Defense News

North America Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Policy

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Canada’s first F-35A flies as Ottawa reviews planned 88-jet fleet

Canada’s first F-35A Lightning II completed its maiden flight on Sept. 23 at Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth, Texas, facility. The flight marks a milestone in the Royal Canadian Air Force’s effort to replace its CF-188 Hornet fleet, even as Ottawa continues reviewing the size and composition of its planned 88-aircraft buy.

The Aviationist • Stefano D'Urso

Canada’s First F-35 Conducts Maiden Flight

aviationnews.eu • Rob Vogelaar

Canada’s First F-35A Fighter Jet Completes Maiden Flight

Also: f-16.net, defence-blog.com and news.ssbcrack.com

6 Sources

2026-09-24T05:16:20.136041-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Orders Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Taiwan receives 66th and final T-5 Brave Eagle advanced trainer

By Air Data News: AIDC delivered the last two aircraft to the Air Force, completing a nine-year development and Taiwan’s Air Force has received the 66th and final production T-5 Brave Eagle advanced jet trainer, completing a program launched more than nine years ago to replace two older training aircraft types.

1 Source

2026-09-24T02:36:53.883974-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Europe Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

CIA reportedly warns of Russian drone plot against Western Europe

By AeroTime: US intelligence reportedly warned European governments of a possible Russian Gerbera drone operation targeting Spain, France or Italy, El Mundo says.

1 Source

2026-09-24T02:08:48.635697-07:00

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

Bloomberg • Anthony Capaccio

China Is Holding Sensitive F-35 Parts Diverted to Hong Kong

By Bloomberg: The Chinese government has taken possession of potentially sensitive F-35 stealth aircraft parts that were inexplicably diverted to Hong Kong while being sent to the US from Australia, people briefed on the incident said.

FlightGlobal

Investigation into F-35A parts missing in Hong Kong gets under way

Associated Press

Pentagon investigates after China obtains parts from F-35 stealth fighter jet

Also: The Aviationist, Australian Aviation, CNBC, Yahoo Finance, Economic Times, The Loadstar, news.ssbcrack.com, The Independent, Seeking Alpha and 3 more

17 Sources

2026-09-23T13:36:30.444741-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Middle East Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Policy

The Air Current • Carter Johnston

Unsustainable losses of MQ-9 Reaper fleet spur U.S. Air Force to search for cheaper alternatives

By The Air Current: The Pentagon is rapidly procuring small hybrid-electric drones to fill a critical surveillance capability in the Middle East.

Also: FlightGlobal

2 Sources

2026-09-23T16:20:47.973525-07:00

China Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors

The War Zone • Joseph Trevithick

China's Recent J-36 Heavy Stealth Tactical Jet Testing Offers New Insights Into Its Evolving Design

By The War Zone: Recent video footage shows continued refinement of the J-36 design, and there has also been talk of laser armament for the jet.

1 Source

2026-09-23T14:52:54.349141-07:00

Satellite Space Force Commercial Space Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Space Force to put commercial satellite servicing to the test in 2027

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force is preparing two commercial satellite servicing missions for 2027 that will test ways of giving military spacecraft more freedom to maneuver after launch.

1 Source

2026-09-23T16:45:45.434615-07:00

Viasat Satellite Space Force Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Via Satellite • Rachel Jewett

Viasat Wins $42 Million U.S. Marine Corps Managed SATCOM Task Order

By Via Satellite: Viasat has received a $42 million task order under its contract to provide managed satcom services to the U.S. Marine Corps.

Also: Seeking Alpha and satnews.com

3 Sources

2026-09-23T12:37:22.190245-07:00

Canada’s first F-35A flies as Ottawa reviews planned 88-jet fleet

Canada’s First F-35 Conducts Maiden Flight

Canada’s First F-35A Fighter Jet Completes Maiden Flight

Taiwan receives 66th and final T-5 Brave Eagle advanced trainer

CIA reportedly warns of Russian drone plot against Western Europe

China Is Holding Sensitive F-35 Parts Diverted to Hong Kong

Investigation into F-35A parts missing in Hong Kong gets under way

Pentagon investigates after China obtains parts from F-35 stealth fighter jet

Unsustainable losses of MQ-9 Reaper fleet spur U.S. Air Force to search for cheaper alternatives

China's Recent J-36 Heavy Stealth Tactical Jet Testing Offers New Insights Into Its Evolving Design

Space Force to put commercial satellite servicing to the test in 2027

Viasat Wins $42 Million U.S. Marine Corps Managed SATCOM Task Order

Canada’s first F-35 flies while Ottawa still reviews 88-fighter purchase

Taiwan receives 66th and final T-5 Brave Eagle advanced trainer

CIA reportedly warns of Russian drone plot against Western Europe

Space Force to put commercial satellite servicing to the test in 2027

Unsustainable losses of MQ-9 Reaper fleet spur U.S. Air Force to search for cheaper alternatives

China's Recent J-36 Heavy Stealth Tactical Jet Testing Offers New Insights Into Its Evolving Design

The still-formidable F-16 will be even more capable with better electronic warfare

RAF Hawk T2 crashes near RAF Valley in Wales, both pilots eject

Dassault Aviation tests sovereign AI algorithms on Rafale fighter

Europe’s push to reduce US reliance is reshaping the defense space market

USAF F-16 crashes during landing near Spangdahlem Air Base; pilot ejects safely

General Atomics delivers FQ-42A Vengeance to Creech for test and evaluation

South Korea receives first production KF-21 Boramae fighter

UK RAF forms first Space Effects Squadron for offensive and defensive orbital operations

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

More in Defense

EXCLUSIVE: SpaceX given unique access to classified DoD space tracking data, sources say

US approves potential $425m MH-60R Seahawk sale to Denmark

Leonardo DRS Showcases JTT-X Hybrid SATCOM for Tactical Aircraft

Japan and India conduct ‘advanced’ bilateral air exercises, signalling growing alignment

Anduril Appoints Interim UK Chief as Rich Drake Departs

Russian military helicopter entered Polish airspace briefly, Polish army says

UK Royal Air Force Forms First Dedicated Space Effects Squadron

South Korea's Air Force Receives First Operational KF-21 Fighter