News

The Intercept • Nick Turse

US A-10 Shot Down Near Strait of Hormuz While Rescuing Downed F-15E

On April 3, a U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II was downed near the Strait of Hormuz while conducting rescue operations for the crew of a recently shot-down F-15E. The loss was the second U.S. combat aircraft lost in the Persian Gulf region that day and is tied to Iran-related fighting.

2026-04-03T09:16:15.174965-07:00

Wall Street Journal

USAF F-15E Shot Down Over Iran During Operation Epic Fury; Combat SAR Underway

2026-04-03T10:51:19.454508-07:00

FlightGlobal

USAF pulls KC-135 from boneyard for possible reactivation after tanker losses in Iran campaign

2026-04-03T12:15:34.553320-07:00

AINonline

Brazil unveils first domestically assembled Saab Gripen F-39E; 14 more to follow

2026-04-03T10:12:34.789859-07:00

News Timeline

FlightGlobal

USAF pulls KC-135 from boneyard for possible reactivation after tanker losses in Iran campaign The U.S. Air Force has transferred a retired KC-135 Stratotanker out of long-term storage, a move that signals possible reactivation after several tanker losses tied to the ongoing U.S.–Israeli air campaign against Iran. Open-source flight tracking shows the aircraft leaving the boneyard, suggesting expedited sustainment steps.

2026-04-03T12:15:34.553320-07:00

USAF pulls KC-135 from boneyard for possible reactivation after tanker losses in Iran campaign

Wall Street Journal

USAF F-15E Shot Down Over Iran During Operation Epic Fury; Combat SAR Underway A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down over Iran during Operation Epic Fury, with two crew reportedly ejecting. Combat search-and-rescue operations involving Black Hawk helicopters and a C-130 are underway amid a campaign that has flown roughly 13,000 sorties over five weeks.

2026-04-03T10:51:19.454508-07:00

USAF F-15E Shot Down Over Iran During Operation Epic Fury; Combat SAR Underway

AINonline

Brazil unveils first domestically assembled Saab Gripen F-39E; 14 more to follow Brazil unveiled its first domestically assembled Saab Gripen F-39E, the lead of a 15‑aircraft production batch for the Brazilian Air Force. Officials said 14 additional F‑39Es will be completed locally, marking a significant milestone in Brazil's fighter acquisition and domestic aerospace industrialisation.

2026-04-03T10:12:34.789859-07:00

Brazil unveils first domestically assembled Saab Gripen F-39E; 14 more to follow

The Intercept

❗️

US A-10 Shot Down Near Strait of Hormuz While Rescuing Downed F-15E On April 3, a U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II was downed near the Strait of Hormuz while conducting rescue operations for the crew of a recently shot-down F-15E. The loss was the second U.S. combat aircraft lost in the Persian Gulf region that day and is tied to Iran-related fighting.

2026-04-03T09:16:15.174965-07:00

US A-10 Shot Down Near Strait of Hormuz While Rescuing Downed F-15E

SpaceWatch Global

Culture, Not Cash, Is Europe’s Biggest Obstacle to Rearmament Defense budgets are expanding at a pace not seen in decades, but pouring money into armed forces won't deliver capability unless procurement culture changes. National silos, risk-averse acquisition practices, and duplicated projects blunt the impact of extra funding and slow urgent rearmament.

2026-04-03T03:00:03.394639-07:00

Culture, Not Cash, Is Europe’s Biggest Obstacle to Rearmament

FlightGlobal

HAL revenue up 4.1% to INR323bn as Dhruv and local AL-31FP engine deliveries underpin results Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd reported revenue of INR323 billion for the 12 months ended 31 March, a 4.1% increase, helped by deliveries of the Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter and two locally produced Saturn AL-31FP engines, even as the company continues to wrestle with supply‑chain challenges.

2026-04-02T22:31:13.937203-07:00

HAL revenue up 4.1% to INR323bn as Dhruv and local AL-31FP engine deliveries underpin results

FlightGlobal

Canada awards C$1.5B sustainment contracts to Airbus and L3Harris for A330 tanker fleet The Canadian government has signed C$1.5 billion in sustainment contracts with Airbus and L3Harris to support its planned fleet of nine A330-based aerial refuelling aircraft, which begin entering service in 2027. L3Harris's MAS unit received an initial C$1.1 billion portion for MRO and sustainment.

2026-04-02T14:00:49.630765-07:00

Canada awards C$1.5B sustainment contracts to Airbus and L3Harris for A330 tanker fleet

Reuters

❗️

Embraer delivers 44 aircraft in Q1 2026, up 47% year‑on‑year and retains up‑to‑255 delivery guidance Embraer handed over 44 aircraft in Q1 2026, a 47% increase from 30 in the same quarter last year, with the mix including 29 executive jets and 10 commercial aircraft. The OEM said the result supports its unchanged full‑year target of up to 255 deliveries despite a step back from a strong Q4 2025.

2026-04-02T14:00:32.237257-07:00

Embraer delivers 44 aircraft in Q1 2026, up 47% year‑on‑year and retains up‑to‑255 delivery guidance

Menu

Defense Industry & Major Contractors News

US A-10 Shot Down Near Strait of Hormuz While Rescuing Downed F-15E

USAF F-15E Shot Down Over Iran During Operation Epic Fury; Combat SAR Underway

USAF pulls KC-135 from boneyard for possible reactivation after tanker losses in Iran campaign

Brazil unveils first domestically assembled Saab Gripen F-39E; 14 more to follow

News Timeline