The USAF has requested nearly $5 billion in funding for the F-47 programme in the FY2027 defence budget. (Photo: USAF)
The publication of the proposed FY2027 US defence budget revealed the largest topline ever requested, as the Pentagon outlined major boosts for current and next-generation high-profile aircraft and drone programmes.
Of the total US$1.5 trillion budget request – which represents a 44% increase from the previous year – $66.98 billion is focused specifically on aircraft procurement across the US Army, US Navy (USN) and US Air Force (USAF). Overall, the USN leads on budget request with $150 billion, while the USAF requested $102 billion and the army a much smaller $60.5 billion.
Large parts of each force’s funding request cover next-generation crewed and uncrewed
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Leonardo’s integration of Shield AI’s Hivemind software could enable its Proteus uncrewed helicopter to conduct independent anti-submarine warfare missions, supporting the Royal Navy’s plans for a future hybrid air wing.
By combining established manufacturing capacity with startup aircraft design, the partnership could offer an alternative approach to scaling military uncrewed aircraft production.
Poland is seeking to update its transport helicopters as part of a wider military aviation modernisation programme, with EU funding requirements and NATO interoperability key considerations.
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