This article is based on an official press release from Air Combat Command.

On May 21, 2026, Airmen at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona officially completed their final A-10 Thunderbolt II engine build. According to an official release from Air Combat Command, this milestone marks the end of a decades-long maintenance mission for the 355th Component Maintenance Squadron (CMS) and serves as a symbolic closing chapter for the base’s 50-year legacy with the iconic close-air-support aircraft.

While the U.S. Air-Forces recently announced a partial extension of the A-10’s operational life through 2030, the formal training and heavy maintenance pipelines, including the dedicated Davis-Monthan engine shop, are officially shutting down. As the military transitions to future platforms, the completion of this final General Electric TF34 turbofan engine represents the end of an era for the maintainers who kept the “Warthog” flying.

We at AirPro News have reviewed the official military releases and supplementary research to provide a comprehensive look at what this final build means for the U.S. Air Force, the maintainers on the ground, and the future of the A-10 fleet.

A Historic Final Build for the 355th CMS

A standard A-10 engine build is a rigorous, multi-stage operation that typically takes 30 days to complete. The process involves meticulous inspection, repair, rebuilding, and testing of the General Electric TF34 turbofan engines that power the A-10C Thunderbolt II. According to military reports, a single crew of five maintainers usually handles the entire process for a given engine.

Hands-On Participation

For this historic final build, the 355th CMS broke from tradition. Every member of the shop participated, ensuring that all personnel had the opportunity to put their hands on the final engine throughout its diagnostic runs and final inspection. The final engine test was successfully conducted in the test cell on April 30, 2026, verifying its performance and flight readiness.

The process officially concluded on May 21, 2026, when Tech. Sgt. Logan Lamb, a 355th Maintenance Group quality assurance inspector, stamped the final inspection form. Wing leadership and the 355th CMS gathered to celebrate the completion, reflecting on the gravity of their work.

“Some, if not all these engines have saved lives on the ground through close air support missions, and some have carried pilots home while the other engine was damaged. All members of the shop put eyes and hands on this engine throughout the build, testing, diagnostic runs and final inspection. Typically, only one crew of five would work on any one engine, but this engine has been touched by everyone.”

The Warthog’s Legacy and Future Operations

Davis-Monthan AFB has served as the primary hub for A-10 operations and training for nearly 50 years. However, the base began divesting its A-10 fleet in February 2024, sending the first aircraft to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group, commonly known as the “Boneyard.” On April 3, 2026, the 357th Fighter Squadron at Davis-Monthan graduated its final class of A-10 pilots, permanently closing the formal training pipeline for the aircraft.

Service Extension Through 2030

Despite the closures at Davis-Monthan, the A-10 will continue to fly. On April 20, 2026, Air Force Secretary Troy E. Meink announced that the Air Force will extend the service life of the remaining A-10 fleet through 2030, reversing a previous plan to retire the aircraft by 2029. According to defense reports, this decision was heavily influenced by the A-10’s recent combat performance in Operation Epic Fury, a U.S. campaign against Iran in late March and April 2026, where the aircraft successfully struck naval vessels and provided critical close air support.

AirPro News analysis

The decision to extend the A-10’s service life through 2030 while simultaneously closing its primary heavy maintenance and training facilities presents a unique logistical scenario. The Air Force is utilizing what it calls a “fleet management strategy.” Because the Davis-Monthan engine shop and the pilot “schoolhouse” are now closed, operational squadrons at bases like Moody AFB and Whiteman AFB will be operating on borrowed time. They will have to rely entirely on existing experienced personnel, stockpiled parts, and the durability of engines like the one just completed by the 355th CMS to sustain operations until the final retirement date. This strategy underscores the military’s confidence in the robust engineering of the TF34 engines and the meticulous groundwork laid by aerospace Propulsion Airmen over the past decades.

The Unsung Heroes of Aerospace Propulsion

The longevity and survivability of the A-10 Thunderbolt II are directly tied to the expertise of aerospace propulsion Airmen. These maintainers are responsible for ensuring the aircraft remains lethal and capable of returning pilots home safely, even after taking heavy fire.

Their daily responsibilities include conducting borescope inspections to identify internal engine issues early and prevent catastrophic failures. They also manage test cell operations, running the engines in a controlled environment while monitoring critical readings from a control cab to verify performance before the engine is ever attached to an airframe.

“I think the legacy of the A-10 is going to be remembered for generations. The A-10 will be missed here in Arizona.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What engine does the A-10 Thunderbolt II use?

The A-10 is powered by twin General Electric TF34 turbofan engines. These engines are renowned for their durability and ability to sustain damage while still bringing pilots home safely.

Why is the A-10’s service life being extended to 2030?

Air Force Secretary Troy E. Meink announced the extension on April 20, 2026, following the aircraft’s highly successful combat performance during Operation Epic Fury in early 2026. The extension reverses previous plans to retire the fleet by 2029.

Is Davis-Monthan AFB still training A-10 pilots?

No. The 357th Fighter Squadron at Davis-Monthan graduated its final class of A-10 pilots on April 3, 2026, officially closing the formal training pipeline for the aircraft.

