Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy  
DefenseNews.com • Valerie Insinna

JSTARS recap program in limbo as USAF reevaluates battle management/surveillance replacement approach

The U.S. Air Force’s path to replace its aging JSTARS recap battle management and surveillance capability is being reassessed, putting the program’s future “in limbo.” The decision reflects ongoing exploration of other options rather than a straightforward continuation of the recap strategy.

2026-04-27T20:34:32.850671-07:00
Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Policy & Regulation   Defense Policy  
DefenseNews.com • Joe Gould

Program head: CR will ‘slow down versus stop’ F-35 progress

By DefenseNews.com: While the F-35 program will move forward at pace even if funded through a continuing resolution, development and testing activities will slow down starting around April 2018 if a CR extends into spring, the head of the program office warned Wednesday.

2026-04-27T20:34:36.124913-07:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy  
DefenseNews.com • Lara Seligman

Air Force Secretary Warns of Consequences if McCain Blocks B-21

By DefenseNews.com: WASHINGTON — As Sen. John McCain continues his crusade against the Air Force’s next-generation B-21 bomber, service secretary Deborah Lee James is warning of the cost in both dollars and time of terminating the contract.

2026-04-27T17:49:17.762459-07:00
Israel   Military Aircraft Procurement   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
DefenseNews.com • Barbara Opall-Rome

Israel Air Force Chief Sings F-35's Praises, But Warns of Growing Missile Threat

By DefenseNews.com: Israel’s top Air Force officer on Tuesday praised the “revolutionary” operational potential of its new fifth-generation fighter – the F-35 Adir – yet warned that growing anti-aircraft threats could mean that part of its fourth-generation force could be downed in combat.

2026-04-27T15:49:14.466202-07:00