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DefenseNews.com • Lara Seligman

Congress faces oversight challenge on the B-21 Raider stealth bomber program

A congressional oversight gap is emerging around the B-21 Raider, a stealthy Air Force bomber program. With lawmakers balancing classified complexity against delivery and industrial-base expectations, the oversight environment is becoming a key factor in how the program is evaluated and steered.

2026-04-23T17:49:33.527366-07:00

DefenseNews.com

Dutch F-35A “international debut” planned for Leeuwarden Air Show in June

2026-04-23T17:49:33.202450-07:00

DefenseNews.com

Pentagon and Pratt & Whitney agree on $1.4B F-35 F135 LRIP lot 9 engine deal

2026-04-23T17:49:33.003284-07:00

DefenseNews.com

IAF restructures $17B plan for 114 medium-weight multirole fighters with India-built jets and “no foreign procurement”

2026-04-23T15:24:30.802806-07:00

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DefenseNews.com

Congress faces oversight challenge on the B-21 Raider stealth bomber program A congressional oversight gap is emerging around the B-21 Raider, a stealthy Air Force bomber program. With lawmakers balancing classified complexity against delivery and industrial-base expectations, the oversight environment is becoming a key factor in how the program is evaluated and steered.

2026-04-23T17:49:33.527366-07:00

Congress faces oversight challenge on the B-21 Raider stealth bomber program

DefenseNews.com

Dutch F-35A “international debut” planned for Leeuwarden Air Show in June At least one Dutch Air Force F-35A will appear at the Leeuwarden Air Show in the Netherlands in June, according to Lt. Col. Sidney Plankman. The public display marks the jet’s planned international showcase for RNLAF, aligning with broader European F-35 basing and sustainment momentum.

2026-04-23T17:49:33.202450-07:00

Dutch F-35A “international debut” planned for Leeuwarden Air Show in June

DefenseNews.com

Pentagon and Pratt & Whitney agree on $1.4B F-35 F135 LRIP lot 9 engine deal The Pentagon reached agreement with Pratt & Whitney on the ninth low-rate initial production (LRIP) lot of F135 engines for the F-35 joint strike fighter. The pact is valued at $1.4 billion, sustaining the cadence of engine procurement during early production ramp.

2026-04-23T17:49:33.003284-07:00

Pentagon and Pratt & Whitney agree on $1.4B F-35 F135 LRIP lot 9 engine deal

DefenseNews.com

IAF restructures $17B plan for 114 medium-weight multirole fighters with India-built jets and “no foreign procurement” The Indian Air Force is overhauling its induction plan for 114 medium-weight multirole fighters, aiming to produce the aircraft in India using a significant foreign technology transfer package. A senior service official says the revised approach involves no foreign procurement, reshaping industrial participation and sourcing expectations for the program valued at about $17 billion.

2026-04-23T15:24:30.802806-07:00

IAF restructures $17B plan for 114 medium-weight multirole fighters with India-built jets and “no foreign procurement”

DefenseNews.com

Lockheed faces F-35 delivery uncertainty as supply chain strains and COVID-era restrictions threaten 2020 output Lockheed Martin is contracted to deliver 141 F-35 fighters this year, but COVID-19 restrictions and supply chain struggles raise doubts about meeting the target. The situation underscores how procurement timelines can slip when upstream production and delivery flows don’t keep pace.

2026-04-23T15:24:30.339593-07:00

Lockheed faces F-35 delivery uncertainty as supply chain strains and COVID-era restrictions threaten 2020 output

DefenseNews.com

USAF opens final-stage contest for B-52 engine replacement The U.S. Air Force has moved into the final phase of its B-52 engine replacement effort, launching a contest to drive the next step of the re-engine initiative. The milestone narrows the decision timeline and sets up follow-on integration and sustainment planning for the bomber fleet.

2026-04-23T15:24:30.255508-07:00

USAF opens final-stage contest for B-52 engine replacement

DefenseNews.com

Italy F-35 commitment holds after Five Star pushes to pause purchases for a year Italy’s defense minister, Lorenzo Guerini, said the country will “confirm that the program would continue” after pressure from the Five Star party to halt F-35 purchases for a year to fund a coronavirus rebound.

2026-04-23T15:06:02.423507-07:00

Italy F-35 commitment holds after Five Star pushes to pause purchases for a year

DefenseNews.com

F-22 loss during May 15 training highlights tight Raptor fleet size The U.S. Air Force lost an F-22 Raptor during a training flight on May 15, according to the cluster summary. The incident is being framed as a warning about the small, finite size of the Raptor inventory and the operational risk that aircraft losses can create.

2026-04-23T15:06:01.985639-07:00

F-22 loss during May 15 training highlights tight Raptor fleet size

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Military Aircraft Procurement News

Congress faces oversight challenge on the B-21 Raider stealth bomber program

Dutch F-35A “international debut” planned for Leeuwarden Air Show in June

Pentagon and Pratt & Whitney agree on $1.4B F-35 F135 LRIP lot 9 engine deal

IAF restructures $17B plan for 114 medium-weight multirole fighters with India-built jets and “no foreign procurement”

News Timeline