Air Force C-40 aircraft fleet expansion contract

The Department of the Air Force is moving forward with plans to acquire a used Boeing 737-700 aircraft to support presidential and executive airlift operations. The Air Force released a draft contract document on Tuesday detailing the purchase.

The contract would purchase the aircraft and perform the engineering, integration, and modification necessary to missionize the platform to a military C-40C configuration, the Air Force said. “The final delivered product shall be functionally and technically equivalent to the Air Force Reserve Command C-40C aircraft currently stationed at Scott Air Force Base, Ill.,” the contract states. “This effort transforms a commercial aircraft into a Military Commercial Derivative Aircraft capable of meeting the high-priority requirements of the Distinguished Visitor Airlift mission.”

Air Force Reserve Command C-40C Fleet Tail Numbers

• 05-0730
• 05-0932
• 05-4613
• 09-0540

Background and Mission Overview

The C-40 fleet supports the Air Force Concept of Operations for Global Mobility. These aircraft provide safe, secure, and dedicated worldwide transportation for senior government and military officials, including the Secretary of War, Secretary of State, and Congressional Delegations.

Often referred to as an "office in the sky," the C-40C must provide the communications and Command and Control capabilities necessary for senior leaders to fulfill their responsibilities regardless of location, across the full spectrum of operations. The aircraft features a 737-type flight deck, flexible cabin configuration (42–111 passengers), and specialized communications.

Command Communication System

The winning contractor shall install the aircrew communications suite to support unrestricted worldwide military and civil flight operations. This includes HF, VHF, and UHF radios, as well as the Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System for datalink capability with Air Traffic Control and airline operations centers.

Delivery Schedule

The aircraft maintenance history and structural integrity must support continued service of at least 15 years. The Air Force requests the aircraft be delivered no later than September 2029.

Collaborative Combat Aircraft suffers 'mishap' shortly after takeoff

A YFQ‑42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) test platform suffered a “mishap” shortly after taking off from a General Atomics‑owned airport in the California desert on Monday at approximately 4 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The unmanned aircraft, being developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI) for the U.S. Air Force, sustained damage, but no personnel were injured, the company said in a press statement.

“Safety is our top priority, for our people and the public. In this case, established procedures and safeguards worked as intended, and there were no injuries,” said C. Mark Brinkley, a company spokesman. “We’re going to take a close look at what happened, gather all the data, and allow the investigation to guide us moving forward.”

GA‑ASI officials confirmed that flight‑test operations have been suspended “out of an abundance of caution.” The company is presently assessing the aircraft’s condition and has launched a formal investigation to determine the root cause of the incident. “At this early stage, it would be premature to speculate on the circumstances,” the company said. “As with any program, we follow a disciplined investigation process to understand exactly what occurred, and our focus right now is on gathering data and ensuring we learn from this event.”

The YFQ-42A is part of a fleet of production-representative CCAs that are in the technical maturation and risk-reduction phase of a multi-year program aimed at delivering next-generation combat capabilities to the Air Force. The jets conduct regular operational tests and evaluation flights from GA-ASI’s private facilities, a practice expected to resume once the investigation is complete and the aircraft is cleared for flight.

Virtual Industry Day meeting announced for aircraft hangar project in El Salvador

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has issued a solicitation for the design and construction of an aircraft‑maintenance hangar at the Cooperative Security Location (CSL) Comalapa in El Salvador. The contract is part of a broader effort to improve regional aviation infrastructure used by U.S. and partner‑nation forces.

Virtual Industry Day

USACE will host a virtual industry day to brief potential offerors on project requirements, evaluation criteria, and submission procedures. The session, which will be streamed live, is intended to give interested contractors a clear understanding of the scope of work, including civil engineering, structural steel, and mechanical systems required to support an aircraft hangar. In addition to the online briefing, USACE has scheduled an on‑site visit to CSL Comalapa for April 16.

Site Visit

The visit is open to all firms that have expressed interest in the solicitation. Participants can meet with USACE representatives, tour existing facilities, and assess logistical considerations, including site access, utilities, and local construction regulations.

