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DefenseNews.com • Cristina Stassis

U.S. Air Force Faces $14 Billion Sustainment and Supply-Chain Funding Gap

The U.S. Air Force is confronting a $14 billion shortfall in sustainment funding as supply-chain constraints and maintenance challenges pressure force readiness. Closing the gap will require additional resources to support ongoing operations and address persistent logistics and sustainment requirements.

Also: Military Times and AirForceTimes

3 Sources

2026-09-18T07:50:53.615387-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Defense Industry & Major Contractors Bayraktar

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

ASELSAN tests electronic warfare pods on Bayraktar TB2 drones

By AeroTime: ASELSAN said on September 18, 2026, that it had flown three of its airborne electronic warfare and radar pods on Bayraktar TB2 drones during a demonstration in Konya, Turkey, in front of defense delegations from 18 countries.

3 Sources

2026-09-18T08:06:43.126386-07:00

Europe Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Asia-Pacific (APAC) Defense Policy

AeroTime • Jean Carmela Lim

South Korea’s F-35As and French Rafales join forces in three-year first

By AeroTime: South Korea and France resumed joint aerial exercises for the first time in three years, pairing F-35A stealth fighters with French Rafales.

1 Source

2026-09-18T06:51:29.012356-07:00

Europe North America Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Danish F-35s land in Greenland for first time in major NATO Arctic drill

By AeroTime: Danish F-35s landed in Greenland for the first time during a NATO Arctic training mission involving US and Canadian fighters, a French tanker and AWACS.

Also: defence-industry.eu and defence-industry.eu

4 Sources

2026-09-18T05:06:38.274395-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Industry & Major Contractors

AINonline • Charlotte Bailey

HAV Offers Sentinel Hawk Airship In New Bid For Pentagon ISR Roles

By AINonline: New joint venture aims to deliver missionized Airlander 10 aircraft.

1 Source

2026-09-18T05:20:45.568071-07:00

Space Force Space Defense & Militarization Defense Policy

Bloomberg • James Stavridis

The US Wants China to Know It Has Weapons in Space

By Bloomberg: In a surprising statement this week, Secretary of the Air Force Troy E. Meink revealed that the US has weapons in space. He said, “We are increasing readiness against existing threats, and the United States has on-orbit space control weapons capable of defending the Joint Force against hostile adversary action.”.

Also: newsnationnow.com

2 Sources

2026-09-18T02:50:21.665268-07:00

Europe Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Deals

DefenseNews.com • Jaroslaw Adamowski

Latvia chooses Czech howitzers over Swedish Archer offer

By DefenseNews.com: Latvia will buy Czech Morana 155 mm howitzers, reversing an earlier decision to by the rival Archer artillery weapon from Sweden's BAE Systems Bofors.

1 Source

2026-09-18T04:05:40.352867-07:00

Saudi Arabia Middle East Military Aircraft Procurement Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Export Controls & Trade Compliance Defense Deals Defense Policy

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Trump administration advances Saudi F-35 sale despite China security concerns

By AeroTime: The US administration has approved a possible $24.3 billion sale of F-35s to Saudi Arabia, despite intelligence warnings over China and concerns about Israel's military edge.

2 Sources

2026-09-18T01:51:07.776511-07:00

U.S. Air Force Faces $14 Billion Sustainment and Supply-Chain Funding Gap

ASELSAN tests electronic warfare pods on Bayraktar TB2 drones

South Korea’s F-35As and French Rafales join forces in three-year first

Danish F-35s land in Greenland for first time in major NATO Arctic drill

HAV Offers Sentinel Hawk Airship In New Bid For Pentagon ISR Roles

The US Wants China to Know It Has Weapons in Space

Latvia chooses Czech howitzers over Swedish Archer offer

Trump administration advances Saudi F-35 sale despite China security concerns

ASELSAN tests electronic warfare pods on Bayraktar TB2 drones

U.S. Air Force Faces $14 Billion Sustainment and Supply-Chain Funding Gap

South Korea’s F-35As and French Rafales join forces in three-year first

HAV Offers Sentinel Hawk Airship In New Bid For Pentagon ISR Roles

Danish F-35s land in Greenland for first time in major NATO Arctic drill

Latvia chooses Czech howitzers over Swedish Archer offer

Military: An F-16 crashes during training in Michigan; pilot ejects safely

Lockheed Martin Unveils Next-Generation Air-to-Air Missile, Agrees to Accelerate Production

US Navy should target carriers in fight with China, report says

U.S. Air Force to Extend B-1 and B-2 Service Lives as Crews Transition to B-21

Pentagon accelerates Lockheed’s AIM-260 missile production as F-16 fleet expansion gains traction

US Acknowledges Weapons in Orbit as China Warns of a Space Arms Race

US intelligence warns proposed $24 billion Saudi F-35 sale could expose sensitive technology to China

U.S. Space Force plans to add 10,000 Guardians as it tests new mess dress uniforms

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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