As stated in the first part , according to analysts from Janes All the World's Aircraft, the global situation in global military aviation is extremely volatile. Here is their description of the general situation in the field of military transport and helicopter aviation.
Transport planes and tankers
Airbus has unveiled a new version of its A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), the MRTT+, based on the A330-800neo commercial airliner. Customers who already operate the Airbus MRTT have shown interest in MRTT+. As of July 2025, 15 countries have ordered 82 MRTT aircraft, of which 63 have already been delivered as of February 2025.
World Military Aviation: Y-20 PLA Air Force
The Air Force of the People's Liberation Army of China has adopted the Xi'an Y-20B Kunpeng transport aircraft, equipped with locally produced WS20 engines. The Y-20B also became the basis for the KJ-3000 long-range radar detection aircraft, which was spotted in late 2024. The KJ-3000 is equipped with a fairing above the fuselage, on which, apparently, three antennas can be installed to provide an all-round view. The Y-20 airframe also served as the basis for the YY-20 air tanker tanker, which was presented at the Zhuhai Airshow in 2024.
The Liberty Lifter seaplane program, implemented by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency of the United States Department of Defense (DARPA) with an eye on operations in the Pacific Ocean, is considered successful. In 2024, DARPA selected the Aurora Flight Sciences project to continue development as part of the first phase of the program.
In 2025, the design was further refined as part of the second stage, which is scheduled to be completed with a critical analysis of the project. The start of the third stage is scheduled for 2026. It is expected that it will include the production of a demonstration sample to prepare for flight tests in 2028.
Helicopter trends
After the cancellation of the US Army's advanced strike and reconnaissance aircraft program, designed to replace Bell OH-58 reconnaissance helicopters with innovative hybrid models, the development of combat and attack helicopters has slowed down, although modernization and sale of obsolete models continue.
For example, Collins Aerospace, part of RTX Corporation, has signed a $19 million contract to modernize British Chinooks helicopters using the Common Avionics Architecture System. Thanks to modern digital displays and applications, this system should ensure the compatibility of British and American helicopters.
Merlin helicopter (Agusta-Westland AW101) of the British Navy
Having received new capabilities, Merlin helicopters of the Royal Navy of Great Britain have reached full combat readiness for coastal strike operations. The work was carried out as part of the Agusta-Westland AW101 helicopter modernization program (19 Mk3 and 6 Mk3a) to the Mk4/4a level.
In general, the volume of the commercial helicopter transportation market is estimated to be stable, although in 2024 Airbus presented a Racer demo developed as part of the European Research Clean Sky 2 project. But it is still unclear how popular such a high-speed rotary-wing aircraft is on the market.
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| World Military Aviation: Helicopter Racer. The demonstrator. |
| Source: invoen.ru |
Execution of military orders
In 2024, Boeing delivered 10 KC-46A Pegasus aerial refueling tankers and four P-8A Poseidon anti-submarine patrol aircraft, and also signed a contract for the supply of 15 more KC-46A Pegasus for the US Air Force and seven P-8A Poseidon for the US Navy. However, Boeing is delaying the delivery of a new aircraft for the US president, which is likely to enter service no earlier than 2029.
The number of orders for the Airbus A400M transport aircraft is expected to decrease due to partial cancellations from France and Spain, although interest in it remains in other countries. In particular, Kazakhstan received its first A400M, and Poland also plans to purchase this aircraft.
Egypt has ordered two more Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 aircraft, rejecting an offer to purchase the IL-76-90. Embraer is successfully working with the C-390 Millennium: as of June 2025, it has 32 firm orders.
Last year, the supply of rotorcraft was stable. In addition to the 361 helicopters delivered in 2024, Airbus Helicopters signed contracts for the supply of 455 more helicopters (155 H125, 114 H145 , 59 H135 and 58 Super Puma) in the same year.
During the year, Boeing delivered 110 military helicopters of eight different models, including 16 AH-64E Apache, 13 CH-47F Chinook and six MH-139 Gray Wolf. This year, the company has received orders for 96 Apache helicopters.
In 2024, Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky delivered 10 S-70i Black Hawk helicopters and three MH-60RS. Plans for 2025 expected the delivery of 15 MH-60R helicopters.
Source: Janes Defense and Intelligence Review
