This article summarizes reporting by Fox News and official statements from the Department of Justice.

Former U.S. Air Forces Pilot Arrested for Allegedly Training Chinese Military Aviators

Federal authorities have arrested a retired U.S. Air Force Major on charges of conspiring to provide unauthorized military training to the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) in China. The arrest of 65-year-old Gerald Eddie Brown Jr., announced on February 25, 2026, marks the latest development in a broader federal crackdown on Western military personnel selling their expertise to foreign adversaries.

According to reporting by Fox News and unsealed court documents, Brown was taken into custody in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Prosecutors allege that Brown, a former F-35 simulator instructor, violated the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) by sharing sensitive U.S. military tactics with Chinese pilots without the required export license from the State Department.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) claims Brown’s activities were facilitated by intermediaries connected to Stephen Su Bin, a convicted Chinese hacker known for targeting U.S. defense contractors. If convicted, Brown faces significant prison time for allegedly betraying the oath he took as an American servicemember.

The Allegations: “Defense Services” for the PLAAF

The criminal complaint details a timeline of events beginning in August 2023, when Brown allegedly began communicating with Chinese contacts. According to federal prosecutors, Brown traveled to China in December 2023 and remained there until February 2026, allegedly providing instruction on combat aircraft operations.

Under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), providing “defense services”, which includes training foreign military personnel, requires explicit authorization. The DOJ alleges Brown neither sought nor received such a license. Upon his arrival in China, prosecutors claim Brown expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity in seized communications:

“Now… I have the chance to fly and instruct fighter pilots again!”

Alleged message from Gerald Eddie Brown Jr., cited by the Department of Justice

The government alleges that on his very first day in China, Brown spent hours answering technical questions about U.S. Air Force operations. He subsequently provided personal briefings and ongoing instruction to PLAAF personnel throughout his stay.

The Su Bin Connection

A critical element of the government’s case is Brown’s alleged association with Stephen Su Bin. Su Bin is a Chinese national who was convicted in the United States in 2016 for conspiring to hack major defense contractors, including Boeing and Lockheed Martin, to steal designs for the F-22, F-35, and C-17 aircraft.

According to the charges, Brown negotiated his employment through a network linked to Su Bin. This connection suggests a coordinated effort by Chinese state actors to acquire U.S. military knowledge through both cyber espionage and the recruitment of human assets.

Military Background and F-35 Sensitivity

Brown, who utilized the call sign “Runner,” served 24 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring in 1996 with the rank of Major. His service record includes commanding nuclear weapons delivery units and flying combat missions. He served as an instructor for multiple airframes, including the F-4, F-15, F-16, and A-10.

However, it is his post-military career that has likely drawn the most scrutiny from counterintelligence officials. After retiring, Brown worked as a contract simulator instructor for the F-35 Lightning II, the United States’ most advanced stealth fighter. Knowledge regarding the F-35’s operational limits, sensor fusion capabilities, and tactics is considered highly classified and extremely valuable to near-peer adversaries like China.

Official Reactions

Federal officials have condemned the alleged actions as a betrayal of national security. In a statement released following the arrest, John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General for National Security, emphasized the gravity of the charges.

“The United States Air Force trained Major Brown to be an elite fighter pilot and entrusted him with the defense of our Nation. He now stands charged with training Chinese military pilots…”

John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General for National Security

Roman Rozhavsky, Assistant Director of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division, echoed these sentiments, noting the persistent efforts by the Chinese government to exploit U.S. military expertise.

“Gerald Brown… allegedly betrayed his country by training Chinese pilots to fight against those he swore to protect.”

Roman Rozhavsky, FBI Assistant Director

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AirPro News Analysis: A Pattern of Recruitment

The arrest of Gerald Brown is not an isolated incident but part of a documented trend where the Chinese military aggressively recruits former Western pilots to fast-track their own capabilities. By hiring experienced instructors, the PLAAF seeks to understand Western tactics and carrier operations without the decades of institutional learning usually required.

This case draws parallels to that of Daniel Duggan, a former U.S. Marine Corps pilot arrested in Australia in 2022. Duggan is currently fighting extradition to the U.S. on charges that he trained Chinese pilots to land on aircraft carriers. In response to these threats, NATO allies, including the UK and Australia, have recently issued joint warnings about Chinese headhunting firms targeting former military personnel with lucrative contracts.

