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Bloomberg • Anthony Capaccio

Pentagon investigates how F-35A components bound from Australia reached Hong Kong

The Pentagon is investigating how a UPS shipment containing an F-35A cockpit canopy and weapons-bay door, sent from Australia to the United States in late May, was diverted to Hong Kong and reportedly obtained by Chinese authorities. Australia’s defense minister has downplayed the sensitivity of the missing parts.

FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

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

Associated Press • Ben Finley, Konstantin Toropin

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

Also: Australian Aviation, CNBC, news.ssbcrack.com, Seeking Alpha, Economic Times, The Loadstar and The Independent

10 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

Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Accident Aviation Safety & Regulation BAE Systems

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

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

By AeroTime: An RAF Hawk T2 crashed near RAF Valley on Anglesey, North Wales. Both pilots ejected and were treated for suspected minor injuries.

Aviation Week

RAF Hawk T2 Crashes Amid Scrutiny of Fleet Technical Issues

aviationnews.eu

Two Crew Eject After RAF Hawk Jet Crashes During Takeoff at RAF Valley in Anglesey

Also: The War Zone, The Aviationist, FlightGlobal, Janes, Travel Radar, adsadvance.co.uk, AeroTime, Canadian Aviator, Aviation Safety Network, India Defense News and ukaviation.aero

20 Sources

2026-09-23T07:51:04.156614-07:00

F-16 Dassault Aviation AI Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Deals

FlightGlobal • Joseph Dainty

Dassault Aviation tests sovereign AI algorithms on Rafale fighter

By FlightGlobal: The flight tests pave the way for future cockpit upgrades and enhanced crew assistance. Dassault Aviation has flight-tested two new sovereign artificial intelligence algorithms on the Rafale combat aircraft, marking a step forward in its broader initiative to integrate supervised AI into military cockpits.

flightlineweekly.com

Dassault Flight-Tests Sovereign AI Algorithms on Rafale Fighter

The Aviationist

Dassault Tests Rafale with New AI Technologies for Crew Support

Also: Air & Space Forces Mag, dassault-aviation.com, India Defense News and 7 more

22 Sources

2026-09-23T08:50:05.402535-07:00

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

Commercial Space Space Defense & Militarization Space Debris & Traffic Management

Breaking Defense • Theresa Hitchens

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

By Breaking Defense: Commercial space monitoring firms are concerned SpaceX's ability to use the best DoD data could threaten the market, sources tell Breaking Defense.

1 Source

2026-09-23T11:38:56.229040-07:00

Pentagon investigates how F-35A components bound from Australia reached 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

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

RAF Hawk T2 Crashes Amid Scrutiny of Fleet Technical Issues

Two Crew Eject After RAF Hawk Jet Crashes During Takeoff at RAF Valley in Anglesey

Dassault Aviation tests sovereign AI algorithms on Rafale fighter

Dassault Flight-Tests Sovereign AI Algorithms on Rafale Fighter

Dassault Tests Rafale with New AI Technologies for Crew Support

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Leonardo DRS Showcases JTT-X Hybrid SATCOM for Tactical Aircraft

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

Pentagon plans phased Golden Dome buildout through 2035

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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