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DefenseNews.com • Lara Seligman

Air Force Secretary warns that canceling B-21 Raider contract would drive cost and schedule penalties

As Sen. John McCain renews opposition to the Air Force’s B-21 next-generation bomber, service secretary Deborah Lee James warns that terminating the contract would impose both dollar and time costs. The warning frames the program as one where disruption would compound delivery and fielding risk.

2026-04-27T17:49:17.762459-07:00

DefenseNews.com

Taiwan earmarks six years to upgrade 144 F-16s as AIDC starts work at Taichung facility

2026-04-27T15:49:14.707671-07:00

DefenseNews.com

Israel Air Force chief praises F-35 Adir’s fifth-gen potential, but flags growing missile threat to legacy fourth-gen forces

2026-04-27T15:49:14.466202-07:00

DefenseNews.com

Poland mulls US F-16 purchase alongside expanded air-defense, fleet and cybersecurity upgrades

2026-04-27T15:49:14.074034-07:00

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DefenseNews.com

Air Force Secretary warns that canceling B-21 Raider contract would drive cost and schedule penalties As Sen. John McCain renews opposition to the Air Force’s B-21 next-generation bomber, service secretary Deborah Lee James warns that terminating the contract would impose both dollar and time costs. The warning frames the program as one where disruption would compound delivery and fielding risk.

2026-04-27T17:49:17.762459-07:00

Air Force Secretary warns that canceling B-21 Raider contract would drive cost and schedule penalties

DefenseNews.com

Air Force Secretary Warns of Consequences if McCain Blocks B-21

2026-04-27T17:49:17.762459-07:00

Air Force Secretary Warns of C

DefenseNews.com

Taiwan earmarks six years to upgrade 144 F-16s as AIDC starts work at Taichung facility Taiwan’s state-owned Aerospace Industrial Development Corp. (AIDC) says four Air Force F-16s have entered its new Taichung facility, with modernization for the full 144-jet fleet expected to finish within six years. The statement frames the effort as a sustained in-country upgrade program under AIDC’s facilities.

2026-04-27T15:49:14.707671-07:00

Taiwan earmarks six years to upgrade 144 F-16s as AIDC starts work at Taichung facility

DefenseNews.com

Israel Air Force chief praises F-35 Adir’s fifth-gen potential, but flags growing missile threat to legacy fourth-gen forces Israel’s top Air Force officer called the F-35 Adir “revolutionary” for its fifth-generation operational potential, while warning that the maturing anti-aircraft threat environment could still allow adversary missiles to down elements of Israel’s fourth-generation fighter force in combat.

2026-04-27T15:49:14.466202-07:00

Israel Air Force chief praises F-35 Adir’s fifth-gen potential, but flags growing missile threat to legacy fourth-gen forces

DefenseNews.com

Poland mulls US F-16 purchase alongside expanded air-defense, fleet and cybersecurity upgrades Poland’s Defence Ministry is considering acquiring new U.S.-sourced F-16s, alongside additional anti-aircraft and air-defense systems. The review also encompasses submarines and helicopters, plus an upgrade to the military’s cybersecurity capacities.

2026-04-27T15:49:14.074034-07:00

Poland mulls US F-16 purchase alongside expanded air-defense, fleet and cybersecurity upgrades

DefenseNews.com

Norwegian Kongsberg and Nammo eye F-35 subcontracting as US expands flight-sciences test fleet Kongsberg and Nammo say Norway’s F-35 acquisition can deliver subcontracting gains to lift their manufacturing footprint and support global sales. Separately, the US Department of Defense awarded Lockheed Martin a $177 million modification to build three F-35 flight-sciences test aircraft, expanding test capability.

2026-04-27T15:49:13.832787-07:00

Norwegian Kongsberg and Nammo eye F-35 subcontracting as US expands flight-sciences test fleet

DefenseNews.com

USAF builds northernmost F-35 squadron posture amid pandemic The US Air Force is assembling its northernmost fighter squadron around the F-35, positioning the unit to respond across both Europe and the Asia-Pacific theater. The reporting frames the move as a strategic basing and access play, executed despite pandemic constraints.

2026-04-27T15:20:15.074170-07:00

USAF builds northernmost F-35 squadron posture amid pandemic

DefenseNews.com

PACAF names next commander Lt. Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, a 35-year Air Force fighter pilot with 5,000+ flight hours and 71 combat m Lt. Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach will take over as commander of U.S. Pacific Air Forces (PACAF). The 35-year veteran is a fighter pilot with more than 5,000 flight hours and 71 combat missions, positioning him to lead PACAF’s readiness and operational priorities in the Indo-Pacific.

2026-04-27T15:20:14.937143-07:00

PACAF names next commander Lt. Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, a 35-year Air Force fighter pilot with 5,000+ flight hours and 71 combat m

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Military Aircraft Procurement News

Air Force Secretary warns that canceling B-21 Raider contract would drive cost and schedule penalties

Taiwan earmarks six years to upgrade 144 F-16s as AIDC starts work at Taichung facility

Israel Air Force chief praises F-35 Adir’s fifth-gen potential, but flags growing missile threat to legacy fourth-gen forces

Poland mulls US F-16 purchase alongside expanded air-defense, fleet and cybersecurity upgrades

News Timeline