Sources: Air Combat Command

This article summarizes reporting by Bloomberg and Laura Dhillon Kane. This article summarizes publicly available elements and public remarks.

According to reporting by Bloomberg, Airbus SE is evaluating the potential to manufacture helicopters in Canada for the global export market, provided the European aerospace giant secures upcoming federal procurement contracts. This strategic proposition arrives as Canada embarks on an unprecedented defense spending expansion aimed at modernizing its military and stimulating domestic manufacturing jobs.

We note that Airbus is leveraging a unique political and economic window. By pitching a “local for global” manufacturing approach, the company hopes to decentralize its production while satisfying the Canadian government’s increasingly stringent demands for domestic economic benefits in exchange for lucrative defense contracts.

Canada’s Historic Defense Spending Surge

Following years of underfunding, the Canadian government has recently injected an $81.1 billion multi-year investment into national defense, according to comprehensive industry research. Under the administration of Prime Minister Mark Carney, Canada officially reached the 2% NATO spending benchmark in March 2026 and has committed to escalating defense expenditures to 5% of GDP by 2035.

The 2026 Defence Industrial Strategy

A major catalyst for Airbus’s proposal is the Canadian government’s first-ever Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS), launched in February 2026. Research reports indicate that the DIS introduced a strict “Build-Partner-Buy” framework designed to maximize domestic economic activity. The strategy ambitiously aims to direct 70% of defense contracts to Canadian firms, create 125,000 jobs, and boost defense exports by 50%.

To win contracts under this new framework, foreign vendors are required to provide sustainable domestic economic activity and transfer intellectual property. Furthermore, Canada is actively seeking to diversify its defense procurement to reduce its historical reliance on U.S. suppliers, pivoting toward European partnerships and joining the EU’s €150 billion Security Action for Europe (SAFE) fund.

Airbus’s “Local for Global” Pitch

Airbus is no stranger to the Canadian aerospace sector, having operated in the country for over 40 years. According to industry data, the company currently employs over 5,300 people in Canada. Its helicopter division, based in Fort Erie, Ontario, is already a recognized center of excellence for composite manufacturing, shipping approximately 34,000 parts globally each year to support Airbus’s worldwide supply chain.

Targeting Key Government Contracts

Airbus is actively pursuing three major helicopter procurement projects in Canada: fleet replacements for the Canadian Armed Forces, the Canadian Coast Guard, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). To bolster its position, Transport Canada officially certified the Airbus H175 helicopter in February 2026, a super-medium aircraft tailored for search and rescue and defense missions in harsh environments. Additionally, Airbus is currently delivering 19 H135 helicopters to the Royal Canadian Air Force for the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program.

Airbus executives have made it clear that winning these new contracts would justify expanding their Canadian manufacturing base to assemble complete helicopters for the global market.

“Clearly, if Airbus helicopters are selected for any of the big upcoming campaigns and there is an industrial project which is tied to this contract, it’s an opportunity to export what would be manufactured here to the worldwide market.”

“We see that the H175 is very well positioned for several of those ambitions… We really see that as an aircraft for Canada, but… it would also be a helicopter from Canada.”

Balancing Economic Demands with Aerospace Realities

While Airbus is willing to expand its manufacturing footprint, company leadership has cautioned against overly transactional government demands. Michalon noted that while Airbus can offer research, development, and local procurement, there are practical limits to quid-pro-quo arrangements in aerospace manufacturing.

“If you ask us, ‘Can you bring a car plant in exchange for us selecting [an Airbus helicopter]?’ the answer is ‘Probably not, no.'”

AirPro News analysis

We observe that Canada’s deliberate pivot toward European defense partnerships represents a significant geopolitical shift. Historically, over 90% of Canada’s military helicopters and 100% of its fighter aircraft have been sourced from the United States. While diversifying procurement builds sovereign capacity and integrates Canada into European supply chains, defense experts suggest it could introduce interoperability friction with U.S. forces, particularly concerning joint North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) operations.

Furthermore, establishing a Canadian export hub would provide Airbus with much-needed supply chain redundancy. By decentralizing production from its primary plants in France and Germany, Airbus can better insulate itself from European supply chain bottlenecks. Canada’s 2025 entry into the NATO Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) initiative also positions the country as a long-term collaborator alongside European nations to manage the rising development costs of future military rotorcraft.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why is Airbus considering building helicopters in Canada?

According to Bloomberg reporting, Airbus is exploring Canadian manufacturing for global export as a strategic incentive to win upcoming federal procurement contracts for the Canadian Armed Forces, Coast Guard, and RCMP.

What is Canada’s current defense spending target?

Under Prime Prime Minister Mark Carney, Canada officially hit the 2% NATO spending benchmark in March 2026 and has committed to reaching 5% of GDP by 2035, backed by an $81.1 billion multi-year investment.

What is the Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS)?

Launched in February 2026, the DIS is a Canadian government framework aiming to direct 70% of defense contracts to domestic firms, create 125,000 jobs, and boost defense exports by 50% by requiring foreign vendors to invest locally.

