Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Policy & Regulation   Defense Policy  
Breaking Defense • Michael Marrow

Air Force creates Portfolio Acquisition Executives, names first five to streamline weapons procurement

The U.S. Air Force has established Portfolio Acquisition Executives (PAEs) and named the first five appointees as part of a reorganization to group program offices by mission and speed weapons procurement. The change aims to cut bureaucratic layers; specifics of PAE authorities and responsibilities are still being defined.

Also: Military Times, AirForceTimes and news.defcros.com
2026-01-09T11:52:42.938534-08:00
Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Policy & Regulation   Defense Policy  
Reuters • Gabriel Rubin

Trump’s ‘bully pulpit’ raises political risk for defense firms — threats to RTX buybacks and major investor deals

By Reuters: President Trump wants to block defense contractors like $250 bln RTX from repurchasing stock and big investors such as Blackstone from buying homes. He can't do so alone, but CEOs will waste resources coping.

Also: Flying Magazine
2026-01-09T06:45:28.523190-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Hypersonic   Europe   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
Reuters • Andrew Osborn

Russia Reports Firing Oreshnik Hypersonic Missile at Ukrainian Energy and Drone Manufacturing Sites

By Reuters: The missile is capable of carrying nuclear warheads, although there was no suggestion that the one used in the overnight attack had been fitted with them.

Also: Associated Press, politico.eu, Janes, AeroTime, Sky News, Economic Times, globalnews.ca, Euronews, The Independent, NBC News, defence-blog.com, defence-industry.eu and 16 more
2026-01-08T23:02:31.746901-08:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   North America   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy  
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

US Navy integrates autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft with F-35s in Joint Simulation Environment to develop new fighter tactics

By FlightGlobal: The US Navy has digitally integrated autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft with Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighters inside the Joint Simulation Environment, as the service begins a fleet transformation that will see uncrewed fighters operated alongside conventional aircraft.

Also: The Aviationist
2026-01-09T05:28:00.902972-08:00
Africa   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Export Controls & Trade Compliance   Defense Deals  
Reuters • Saad Sayeed; Mubasher Bukhari

Exclusive: Pakistan nears $1.5 billion arms and jet deal for Sudan as civil war intensifies

By Reuters: Pakistan is in the final phases of striking a $1.5-billion deal to supply weapons and jets to Sudan, a former top air force official and three sources said, promising a major boost for Sudan's army, battling the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

Also: Aviacionline
2026-01-09T04:38:00.977346-08:00