The specific mention of the F-35 in Brown’s background makes this case particularly sensitive. While previous cases often involved older platforms or general carrier operations, the potential transfer of knowledge regarding fifth-generation stealth tactics represents a severe breach of operational security.

Timeline of Events

• 1996: Brown retires from the U.S. Air Force as a Major.
• 2016: Co-conspirator Stephen Su Bin pleads guilty to hacking U.S. defense contractors.
• August 2023: Brown allegedly begins negotiating with Chinese contacts.
• December 2023: Brown travels to China to begin training PLAAF pilots.
• February 2026: Brown returns to the U.S.
• February 25, 2026: Brown is arrested in Jeffersonville, Indiana.

Sources: Fox News, Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation

This article is based on an official press release from Leonardo S.p.A..

Leonardo S.p.A. Reports Double-Digit Growth in FY 2025, Halves Net Debt

On February 25, 2026, Italian defense and aerospace conglomerate Leonardo S.p.A. released its preliminary financial results for the fiscal year 2025, reporting performance that exceeded both company guidance and market expectations. The company achieved double-digit growth across all primary metrics, including new orders, revenues, and profitability, while successfully reducing its net debt by nearly 45%.

According to the official release, the company’s “One Company” transformation strategy has begun to yield significant financial efficiencies. CEO Roberto Cingolani highlighted the results as a validation of the industrial plan launched three years prior, noting that the group has strengthened its financial position ahead of potential strategic moves in 2026.

Financial Performance vs. Guidance

Leonardo reported €23.8 billion in new orders for FY 2025, a 14.5% increase over the previous year and well above the guidance range of €22.3–22.8 billion. This surge in orders has pushed the company’s total backlog to €46.6 billion, providing approximately 2.4 years of revenue visibility.

Revenues climbed to €19.5 billion, marking a 10.9% year-over-year increase. Profitability also improved significantly, with Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, and Amortization (EBITA) reaching €1.75 billion, an 18.2% rise compared to 2024. The company noted that these growth figures are “like-for-like,” excluding the contribution of the Underwater Armaments & Systems business, which was divested to Fincantieri earlier in 2025.

Perhaps the most notable metric for investors was the reduction in Group Net Debt. Leonardo lowered its debt burden to €1.0 billion, down from €1.8 billion in 2024. This reduction was driven by strong Free Operating Cash Flow (FOCF) of €1.0 billion, which beat the upper end of the company’s €980 million guidance.

“We exceeded the challenging guidance, which had been already upgraded during the year. Such a performance represents the completion of the value-accretion path launched three years ago… fully enabling the Leonardo ‘One Company’ model.”

— Roberto Cingolani, CEO of Leonardo S.p.A.

Segment Highlights

The press release detailed growth across all main business sectors, with Aeronautics emerging as a standout performer regarding order intake.

Aeronautics and Aerostructures

The Aeronautics division secured €5.8 billion in new orders, a 55% increase year-over-year. The company attributed this spike to a major logistics support contract in Kuwait and accelerating activity in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). Additionally, the Aerostructures sub-unit, historically a drag on profitability, was reported to have “narrowed its losses” amid recovering demand for commercial fuselages from Boeing and Airbus.

Electronics and Cyber Security

Electronics remains the largest segment by revenue, contributing €8.35 billion. The division maintained the highest Return on Sales (ROS) at 12.9%. Meanwhile, the Cyber & Security Solutions division recorded the sharpest improvement in profitability, with EBITA jumping 63.3% to €80 million and margins hitting 10%.

Strategic Outlook: Joint Ventures and Divestments

Looking ahead to the rest of 2026, Leonardo management outlined several key strategic initiatives. CEO Cingolani confirmed that the company is in advanced negotiations to establish a Joint Venture for its Aerostructures unit. Leonardo expects to finalize the deal by June 2026, initially retaining a 50% stake in the new entity.

Furthermore, the company is currently reviewing its 22.8% stake in German defense electronics firm Hensoldt. Management indicated that discussions are underway regarding a potential reduction in this holding to facilitate an increased position by the German government, with a decision expected before the summer.

