Jose Gascó

Journo and now External Communications Senior Manager @AirbusDefence I 3rd generation aviation guy I Personal account | Views are my own

[Airbus Defence @AirbusDefence]

The ride of the Valkyrie ⚔️
With the successful first flight of the Airbus U740 Valkyrie in Europe, we are one step closer to introducing an operational uncrewed Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) to the German and other European Armed Forces.
The flight achieved all objectives, including a rocket-assisted take-off, manoeuvers at various altitudes and speeds up to Mach 0.8, and in-flight mission adjustments. These learnings will pave the way for subsequent flight tests with our MARS mission system.

Based on the Kratos-built airframe, we’re equipping the Valkyrie with our own mission system that will serve as the uncrewed CCA’s “European brain”. Ensuring full control over software as well as mission applications, data and system hardware, MARS enables German and European Armed Forces to operate the Valkyrie with full operational sovereignty.

The Valkyrie will also play a critical role in enhancing crewed combat aircraft such as the Eurofighter with extended range, firepower, and survivability. The aircraft design enables operational resilience through its rail launch capability, while offering conventional, runway based, take-off and landing as an option.

Learn more: https://t.co/KggUSYkztO

[Airbus Defence @AirbusDefence]

Flying high over Madrid for #DíaDeLaFiestaNacional! #DFN26 🇪🇸✈️
From #Eurofighter, #A330 MRTT #A400M and #C295 to our multi-role helicopters, over 80 aircraft are taking to the skies today. We celebrate the dedicated armed forces and security personnel who rely on these platforms to keep Spain safe.
Happy #12deOctubre!
🔗 Learn more about our commitment to Spanish defence:
https://t.co/CTOvChgdPv
@EjercitoAire

[Airbus Defence @AirbusDefence]

Straight from our San Pablo FAL in Seville to active duty! ✈️🇪🇸➔🇫🇷
We’ve officially delivered the 26th #A400M Atlas to @Armee_de_lair.
Bound for Air Base 123 in Orléans-Bricy, France's primary A400M hub, this addition directly boosts long-range power projection and heavy tactical logistics.
As French aircrews push boundaries on their 40,000 km #PEGASE26 deployment, European operational autonomy gets stronger.

[Ejército del Aire y del Espacio @EjercitoAire]

Así ha sido el sobrevuelo de los Eurofighter del Ejército del Aire y del Espacio en el Gran Premio de España de Fórmula 1 🏎️ en el #Madring. 🏁

[German Embassy London @GermanEmbassy]

Two Luftwaffe A400Ms recently conducted beach landing training at Pembrey Beach in Wales.

The German aircrew were able to hone their landing skills on natural terrain, carrying out 14 landings over two days, and wrapped up the training with a wing wave to spectators. 👋🪽

[Ministerio Defensa @Defensagob]

✈️ Once reabastecimientos en vuelo y escalas en Creta, Omán y Malasia. Así fue posible llevar 6 Eurofighter del @EjercitoAire de España a Darwin.

🇦🇺 Allí operan en 'Pitch Black 26', el ejercicio de la Real Fuerza Aérea Australiana, con un centenar de aeronaves de 21 países.

[Airbus Defence @AirbusDefence]

Congratulations to the @Armee_de_lair and Sécurité Civile @SecCivileFrance for the first successful #A400M deployment to fight the wildfires in South West of France.

On July 25, a FFrench Air & Space Force A400M has been equipped with a Roll-on/Roll-off (RO-RO) firefighting prototype kit to support the efforts in the combat against wildfires.
The operation consisted of dropping nearly 22 tonnes (20,000 litres) of retardant creating extensive containment lines ahead of fast-moving fire fronts.

Stay tuned, more information soon…

[Airbus Defence @AirbusDefence]

The first Airbus Quadriga Eurofighter (Tranche4) for Team Luftwaffe has officially completed its maiden flight! 🛫
This isn't just a milestone for the programme — taking this new build standard to the sky is a huge step forward for European defense and sovereignty. Featuring ESCAN capabilities, this jet is built to keep the skies future-proof.
Airbus Defence and Space is on track for the first delivery later this year. 🇩🇪✨
Your task: Describe the Quadriga Eurofighter in just one word below! 👇

[Airbus Defence @AirbusDefence]

Spotted in Paris: Airbus military aircraft flying display on #BastilleDay in France ✈️
Like every year on 14th July in France, the @armee_de_lair is showcasing its state of the art aircraft featuring the Airbus family with the #A400M the versatile transporter, the #A330MRTT tanker and helicopters like the H225M, NH90, Tiger, etc.
Have you spotted them? Share your pics in the comments.

Copyright Alain Goulard/Master Films and Benjamin Fousse

[Ministerio Defensa @Defensagob]

Ya en Australia.

Seis Eurofighter, dos A400M y un A330 MRTT del @EjercitoAire participan en #PitchBlack, uno de los grandes ejercicios aéreos del Indo-Pacífico.

Una fuerza expedicionaria capaz de combatir, transportar y reabastecer en vuelo a más de 14.000 kilómetros de España.

