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Wall Street Journal • Marcus Weisgerber

US Air Force selects two industry partners for autonomous “drone jet fighter” program aimed at deep-strike support

The US Air Force has agreed to deals with two companies for a new generation of autonomous drone jet fighters designed to help manned warplanes strike targets deep in enemy territory. The initiative signals a move to accelerate uncrewed, mission-led capabilities to augment contested penetrations.

2026-06-18T15:51:43.409866-07:00

AeroTime

UK commits $1B Ukraine package with 150,000 drones plus air-defense missiles and radar

2026-06-18T11:33:32.737733-07:00

FlightGlobal

Aero Vodochody books L-39NG Skyfox deals for Angola and North America, boosting $230m-plus orderbook

2026-06-18T07:52:44.638579-07:00

The War Zone

Air Force One update: VC-25B “Bridge” set for near-term entry, but VC-25A aircraft won’t be retired yet

2026-06-18T11:44:34.188356-07:00

News Timeline

Wall Street Journal

US Air Force selects two industry partners for autonomous “drone jet fighter” program aimed at deep-strike support The US Air Force has agreed to deals with two companies for a new generation of autonomous drone jet fighters designed to help manned warplanes strike targets deep in enemy territory. The initiative signals a move to accelerate uncrewed, mission-led capabilities to augment contested penetrations.

2026-06-18T15:51:43.409866-07:00

US Air Force selects two industry partners for autonomous “drone jet fighter” program aimed at deep-strike support

The War Zone

Air Force One update: VC-25B “Bridge” set for near-term entry, but VC-25A aircraft won’t be retired yet The ex-Qatari VC-25B “Bridge” aircraft is approaching entry into service, correcting earlier reporting. The USAF will continue operating the older VC-25A Air Force One jets, which will remain in the fleet alongside the arriving replacement asset.

2026-06-18T11:44:34.188356-07:00

Air Force One update: VC-25B “Bridge” set for near-term entry, but VC-25A aircraft won’t be retired yet

AeroTime

UK commits $1B Ukraine package with 150,000 drones plus air-defense missiles and radar The UK says it will provide a $1 billion support package to Ukraine including 150,000 drones alongside air-defense missiles and radar systems. The scale-and-sustain mix underscores a counter-UAS posture focused on rapidly replenishing drones while pairing them with sensing and intercept capability.

2026-06-18T11:33:32.737733-07:00

UK commits $1B Ukraine package with 150,000 drones plus air-defense missiles and radar

The War Zone

Senators urge MQ-9 Reaper fleet buildup by 2028 as the platform expands persistent airborne early warning U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee members want the Air Force to grow its MQ-9 Reaper fleet by 2028, citing the drone’s value in Operation Epic Fury. The push follows renewed emphasis on Reaper’s economical, radar-enabled persistent airborne early warning role.

2026-06-18T10:20:33.956584-07:00

Senators urge MQ-9 Reaper fleet buildup by 2028 as the platform expands persistent airborne early warning

Air Data News

Embraer locks in long-term logistics and sustainment for Brazil’s KC-390 Millennium fleet Embraer has finalized a new long-term support agreement with the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) covering the KC-390 Millennium fleet. The scope includes logistics and maintenance support for aircraft already in service and for remaining units yet to be delivered; contract value was not disclosed.

2026-06-18T10:05:24.663410-07:00

Embraer locks in long-term logistics and sustainment for Brazil’s KC-390 Millennium fleet

Breaking Defense

Embraer targets KC-390 ramp-up, outlines Czech/Uzbek/Korean delivery plans and defers separate A-29 Super Tucano Jacksonville li Embraer says it is ramping KC-390 Millennium production in Jacksonville, Fla., with officials describing delivery planning momentum for Czech, Uzbek and Korean orders. The company also signaled that any decision on the future of a separate A-29 Super Tucano production line in Jacksonville is not yet ready to be discussed.

2026-06-18T09:35:32.616514-07:00

Embraer targets KC-390 ramp-up, outlines Czech/Uzbek/Korean delivery plans and defers separate A-29 Super Tucano Jacksonville li

FlightGlobal

US lawmakers seek $127M to replace Epic Fury-loss aircraft: four MH-6 Little Birds and two MC-130J special-operations transports A US Senate legislative effort would provide $127 million to replace four MH-6 Little Birds and two MC-130J special operations transports destroyed during the Epic Fury Iran rescue operation, including recovery of an F-15E crew member. The plan would source funds from the OA-1K account, rather than a supplemental appropriation.

2026-06-18T09:01:12.019681-07:00

US lawmakers seek $127M to replace Epic Fury-loss aircraft: four MH-6 Little Birds and two MC-130J special-operations transports

FlightGlobal

Shield AI nears X-Bat first flight with three initial test assets complete, targeting an end-2026 maiden sortie Shield AI says it has nearly completed the first three test assets for its X-Bat collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) programme. The company is building toward a first flight later this year, with a maiden sortie toward the end of 2026.

2026-06-18T09:01:10.923519-07:00

Shield AI nears X-Bat first flight with three initial test assets complete, targeting an end-2026 maiden sortie

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Military Aircraft Procurement News

US Air Force selects two industry partners for autonomous “drone jet fighter” program aimed at deep-strike support

UK commits $1B Ukraine package with 150,000 drones plus air-defense missiles and radar

Aero Vodochody books L-39NG Skyfox deals for Angola and North America, boosting $230m-plus orderbook

Air Force One update: VC-25B “Bridge” set for near-term entry, but VC-25A aircraft won’t be retired yet

News Timeline