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FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Hegseth, PACOM push B-21 Raider buy upward as Pentagon accelerates production with FY2027 funding

Pentagon discussions are moving from a baseline acquisition of 100 B-21 Raider stealth bombers toward larger force-sizing. U.S. defense chief Pete Hegseth urged lawmakers to consider “a lot more” than 100, while the Indo-Pacific commander supports doubling the Air Force’s next-generation bomber target. Separately, the FY2027 request includes an additional $6.1 billion to accelerate Northrop Grumman’s B-21 production.

2026-04-30T17:21:08.204776-07:00

The War Zone

US Air Force plans to retire E-11A BACN communications jets by 2028, shift battlefield comms and data fusion to space

2026-04-30T12:22:56.118625-07:00

DefenseNews.com

US Air Force seeks nearly $1B in initial Congressional funding to start Collaborative Combat Aircraft ("loyal wingman") procurem

2026-04-30T11:50:00.555823-07:00

Bombardier

Bombardier says supply-chain issue won’t change 2026 delivery guidance; Q1 revenue up 5% to $1.60B, free cash flow up to $360M,

2026-04-30T05:07:23.707029-07:00

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FlightGlobal

Hegseth, PACOM push B-21 Raider buy upward as Pentagon accelerates production with FY2027 funding Pentagon discussions are moving from a baseline acquisition of 100 B-21 Raider stealth bombers toward larger force-sizing. U.S. defense chief Pete Hegseth urged lawmakers to consider “a lot more” than 100, while the Indo-Pacific commander supports doubling the Air Force’s next-generation bomber target. Separately, the FY2027 request includes an additional $6.1 billion to accelerate Northrop Grumman’s B-21 production.

2026-04-30T17:21:08.204776-07:00

Hegseth, PACOM push B-21 Raider buy upward as Pentagon accelerates production with FY2027 funding

The War Zone

US Air Force plans to retire E-11A BACN communications jets by 2028, shift battlefield comms and data fusion to space The U.S. Air Force says it has seven E-11s in the current fleet and plans to retire all E-11A Battlefield Airborne Communications Node aircraft in 2028. The service will replace their BACN role with the emerging Department of the Air Force Battle Network, bridging with a hybrid SATCOM terminal.

2026-04-30T12:22:56.118625-07:00

US Air Force plans to retire E-11A BACN communications jets by 2028, shift battlefield comms and data fusion to space

DefenseNews.com

US Air Force seeks nearly $1B in initial Congressional funding to start Collaborative Combat Aircraft ("loyal wingman") procurem For the first time, the U.S. Air Force is asking Congress to fund the purchase of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs), marking the transition from prototypes to production. The request—nearly $1 billion for initial procurement—signals the start of the “loyal wingman” era and moves CCA toward fielding.

2026-04-30T11:50:00.555823-07:00

US Air Force seeks nearly $1B in initial Congressional funding to start Collaborative Combat Aircraft ("loyal wingman") procurem

Bombardier

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Bombardier says supply-chain issue won’t change 2026 delivery guidance; Q1 revenue up 5% to $1.60B, free cash flow up to $360M, Bombardier reports a stronger-than-expected Q1 2026, with total revenues up 5% year-on-year to $1.60 billion and free cash flow of $360 million. The company says it has addressed a supply-chain problem affecting some deliveries, without revising its 2026 delivery guidance, while order demand—Global 8000s and Global 7500 upgrades—pushes the order book to $20 billion and increases deliveries.

2026-04-30T05:07:23.707029-07:00

Bombardier says supply-chain issue won’t change 2026 delivery guidance; Q1 revenue up 5% to $1.60B, free cash flow up to $360M,

FlightGlobal

Pentagon estimates Iran war costs at $25B, driven primarily by ordnance and thousands of precision-guided missiles Acting comptroller Jules Hurst III told lawmakers the U.S. war in Iran has cost about $25 billion so far, with the “bulk” spent on ordnance. The Pentagon also said it consumed thousands of precision-guided missiles in the early weeks—an effort that is drawing sharper scrutiny as budgets, pricing, and replenishment timelines tighten.

2026-04-29T19:03:04.888874-07:00

Pentagon estimates Iran war costs at $25B, driven primarily by ordnance and thousands of precision-guided missiles

The Aviationist

Pentagon budget request suggests B-1B Lancer service life to 2037 as video confirms external carriage of AGM-183A ARRW hypersoni A newly released U.S. Air Force clip provides first visual confirmation of a B-1B Lancer carrying the AGM-183A ARRW hypersonic missile externally. The same budget request points to the B-1B’s extension to 2037 and ARRW’s emergence from prior program “purgatory.”

2026-04-29T18:28:28.884658-07:00

Pentagon budget request suggests B-1B Lancer service life to 2037 as video confirms external carriage of AGM-183A ARRW hypersoni

FlightGlobal

Beehive Industries unveils Rampart 1,000-lb-thrust turbofan for uncrewed fighter aircraft; USAF funds Frenzy 8 additive engine d Beehive Industries is entering the small low-cost turbofan arena for uncrewed fighter platforms with its Rampart engine, targeting 1,000 lb-thrust (4.4 kN). The company says the U.S. Air Force has also provided funding to complete development of its additively manufactured 200-lb-thrust Frenzy 8 engine.

2026-04-28T15:20:24.738275-07:00

Beehive Industries unveils Rampart 1,000-lb-thrust turbofan for uncrewed fighter aircraft; USAF funds Frenzy 8 additive engine d

DefenseNews.com

Legal battle in Sicily puts US $7.6B satellite global communications system’s entry into service at risk A scheduled entry into service for a US military satellite-based global communications system costing $7.6 billion is threatened by legal battles in Sicily, raising the possibility of further slips. The dispute could delay the system’s operational availability and planned communications capability.

2026-04-28T14:20:28.424111-07:00

Legal battle in Sicily puts US $7.6B satellite global communications system’s entry into service at risk

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Defense Budgets & Spending News

Hegseth, PACOM push B-21 Raider buy upward as Pentagon accelerates production with FY2027 funding

US Air Force plans to retire E-11A BACN communications jets by 2028, shift battlefield comms and data fusion to space

US Air Force seeks nearly $1B in initial Congressional funding to start Collaborative Combat Aircraft ("loyal wingman") procurem

Bombardier says supply-chain issue won’t change 2026 delivery guidance; Q1 revenue up 5% to $1.60B, free cash flow up to $360M,

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