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Israel approves multibillion-shekel plan for additional F-35 and F-15IA fighter squadrons; Netanyahu backs expanded fighter buys

Israel’s Defense Ministry has given final approval to acquire two new combat squadrons—advanced F-35 and F-15IA aircraft—from Lockheed Martin and Boeing in a deal described as worth “tens of billions” of shekels/dollars. Netanyahu also directed a wider 350 billion-shekel defense manufacturing investment tied to the expansion.

2026-05-03T02:57:03.011627-07:00

defence-industry.eu

Northrop Grumman delivers 70th E-2D Advanced Hawkeye to U.S. Navy, building to 82 aircraft produced

2026-04-30T15:14:12.548558-07:00

Breaking Defense

Pentagon expands classified AI partnerships with SpaceX, OpenAI, Google, Nvidia, Reflection, Microsoft, AWS and Oracle

2026-05-01T08:10:01.365316-07:00

AerialFire

Recoil Aerospace debuts Expeditionary Fuel System (EFS) for Army aviation at AAAA Summit

2026-04-30T16:24:23.729234-07:00

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The War Zone

X-BAT stealth combat drone program highlights GE propulsion, thrust-vectoring controls, and Hivemind AI “pilot” ahead of flight Armor Harris, X-BAT’s chief designer, lays out how the stealth fighter-drone program pairs a GE engine with thrust-vectoring controls and integrates Shield AI’s Hivemind as an onboard “pilot.” The discussion also points to forthcoming flight-test plans as the autonomy-and-propulsion stack moves from concept to flight.

2026-05-03T10:38:07.475258-07:00

X-BAT stealth combat drone program highlights GE propulsion, thrust-vectoring controls, and Hivemind AI “pilot” ahead of flight

defence-industry.eu

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Israel approves multibillion-shekel plan for additional F-35 and F-15IA fighter squadrons; Netanyahu backs expanded fighter buys Israel’s Defense Ministry has given final approval to acquire two new combat squadrons—advanced F-35 and F-15IA aircraft—from Lockheed Martin and Boeing in a deal described as worth “tens of billions” of shekels/dollars. Netanyahu also directed a wider 350 billion-shekel defense manufacturing investment tied to the expansion.

2026-05-03T02:57:03.011627-07:00

Israel approves multibillion-shekel plan for additional F-35 and F-15IA fighter squadrons; Netanyahu backs expanded fighter buys

FlightGlobal

Lockheed Martin exits U.S. Navy T-45 replacement competition, leaving KAI-linked T-50 variant pitch as the remaining contender Lockheed Martin has withdrawn from the U.S. Navy’s competition to replace the T-45 trainer, according to the cluster reporting. The defense contractor previously partnered with Korea Aerospace Industries to offer a T-50 variant, signaling a key shift in how the Navy may restructure its trainer procurement path.

2026-05-01T12:43:33.326144-07:00

Lockheed Martin exits U.S. Navy T-45 replacement competition, leaving KAI-linked T-50 variant pitch as the remaining contender

Breaking Defense

PAE Marine Corps creates Corps-wide Portfolio Acquisition Executive role to bridge the “valley of death” for Project Dynamis PAE Marine Corps says it has established a Corps-wide Portfolio Acquisition Executive to connect capability testing under Project Dynamis to follow-on acquisition decisions. The intent is to reduce the gap between demonstrated test performance and fielding of the next-generation Marine Corps capabilities.

2026-05-01T10:16:09.728781-07:00

PAE Marine Corps creates Corps-wide Portfolio Acquisition Executive role to bridge the “valley of death” for Project Dynamis

Aviation Today

USAF to field first F-35A APG-85 radar in April 2028—9 months ahead; unit cost estimated at $8.8M The U.S. Air Force now expects Lockheed Martin to deliver the first Northrop Grumman AN/APG-85 radar for the F-35A in April 2028, nine months earlier than previously scheduled, according to the service’s fiscal materials. The estimated unit cost is $8.8 million.

2026-05-01T08:12:42.416861-07:00

USAF to field first F-35A APG-85 radar in April 2028—9 months ahead; unit cost estimated at $8.8M

Breaking Defense

Pentagon expands classified AI partnerships with SpaceX, OpenAI, Google, Nvidia, Reflection, Microsoft, AWS and Oracle The U.S. Defense Department announced agreements with eight technology companies to place AI systems inside the military’s most classified network environments, enabling those models access within protected infrastructures. The awards span SpaceX, OpenAI, Google, Nvidia, Reflection, Microsoft, and Amazon Web Services, with Oracle also included.

2026-05-01T08:10:01.365316-07:00

Pentagon expands classified AI partnerships with SpaceX, OpenAI, Google, Nvidia, Reflection, Microsoft, AWS and Oracle

Vertical Mag

Arcanus Aerial Systems signs Beyond Vision manufacturing deal to build UAV platforms in Canada Arcanus Aerial Systems says it has reached an agreement with Beyond Vision to manufacture UAV platforms, aiming to strengthen Canada’s defense uncrewed capabilities through expanded local production. The deal underscores how UAS developers are pairing airframe and integration know-how with domestic industrial partners.

2026-05-01T06:18:31.114528-07:00

Arcanus Aerial Systems signs Beyond Vision manufacturing deal to build UAV platforms in Canada

aero-defence.tech

Australia selects Northrop Grumman to formalize sovereign solid rocket motor manufacturing engagement On May 1, 2026, the Commonwealth of Australia selected Northrop Grumman for formal engagement to establish domestic solid rocket motor (SRM) manufacturing capabilities. The effort will also involve DefendTex, Black Sky Industries and Anduril Australia to explore novel manufacturing methods, positioning SRM production as a sovereign industrial capability.

2026-04-30T22:49:22.481218-07:00

Australia selects Northrop Grumman to formalize sovereign solid rocket motor manufacturing engagement

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Defense Industry & Major Contractors News

Israel approves multibillion-shekel plan for additional F-35 and F-15IA fighter squadrons; Netanyahu backs expanded fighter buys

Northrop Grumman delivers 70th E-2D Advanced Hawkeye to U.S. Navy, building to 82 aircraft produced

Pentagon expands classified AI partnerships with SpaceX, OpenAI, Google, Nvidia, Reflection, Microsoft, AWS and Oracle

Recoil Aerospace debuts Expeditionary Fuel System (EFS) for Army aviation at AAAA Summit

News Timeline