Ubuntu to split firmware packages for GA and HWE kernels

Ubuntu is preparing a linux-firmware-hwe package so firmware updates for newer HWE kernels don't break systems running older GA kernels on LTS releases. A firmware backport for Ubuntu 24.04's Linux 7.0 HWE kernel caused two AMD regressions for users on the Linux 6.9 GA kernel. HWE packages for Ubuntu 26.10 are being built now, with a backport to 26.04 expected in early 2027.

• New linux-firmware-hwe package separates HWE kernel firmware from GA kernels
• Firmware backport for Linux 7.0 in 24.04 caused two AMD regressions on Linux 6.9
• HWE packages for Ubuntu 26.10 are being built, backport to 26.04 due early 2027