Defense News

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Boeing

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

First F-15EX bound for permanent deployment at Japan’s Kadena Air Base departs Boeing

Boeing’s 22nd F-15EX Eagle II, the first designated for permanent deployment at Kadena Air Base, has departed the company’s St. Louis facility ahead of a planned fiscal 2027 arrival. The aircraft will replace legacy F-15C/Ds as the Air Force weighs future F-15EX sustainment requirements.

The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

First USAF F-15EX To Be Based In Japan Departs Boeing’s St. Louis Plant

Simple Flying • Aaron Spray

Air Force to Base F-15EXs at Seymour Johnson and Strike Eagles at Former B-2 Base

Also: DVIDS / U.S. DoD and defence-industry.eu

5 Sources

2026-09-03T09:54:07.623712-07:00

Hypersonic Defense Industry & Major Contractors

NEW

AeroTime • Stephen Pope

GE Aerospace wins Pentagon contract to build Mach 5 hypersonic test vehicle

By AeroTime: GE Aerospace will develop the Mach 5 Derecho hypersonic test vehicle under a new Pentagon HyCAT program contract.

1 Source

2026-09-03T11:06:08.794346-07:00

Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Defense Policy

The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

UK Commits RAF Tankers to Boom Refueling Capability for Tempest Fighter Program

By The War Zone: The next-generation Tempest fighter is driving the Royal Air Force to add a capability it currently lacks. The next-generation Tempest fighter is driving the Royal Air Force to add a capability it currently lacks.

1 Source

2026-09-03T09:35:09.382606-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Budgets & Spending Boeing

Breaking Defense • Breaking Defense Video

How Congress is trying to fund the E-7 Wedgetail program

By Breaking Defense: The Wedgetail would replace the aging E3 Sentry for airborne early warning and control.

1 Source

2026-09-03T08:05:13.630620-07:00

Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Policy

politico.eu • Paul Mclearly, Stefanie Bolzen

German defense chief to meet with Hegseth after earlier snub

By politico.eu: Boris Pistorius will visit the Pentagon chief for a rollout of F-35 warplanes.

Also: Politico

2 Sources

2026-09-03T07:50:42.231325-07:00

Space Force AI Defense Industry & Major Contractors

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

New round of Space Force SBIR projects focus on mission needs

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force is using its latest round of small-business research contracts to pursue technologies that are closer to operational use, a shift from the open ended research projects that have sometimes fueled industry skepticism of the Pentagon’s SBIR program.

Also: insidedefense.com, Defense Daily and insidedefense.com

4 Sources

2026-09-03T07:06:06.332384-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Breaking Defense • Michael Marrow

Hermeus picks Anduril autonomy for Quarterhorse drone

By Breaking Defense: In an exclusive interview with Breaking Defense, executives from both firms described a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Also: Aviation Week and Defense Daily

3 Sources

2026-09-03T06:04:46.252573-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Asia-Pacific (APAC) Defense Deals Defense Policy

Breaking Defense • Mike Yeo

GE Aerospace to provide marine gas turbine engines for South Korea's KDDX destroyers

By Breaking Defense: Global GE Aerospace to provide marine gas turbine engines for South Korea’s KDDX destroyers It will supply 12 LM2500+G4 engines for six KDDX-class ships Rendering of the KDDX being put forward by Hanwha Ocean for South Korea's destroyer program.

APAC Defence Reporter

GE Aerospace will supply LM2500+G4 gas turbines to S. Korean Navy

navaltoday.com

GE Aerospace to power ROKN's new KDDX destroyers

Also: Seeking Alpha and defence-industry.eu

5 Sources

2026-09-03T06:19:57.791370-07:00

First F-15EX bound for permanent deployment at Japan’s Kadena Air Base departs Boeing

First USAF F-15EX To Be Based In Japan Departs Boeing’s St. Louis Plant

Air Force to Base F-15EXs at Seymour Johnson and Strike Eagles at Former B-2 Base

GE Aerospace wins Pentagon contract to build Mach 5 hypersonic test vehicle

UK Commits RAF Tankers to Boom Refueling Capability for Tempest Fighter Program

How Congress is trying to fund the E-7 Wedgetail program

German defense chief to meet with Hegseth after earlier snub

New round of Space Force SBIR projects focus on mission needs

Hermeus picks Anduril autonomy for Quarterhorse drone

GE Aerospace to provide marine gas turbine engines for South Korea's KDDX destroyers

GE Aerospace will supply LM2500+G4 gas turbines to S. Korean Navy

GE Aerospace to power ROKN's new KDDX destroyers

GE Aerospace wins Pentagon contract to build Mach 5 hypersonic test vehicle

First F-15EX bound for permanent deployment in Japan delivered to US Air Force

UK Commits RAF Tankers to Boom Refueling Capability for Tempest Fighter Program

How Congress is trying to fund the E-7 Wedgetail program

German defense chief to meet with Hegseth after earlier snub

New round of Space Force SBIR projects focus on mission needs

Russia’s Reported Space-Nuclear ASAT Capability Highlights Arms-Control Failures

US Air Force moves closer to ski-equipped C-130J Hercules

Spain orders lightweight A900 rotorcraft for uncrewed maritime surveillance evaluation

US tariffs of up to 100% on imported drones take effect

USS Abraham Lincoln docks in Thailand after 286 days at sea and Middle East deployment

NATO fighters scramble after drones approach Baltic airspace as Zelenskiy declares Russian skies unsafe

US Navy seeks two carrier-based autonomous combat aircraft prototypes costing under $30 million

U.S. Navy seeks two fully functional prototypes for first tranche of Collaborative Combat Aircraft

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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