Hangar Requirements

The USACE is calling for a single-bay structure covering approximately 2,800 square meters. The hangar is intended to accommodate either a Lockheed C-130 Hercules or a Boeing P-8 Poseidon, providing space for routine upkeep, repairs, and inspections. In addition to the primary aircraft bay, the project includes administrative offices, dedicated storage areas for materials and tools, and an expanded parking apron to accommodate aircraft awaiting service.

Cooperative Security Location

The Comalapa facility is one of two U.S. CSLs in the Latin America and Caribbean region – the other is in Honduras. Formerly known as Forward Operating Locations, CSLs enable U.S. and partner‑nation aircraft to operate from existing airfields without establishing permanent bases.

According to U.S. Southern Command, which oversees the CSLs, the Comalapa site supports multinational efforts to combat transnational organized crime, particularly illicit drug trafficking. U.S. Navy personnel manage day‑to‑day operations at the site, while detection and monitoring aircraft conduct surveillance missions to track suspect aircraft and vessels.

Six-year sentence handed down for abusive contact on flight to Orlando

U.S. District Judge Paul Byron sentenced John Daniel Fowler, 65, of Indianapolis, to six years in federal prison for abusive sexual contact committed aboard a commercial airline. The sentence, announced in a Department of Justice press release Monday, also includes a term of 15 years of supervised release after Fowler’s prison term ends.

Fowler was found guilty by a federal jury on Jan. 13. The conviction stemmed from an incident on a flight from Indianapolis to Orlando, where Fowler was seated next to a child passenger.

According to testimony presented at trial, Fowler observed the minor taking a photograph out of the aircraft window with a cellphone and asked the child to send him the image, providing his own phone number. The prosecution detailed a series of escalating assaults: Fowler repeatedly placed his hand over the armrest, touching the minor, who pushed his hand away each time. After the child fell asleep, Fowler allegedly slipped his hand under the blanket and touched the girl’s genitalia. The victim awoke as the plane was landing in Orlando, still being groped. She immediately reported the conduct to the flight crew, who separated her from Fowler and alerted law enforcement.

Fowler, a registered sex offender, had previously been convicted in Indiana for sexual battery and criminal confinement in 2017. In that case, an adult victim testified that Fowler had licked her genitalia while she was asleep. Prosecutors used that testimony to illustrate a pattern of predatory behavior.

The commercial airline case investigation was conducted jointly by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Air Marshal Service, and the Orlando Police Department.

Key moments during Artemis astronauts' lunar flyby on Monday

Mission control has sent the Artemis II crew the final list of lunar surface features the science team has assigned for observation and photography during the lunar flyby on Monday. Ahead of the flyby, the crew will work through final preparations and hold a conference with mission controllers to finalize lunar targets and techniques.

Orientale basin

The 30 targets include the Orientale basin, a nearly 600-mile-wide crater that straddles the Moon’s near and far sides. Orientale will be fully illuminated and visible as Orion approaches the Moon. This 3.8-billion-year-old crater formed when a large object struck the lunar surface and retains clear evidence of that collision, including dramatic topography in its rings. The crew will study Orientale’s features up close and from multiple angles as they pass by.

Hertzsprung basin

Hertzsprung basin is also on the crew’s list of targets. Northwest of Orientale is a nearly 400-mile crater on the Moon’s far side. An older ringed basin, Hertzsprung, contrasts with Orientale because its features have been degraded by subsequent impacts. The crew will compare the topography of the two craters to gain insight into how features evolve over geologic timescales.

NASA officials said during a press conference on Sunday that the Apollo 12 and 14 landing sites will be visible to the Artemis crew during the flyby, but provided no further details.

Timeline of Events (All times are Eastern and may change based on real-time operations):

April 6, 2026

12:40 a.m. Orion enters the lunar sphere of influence at 41,072 miles from the Moon

1:30 p.m. The science officer in mission control will brief the crew on their science goals for the upcoming flyby. 

1:56 p.m. Crew passes the distance from Earth record set by Apollo 13 in 1970

2:45 p.m. Lunar flyby and observation period begin

4:55 p.m. Cabin and Window Teams Swap for observations

5:10 p.m. Glushko Crater observations

5:18 p.m. Orientsale Basin observations

5:34 p.m. Hertzsprung Basin observations

5:41 p.m. Window Team Position Swap for observations

5:42 p.m. Crew Choice #2 for observations

5:50 p.m. Discussion #4: Terminator

6:05 p.m. Cabin and Window Teams Swap for observations

6:44 p.m. Mission control expects to temporarily lose communication with the crew as the Orion spacecraft passes behind the Moon.

