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UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Defense Policy

DefenseNews.com

Air and Space Force leaders plot an immediate shift toward AI- and drone-driven warfare

Air and Space Force leaders are gathering to address how drones, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies are reshaping the battlespace. Their focus is on adapting current force structures, operations and strategy to a radically changed future of warfare rather than waiting for those technologies to mature.

Also: AirForceTimes and Military Times

3 Sources

2026-09-18T13:35:53.080461-07:00

F-16 Europe North America Military Aircraft Procurement Orders Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Danish F-35s land in Greenland for first time in major NATO Arctic drill

By AeroTime: Danish F-35s landed in Greenland for the first time during a NATO Arctic training mission involving US and Canadian fighters, a French tanker and AWACS.

Breaking Defense

First German F-35 rolls off the line

Janes

First F-35As arrive in Finland

Also: defence-industry.eu and defence-industry.eu

6 Sources

2026-09-18T05:06:38.274395-07:00

Europe Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

Reuters

Top NATO commander joins briefing on review of US defence engagement in Europe

By Reuters: NATO's top commander, US Air Force General Alexus Grynkewich, took part in a virtual briefing on Friday for Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby on potential approaches to a review of US troop deployments in Europe.

Also: Aviation Week

2 Sources

2026-09-18T11:20:01.411905-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Defense Industry & Major Contractors Bayraktar

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

ASELSAN tests electronic warfare pods on Bayraktar TB2 drones

By AeroTime: ASELSAN said on September 18, 2026, that it had flown three of its airborne electronic warfare and radar pods on Bayraktar TB2 drones during a demonstration in Konya, Turkey, in front of defense delegations from 18 countries.

4 Sources

2026-09-18T08:06:43.126386-07:00

Satellite Defense Industry & Major Contractors Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Northrop Grumman, True Anomaly to build military geostationary surveillance satellites

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The Defense Innovation Unit has selected Northrop Grumman and True Anomaly to build prototype satellites capable of closely monitoring spacecraft in geosynchronous orbit.

1 Source

2026-09-18T09:38:22.486397-07:00

Supply Chain Defense Budgets & Spending

DefenseNews.com • Cristina Stassis

U.S. Air Force Faces $14 Billion Sustainment and Supply-Chain Funding Gap

By DefenseNews.com: As the force grapples with supply chain and maintenance issues, sustainment funding to fill the $14 billion gap is becoming increasingly necessary.

Also: AirForceTimes and Military Times

3 Sources

2026-09-18T07:50:53.615387-07:00

Europe Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Asia-Pacific (APAC) Defense Policy

AeroTime • Jean Carmela Lim

South Korea’s F-35As and French Rafales join forces in three-year first

By AeroTime: South Korea and France resumed joint aerial exercises for the first time in three years, pairing F-35A stealth fighters with French Rafales.

1 Source

2026-09-18T06:51:29.012356-07:00

Space Force Space Defense & Militarization Defense Policy

Bloomberg • James Stavridis

The US Wants China to Know It Has Weapons in Space

By Bloomberg: In a surprising statement this week, Secretary of the Air Force Troy E. Meink revealed that the US has weapons in space. He said, “We are increasing readiness against existing threats, and the United States has on-orbit space control weapons capable of defending the Joint Force against hostile adversary action.”.

Also: newsnationnow.com

2 Sources

2026-09-18T02:50:21.665268-07:00

Air and Space Force leaders plot an immediate shift toward AI- and drone-driven warfare

Danish F-35s land in Greenland for first time in major NATO Arctic drill

First German F-35 rolls off the line

First F-35As arrive in Finland

Top NATO commander joins briefing on review of US defence engagement in Europe

ASELSAN tests electronic warfare pods on Bayraktar TB2 drones

Northrop Grumman, True Anomaly to build military geostationary surveillance satellites

U.S. Air Force Faces $14 Billion Sustainment and Supply-Chain Funding Gap

South Korea’s F-35As and French Rafales join forces in three-year first

The US Wants China to Know It Has Weapons in Space

‘Our task is to adapt right now’: Air Force leaders gather to plot future of warfare

Top NATO commander joins briefing on review of US defence engagement in Europe

Northrop Grumman, True Anomaly to build military geostationary surveillance satellites

ASELSAN tests electronic warfare pods on Bayraktar TB2 drones

U.S. Air Force Faces $14 Billion Sustainment and Supply-Chain Funding Gap

South Korea’s F-35As and French Rafales join forces in three-year first

HAV Offers Sentinel Hawk Airship In New Bid For Pentagon ISR Roles

Latvia chooses Czech howitzers over Swedish Archer offer

Trump administration advances Saudi F-35 sale despite China security concerns

Lockheed Martin Unveils Next-Generation Air-to-Air Missile, Agrees to Accelerate Production

Pentagon accelerates Lockheed’s AIM-260 missile production as F-16 fleet expansion gains traction

Texas Air National Guard F-16 crashes in Michigan after possible bird strike; pilot ejects safely

US Acknowledges Weapons in Orbit as China Warns of a Space Arms Race

US intelligence warns proposed $24 billion Saudi F-35 sale could expose sensitive technology to China

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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