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Breaking Defense • Michael Marrow

USAF creates Portfolio Acquisition Executives, consolidating oversight of advanced aircraft and NC2 under Hegseth reforms

The Department of the Air Force has created seven acquisition portfolios and named Portfolio Acquisition Executives to oversee programs including advanced aircraft and nuclear command-and-control as part of Secretary Pete Hegseth’s procurement overhaul. The change aims to streamline weapons buying and cut bureaucracy; the executives’ authorities are still being defined.

2026-01-09T11:52:42.938534-08:00

The War Zone

USMC XQ-58 Valkyries to Add Landing Gear, Enabling Both Rocket and Runway Launches

2026-01-09T11:30:52.404895-08:00

FlightGlobal

U.S. Navy trains F-35 pilots to control AI 'loyal wingman' drones via touchscreen tablets

2026-01-09T05:28:00.902972-08:00

Reuters

Pakistan nears $1.5 billion arms and jet deal for Sudan as civil war intensifies

2026-01-09T04:38:00.977346-08:00

News Timeline

Breaking Defense

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USAF creates Portfolio Acquisition Executives, consolidating oversight of advanced aircraft and NC2 under Hegseth reforms The Department of the Air Force has created seven acquisition portfolios and named Portfolio Acquisition Executives to oversee programs including advanced aircraft and nuclear command-and-control as part of Secretary Pete Hegseth’s procurement overhaul. The change aims to streamline weapons buying and cut bureaucracy; the executives’ authorities are still being defined.

2026-01-09T11:52:42.938534-08:00

USAF creates Portfolio Acquisition Executives, consolidating oversight of advanced aircraft and NC2 under Hegseth reforms

The War Zone

USMC XQ-58 Valkyries to Add Landing Gear, Enabling Both Rocket and Runway Launches Adding landing gear to the USMC's XQ-58 Valkyrie will let the jet be rocket‑boosted for launch and recover via conventional runway landings. Rocket‑launched Valkyries will still require runway touch‑downs after missions, creating new operational options and sustainment trade‑offs for expeditionary use.

2026-01-09T11:30:52.404895-08:00

USMC XQ-58 Valkyries to Add Landing Gear, Enabling Both Rocket and Runway Launches

FlightGlobal

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U.S. Navy trains F-35 pilots to control AI 'loyal wingman' drones via touchscreen tablets U.S. Navy F-35 pilots have trained to command AI-enabled 'loyal wingman' unmanned aircraft from cockpit touchscreen tablets, including directing multiple collaborative combat drones in manned–unmanned teaming exercises. The trials validate tablet-based interfaces for employing autonomous wingmen alongside fifth‑generation fighters.

2026-01-09T05:28:00.902972-08:00

U.S. Navy trains F-35 pilots to control AI 'loyal wingman' drones via touchscreen tablets

Reuters

Pakistan nears $1.5 billion arms and jet deal for Sudan as civil war intensifies Pakistan is in the final phases of a roughly $1.5 billion agreement to supply weapons and combat aircraft to Sudan, former senior air force officials and three sources say. The package would significantly strengthen the Sudanese army in its fight against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

2026-01-09T04:38:00.977346-08:00

Pakistan nears $1.5 billion arms and jet deal for Sudan as civil war intensifies

ch-aviation

Belgium’s top court annuls Ministry of Defence VIP transport contract Belgium’s top court has annulled the Ministry of Defence’s VIP transport contract, voiding the award and forcing the ministry to reassess how official transport for government and military leaders is procured. The decision raises immediate operational and procurement questions for short-term VIP flight arrangements.

2026-01-09T04:17:11.403333-08:00

Belgium’s top court annuls Ministry of Defence VIP transport contract

Breaking Defense

US Army advances Bell, Lockheed Martin and M2 to Phase Two of Flight School Next; contract targeted for September The US Army has moved Bell, Lockheed Martin and M2 into Phase Two of its Flight School Next trainer competition, narrowing the field and targeting a contract award in September. Bell's bid discloses a Bell 505 platform and M2 proposes a Robinson R66; Lockheed's aircraft remains undisclosed.

2026-01-08T14:24:23.665239-08:00

US Army advances Bell, Lockheed Martin and M2 to Phase Two of Flight School Next; contract targeted for September

Aviation Today

USAF assigns YFQ-48A designation to Northrop Grumman’s Project Talon The U.S. Air Force on Dec. 22 assigned the designation YFQ-48A to Northrop Grumman’s Project Talon, formally naming the Talon series prototype as a drone contender in the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) programme. The designation identifies Talon as an official prototype entry in the CCA competition.

2026-01-08T14:03:29.211057-08:00

USAF assigns YFQ-48A designation to Northrop Grumman’s Project Talon

Aviation Today

USAF awards Boeing $266M sole‑source contract to redesign C‑17 flight deck; spares for two LRUs may run out by FY2028 In mid‑December the U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing a $266 million sole‑source contract through 2031 to redesign the C‑17 Globemaster III flight deck and modernize avionics. The USAF warns spares for two line‑replaceable units could be exhausted by FY2028, creating near‑term sustainment pressure.

2026-01-08T13:49:56.027623-08:00

USAF awards Boeing $266M sole‑source contract to redesign C‑17 flight deck; spares for two LRUs may run out by FY2028

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Military Aircraft Procurement News

USAF creates Portfolio Acquisition Executives, consolidating oversight of advanced aircraft and NC2 under Hegseth reforms

USMC XQ-58 Valkyries to Add Landing Gear, Enabling Both Rocket and Runway Launches

U.S. Navy trains F-35 pilots to control AI 'loyal wingman' drones via touchscreen tablets

Pakistan nears $1.5 billion arms and jet deal for Sudan as civil war intensifies

News Timeline