Defense News

UAV Development & Drone Programs Military Aircraft Procurement Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

The Air Current • Carter Johnston

U.S. Navy seeks uncrewed aircraft for ultra-long-range carrier strike in the Pacific

The U.S. Navy has asked defense contractors to develop an uncrewed aircraft centered on long-range strike, offering a clear signal of how it is reshaping future carrier air wings. The effort reflects mounting concern over long-range counter-air weapons and the operational demands of the Indo-Pacific.

1 Source

2026-08-04T14:44:29.086131-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Orders Defense Industry & Major Contractors Defense Deals Embraer

Breaking Defense • Michael Marrow

Colombia buys 2 KC-390s from Embraer in $336 million deal

By Breaking Defense: The Colombian Aerospace Force said the first aircraft is expected for delivery in 2029, and that a second will follow in 2030.

aviationnews.eu

Embraer Lands Colombian Air Force Deal for Two KC-390 Millennium Multi-Mission Jets

Aviation24

Colombia orders two Embraer KC-390 Millennium aircraft to modernise airlift fleet

Also: FlightGlobal, Reuters, aviation-defence-universe.com and 4 more

24 Sources

2026-08-04T10:31:43.614320-07:00

Hypersonic Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Industry & Major Contractors

The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

Army Revives Giant Cannon to Advance Hypersonic Testing

By The War Zone: The Army is transforming its canceled long-range supergun into a test platform that could speed hypersonic development while reducing reliance on costly flight tests.

1 Source

2026-08-04T14:28:22.176461-07:00

Supply Chain North America Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Export Controls & Trade Compliance

Reuters • Divya Rajagopal, Ernest Scheyder

Lockheed seeks U.S. mineral supplies after Trump supply-chain push, sources say

By Reuters: Lockheed Martin is in talks to buy supplies of two critical minerals from U.S. mines, two sources familiar with the discussions said, as President Donald Trump pressures defense contractors to cut reliance on China.

DefenseNews.com

Lockheed seeks US mineral supplies after Trump supply-chain push, sources say

news.ssbcrack.com

Lockheed Martin Pursues Domestic Supply of Critical Minerals Amid Pressure to Reduce Reliance on China

Also: Seeking Alpha, newsable.asianetnews.com and Seeking Alpha

6 Sources

2026-08-04T10:15:59.261711-07:00

Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Breaking Defense • Valerie Insinna

Defense execs feel good about Pentagon spending despite uncertainty on FY27 budget

By Breaking Defense: “I know there's lots of discussions on budget amounts and mechanics, but what I can tell you, as we engage with Congress, is there's a bipartisan support for increased munitions," RTX CEO Chris Calio said during a July earnings call.

1 Source

2026-08-04T12:44:28.912057-07:00

F-16 Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Boeing

Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

US Air Force seeks new engine options for F-15EX and F-16 fleets

By Air Data News: Request for information signals possible challenge to decades-long Pratt & U.S. Air Force (USAF) is exploring alternative engines for the Boeing F-15EX Eagle II and Lockheed Martin F-16 , opening the door to new suppliers for fighter aircraft that have long relied on powerplants from Pratt & Whitney and GE Aerospace .

AeroTime

US Air Force puts F-15EX and F-16 engine suppliers on notice

Also: Defense Daily

3 Sources

2026-08-04T02:51:25.014795-07:00

Event Farnborough Airshow Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Deals

Breaking Defense • Breaking Defense Video

Farnborough final takeaways: How the Iran war is affecting arms sales

By Breaking Defense: We review a few final insights and observations from this year's Farnborough International Airshow.

1 Source

2026-08-04T07:59:38.158964-07:00

eVTOL Military Aircraft Procurement Orders Defense Industry & Major Contractors Asia-Pacific (APAC) Archer Aviation

FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

2026-08-04T01:45:09.889798-07:00

U.S. Navy seeks uncrewed aircraft for ultra-long-range carrier strike in the Pacific

Colombia buys 2 KC-390s from Embraer in $336 million deal

Embraer Lands Colombian Air Force Deal for Two KC-390 Millennium Multi-Mission Jets

Colombia orders two Embraer KC-390 Millennium aircraft to modernise airlift fleet

Army Revives Giant Cannon to Advance Hypersonic Testing

Lockheed seeks U.S. mineral supplies after Trump supply-chain push, sources say

Lockheed seeks US mineral supplies after Trump supply-chain push, sources say

Lockheed Martin Pursues Domestic Supply of Critical Minerals Amid Pressure to Reduce Reliance on China

Defense execs feel good about Pentagon spending despite uncertainty on FY27 budget

US Air Force seeks new engine options for F-15EX and F-16 fleets

US Air Force puts F-15EX and F-16 engine suppliers on notice

Farnborough final takeaways: How the Iran war is affecting arms sales

Archer, Korean Air to work on militarised Midnight eVTOL

Archer’s Midnight eVTOL Prototype Completes California Round Trip

Archer’s Midnight completes city-to-city flights in California

The U.S. Navy’s new search for ultra-long-range strike brings its Pacific strategy into focus

Army Revives Giant Cannon to Advance Hypersonic Testing

Defense execs feel good about Pentagon spending despite uncertainty on FY27 budget

Colombia buys 2 KC-390s from Embraer in $336 million deal

Lockheed seeks U.S. mineral supplies after Trump supply-chain push, sources say

Farnborough final takeaways: How the Iran war is affecting arms sales

Tekever will launch AR5 deliveries to British Army before year-end under Corvus deal

Australia names Ghost Bat, hypersonics, lasers as defense technology priorities

Northrop gets $3B framework deal to increase motor production for PAC-3, THAAD

French Air Force Seeks Earlier Rafale F4 Deliveries Amid Fleet Overuse

Northrop Grumman Signs $3 Billion Framework Deals to Ramp Patriot and THAAD Interceptor Production

NH90 Block 1 begins flight testing with Link 22, upgraded sensors and enhanced anti-submarine warfare capabilities

Satellite communications deals span Spain’s secure SpainSat NG-III, Europe’s IRIS² network, Starlab and LATAM connectivity

US Air Force engine programs face delays, quality problems and material shortages

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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