Category: Military

ALTEA Celebrates the Delivery of the New Strategic Reach Falcon 6X Aircraft to Department of Defence Ireland

ALTEA, the multidisciplinary aircraft procurement and completion specialists, successfully supported the Government of Ireland in the procurement of their new strategic reach aircraft, a factory-new Falcon 6X delivered on schedule last December, just under a year after the Government announced its purchase. The aircraft, the first military registered Falcon 6X and the second delivered by Dassault to a European state, replaces a Learjet 45 which was operational for more than two decades and is set to enter service in a matter of weeks.

On delivery, the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy commented that the aircraft represents a significant milestone for the Irish Air Corps. “This aircraft represents a major step forward in the State’s strategic reach, delivering enhanced capability in airlift, medical evacuation, and government transport. Its range, performance, and advanced systems will enable us to support Irish citizens and Defence Forces personnel across the globe with greater speed, safety, and flexibility.

“The arrival of the Falcon 6X also comes at an important moment in our development as we progress toward becoming an Air Force. It reflects not only an investment in modern equipment, but in the future role, ambition, and operational reach of Ireland’s air capability.”

The acquisition of the aircraft followed a tender competition under the negotiated procedure set out in the Defence & Security Directive 81/2009/EC to acquire a new mid-sized strategic reach aircraft for air transport and broader utility use. ALTEA was specifically responsible for defining and formalizing the requirements, specifications, award criteria and scoring of the tender. ALTEA also provided advice on the terms of the procurement contract.

Jean Sémiramoth, ALTEA Partner, has been primarily responsible for the programme. “ALTEA provide a highly experienced team to manage projects of this scale and sensitivity,” he observes.  “Working with complete trust and discretion, we collaborated closely with the team at the Irish Air Corps and Department of Defence over a nine-month period to strengthen the State’s transport with an aircraft ideally suited for a range of operations including airlift, and medical evacuation capabilities, while supporting defence forces’ missions such as evacuating citizens, transferring patients, and transporting supplies abroad. Remarkably, our team was able to quickly establish and formulate key objectives: working closely with all stakeholders allowed ALTEA to meet their needs for rationalising and expediting the whole process, effectively and efficiently.”

Manufactured by Dassault Aviation and configured for up to 14 passengers, the future-proofed, new-generation jet aircraft with advanced fuel efficiency has a maximum range of over 5,500 nautical miles with a maximum operating speed of 690 miles per hour. The Falcon 6X can comfortably reach destinations such as the Western Coast of the USA from Baldonnel in Ireland.

Robin Dunlop, ALTEA Partner responsible for interiors and completions, explains: “The Falcon 6X is designed to meet a multiplicity of operational requirements and as such the interior is flexible, hard-wearing, and practical.  It features a modern suite of avionics, secure communications, and the latest operational and safety equipment.”

Sislian Appointed EVP Sales and Aftermarket Services

In late January 2026, Bombardier announced a new appointment to its leadership team to deepen customer relationships.

Paul Sislian was appointed executive vice president, aircraft sales and Bombardier aftermarket services in January 2026. In this expanded role, Sislian will continue building the company’s fast-growing, service network and take charge of the worldwide aircraft sales teams, for business jets and defense. He will be supported by 30-year Bombardier veteran, Peter Likoray.

By bringing sales and services together, Sislian and his team say they will further strengthen Bombardier’s competitive edge and continue setting industry‑leading standards. Sislian has been at Bombardier for 17 years and previously led business jet manufacturing operations, Bombardier’s aerostructures business and most recently was responsible for aftermarket services and corporate strategy. 

“Bombardier has successfully completed multiple strategic objectives with regard to product development, services expansion, Defense growth and financial deleveraging,” said Éric Martel, president and CEO, Bombardier. “I am proud of the high level of execution from the entire executive team as well as their individual and collective contributions to all facets of our company’s people and customer-centric culture. Today’s appointments reflect our trust in their leadership and our company’s bold ambitions for Bombardier’s immediate and long-term development.”

Airbase Georgia Launches 2026 Public Outreach with Super Museum Sunday, Feb. 8

The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Airbase Georgia will participate in Georgia’s statewide Super Museum Sunday from noon to 4:00 p.m. on February 8.The public is invited for a free afternoon filled with aviation history, restored World War II aircraft and hands-on learning opportunities.

Super Museum Sunday marks Airbase Georgia’s first public outreach event of 2026. It also serves as a celebratory kickoff aligned with the national observance of America 250, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026. The event underscores the museum’s role in connecting local communities to the people, innovations, and sacrifices that shaped the nation.

