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FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Australia to retire RAAF’s 10 C-27J Spartans; shifts Pacific logistics airlift to “commercial” aircraft

Australia’s 2026 National Defence Strategy confirms the early retirement of the RAAF’s 10 C-27J Spartan tactical transports, set to be withdrawn in 2026. Canberra says it will preserve Pacific airlift capacity for personnel and logistics by moving to a commercial aircraft fleet approach, alongside an AU$5 billion redirection of funds toward new capabilities.

2026-04-16T23:24:31.483594-07:00

Breaking Defense

Space Force’s 2040 vision: growth to ~30,000 satellites amid rising China/Russia orbital threats

2026-04-15T17:43:13.938759-07:00

Via Satellite

COMSO looks to broaden working-capital tools and clarify CASR budgeting

2026-04-15T17:14:46.795047-07:00

SpaceNews.com

PlanetiQ wins $15M U.S. Air Force STRATFI contract for space-enabled defense mission support

2026-04-16T03:41:05.966277-07:00

News Timeline

FlightGlobal

Australia to retire RAAF’s 10 C-27J Spartans; shifts Pacific logistics airlift to “commercial” aircraft Australia’s 2026 National Defence Strategy confirms the early retirement of the RAAF’s 10 C-27J Spartan tactical transports, set to be withdrawn in 2026. Canberra says it will preserve Pacific airlift capacity for personnel and logistics by moving to a commercial aircraft fleet approach, alongside an AU$5 billion redirection of funds toward new capabilities.

2026-04-16T23:24:31.483594-07:00

Australia to retire RAAF’s 10 C-27J Spartans; shifts Pacific logistics airlift to “commercial” aircraft

SpaceNews.com

PlanetiQ wins $15M U.S. Air Force STRATFI contract for space-enabled defense mission support PlanetiQ has secured a $15 million Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) contract from the U.S. Air Force. The award positions the company to accelerate delivery of its space-enabled capabilities under a rapid innovation funding mechanism designed to mature defense-relevant technology.

2026-04-16T03:41:05.966277-07:00

PlanetiQ wins $15M U.S. Air Force STRATFI contract for space-enabled defense mission support

Breaking Defense

Congress presses Golden Dome missile-defense program manager for scope and cost details House lawmakers are seeking additional information—especially cost estimates and program details—from the Golden Dome missile-defense effort’s program manager. The push comes as the White House has proposed $1.5 trillion in cumulative defense spending for FY2027, the largest figure in history, increasing scrutiny of major space-based defense initiatives.

2026-04-15T17:43:14.102374-07:00

Congress presses Golden Dome missile-defense program manager for scope and cost details

Breaking Defense

Space Force’s 2040 vision: growth to ~30,000 satellites amid rising China/Russia orbital threats U.S. Space Force officials’ planning projections for 2040 point to a force size of about 30,000 satellites—more than double today—while the service confirms it is pursuing new capabilities for orbital warfare, including classified “Objective Force” needs for on-orbit/electronic warfare.

2026-04-15T17:43:13.938759-07:00

Space Force’s 2040 vision: growth to ~30,000 satellites amid rising China/Russia orbital threats

Via Satellite

COMSO looks to broaden working-capital tools and clarify CASR budgeting The Space Systems Command’s Commercial Space Office (COMSO) is assessing how to expand its Working Capital Fund to cover additional commercial capabilities, and is working through the approach it will use to budget the Commercial Space Augmentation Reserve (CASR). The effort builds on existing funding mechanisms to scale commercial enablement.

2026-04-15T17:14:46.795047-07:00

COMSO looks to broaden working-capital tools and clarify CASR budgeting

SpaceNews.com

Meink urges Space Force “execute” as budget set to surge Space Force leader Meink said the service must “execute” as a budget increase is set to drive expanded capacity. The remarks frame the near-term challenge for Space Force: converting planned funding and growth into delivery of capabilities for a contested space environment.

2026-04-15T14:54:33.109525-07:00

Meink urges Space Force “execute” as budget set to surge

AeroTime

Estonia pauses €500M CV90 IFV buy, expands counter-UAS/air defense and orders more Lockheed Martin HIMARS Estonia is halting a €500 million CV90 IFV acquisition and redirecting funds toward counter-drone systems, air defense and unmanned capabilities. At the same time, it has signed with Lockheed Martin for three additional M142 HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems to bolster its long-range fires capacity.

2026-04-14T05:56:47.593451-07:00

Estonia pauses €500M CV90 IFV buy, expands counter-UAS/air defense and orders more Lockheed Martin HIMARS

SpaceNews.com

Trump signs legislation reauthorizing SBIR President Trump has signed legislation that reauthorizes the federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. The move extends SBIR’s authorization and continues the government’s structured funding pathway for qualifying small businesses developing new technologies across civilian and defense-relevant innovation areas.

2026-04-13T20:18:16.860635-07:00

Trump signs legislation reauthorizing SBIR

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Defense Budgets & Spending News

Australia to retire RAAF’s 10 C-27J Spartans; shifts Pacific logistics airlift to “commercial” aircraft

Space Force’s 2040 vision: growth to ~30,000 satellites amid rising China/Russia orbital threats

COMSO looks to broaden working-capital tools and clarify CASR budgeting

PlanetiQ wins $15M U.S. Air Force STRATFI contract for space-enabled defense mission support

News Timeline