Aviation Engines, Propulsion & Auxiliary Power Units

CENTENNIAL, Colo. - Propulsion startup Beehive Industries has unveiled a 1,000-pound-thrust turbofan engine called the Rampart. The Colorado-based company designed the engine specifically for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, or CCAs, which are intended to provide sensor and weapons support to manned tactical fighters like the Lockheed Martin F-35 and F-22. Beehive officials say the engine offers higher endurance and performance than the company’s smaller propulsion lines.

The Rampart enters a competitive landscape as the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps and Royal Australian Air Force accelerate CCA flight testing. Because these uncrewed jets must maintain the speed and maneuverability of frontline fighters, they require high performance engines that can be produced at lower cost than traditional jet engines. The U.S. Air Force has already issued initial development contracts for similar engines to Honeywell and a joint venture between GE Aerospace and Kratos, while industry giants Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce are also developing low-cost, lightweight alternatives.

Beehive’s expansion into larger turbofans follows its initial focus on the Frenzy line, which consists of smaller engines designed for long-range missiles and swarm drones. The company is currently preparing for flight tests of its 200 lbst Frenzy 6, supported by a $30 million development contract awarded by the Air Force in April. That funding is also designated to support the initial prototyping of the 100 lbst Frenzy 8 as the company scales its manufacturing for high-rate production.

Source: Flightglobal
Associated URL: https://www.flightglobal.com/military-uavs/2026/04/beehive-unveils-rampart-1000lb-thrust-engine-for-uncrewed-fighters/

ST. LOUIS -- Boeing and the U.S. Navy have successfully completed the first test flight of an operational MQ-25A Stingray uncrewed air vehicle. The flight moves the Stingray closer to conducting tests directly off one of the Navy’s aircraft carriers. The Stingray is powered by a single Rolls-Royce AE 3007N turbofan and will provide a significant boost to demand for the engine in coming years.

During the two-hour flight, the Stingray successfully demonstrated its ability to autonomously taxi, take off, fly, land and respond to commands from the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System MD-5 Ground Control Station (GCS). Boeing and U.S. Navy Air Vehicle Pilots facilitated the mission by sending the aircraft commands and then monitored its performance from the GCS at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah, Ill., where the program is based. Once airborne, the Stingray executed a pre-determined mission plan that validated its flight controls, navigation, and safe integration with the GCS.

The MQ-25A is the Navy's gateway to integrating unmanned aircraft on the carrier deck. Its autonomous aerial refueling capability will significantly extend the operational range of the carrier air wing and allow F/A-18 Super Hornets currently performing the aerial refueling role to focus on their primary role as a multi-role strike fighter.

The aircraft is the first of four Engineering Development Model aircraft that will be delivered to the Navy under the original $805M Engineering and Manufacturing Development contract.

Source: Boeing

LIMA, Peru - Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Embassy in Lima have announced that Peru has officially selected the F-16 Block 70 to modernize its aging fighter fleet, but the deal is currently mired in political confusion. According to Lockheed, the South American nation has committed to purchasing 12 of the advanced fighters to replace its fleet of Mirage 2000s and MiG-29s. While a "technical signing" reportedly occurred on April 20, and the Peruvian Ministry of Economy has already authorized an initial payment of $462 million, the agreement's final status remains clouded by internal power struggles in Lima.

The "Schrödinger’s" nature of the deal stems from a public rift between Peru’s interim President, José María Balcázar Zelada, and his own cabinet. Balcázar has expressed hesitation about committing such a large sum of money during a transitional period, suggesting the funds might be better spent on social programs. This stance led to the immediate resignation of Peru’s defense and foreign ministers, who argued that pausing the acquisition could compromise national security. Despite this executive-level pushback, U.S. Ambassador Bernie Navarro has maintained that the commitment was honored, warning that any further delays could lead to increased costs or the loss of production slots.

The situation is further complicated by Peru's extreme political volatility, as the nation prepares to swear in its third president of the year following upcoming run-off elections. The deal’s ultimate survival likely depends on whether the incoming administration chooses to uphold the contract signed by its predecessors.

Source: Breaking Defense
Associated URL: https://breakingdefense.com/2026/04/schrodingers-f-16s-lockheed-says-peru-is-buying-fighters-questions-remain-in-lima/