Reuters
• Mike Stone
Lockheed Martin has disclosed details of a next-generation air-to-air missile designed to counter threats from China and reached an agreement with the Defense Department to accelerate production as the Pentagon works to replenish depleted munitions stockpiles.
Military Aircraft Procurement
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Lockheed Martin has disclosed details of a next-generation air-to-air missile designed to counter threats from China and reached an agreement with the Defense Department to accelerate production as the Pentagon works to replenish depleted munitions stockpiles.
France’s defense procurement agency, the DGA, has qualified Thales’ Talios targeting pod for the French Air and Space Force’s upgraded Mirage 2000D RMV fighter-bombers. The decision extends a targeting system associated with the Rafale to the modernized Mirage fleet.
Yemen’s Houthi movement claims it shot down a Royal Saudi Air Force F-15 near Marib on Sept. 16, 2026, releasing video and images of purported wreckage. If confirmed, the incident would mark the first combat loss of an Advanced Eagle variant, though the crew’s status remains unknown.
US intelligence officials, including the Defense Intelligence Agency, have reportedly warned that Saudi Arabia’s proposed purchase of F-35 fighters could enable China to obtain sensitive U.S. stealth technology through espionage or cooperation. The concerns have prompted scrutiny of the planned transfer within the intelligence community.
The U.S. Air Force is examining a return to newly built F-16 purchases after a 21-year gap, potentially through an “F-16G” variant derived from the export-focused Block 70/72. The study reflects efforts to increase overall fighter capacity using an established production line.
High activity
The Air Mobility Command says the U.S. Air Force intends to procure Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, making it the type’s first military operator and expanding its C-40 VIP fleet. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg separately said FAA certification of the 737 MAX 10 is expected “very soon,” with deliveries still targeted for next year.
Growing allied interest in Collaborative Combat Aircraft is pushing the U.S. Air Force in Europe to address interoperability across a diverse mix of future systems. The effort could shape how European partners participate in, operate alongside and connect with the USAF’s next-generation uncrewed combat aircraft.
The U.S. Air Force expects its first full squadron of Boeing T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer jets to be ready by next summer, with Air Education and Training Command forecasting that 14 aircraft will be operational by August 2027.
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