Visitors will have the opportunity to explore Airbase Georgia’s hangar, learn about the restoration of historic WWII aircraft, meet volunteer members, and discover how the largest flying museum in Georgia is a living classroom for all ages.

Super Museum Sunday is a statewide annual event sponsored by the Georgia Historical Society and the Georgia Department of Economic Development, through its Explore Georgia division. The program encourages museums, historic sites, and cultural institutions across Georgia to open their doors with free admission, offering residents and visitors a shared opportunity to experience the state’s history, arts, and heritage.

“Education is at the heart of everything we do,” said Airbase Leader Mark Richards. “When we say our mission is to educate, inspire, and honor, that includes educating the general public just as much as our K–12 students. Super Museum Sunday allows us to open our doors and invite the community to engage directly with the stories, skills, and values that define this generation of American history.”

Airbase Georgia’s 2026 public outreach strategy emphasizes increased community access, expanded educational programming, and alignment with statewide and national heritage initiatives tied to America 250. Super Museum Sunday offers an accessible entry point for families, educators, students, and aviation enthusiasts to experience that mission firsthand.

Admission is free, and all are welcome.

For more information about Airbase Georgia, upcoming events, or educational programs, visithttps://airbasegeorgia.org/.

QT Aerospace Achieves UK CAA Part 145 Certification, Expanding Global MRO Capabilities

QT Aerospace is proud to announce it has officially received UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Part 145 approval, certification number UK.145.50883, marking a significant milestone in the company’s continued global expansion and commitment to the highest international standards of aircraft maintenance and repair.

The UK CAA Part 145 certification authorizes QT Aerospace to perform maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services in accordance with stringent UK and international aviation safety regulations. This approval further strengthens QT Aerospace’s ability to support operators, lessors, and MRO partners worldwide with compliant, high-quality composite repair solutions.

“Achieving UK CAA Part 145 certification is a testament to our team’s technical excellence, disciplined processes, and unwavering focus on safety and quality,” said Mark Lindley, QT Aerospace vice president. “This approval allows us to better serve our international customers while reinforcing QT Aerospace’s position as a trusted global partner in aircraft composite repair” he further added.

With this certification, QT Aerospace enhances its capability to support UK-registered aircraft and international operators that require CAA-approved maintenance providers. 

The approval complements QT Aerospace’s existing regulatory credentials and aligns with the company’s long-term strategy to expand its global footprint while maintaining best-in-class operational standards.

QT Aerospace is known for its expertise in aircraft composite structures, rapid turnaround times, and customer-focused approach — delivering solutions that minimize AOG events and keep aircraft flying safely and efficiently.

JetRay Delivers Sensor-Agnostic “Rover” Platform for Automated Non-Destructive Testing; Systems Now Supporting Northrop Grumman Operations

JetRay Corporation announced that its JetRay Rover automated inspection platform is now deployed in operational use supporting Northrop Grumman programs, marking a major milestone for the company after nearly two decades of development focused on robotics-enabled inspection for aerospace applications.

The JetRay Rover is a field-deployable, sensor-agnostic automation platform designed to help inspection teams collect high-quality non-destructive testing (NDT) and surface measurement data more efficiently and repeatably across large, complex structures. The system is engineered to integrate a wide variety of inspection payloads, up to 200 lbs, including contact-based sensors and standoff sensors, enabling customers to tailor the Rover to their preferred methods and equipment while improving throughput, consistency, and operator safety.

“Getting real systems into the field and supporting day-to-day operations is the milestone we’ve been working toward for a long time,” said Michael Sorensen, president of JetRay. “We built the JetRay Rover as a practical automation layer that can carry and precisely position the sensors our customers already rely on—while adding the navigation, visualization, and collision-avoidance capabilities needed for confident use in real-world environments.”

Built for Real-World Inspection Environments

The JetRay Rover combines mobility, precision motion control, and software designed specifically for inspection workflows. Key capabilities include:

  • Sensor-agnostic platform: Integrates a broad range of NDT and surface verification payloads up to 200 pounds.
  • Contact or standoff operation: Supports tools that require physical contact as well as sensors that operate at distance
  • Localized GPS navigation: Enables repeatable positioning and route execution in complex work areas
  • Pre-visualization interface: Provides operators with a planning/preview environment to support safe motion and access
  • Advanced collision detection: Software-driven collision avoidance to protect assets, tooling, and personnel
  • C1D2 rated: Designed for use in hazardous environments where applicable
  • Extended reach: Capable of carrying sensors to heights up to 65 feet, supporting large-area inspection without extensive scaffolding or repositioning

JetRay noted that multiple systems are currently in service and additional units are in the build queue as the company expands production capacity to meet growing demand for automated inspection solutions.

