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Original from BreakingDefense: Air Force One ‘maxxing,’ CCAs everywhere and GCAP’s future

Air Force One Developments, Drone Wingman Competition, and GCAP's Future Insights

Published at Jul 20, 2026 by Breaking Defense Video from BreakingDefense 37

The White House is updating plans for the president's Qatari-donated Air Force One, as discussed by Breaking Defense's Aaron Mehta and Valerie Insinna. This evolution highlights the importance of modernizing presidential transport in response to current geopolitical dynamics.

Additionally, there is an increasing trans-Atlantic competition to develop drone wingmen that can assist human pilots, which signifies a shift in military strategy towards integrating unmanned systems into traditional air operations.

Looking ahead, Ottawa is expected to join the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) as an observer, marking a significant step in international defense collaboration. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.

Editor's Note

The discussions surrounding Air Force One and the drone wingman competition reflect broader trends in military modernization and international cooperation. As nations invest in advanced technologies, the competitive landscape for defense contracts is intensifying, particularly in the realm of unmanned aerial systems.

Source

Read the original report at BreakingDefense

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