Rotorcraft

SEOUL, South Korea - The South Korean government has approved plans to purchase more MH-60R helicopters from the United States.

On September 15, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration announced the approval of the KRW3.24 trillion ($2.4 billion) purchase, which will see 20 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters delivered through 2032. The helicopters will replace older Lynx helicopters that are currently deployed with South Korean Navy warships.

The MH-60Rs will come equipped for anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare missions, Yonhap reported.

South Korea previously purchased a dozen MH-60Rs in 2021.

In May, the U.S. approved a follow-on request for up to 24 MH-60Rs. "The proposed sale will improve Republic of Korea’s capability to meet current and future threats by strengthening its Navy’s multi mission helicopter capability and by providing a credible force that is capable of deterring adversaries," the U.S. State Department said at the time of the approval.

Source: Yonhap News Agency
Associated URL: https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260915003000315

FORTH WORTH - Under the auspices of the United States Department of Transportation's (DOT) Advanced Air Mobility Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) the US-based eVTOL startup Joby Aviation has begun conducting a week long sequence of flights intended to test and demonstrate the capacity of AAM platforms to operate along prospective commercial routes across the state of Texas. Emanating outward from Joby's nascent Perot Field operational nexus at Fort Worth Alliance Airport, Joby aircraft will conduct flights across the Dallas-Fort Worth region to urban landscapes, industrial centers and and transportation hubs like Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and the Toyota Motor North America Headquarters. The Texas initiative is part of a wider national campaign being conducted by Joby as it continues to advance its efforts towards commercialization.

Source: United States Department of Transportation
Associated URL: https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/trumps-transportation-secretary-sean-p-duffy-celebrates-launch-federal-evtol-pilot-program

WASHINGTON -- Reportedly, the Pentagon requested permission from the U.S. Congress to reroute about $1.5 billion in funds from fiscal 2026 and 2025 to fund a "high-priority" AI initiative, as well as keep a new Army helicopter program sustained and shift funds related to programs affected by Iran operations.

The reprogramming document sent to Congress in July reportedly seeks to realign $1.2 billion in FY26 funds and $212 million in FY25 funds.

The most expensive line item is a request to shift $600 million in FY26 funds to "immediately" build and equip a top secret, high-performance AI compute center. The funds would cover the costs of procuring advanced computing infrastructure, hardware and integration services, and to scale AI and machine learning across the Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System (JWICS).

The document reportedly states: "Designated as a Secretary of War high-priority initiative, this is an emergent, must-pay requirement necessary to maintain technological overmatch and decision superiority."

Source: Breaking Defense
Associated URL: https://breakingdefense.com/2026/09/pentagons-1-5b-reprogramming-would-shift-money-to-ai-center-mv-75-tiltrotor/