Seeking Sensor OEM and Teaming Partnerships

As JetRay accelerates commercialization, the company is actively seeking teaming and partner relationships with sensor manufacturers and inspection technology providers who want to expand their capabilities through automation.

“Many sensor OEMs have exceptional instruments, but their customers still face bottlenecks in access, repeatability, and inspection labor,” Sorensen added. “We’re interested in partnering with companies who see automation as the next step—where their sensor performance can be delivered faster, more consistently, and at scale.”

GracoRoberts Acquires Sky Mart to Accelerate Latin American Expansion, Anchored by Miami Hub

GracoRoberts has announced the acquisition of Sky Mart to advance its international footprint in Latin America, leveraging the company’s corporate headquarters in Miami as a gateway to the aerospace-rich Latin American region. The acquisition significantly bolsters GracoRoberts’ reach into the $6.5B Latin American MRO market, scales its AOG capability, and offers its customers access to a considerable breadth of in-stock lubricants, amplifying the acquirer’s already sound position as the largest, fastest, and most technically focused aerospace specialty chemicals distributor in the world.

The addition of Sky Mart to the GracoRoberts’ portfolio expands its technical sales coverage throughout Latin America, the Caribbean, Florida, and portions of the U. S., while adding an additional 42,000 square feet of fulfillment centers in Miami, FL, San Antonio, TX, and Indianapolis, IN, and offering a rich stocking position for oils, greases, and fluids. Additionally, Sky Mart customers will benefit from access to GracoRoberts’ extensive breadth of adhesives, composites, paints and coatings, a robust ecommerce presence for immediate product access, and a global technical sales team. These enhancements, coupled with a mutual focus on world-class quality, will add meaningful value to both companies’ customer and supplier partners.

“We are thrilled to welcome the team from Sky Mart to the GracoRoberts’ family of companies,” Jason Caldwell, president and CEO of GracoRoberts, commented on the acquisition. “This partnership strengthens our ability to serve the global aerospace community, especially in the important Latin America and Miami markets, with an enhanced stocking position, broader product offerings, and a scalable bolt-on ecommerce presence and AOG platform for an industry that requires speed and dependability.” 

Juan Gregorio Robbin, co-founder and president of Sky Mart, also commented on the integration, and the decision to partner with GracoRoberts after four decades of family-owned operation. “At Sky Mart, our operating philosophy is simple and unwavering: stock the right products, deliver exceptional service, and get it right the first time. This guiding principle has earned us the trust of a loyal Latin and North American customer base, and by joining the GracoRoberts’ family, we can deliver even more value to our customers.”

Ana Maria Robbin, co-owner and executive vice president of Sky Mart, offered her perspective on the acquisition, saying: “2025 marked Sky Mart’s 40th year in a business founded by our parents – our heroes – Gregorio and Lucy Robbin. They raised us to believe in the power of a vision, endless determination, and a deep spirit of service that defines our culture today, and I see these qualities in the team at GracoRoberts. I know the Sky Mart legacy will be upheld with care and purpose.”

Russelectric Highlights Advantages of Central Paralleling Systems

 Russelectric, A Siemens Business, and manufacturer of power control systems and automatic transfer switches, is highlighting the value of centralized paralleling systems for applications requiring maximum control precision, system resilience and operational visibility.

Unlike onboard paralleling, where synchronization and control components are mounted directly on or near each generator, centralized architectures consolidate all control functionality in a dedicated switchgear environment. This approach enables hot-standby PLCs, manual backup control, discrete analog metering, and detailed event logging. These are all essential features for providing uninterrupted power to critical infrastructure like hospitals, data centers and industrial campuses.

Centralized systems provide superior redundancy and scalability, allowing operators to monitor and manage all generators from a clean, climate-controlled location away from engine rooms that are often harsh, hot and contaminated by diesel particulates. Real-time synchronization logic, configured for tighter parameters and faster resolution, reduces mechanical stress on generator breakers and improves performance during complex transitions or load variations.

In contrast, onboard solutions, though suitable for small-scale, non-critical systems, can lack necessary redundancy and manual control capabilities, often relying on proprietary vendor logic and shared communications between generator controllers. This can hinder troubleshooting, limit customization and complicate system expansion, particularly when integrating generators from multiple manufacturers.

Russelectric’s centralized control solutions are available for both low and medium voltage applications and built to robust industry standards, including UL 1558 and DLAH listings. Their systems incorporate dual PLC architectures, discrete analog controls, and programmable load demand functions, ensuring unmatched reliability and flexibility across all project types.