Sources:
Bloomberg
Provided Industry Research Report

This article is based on an official press release from Boeing.

Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat Completes First International Flights in U.S. Airspace

On May 27, 2026, Boeing announced a significant milestone for its uncrewed aviation portfolio. According to an official company press release, the MQ-28 Ghost Bat successfully completed its first international flights in allied airspace. The autonomous combat aircraft, originally developed in Australia, conducted three operational flight tests over the Pacific Ocean at the U.S. Navy’s Point Mugu Sea Range in Southern California.

We at AirPro News recognize this deployment as a critical step in demonstrating the platform’s maturity. The primary objectives of these sorties, as outlined by Boeing, were to validate the aircraft’s autonomous systems, showcase its rapid deployment capabilities, and prove that the uncrewed system can sustain operations seamlessly from an allied military facility outside of its home country.

Operational Milestones at Point Mugu

The recent flight tests at the Point Mugu Sea Range, located at U.S. Naval Base Ventura County, represent a major logistical and operational achievement for the MQ-28 program. By successfully executing three operational sorties in U.S. airspace, Boeing has demonstrated the platform’s ability to integrate into existing allied infrastructure.

Regulatory and Safety Compliance

Operating an autonomous military aircraft in foreign airspace requires stringent oversight. Boeing stated in its release that the company coordinated closely with local authorities to operate under all required airspace, range safety, and Regulations approvals. The Point Mugu Sea Range was selected as a location well-suited for uncrewed aircraft testing, minimizing operational risks while providing a realistic environment for maritime and coastal flight profiles.

The “Loyal Wingman” Concept and Capabilities

The MQ-28 Ghost Bat is being developed by Boeing Defence Australia in partnership with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). According to Boeing, it holds the distinction of being the first Military-Aircraft designed and built in Australia in more than 50 years. The aircraft is categorized as a Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), designed to act as a “loyal wingman.” It utilizes AI to fly alongside and support crewed combat aircraft, such as the F-35, F/A-18F Super Hornet, and E-7A Wedgetail, providing additional combat mass, surveillance, and survivability in contested environments.

This international deployment follows a major combat milestone achieved in December 2025, when the MQ-28 successfully fired an AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) at a target drone over the Woomera Test Range in Australia. That test, detailed in Boeing’s historical program data, proved the aircraft’s ability to operate within a networked combat architecture.

Aircraft Specifications

To provide context on the aircraft’s physical and performance capabilities, Boeing lists the following specifications for the MQ-28:

• Length: 38 feet (11.7 meters)
• Wingspan: 24 feet (7.3 meters)
• Range: 2,000+ nautical miles
• Speed: Fighter-compatible speeds (up to Mach 0.9)

Furthermore, Boeing notes that the aircraft features an open-system architecture and a modular design, allowing for the quick swap-out of payloads via a “missionized” nose. The Manufacturers projects that the MQ-28 will offer these capabilities at one-tenth of the cost of a traditional crewed platform.

Strategic Implications and U.S. Interest

Boeing has explicitly stated that these U.S.-based tests are intended to showcase the aircraft’s maturity to potential international customers. The successful deployment signals growing global interest in affordable, uncrewed autonomous combat mass.

In the company’s press release, Glen Ferguson, Boeing’s MQ-28 Global Program Director, highlighted the strategic intent behind the California flights:

“The activity at Point Mugu is part of Boeing’s ongoing flight test program to mature the MQ-28 and demonstrate operations from allied locations.”

Ferguson further noted the importance of the testing location for the program’s future:

“MQ-28 is using this location to further prove the maturity of the program and inform future exportability.”

AirPro News analysis

The choice of a U.S. Navy base for these tests is highly notable and speaks to broader geopolitical defense strategies. The U.S. Navy is currently developing its own carrier-based Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. We note that the groundwork for this deployment has been quietly in motion for months. In December 2025, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth visited Naval Air Station Point Mugu. In a video released by the Pentagon following that visit, an MQ-28 was clearly visible in the background, sparking early industry speculation about the U.S. military’s direct interest in the platform.

Additionally, the U.S. Navy previously deployed a test and evaluation squadron to Australia to work directly on the MQ-28 program and share skills. Operating from a U.S. facility now proves the MQ-28’s ability to integrate into allied infrastructure, a crucial selling point for coalition forces looking to share technology, tactics, and operational bases in the Indo-Pacific region.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat?
The MQ-28 Ghost Bat is an autonomous, uncrewed Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) developed by Boeing Defence Australia and the Royal Australian Air Force. It is designed to use AI to fly alongside and support crewed fighter jets.

Where did the MQ-28 complete its first international flights?
According to Boeing, the aircraft completed three operational sorties over the Pacific Ocean at the U.S. Navy’s Point Mugu Sea Range in Southern California.

Why is this deployment significant?
The flights demonstrate the aircraft’s ability to rapidly deploy and operate seamlessly from an allied military facility, proving its maturity and boosting its potential for international export.

Sources: Boeing