GKN Aerospace and RTX’s Pratt & Whitney have partnered with the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA) to pioneer the use of additive manufacturing for large structural components on the F135 engine. Announced on July 20, 2026, during the Farnborough Air Show, the Technology Development Agreement focuses specifically on fabricating large engine cases to support the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II propulsion system.

The project will be led from GKN Aerospace’s facility in Kongsberg, Norway. According to the companies, the initiative represents one of the first applications of large-scale additive manufacturing within military aero-engine structures, aiming to increase supply chain resilience, reduce lead times, and improve overall production efficiency.

Advancing military engine manufacturing

The collaboration will utilize a laser-directed energy deposition with wire (L-DED-w) process. This manufacturing method deposits material much closer to the final geometry of the part compared to conventional techniques. By doing so, the process significantly reduces both the raw material waste and the extensive machining time typically associated with traditional aerospace manufacturing.

Executives from both companies highlighted the strategic importance of maturing this technology for high-performance military aircraft applications.

“I am pleased to see this collaboration bringing together strong industrial capabilities and advanced manufacturing expertise. This initiative reflects our ambition to further develop and industrialise additive technologies for demanding aerospace applications,” said Sébastien Aknouche, Senior Vice President at GKN Aerospace.

“This agreement reflects our continued focus on advancing technologies that support the long-term needs of the F135 program. We appreciate the collaboration with GKN Aerospace as we explore new manufacturing approaches that contribute to future engine readiness,” said Chris Johnson, Vice President of the F135 Program at Pratt & Whitney.

Supply chain resilience and production scaling

The push toward additive manufacturing aligns with Pratt & Whitney’s current operational requirements. The manufacturer is actively scaling output for the F135 program while simultaneously advancing the Engine Core Upgrade (ECU) toward a final production decision. Integrating additive manufacturing offers a direct route to bypass the lengthy procurement queues typically required for large aerospace forgings, which have been a persistent bottleneck in the global aerospace supply chain.

The development timeline targets rapid industrialization. The partners expect the first large-scale additive manufacturing demonstrator component to be completed in 2027. Following the demonstrator phase, the companies aim to finalize a fully certified product by the end of 2028.

Commercial aviation agreements

Alongside the military engine development, GKN Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney utilized the 2026 Farnborough Air Show to expand their commercial aircraft manufacturing ties. The companies signed a separate agreement to broaden their existing risk- and revenue-sharing partnership. This expanded commercial agreement includes the manufacturing of low-pressure compressor vanes for the PW1500G and PW1900G commercial engines.

AirPro News analysis

We view the transition of additive manufacturing from small, highly complex internal components to large structural engine cases as a critical maturation of the technology. The aerospace supply chain has long been constrained by the limited global capacity for large forgings. By validating the L-DED-w process for the F135 program, Pratt & Whitney and GKN Aerospace are establishing a framework that could fundamentally alter how heavy military and commercial engine structures are sourced. If the 2028 certification target is met, this manufacturing process will likely cascade into other engine programs seeking similar supply chain resilience and reduced material costs.

Sources: GKN Aerospace

Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc. (BAER) secured a $58 million contract on July 27, 2026, to provide the Texas A&M Forest Service with three modified King Air 360 multi-mission Commercial-Aircraft. The acquisition establishes the foundation for a new state-level wildfire aviation surveillance program in Texas following a historic fire season.

In a press release issued on July 27, 2026, the Belgrade, Montana-based aerial firefighting company confirmed it will acquire, modify, and deliver the aircraft over the next three years. The contract is funded through a $257 million appropriation passed by the Texas Legislature to expand the state’s wildfire suppression capabilities.

Expanding Texas Wildfire Surveillance

The King Air 360 multi-mission aircraft (MMA) will be configured to support a variety of state responses. According to the company, the fleet will handle wildland fire detection, situational awareness, emergency operations, cargo transportation, and medical evacuation (Medevac) missions.