6:45 p.m. During “Earthset,” Earth will glide behind the Moon from Orion’s perspective.

7:02 p.m. Orion closest approach to the Moon (4,070 miles)

7:07 p.m. Orion reaches maximum distance from Earth (252,760 miles)

7:25 p.m. “Earthrise” marks Earth coming back into view on the opposite edge of the Moon.

7:25 p.m. NASA’s Mission Control Center should re-acquire communication with the astronauts.  

8:35-9:32 p.m. During a solar eclipse, the Sun will pass behind the Moon from the crew’s perspective.

9:20 p.m. Lunar observation period concludes

April 7, 2026

1:25 p.m. Orion exits the lunar sphere of influence at 41,072 miles from the Moon.

Japan conglomerate completes acquisition of US aerospace parts supplier

Japanese trading conglomerate Marubeni Corp announced on Friday that it has completed the acquisition of 100% of DASI, LLC, a U.S.–based provider of commercial‑aviation inventory solutions. The deal marks a key step in Marubeni’s long‑term plan to expand its presence in the aircraft‑parts aftermarket and to deepen its digital capabilities in the sector.

“This acquisition represents an important step forward in our aviation aftermarket strategy,” said Toru Okazaki, executive officer of Marubeni Corp and chief operating officer of Marubeni’s Aerospace & Mobility Division. “By bringing DASI fully into the Marubeni group, we are strengthening our ability to deliver comprehensive, high value inventory solutions and provide our customers with a seamless, one stop experience across the aviation supply chain.”

Spare‑parts Inventories for Airlines

Founded in 1993, DASI has built a reputation as an end‑to‑end platform for sourcing, acquiring and selling spare‑parts inventories for airlines, maintenance‑repair‑overhaul firms (MROs) and original‑equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The company’s services help customers unlock capital tied up in surplus material, improve inventory efficiency and reduce operating costs. Over the past five years, DASI has also invested heavily in e‑commerce tools and an online marketplace that connects OEMs and distributors with a global buyer base.

“We are extremely proud of what DASI has accomplished and grateful for the support and partnership of Marubeni during a transformative period for the company,” said John Dziuba, Founder and co-CEO of DASI, LLC. “With Marubeni now as our sole shareholder, we are uniquely positioned to scale faster, invest further in our platform, and continue delivering innovative cost-effective inventory solutions to customers around the world.”

DASI’s Digital Infrastructure

Marubeni, whose roots date back to 1858 and operations span commodities, infrastructure and logistics, said the transaction will allow DASI to accelerate growth by leveraging the Japanese group’s capital, extensive distribution network and broader service portfolio.

Marubeni plans to invest further in DASI’s digital infrastructure, including the continued development of its online marketplace, expanded offerings of factory‑new spare parts and growth of surplus‑inventory channels. The integration is expected to generate cross‑selling opportunities and provide DASI’s customers with access to Marubeni’s worldwide network of airlines, OEMs and suppliers.

Trilateral GCAP program secures $905 million contract for next-gen fighter development

The first joint international contract has been awarded for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) - an international collaboration between Italy, Japan and the U.K. to deliver a next-generation combat aircraft.

The GCAP Agency, which manages GCAP on behalf of the three nations, signed a contract with Edgewing - the tri-national industrial joint venture set up to lead the design and development of the program.

The $905 million contract invests in key design and engineering activities, enabling the trilateral partnership to build momentum and accelerate delivery.

Masami Oka, GCAP Agency chief executive, said: “This contract is an important moment for GCAP, as activities previously conducted under three nations’ contracts will now be carried out as part of a fully-fledged international program.”

Marco Zoff, chief executive officer Edgewing, said: “The pace at which Edgewing and the GCAP Agency have ramped up, and are now operating, has been made possible through our shared purpose and strength of collaboration. We are proud to carry this momentum forward.”

GCAP, launched in 2022, will deliver an innovative next-generation stealth fighter equipped with cutting-edge technologies, supporting sovereign industries across partner nations in meeting global threats.