AirPro News Analysis: Market Reaction

Despite the operational “beat” across all metrics, Leonardo’s stock (LDO.MI) closed down approximately 2.7% on the day of the announcement, trading around €58.69. In our view, this reaction reflects a classic “buy the rumor, sell the news” dynamic. The stock had rallied significantly in the months leading up to the release, trading near 52-week highs.

While the immediate market reaction was negative, the fundamental improvements in cash flow and debt reduction place Leonardo in a robust position. The reduction of net debt to €1.0 billion significantly increases the company’s firepower for potential M&A activity or increased shareholder returns, such as the potential 20% dividend increase hinted at by leadership.

Sources

Sources: Leonardo S.p.A. Press Release, Borsa Italiana Market Data

This article summarizes reporting by Euronews and other Italian media outlets.

Italian authorities have launched a significant investigation into the disappearance of military aircraft components valued at approximately €17 million. According to reporting by Euronews and Italian prosecutors, the probe centers on the theft of roughly 2,500 sensitive parts from an Italian Air Force logistics base in Brindisi. The investigation, which was made public in late February 2026, implicates senior military officers and executives from a major private defense contractor.

The inquiry is being jointly conducted by the Rome Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Military Public Prosecutor’s Office. Investigators allege that between 2021 and 2023, a network of insiders systematically removed avionics and electronic modules intended for combat and transport aircraft. The case highlights severe vulnerabilities in military supply chain security, specifically regarding the disposal and tracking of high-value assets.

The Alleged Scheme and Suspects

Prosecutors believe the theft was an “inside job” facilitated by the falsification of maintenance records. According to details released regarding the investigation, functional aircraft parts were fraudulently certified as “out-of-use” or “scrap.” By declaring the components as waste, the perpetrators allegedly removed them from official military registers and NATO tracking protocols, allowing the items to be smuggled out of the warehouse without triggering inventory alarms.

Involvement of High-Ranking Officials

The investigation has placed approximately 12 individuals under scrutiny. Reports indicate that this group includes senior logistics managers and generals within the Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare). Additionally, the probe extends to the private sector, implicating executives from Avio Aero, a subsidiary of GE Aerospace that operates a major maintenance facility in Brindisi.

In a statement regarding the inquiry, the Italian Air Force emphasized its cooperation with authorities:

“The Air Force expresses full trust in the judiciary and confirms it is providing all necessary documentation to investigators.”

Targeted Aircraft and the “Brazil Connection”

The stolen components reportedly belong to three specific aircraft platforms: the Panavia Tornado, the AMX International AMX, and the Lockheed C-130 Hercules. The theft of avionics for the AMX, a ground-attack aircraft jointly developed by Italy and Brazil, has led investigators to a specific theory regarding the destination of the stolen goods.

Black Market Demand

According to the investigation details, a primary line of inquiry suggests the parts were destined for the black market in South America, specifically Brazil. While Italy has largely retired its AMX fleet, the aircraft remains relevant in other markets, potentially creating a demand for spare parts that are out of production. Prosecutors have ordered technical consultancies to verify the condition of the “scrapped” parts to prove they were fully operational at the time of their removal.

AirPro News Analysis

Distinguishing Supply Chain Risks

It is critical for industry observers to distinguish this current investigation from previous supply chain issues in the region. In October 2024, a separate probe in Brindisi focused on defective manufacturing processes involving titanium components for civilian aircraft, specifically the Boeing 787. That case involved sub-suppliers allegedly using non-compliant metals to cut costs.

The current investigation, revealed in February 2026, is fundamentally different. It concerns the theft and embezzlement of valid military hardware rather than manufacturing defects. However, both cases underscore the operational risks present in complex aerospace supply chains where private contractors and military logistics intersect. The “insider threat”, where trusted personnel manipulate administrative data, remains one of the most difficult security challenges to detect, as it bypasses physical security measures through bureaucratic loopholes.

The theft of €17 million in parts could have theoretically impacted the operational readiness of the Italian fleet during the 2021–2023 timeframe, though the Air Force has not publicly confirmed any specific operational deficits resulting from these losses.

Sources

• Euronews