Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Policy Boeing

DefenseNews.com • Valerie Insinna

US Air Force adds more deficiencies to KC-46 tanker problem set as Boeing faces additional delays

The US Air Force added new deficiencies to the KC-46 aerial-refuelling tanker program, compounding ongoing technical shortfalls. Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson told lawmakers she is frustrated with Boeing’s delays and said the company has been “overly optimistic” about fixing issues.

DefenseNews.com • Joe Gould

Boeing KC-46 delays are frustrating Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson

2026-04-23T07:06:31.591099-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors

NEW

DefenseNews.com • Valerie Insinna

Lockheed grows closer to F-35 block buy deal with US, international customers

By DefenseNews.com: Lockheed Martin is hammering out the details on a F-35 block buy proposal that could shave $2 billion off the total cost of the purchase.

2026-04-23T07:50:37.720310-07:00

AI Defense Budgets & Spending Policy & Regulation

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Pentagon seeks $2.3 billion for Maven AI battlefield system

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The Pentagon is asking Congress for $2.3 billion over the next five years to expand its Maven Smart System, a platform developed by Palantir Technologies that has eased the integration of artificial intelligence into frontline military operations.

2026-04-23T07:05:54.150726-07:00

Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Policy

DefenseNews.com • Valerie Insinna

Laser weapon for KC-135 ‘still in the infancy stage’

By DefenseNews.com: The U.S. Air Force wants to mount a laser weapon to the KC-135, but it’s still on the fence about how and where to do that.

2026-04-23T07:06:32.736024-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Budgets & Spending Policy & Regulation

DefenseNews.com • Valerie Insinna

Congress’ new omnibus bill sets up hurdles for JSTARS recap cancellation

By DefenseNews.com: Congress wants the Air Force to submit a report and a reprogramming request before it will transfer money from the cancelled JSTARS recap to elsewhere.

2026-04-23T07:06:33.695539-07:00

Accident Aviation Safety & Regulation

DefenseNews.com • Charlsy Panzino

Air Force C-5M Super Galaxy lands on nose after gear malfunction

By DefenseNews.com: The massive cargo plane skidded about three-quarters down the runway before coming to a stop.

2026-04-23T07:06:35.433028-07:00

AI Helicopter Sikorsky Defense Industry & Major Contractors

NEW

Aviation Today • Matthew Beinart

Army’s Work With H-60Mx Black Hawk To Inform Bringing Autonomy To MV-75 FLRAA

By Aviation Today: NASHVILLE, Tenn.–Army and Sikorsky officials said April 16 the service’s new Black Hawk outfitted to fly autonomously is serving as a testbed for bringing autonomy capability to the future MV-75 […].

2026-04-23T07:40:35.446913-07:00

Event Paris Air Show Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Orders Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Embraer

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DefenseNews.com • Valerie Insinna

Embraer shows off KC-390 at Paris Air Show

By DefenseNews.com: Envisioned as a larger, more modern competitor to Lockheed Martin’s famed C-130 Hercules, the KC-390’s debut demo at Le Bourget comes as Embraer starts a massive public relations tour that will be followed by the first two deliveries next year.

2026-04-23T07:50:37.168861-07:00