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DefenseNews.com • Joe Gould

F-35 program office warns a continuing resolution would slow development and testing

The F-35 program will proceed “at pace” even under a continuing resolution, but the program office head cautioned that development and testing activities would slow starting around April 2018 if a CR extends into spring, rather than coming to a full stop.

2026-04-27T20:34:36.124913-07:00

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JSTARS recap program in limbo as USAF reevaluates battle management/surveillance replacement approach

2026-04-27T20:34:32.850671-07:00

DefenseNews.com

Air Force Secretary warns that canceling B-21 Raider contract would drive cost and schedule penalties

2026-04-27T17:49:17.762459-07:00

DefenseNews.com

Pentagon: Only 36% of F-35 fleet meets full mission-capability goals

2026-04-27T04:34:26.151110-07:00

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DefenseNews.com

F-35 program office warns a continuing resolution would slow development and testing The F-35 program will proceed “at pace” even under a continuing resolution, but the program office head cautioned that development and testing activities would slow starting around April 2018 if a CR extends into spring, rather than coming to a full stop.

2026-04-27T20:34:36.124913-07:00

F-35 program office warns a continuing resolution would slow development and testing

DefenseNews.com

JSTARS recap program in limbo as USAF reevaluates battle management/surveillance replacement approach The U.S. Air Force’s path to replace its aging JSTARS recap battle management and surveillance capability is being reassessed, putting the program’s future “in limbo.” The decision reflects ongoing exploration of other options rather than a straightforward continuation of the recap strategy.

2026-04-27T20:34:32.850671-07:00

JSTARS recap program in limbo as USAF reevaluates battle management/surveillance replacement approach

DefenseNews.com

Air Force Secretary warns that canceling B-21 Raider contract would drive cost and schedule penalties As Sen. John McCain renews opposition to the Air Force’s B-21 next-generation bomber, service secretary Deborah Lee James warns that terminating the contract would impose both dollar and time costs. The warning frames the program as one where disruption would compound delivery and fielding risk.

2026-04-27T17:49:17.762459-07:00

Air Force Secretary warns that canceling B-21 Raider contract would drive cost and schedule penalties

DefenseNews.com

Air Force Secretary Warns of Consequences if McCain Blocks B-21

2026-04-27T17:49:17.762459-07:00

Air Force Secretary Warns of C

DefenseNews.com

Pentagon: Only 36% of F-35 fleet meets full mission-capability goals The US Department of Defense says it is still not meeting its F-35 readiness goals, with only 36% of fielded aircraft capable of performing the full set of missions the jets were designed to execute. The gap underscores persistent availability and software/sustainment challenges as the program scales deployments.

2026-04-27T04:34:26.151110-07:00

Pentagon: Only 36% of F-35 fleet meets full mission-capability goals

DefenseNews.com

Canada narrows CF-18 replacement to F-35 vs Saab Gripen as F-35 participation funding remains unclear Canada’s CF-18 Hornet replacement competition is now down to Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II and Saab’s JAS 39 Gripen. Separate reporting highlights Ottawa’s next installment payment for continued F-35 program participation—while uncertainty persists over whether Canada will ultimately proceed with a larger follow-on buy or shift to a cheaper alternative.

2026-04-25T18:04:29.677029-07:00

Canada narrows CF-18 replacement to F-35 vs Saab Gripen as F-35 participation funding remains unclear

DefenseNews.com

Northrop could win up to $85B for GBSD next-gen ICBMs, targeting an earlier fielding via accelerated contracting Northrop is positioned to receive an approximately $85 billion award for the U.S. Air Force’s Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) program earlier than expected, contingent on continued access to secure facilities. The timing would compress the path to next‑generation ICBM production and deployment.

2026-04-25T10:05:28.328266-07:00

Northrop could win up to $85B for GBSD next-gen ICBMs, targeting an earlier fielding via accelerated contracting

DefenseNews.com

US Air Force to spend $25M on WaRTAK multidomain convoy communications and situational awareness upgrade The US Air Force will award $25 million for new hardware under its WaRTAK program, which combines multidomain communications with a situational awareness system in a single package to support convoys while on the move.

2026-04-25T10:05:26.047547-07:00

US Air Force to spend $25M on WaRTAK multidomain convoy communications and situational awareness upgrade

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F-35 program office warns a continuing resolution would slow development and testing

JSTARS recap program in limbo as USAF reevaluates battle management/surveillance replacement approach

Air Force Secretary warns that canceling B-21 Raider contract would drive cost and schedule penalties

Pentagon: Only 36% of F-35 fleet meets full mission-capability goals

News Timeline