This acquisition restores Argentina’s supersonic interceptor capability, a capacity the nation had lacked since retiring its Mirage fleet in 2015.

Transition to the F-35A Lightning II

The retirement of the F-16 coincides with the full operational integration of the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II. Denmark plans to operate a total of 27 F-35s initially, with long-term plans to increase the fleet to 43 aircraft.

According to Flight Global, the F-35A officially assumed Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) duties immediately following the F-16’s retirement. While the first F-35s arrived on Danish soil in September 2023, a portion of the fleet remains at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona for ongoing pilot training.

AirPro News analysis

The retirement of the Danish F-16 fleet represents a masterclass in lifecycle management. It is rare for a fighter jet to serve for 46 years and still be sought after for active combat duties in high-threat environments like Ukraine. This speaks volumes about the maintenance standards of the Royal Danish Air Force ground crews.

Strategically, this move allows Denmark to leap into the fifth-generation era with the F-35 while simultaneously strengthening NATO’s eastern flank via Ukraine and solidifying diplomatic ties with South America. By transferring these assets rather than scrapping them, Denmark has maximized the geopolitical value of its hardware down to the very last flight hour.

Sources

• The War Zone
• Flight Global
• Defense News
• Militarnyi

This article summarizes reporting by Yahoo News / The Jerusalem Post and Yonah Jeremy Bob.

IAF Stealth Fleet Nears Completion of First Procurement Phase

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has successfully expanded its fleet of fifth-generation fighters with the arrival of three new F-35i “Adir” jets. According to reporting by Yahoo News and military correspondent Yonah Jeremy Bob, the military aircraft landed at Nevatim Air Force Base on Sunday, January 18, 2026. This delivery brings the total number of operational F-35s in the Israeli inventory to 48.

The arrival marks a significant milestone in a long-standing procurement agreement between Israel and U.S. defense giant Lockheed Martin. As noted in the primary report, the current deal covers 50 aircraft in total. With 48 now on Israeli soil, the IAF is only two airframes away from completing this initial acquisition phase. These final two jets are expected to arrive later in 2026.

Operational Deployment and Squadron Integration

Upon arrival at Nevatim Air Base in southern Israel, the new stealth fighters are slated for integration into the IAF’s existing operational infrastructure. Defense analysis indicates that the fleet is distributed among key units, including the 140th “Golden Eagle” Squadron and the 116th “Lions of the South” Squadron.

Strengthening the “Adir” Fleet

The F-35i, known in Israel as the “Adir” (Mighty One), serves as a central pillar of the country’s multi-front defense strategy. The delivery on Sunday reinforces the IAF’s ability to conduct long-range missions and maintain air superiority in a contested region. According to the source report, the IDF confirmed the landing, emphasizing that the purchase is part of a multi-year strategy to raise the fleet count from 25 to the full complement of 50.

“The IDF announced on Sunday that three F-35i aircraft have landed at Nevatim Air Force Base… which increases Israel’s quantity of F-35 aircraft to 48.”

, Yonah Jeremy Bob, via Yahoo News

Technical Specifications and Future Procurement

While the base airframe is manufactured by Lockheed Martin in the United States, the F-35i variant is unique globally due to extensive Israeli modifications. These enhancements allow the IAF to tailor the platform to specific regional threats.

Indigenous Systems Integration

Industry data confirms that the “Adir” is the only F-35 variant that integrates a custom Electronic Warfare (EW) suite on top of the standard avionics. Developed by Elbit Systems, this overlay allows the IAF to counter advanced surface-to-air missile systems. Furthermore, the aircraft features a “plug-and-play” architecture for Israeli weaponry, including Rafael’s SPICE precision bombs and Python-5 air-to-air missiles.

Expansion to 75 Aircraft

While the current delivery brings the count to 48 out of an initial 50, the procurement pipeline remains active. In June 2024, Israel signed a subsequent agreement worth approximately $3 billion to acquire an additional 25 F-35 jets. This third squadron will eventually bring the total Israeli fleet to 75 aircraft by the late 2020s or early 2030s. Deliveries for this new tranche are projected to begin in 2028.

AirPro News Analysis

The arrival of these three airframes represents more than just a logistical update; it signals the maturity of the F-35 program within the IAF. Initially viewed as a “future asset,” the Adir has transitioned into a battle-proven workhorse, having seen extensive utilization in recent conflicts including the Iron Swords War. The ability to integrate three new jets immediately into operational rotation suggests that the IAF’s maintenance and logistical pipelines at Nevatim have stabilized, allowing for a seamless absorption of new inventory.

Furthermore, as the fleet approaches the 50-jet mark, we anticipate a shift in focus from basic fleet building to advanced capability expansion, specifically regarding the integration of external fuel tanks and conformal fuel tanks to extend range for potential long-distance operations without aerial refueling.

Sources

Sources: Yahoo News / Jerusalem Post