Bridger Aerospace is working directly with the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEMs), Textron Aviation, to expedite the Delivery schedule and integrate advanced sensor platforms into the airframes. All aircraft modifications will be performed in Texas, where the fleet will ultimately operate.

Legislative Response to the 2024 Fire Season

The procurement follows a severe wildfire season in 2024. During that year, local fire departments and the Texas A&M Forest Service responded to 5,187 wildfires that burned 1,300,579 acres across the state. The total included the Smokehouse Creek Fire, which stands as the largest wildfire in Texas history.

In response to the destruction, lawmakers during the 89th Legislative Session in 2025 passed HB500. The legislation directed $257 million specifically toward the purchase, operation, and maintenance of wildfire suppression aircraft. Bridger Aerospace Chief Executive Officer Sam Davis noted that states are increasingly recognizing the scarcity of available aviation assets as wildfires grow more frequent and destructive.

“Texas A&M Forest Service is setting the standard by investing in a modern, state-based aerial firefighting program that puts resources in place before disasters strike,” Davis said in the press release.

AirPro News analysis

The $58 million contract awarded to Bridger Aerospace highlights a growing trend of individual states building organic, year-round aerial firefighting fleets rather than relying exclusively on federal assets or seasonal exclusive use contracts. By selecting the King Air 360 platform, Texas is prioritizing multi-role capability. The aircraft can transition from fire detection and mapping during peak fire season to cargo transport and Medevac roles during other state emergencies. We expect other states with expanding wildland-urban interfaces to closely monitor the deployment and operational efficiency of the Texas A&M Forest Service program as a potential model for their own aviation acquisitions.

Sources: Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc., Texas A&M Forest Service

Swedish defense contractor Saab AB has secured a 10.1 billion Swedish crown ($1.04 billion) contract to supply two GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft to an undisclosed customer in the Middle-East. The order, announced on July 27, 2026, schedules deliveries for 2030 and expands the footprint of the Bombardier-based surveillance platform in the region.

In a press release issued Monday, Saab confirmed the agreement but declined to identify the purchasing nation. The company cited industry norms and national security interests for the anonymity. The GlobalEye system provides multi-domain airborne surveillance and early warning capabilities, utilizing a heavily modified Bombardier Global 6000 or 6500 long-range business jet equipped with advanced radar technology.

Strategic expansion in the Middle East

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) served as the launch customer for the GlobalEye program. According to defense publication Janes, previous follow-on orders from the UAE have historically been publicized. This pattern suggests the July 2026 contract likely represents a new operator within the region adopting the platform.

Saab President and CEO Micael Johansson highlighted the growing international demand for the system following the contract finalization.

“This order underscores our commitment to providing customers with mission-proven, multi-domain AEW&C capability. The increasing international interest in GlobalEye reflects its effectiveness and reliability in modern air defence operations,” Johansson said.

Regarding the buyer’s identity, Saab stated, “Due to the nature of the industry, circumstances concerning the customer and national security interests, no further information regarding this order or the customer will be provided.”

GlobalEye technical specifications and capabilities

The GlobalEye platform integrates Saab’s Erieye Extended Range (ER) active electronically scanned array (AESA) Radar-Systems. Janes reports that this radar system doubles the power efficiency compared to previous iterations, providing a detection range exceeding 650 kilometers.

Built on the Bombardier Global series airframe, the aircraft offers significant operational persistence. The platform features an endurance of more than 13 hours and can operate at a top speed of 450 knots. These performance metrics allow for rapid deployment and sustained on-station surveillance during integrated air and missile defense missions.

AirPro News analysis

We note that securing a billion-dollar AEW&C contract reinforces Saab’s position in a highly competitive airborne early warning market, traditionally dominated by Boeing’s E-7 Wedgetail and older E-3 Sentry platforms. The choice of a business jet airframe over a commercial airliner derivative offers operators lower operating costs and high dispatch reliability. If this order indeed represents a new Middle Eastern customer rather than a UAE fleet expansion, it signals a strategic shift in regional air defense procurement toward the Swedish manufacturer’s integrated solutions.

Sources: Saab AB