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DefenseNews.com • Rachel S. Cohen

Senate Armed Services confirmation hearing set for Air Force secretary nominee plus two senior DoD posts

Frank Kendall, Heidi Shyu and Susanna Blume will testify at a joint confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on May 25. The session will vet nominees for Air Force secretary and two additional key Department of Defense positions, setting the leadership slate for Air Force and DoD execution.

2026-04-26T04:34:26.973495-07:00

FlightGlobal

American CEO Robert Isom dismisses United merger as anti-competitive, but leaves door open for future airline M&A

2026-04-24T04:13:50.451344-07:00

ch-aviation

SAA Technical escalates corruption probe efforts as internal investigations flag theft and governance failures

2026-04-24T05:36:54.335764-07:00

Associated Press

Peru delays $3.5B F-16 Block 70 deal as ministers resign and US presses for faster decision

2026-04-22T13:34:55.426590-07:00

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DefenseNews.com

Senate Armed Services confirmation hearing set for Air Force secretary nominee plus two senior DoD posts Frank Kendall, Heidi Shyu and Susanna Blume will testify at a joint confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on May 25. The session will vet nominees for Air Force secretary and two additional key Department of Defense positions, setting the leadership slate for Air Force and DoD execution.

2026-04-26T04:34:26.973495-07:00

Senate Armed Services confirmation hearing set for Air Force secretary nominee plus two senior DoD posts

ch-aviation

SAA Technical escalates corruption probe efforts as internal investigations flag theft and governance failures SAA Technical says it is intensifying efforts to root out corruption, theft and governance failures after multiple investigations exposed what the chairman calls “deep rot” inside the state-owned South African Airways Group maintenance subsidiary. The move follows renewed scrutiny of controls and accountability within SAA’s MRO operations.

2026-04-24T05:36:54.335764-07:00

SAA Technical escalates corruption probe efforts as internal investigations flag theft and governance failures

FlightGlobal

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American CEO Robert Isom dismisses United merger as anti-competitive, but leaves door open for future airline M&A American Airlines CEO Robert Isom called a potential United combination a “nonstarter” and said it would be “anti-competitive,” echoing concerns that the two-largest carriers “getting together” would harm competition. He did not rule out future M&A if circumstances change, while acknowledging consolidation remains possible.

2026-04-24T04:13:50.451344-07:00

American CEO Robert Isom dismisses United merger as anti-competitive, but leaves door open for future airline M&A

DefenseNews.com

US Air Force chief of staff Gen. Mark Welsh set to retire July 1 Gen. Mark Welsh, the US Air Force chief of staff, will retire effective July 1. The announcement sets a clear leadership transition timeline for the service’s top uniformed post and will shape near-term continuity planning across Air Force priorities.

2026-04-23T17:49:32.801767-07:00

US Air Force chief of staff Gen. Mark Welsh set to retire July 1

DefenseNews.com

Goldfein seen as frontrunner for next US Air Force chief of staff Gen. David Goldfein—currently the Air Force vice chief—has emerged as the likely pick to become the next US Air Force chief of staff. The outcome would elevate the service’s current No. 2 into the top uniformed leadership role, shaping near-term priorities for force planning and modernization.

2026-04-23T17:49:32.733095-07:00

Goldfein seen as frontrunner for next US Air Force chief of staff

DefenseNews.com

US Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown’s nomination clears after lawmakers lift secret hold tied to KC-46 basing decision Gen. Charles Q. Brown’s nomination to become the first Black service chief progressed after a lawmaker lifted a secret hold that had been delaying action over a KC-46 basing decision. The move follows congressional scrutiny of KC-46 issues that continue to affect acceptance and future procurement posture.

2026-04-23T15:06:00.332996-07:00

US Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown’s nomination clears after lawmakers lift secret hold tied to KC-46 basing decision

eVTOL Insights

Dovetail Electric Aviation appoints Michele D’Ercole as Chief Technology Officer and Head of Engineering

2026-04-23T02:20:48.286979-07:00

Dovetail Electric Aviation app

DefenseNews.com

Pentagon weapons tester flags risk of F-35 software development slipping; Air Force acquisition nominee targets sustainment cost The Pentagon’s top weapons tester says F-35 software development could fall behind, even as the Joint Program Office maintains the broader program is on track. Separately, an Air Force acquisition nominee signals a planned deep dive on using emerging technologies to reduce F-35 sustainment costs over the program’s life—amid scrutiny of the program’s escalating price tag.

2026-04-22T17:50:04.606055-07:00

Pentagon weapons tester flags risk of F-35 software development slipping; Air Force acquisition nominee targets sustainment cost

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Leadership News

Senate Armed Services confirmation hearing set for Air Force secretary nominee plus two senior DoD posts

American CEO Robert Isom dismisses United merger as anti-competitive, but leaves door open for future airline M&A

SAA Technical escalates corruption probe efforts as internal investigations flag theft and governance failures

Peru delays $3.5B F-16 Block 70 deal as ministers resign and US presses for faster decision

News Timeline