[Royal Navy @RoyalNavy]

USV dropping in... 🪂

The Royal Navy is a step close to launching uncrewed surface vessels from the skies after a pioneering trial which saw the first airdrop of its kind from a military transport aircraft.

Read more: https://t.co/27q2A6bCxG

[Airbus Defence @AirbusDefence]

What does a multinational fleet mean? 🤔
From enabling air mobility to vital crisis response, the #A330MRTT keeps us safe 24/7.
With NATO now paving the way towards a Multinational #A400M fleet to bridge European airlift gaps, the successful pooling framework of the A330 MRTT for NATO allies has officially become the proven blueprint for future collaborative defence.

Learn more about NATO's Multinational A330 MRTT Fleet (MMF):
https://t.co/ONHyA399v5

[Jose Gascó @JsGasco]

At #Natosummit today 👇👇👇

[Airbus Defence @AirbusDefence]

At the #NATOSummit in Ankara, Türkiye 🇹🇷, @NATO paves the way towards a Multinational #A400M Fleet with European governments designed to address strategic airlift capability gaps among European allies.
The objective is to establish a ‘pooling and sharing’ strategy similar to the Multinational A330 MRTT fleet.
Learn more about this announcement: https://t.co/N8YN6E6Ww9

[Airbus Defence @AirbusDefence]

Air superiority in the making! ✈️💪
The first #Eurofighter Halcon for the @EjercitoAire has successfully completed its first engine run at our Getafe facilities! 🇪🇸🔥 This key milestone validates the operation of the engines, verifying the integration of systems such as hydraulics, electrical and fuel... across their full power range, from idle to maximum reheat.
Next stop: first flight!

[Jose Gascó @JsGasco]

El 1er #A330MRTT para Canadá despega desde nuestras instalaciones en Getafe 👇👇👇

[Airbus Defence @AirbusDefence]

The first A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft “CC330 Husky” for the @RCAF_ARC took to the skies for the very first time today at our Getafe facilities in Spain! ✈️🇨🇦

Everything is on track for delivery next year. ⏳ The RCAF's A330 MRTT will be equipped with both hose-and-drogue and boom air-to-air refuelling capabilities, along with advanced cybersecurity solutions and countermeasures. 🛡️

[Ministerio Defensa @Defensagob]

El avión del @EjercitoAire con 59 militares de la @UMEgob y 2 ingenieros del @EjercitoTierra ha aterrizado en Valencia #Venezuela.

Las unidades caninas, especializadas en búsqueda y rescate, serán esenciales en las zonas más afectadas por el doble terremoto.

🇪🇸 🫂 🇻🇪

[Airbus Defence @AirbusDefence]

✅ First #C295 Search and Rescue aircraft for Spain just delivered!

The aircraft, assembled at the Airbus Final Assembly Line in San Pablo, Seville, Spain, will perform its ferry flight in the coming days to join the @Ejercitoaire 46th Wing at Gando Air Base in Gran Canaria.

As the natural replacement for the fleet of CN-235 VIGMA aircraft, the C295 SAR provides a major leap in range and tactical capabilities. The platform stands out for its high versatility in both maritime and overland operations. It is fully optimized to conduct national and international search and rescue missions, as well as maritime security operations, and the prevention of illicit trafficking.

Airbus will also deliver two additional maritime surveillance C295 aircraft this year out of a total order of eight, alongside the first two C295 aircraft in transport configuration from the Spanish Ministry of Defence’s 2025 order. The delivery of the first C295 in Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) configuration for Spain, the most complex mission variant of the C295 to date, is planned for 2028.

To satisfy this growing global demand, Airbus is executing a production ramp up at its Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Seville, boosting its cadence from 10 to 13 C295 aircraft per year. The C295 remains the undisputed leader in its segment, holding an 85% world market share with 335 orders across 39 countries.

[Airbus Defence @AirbusDefence]

New milestone achieved! The #Airbus U850 #SIRTAP has successfully completed its first taxi at the @EjercitoAire Getafe Air Base runway, right next to our facilities.

During this taxi test, the aircraft is fully controlled from the ground control station. The test verifies the correct integration and performance of the braking system, steering function, navigation sensors, and commands from the control station itself.

Why is this key? It confirms the seamless interaction between hardware, software, and vehicle dynamics. It also validates the aircraft's ability to maneuver safely on the ground before progressing to high-speed taxi trials and the subsequent flight test campaign.

We are one step closer to the first flight! Stay tuned.

[Jose Gascó @JsGasco]

@Juanjo_Writter @AirbusDefence Alguna nos debería quedar por ahí 😊 Pero queremos foto del proceso!!

[Jose Gascó @JsGasco]

El primer #A330MRTT para Canadá se prepara para su primer vuelo en nuestras instalaciones de Getafe! 👇👇👇

[Airbus Defence @AirbusDefence]

The first Airbus #A330MRTT for Canada🍁 (STTC) continues to make steady progress at our conversion centre in Getafe, Spain.
🔜 The next major milestone will be its maiden flight, a key milestone for this tanker aircraft destined to protect Canada’s sovereignty and enhance operations both in NORAD and in NATO.