Whether powering an advanced healthcare facility or a large data center, Russelectric says its centralized power control systems offer future-ready infrastructure for organizations that cannot afford downtime.

Harmattan AI’s $200 million Series B led by Dassault Aviation

Dassault Aviation and Harmattan AI today announced a strategic partnership to accelerate the integration of controlled autonomy and AI technologies into combat aviation systems. As part of this collaboration, Dassault Aviation is leading Harmattan AI’s $200 million Series B funding round.

Harmattan AI has been awarded multiple Programs of Record by the French and UK Ministries of Defence for its autonomous systems portfolio and is now scaling globally in response to growing demand. The proceeds from this investment round will be used to expand the deployment of AI-enabled missions across new operational theaters, extend Harmattan AI’s product offering into new domains and scale industrial manufacturing of its ISR, drone interception, and electronic warfare platforms.

“Dassault Aviation has always placed technological excellence and sovereignty at the heart of its values. This partnership with Harmattan AI reflects our commitment to integrating high-value autonomy into the next generation of combat air systems. By joining forces with a fast-moving and innovative company, we reinforce our ability to deliver the advanced capabilities required by our armed forces in the decades ahead,” said Eric Trappier, chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation. This partnership will support the development of embedded AI capabilities by Harmattan AI within Dassault Aviation’s future air combat systems (Rafale F5 and UCAS), particularly for the control of unmanned aerial systems. This collaboration supports an overarching strategy to integrate sovereign, controlled and monitored AI into Dassault Aviation combat systems.

“This partnership with Dassault Aviation marks a decisive step in the emergence of a new generation of autonomous defense systems. Dassault Aviation’s trust and leadership accelerate our mission: delivering scalable, sovereign AI capabilities to allied forces. By combining frontier AI with world-class military aviation expertise, we are shaping the future of collaborative air combat,” said Mouad M’Ghari, CEO and co-founder of Harmattan AI. Dassault Aviation will provide its longstanding expertise in system architecture for complex military platforms, integration of mission systems in high intensity operational environments and support for international business development through its established network.

M1 Awarded $601M Modification to Its Contract Supporting the U.S. Army’s Flight School at Fort Rucker, Alabama

M1 Support Services (M1) has been awarded a $601,135,303 modification to its contract to provide aviation maintenance and related services to Army flight training at Fort Rucker, Ala. The estimated completion date for this modification is Jan. 15, 2027. M1 provides organizational, intermediate and limited depot level maintenance for 500+ Army and Air Force AH-64, UH-60, CH-47, UH-72, TH-1 rotary-wing aircraft dispersed across 5 primary airfields, flying up to 400 sorties per day, 200,000+ flight hours per year, with a three shift 24/7/365 operations staff of more than 3,000 maintenance, aircrew, and support personnel.

“We are honored to support flight training at the Army Aviation Center of Excellence,” said George Krivo, chairman and CEO of M1 Support Services. “M1 stands for ‘Mission First,’ and we dedicate ourselves every day to ensure aircraft are well-maintained and available to train the next generation of Army Aviators.”

M1 supports all branches of the military in managing, operating, and sustaining large scale aviation training enterprises. The scale, scope, and complexity of the Fort Rucker program are unmatched among the several large training fleets supported by M1 across the Services, making M1 unique among industry partners.

M1 Awarded $445M Task Order to Support Nellis Air Force Base Aircraft Backshop Maintenance

M1 Support Services (M1) has been awarded a task order under the United States Air Force (USAF) Aircraft Maintenance Enterprise Solutions (ACES) Multiple Award Contract (MAC) to provide aircraft backshop maintenance. The value of this contract is $444,978,788 if all options are exercised over a five-year period beginning March 1, 2026.

“We are honored to have the opportunity to continue to support Nellis Air Force Base,” said George Krivo, chairman and CEO of M1 Support Services. “We bring extensive experience in backshop maintenance to this mission and look forward to continuing our unparalleled partnership providing the Air Force with the exceptional performance our customers expect from M1 Mission First.”

The primary mission of the Nellis Aircraft Maintenance and Support Services program is to provide all backshop maintenance support and non-aircraft maintenance services for the 57th Maintenance Group (57 MXG). The 57 MXG provides maintenance for F-35, F-22, F-16, F-15, and A-10 aircraft. Additionally, the group provides facilities, equipment, and limited support to the USAF Aerial Demonstration Squadron (USAFADS). The group generates approximately 16,000 sorties annually for Operational Test & Evaluation, USAF Weapons School, Aggressor Squadrons, and contingency operations. Additionally, the 57 MXG provides support to visiting Red Flag, Green Flag, and other transient aircraft.