Defense News

F-16 Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Cybersecurity (Cyber Threats & Protection) BAE Systems

FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

BAE Systems’ next-generation F-16 IFF system earns U.S. and NATO certification

BAE Systems’ updated Identification Friend or Foe system for the U.S. Air Force F-16 has received AIMS certification from the U.S. Department of War, clearing it for use across U.S. and NATO-standard operations. The company expects deliveries from an initial 90-unit production lot to begin this year.

defence-blog.com • Dylan Malyasov

F-16s get new friend-or-foe system cleared for service

Defense Daily • Frank Wolfe

New BAE Systems IFF System Receives Certification for Use on F-16

Also: UK Defence Journal and defence-industry.eu

5 Sources

2026-09-29T22:50:03.807284-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors Boeing

The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

Boeing Wins F/A-XX Next Generation Navy Stealth Fighter Contract (Updated)

By The War Zone: F/A-XX has been a very highly anticipated contract award, especially after the Pentagon previously tried to freeze the program.

1 Source

2026-09-29T14:52:38.895406-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors Boeing

The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

Full F-47 Production Line "Not Too Far Away": USAF General

By The War Zone: Boeing has been proceeding with a multi-billion-dollar expansion of its facilities in St. Louis as the F-47 program continues to ramp up.

1 Source

2026-09-29T10:07:16.170724-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement

FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

US Air Force tests F-35 low-altitude refuelling

By FlightGlobal: An F-35 recently took on fuel while flying at 5,000ft, well below the previous restriction of 10,000ft. The US Air Force is working to expand the capabilities of its stealthy Lockheed Martin F-35A strike fighters to include in-flight refuelling at lower altitudes.

1 Source

2026-09-29T15:05:10.824445-07:00

F-16 Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Deals

Reuters

Belgium to transfer three F-16s to Ukraine this year, Zelenskiy says

By Reuters: Belgium will transfer three F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine by the end ‌of the year to help in its war with Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday.

prm.ua

Belgium will transfer three F-16s to Ukraine this year

militarnyi.com

Belgium To Transfer Three F-16s to Ukraine by the End of Year

5 Sources

2026-09-29T12:50:10.488650-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Boeing

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Boeing receives US$2.38 billion order for 22 more F-15EX fighters

By Air Data News: New contract takes U.S. Air Force orders to 120 aircraft while Boeing works to raise production to two fighters Boeing has received a US$2.38 billion contract for 22 additional F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets for the U.S.

1 Source

2026-09-29T13:35:21.460866-07:00

Accident Aviation Safety & Regulation

defence-blog.com • Dylan Malyasov

Russian Tu-95 crashes on takeoff after engine failure

By defence-blog.com: A Russian Tu-95MS strategic bomber crashed in the Amur region of Russia's Far East on Sept. 29, killing six of the seven crew members on board. The bomber went down near the village of Krasnoyarovo after an engine failure during takeoff, according to sources in the Russian military.

Aviation24

Six killed in Russian Tu-95 bomber crash in Amur region

AeroTime

Russian Tu-95 bomber crashes in Amur region, killing six

Also: FlightGlobal and Air Data News

6 Sources

2026-09-29T06:06:20.336788-07:00

Supply Chain Military Aircraft Procurement Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Export Controls & Trade Compliance Defense Policy

Bloomberg • Anthony Capaccio

Senator Asks Pentagon to Review Supply Chain Over F-35 Incident

By Bloomberg: The Republican chair of the Senate intelligence committee asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to review the Pentagon’s supply chain after F-35 warplane parts ended up in Chinese government hands after being diverted to Hong Kong on a United Parcel Service Inc.

1 Source

2026-09-29T08:21:42.618677-07:00

BAE Systems’ next-generation F-16 IFF system earns U.S. and NATO certification

F-16s get new friend-or-foe system cleared for service

New BAE Systems IFF System Receives Certification for Use on F-16

Boeing Wins F/A-XX Next Generation Navy Stealth Fighter Contract (Updated)

Full F-47 Production Line "Not Too Far Away": USAF General

US Air Force tests F-35 low-altitude refuelling

Belgium to transfer three F-16s to Ukraine this year, Zelenskiy says

Belgium will transfer three F-16s to Ukraine this year

Belgium To Transfer Three F-16s to Ukraine by the End of Year

Boeing receives US$2.38 billion order for 22 more F-15EX fighters

Russian Tu-95 crashes on takeoff after engine failure

Six killed in Russian Tu-95 bomber crash in Amur region

Russian Tu-95 bomber crashes in Amur region, killing six

Senator Asks Pentagon to Review Supply Chain Over F-35 Incident

Updated IFF system certificated for F-16

US Air Force tests F-35 low-altitude refuelling

Boeing Wins F/A-XX Next Generation Navy Stealth Fighter Contract (Updated)

U.S. Navy’s F/A-XX next-generation fighter award expected as soon as 5:30 p.m. Eastern today

Commercial Defense Satcom Service Revenues to Surpass $22.6B by 2035

Boeing receives US$2.38 billion order for 22 more F-15EX fighters

Commercial Defense Satcom Service Revenues to Surpass $22.6B by 2035

UK Police Find Fuel But No Explosives at Fairford Scene

UK gains access to Ukraine battle data for AI drone swarms

Drone-hunting on the border, plus turmoil at an Air Force think tank

Five Arrested in Suspected Terror Plot Near RAF Fairford, U.S.-Used Air Base in Britain

Two aviators eject after EA-18G Growler landing mishap aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower

Raytheon wins up to $20.7 billion contract to produce AMRAAM missiles at record rates

RTX Races to Expand Tomahawk and Other Missile Production Amid U.S. Operations Against Iran

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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